Last night before heading off to the John Legend and Raphael Saadiq concert at the Northrop, I decided to whip up one of my old cold weather stand bys ~ my famous Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas…so tasty, and perfect on a chilly Minneapolis night! (Guess it’s my answer to Minnesota’s ‘Hot Dish’)  As I chopped up the jalapenos and the serrano peppers for my enchilada filling, the smells coming from the acid in the peppers made me crave a spicy Tempranillo with that dirty, dusty spice that only comes from the soil in Spain. After an hour of mincing, dicing and simmering, I laid my enchiladas to bake with a thin layer of bubbling cheese.  After poking around the cellar for a bit, my need for Spanish ‘dirt’ took me to one of my favorite little Spanish producers.  A bottle that I had stashed in the corner, yet have had a hard time saving ‘for that rainy day’.  Marqués de Griñon Caliza 2004, from the region of La Mancha.  Marqués de Griñon, a winery founded in 1792, has done a phenomenal job with varietals like Cabernet and Petite Verdot, however, basically put Syrah on the map in Spain along with its roots from Bordeaux varietals.  With its deep purple color and enticing lush raspberry and black cherry palate, the wine seemed to waft like ripe raspberry pie from the glass.  Even though I had a hankering for Tempranillo, the Marqués with its dusty, earthy Syrah backbone, and straight-laced spicy Graciano vein, seemed to be the perfect compliment to the cheesy, gooey enchiladas as they came out of the oven.  Not to mention…a perfect way to toast the evening to come. 

As for the concert, Raphael Saadiq gets two thumbs up.  Dude, he is one cool cat!  With his slick, old school motown style, his hot performance was a perfect warm up for John Legend - who, with no surprise, was smooth, smooth, smooth.  Raphael’s sweet sexy tones and Mr. Legend’s sultry and soulful moves were almost as good as the Caliza and the enchiladas.  Yum-my.

Cheers to another perfect pairing!

Had the perfect combination of cheese and wine the other night…

Tis’ the season for cheese/wine pairings with the holidays coming up.  Thought I would share my most recent ‘perfect pairing’.  Without having to spend too much time sorting and wandering through the cheese section at my favorite local market, I picked up a chunk of Rembrandt Gouda.  Cheap, easy and good.  A nice stand by.

I came home and decided, on a Wednesday night, to open up one of my favorite Alsacien producers ~ Marcel Deiss.  The 2003 Bergheim Pinot Blanc was exactly what the doctor ordered.  Without thinking necessarily about the combinations I had thrown on the plate or what I was drinking it with…I happened upon a delicious holiday pairing.  Between the crunky, caramel, butterscotchy crystals in the cheese and the hints of honey, orange blossom and petrol in my glass, the pairing exploded with life!  Fantastic!  

For the ‘traditionalists’ who seem to think that certain white wines and cheese or certain red wines and cheese don’t pair…dream on. (Literally)  It’s your palate, wake up and use it!  Use your imagination and explore every combination of flavor you think possible.  Wine is supposed to be fun…make an evening of it. Invite some friends over, pick up five different cheeses from your local cheese market, five wines from red to white and halve at it.  Seriously, have fun!

By the way…
The Rembrandt Gouda is readily available at your local supermarket – I picked up mine at Kowalski’s on Lyndale. As for the Marcel Deiss, I can’t believe I’m doing this…but here is one of my best kept secrets…THE ONLY place to find his wines in the state is at South Lyndale Liquors .  Ask for Mitch, he’ll set you up!  BUT, VERY IMPORTANT, don’t buy it all up, because then there won’t be any left for me…!

watch Leslee

Check out Leslee’s new video featured on the StarTribune’s website, “Pairing wine and food: A contest” .

Thanks for stopping by… 

A bit about me -  I am a ISG Certified Level III Sommelier and former director of one of Oregon’s most prestigious Pinot Noir houses, Archery Summit, and member to the board of directors of Pine Ridge Winery of Napa, California.  I have been in Minnesota for 2 years now; consulting to some of the top restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul by day, teaching wine classes, organizing tastings around town, and being involved in numerous private, corporate, and fundraising events at night.

In the weeks to come I will be updating this blog with wine reviews, rants and raves, as well as local events, and happenings around the Twin Cities.

check back soon…

cheers, Leslee