WeeklyWinePick.com » Portugal

Port & Pecan Pie

Derek Swanson — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:34:49 +0000

Up there with the most difficult foods to pair with wine is pecan pie. If anyone can successfully recommend a table wine for this uber-rich creation, we’re all ears. We asked a couple of sommeliers in Tulsa for their take on the the southern pecan pie pairing. Tim Baker of Sonoma Bistro & Wine Bar recommended cappuccino or coffee with liqueur, such as Amaretto or Bailey’s. He said if wine is a must, an earthy Tokaji might would couple well. Joe Breaux, sommelier at Fleming’s in Tulsa, said pecan pie must be paired with a wine that is sweeter than the pie. ”The sugar in the pie will make any table wine taste dull or bitter. A good older vintage tawny Port works because the nuttiness in the wine is enhanced by the nuttiness of the pie; the 1986 Delaforce Colheita Port is a very good match.”

This was one pairing we gladly put to the test, and we wanted to do it right (Karo corn syrup need not apply!). We asked Sandy Farris to send us one of her famous pecan pies, which are available nationally via mail order (abundant packaging and 2nd day air ensures your pie arrives fresh and in perfect shape). The tawny Port proved to be a tasty partner to the flaky crust and infinite layers of pecans in the Farris’t of Them All pie. For the sake of comparison we also poured an Evan Williams single-barrel bourbon that was on hand. The nuances of the pie that were greatly enhanced by the Port’s pale spice and toasted flavors but were masked my the whiskey’s smokiness.

If you are looking for a Valentine’s day gift for your hubby, Farris’t Pecan Pie and a bottle of tawny Port are a tasty way to say “I love you!”

2007 Dão, Alvaro Castro, Portugal

Derek Swanson — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:35:11 +0000

This week’s pick comes from Gary Vaynerchuk, the star of Wine Library TV: ”This Portuguese wine from the Dao region acts very Rhone-like with its combination of strawberry and pepper on the nose. On the palate there are enormous amounts of fruit, surprisingly jammy, with hints of black pepper and a gaminess that I simply love. If you’re a Rhone drinker who enjoys Gigondas or Vacqueyras, this will be up your alley. Ripe and bold, with meatiness throughout and nice ripe sour cherries on the back end. I adore the length of this wine and would happily pair it up with grilled steaks or burgers. At under 20 bones, this is definitely my style of wine and impressed me quite a bit!”

Gary Vaynerchuk is the Director of Operations at WineLibrary in Springfield, NJ. One of the most popular personalities in the wine industry, his exciting and informative Wine Library TV Webisodes attract more than 80, 000 viewers daily. His new book on social media and business, Crush It, is on sale now.

2006 Tinto de Ânfora, Portugal

Derek Swanson — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:33:50 +0000

This week’s pick was offered by Stephanie Frederick, an educator at the Sommelier Society of America in New York City. Ms. Frederick was impressed with the provenance and uniqueness offered by this wine at such a low price (around $13). The wine is produced by the esteemed Bacalhoa group and comes from the Alentejo wine region of Portugal. The varietal blend varies from vintage to vintage, consisting primarily of Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, and Alfrocheiro. Aged for 12 months in small oak barrels, this wine’s style is comparable to the wines of the southern Rhone. Ms. Frederick recommends barbeque pork as an ideal pairing.

The Sommelier Society is America’s oldest wine education organization and offers resources for consumers and industry professionals. In addition to her work as an educator, Ms. Frederick consults for numerous importers in the northeast and works with hospitality establishments to optimize their wine programs.

You can find this wine at many retailers on Wine-Searcher.