“I like to cook with the philosophy of using great ingredients and not altering them too much.” - Aaron Sanchez
Buttermilk fried chicken is a classic, and truly one of my favorite things to make at home. It is rare I make one of my favorite dishes. Lately, I have been craving a buttermilk fried chicken thigh sandwich, and decided to create this dish at home.
Traditionally buttermilk fried chicken pairs wonderfully with Champagne, Crémant, or Prosecco - but today I’m switching it up, and pairing this meal with Lambrusco.
Not familiar with Lambrusco? I’m sharing all the details on this lovely wine below.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich
Fried chicken is truly a classic. Marinated boneless chicken thighs for 24 hours, in a special blend of herbs and spices was the key to making this protein perfect.
On the day of cooking, I put each chicken thigh into a bowl of buttermilk, ensuring the flavor sets in just right. This really helps tenderize the meat, and upon frying the chicken, it was able to get the perfect golden crispy crunch.
The sandwich was simple - a buttered potato bun, fresh arugula, avocado, garlic and herb mayo, with the crown jewel of course - a buttermilk fried chicken thigh.
Buttermilk fried chicken thigh sandwich with garlic herb mayo, avocado, and arugula on a buttered potato bun.
Lambrusco
2018 Vigneto Saetti Rosso Viola
Lambrusco is an Italian red grape, and this is a sparkling wine. The region of this particular Lambrusco is Salamino di Santa Croce. They are typically lighter in color, semi-sparkling, and is either semi-sweet or dry style. Also, this varietal gets in name from its resemblance to sausage as a grape cluster - pretty cool, right?
All in all, Lambrusco is great to pair with a rich or fatty dish, as the acid and tannins of this wine really help balance one another.
Now, lets dive into this particular wine!
I picked up this bottle at my local bakery, Prosperity Kitchen & Pantry - a popular spot near my home in Virginia Beach, VA. It is rare that I’m able to find a lovely Lambrusco, so I jumped at the opportunity. Immediately I knew what I had to pair it with a fried chicken dish. The cool thing about this wine is that it is organic, and I’m always interested in trying these particular types of wines.
The notes on this wine are:
Red Fruit: cherry and cranberry
Earth: minerality and balsamic
Black Fruit: plum, black cherry, and blackberry
Malolactic: yeast and dairy
Spice: pepper, clove, anise, and cinnamon
Also, there are some subtle notes of apple and peach. Overall, for a price point of under $25, this wine is complex and overall very well done.
This wine would pair well with pork, salmon, tuna, cheese, cured meat, and of course chicken - particularly buttermilk fried chicken.
XO, Analise