Buttermilk Fried Shrimp + Crémant Pairing

“Finishing food is about the tiny touches. In the last seconds you can change everything.” - Mario Batali

Shrimp is such a versatile protein, you can enjoy them steamed, grilled, or broiled. Yet, one of my favorite ways to enjoy shrimp is when it is fried with buttermilk! These bitesized treats, are perfect to enjoy solo, tossed in a salad, or piled high on a sandwich. I absolutely love pairing buttermilk fried shrimp with Crémant, a delicious sparkling wine.

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Buttermilk fried shrimp with spicy aioli.

Buttermilk Fried Shrimp

These crispy buttermilk shrimp are marinated in lemon pepper, red pepper, and a pinch of sea salt for 24 hours. The flavor of these shellfish are so lovely, and the citrus and spicy notes pair wonderfully together.

When choosing a wine for this dish, you’ll want something light and refreshing. A crisp, fresh, and sparkling white wine would compliment these fried shrimp perfectly.

Williamsburg Winery, Crémant de Loire Wedmore Place

Crémant de Loire

Williamsburg Winery, located in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg, VA has a hidden gem on their wine listing, a wonderful Crémant. It is simply lovely, and is served at their hotel, Wedmore Place. This wine is bottled and produced at Château de la Presle in France. I stumbled upon this delicious sparkling white wine during my bridal shower several years ago, and is a staple always kept in my home.

Not familiar with Crémant? Crémant de Loire is produced in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions of Loire Valley.

The primary grapes traditionally used in this wine are:

• Chenin Blanc,

• Cabernet Franc, or

• Pinot Noir

With Chenin Blanc more commonly used in this sparkling wine, you’ll taste the following primary notes:

• Lemon

• Quince

• Pear

• Honey

• Chamomile

• Bread or Toast

On the nose you’ll immediately find:

• Hazelnut

• Almonds

• Vanilla

• Liquore

This wine is so delicate, fresh, clean, and crisp, the perfect compliment to really any fried dish, but particularly buttermilk fried shrimp. I truly enjoy this pairing, and it’s one of my favorites to indulge in. You can pair Crémant with several other dishes like salmon, curry, and smoked trout.

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XO, Analise

Uncorked: Virginia Wines + Thanksgiving Day Pairings

“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.” - Oprah Winfrey

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. As I have grown older, I’ve definitely begun to appreciate it more. While eating some delicious food is always a delight, I love the meaning of the holiday - to give thanks, and to reflect on the wonderful things this year has produced.

My husband and I are hosting Thanksgiving. This will be our second time hosting everyone for this holiday. We are so excited, and have been preparing and testing out new recipes for our loved ones. Once we finalized our menu, I eagerly began researching wines we’d like to pair with our dishes, and what better wines to pair with our food, than Virginia wines? G and I are lovers of Virginia wines, and there are so many wonderful wineries and vineyards in our home state.

Today, I am sharing my current favorite Virginia wines - some are new to the lineup! Also, I’m recommending the perfect Thanksgiving food pairings for each wine.

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Sparkling Rosé

Michael Shaps - Maison Shaps Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé

Michael Shaps - Maison Shaps Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé

This Pinot Noir based sparkling rosé can be enjoyed throughout the Thanksgiving meal. It pairs perfectly with almost any dish - honey baked ham, cranberry sauce, deviled eggs, and list goes on. It is dry, balanced, crisp, and so delicious. Also, this bubbly has bright acidity, which will hold up to all of the various dishes that are served during Thanksgiving.

This Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé is truly the unsung hero of Thanksgiving Day dinner.

Perfect Pairs:

Mac & Cheese, Turkey, Ham, Green Beans, Deviled Eggs, and Cranberry Sauce

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Chardonnay

Williamsburg Winery - 2018 Wessex Hundred Chardonnay

Williamsburg Winery - Wessex Hundred Chardonnay

The oak and butter notes of Chardonnay really make it an excellent white wine that can hold up to a variety of dishes. Also, the lemon and apple notes pair perfectly with the heavier dishes, like the yams and mashed potatoes. Chardonnay is a perfect compliment to turkey and really stands up to the herbs and spices on the protein as well.

Perfect Pairs:

Turkey, Yams, Deviled Eggs, Buttered Rolls, Cornbread, and Mashed Potatoes

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Tannat

Fabbioli Cellars - 2016 Tannat

Fabbioli Cellars - Tannat

Tannat is a bold wine for sure and definitely needs dishes that can stand up to it. If you are serving red meat during Thanksgiving - this is a perfect wine for it. Also, macaroni and cheese is ideal as well, because aged cheeses pair super well with this wine. With this wine you’ll get vanilla bean and mocha, which will be a wonderful compliment to sweet potatoes too!

Perfect Pairs:

Beef, Mac & Cheese, Dressing, and Sweet Potatoes

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Cabernet Franc

Stone Tower Winery - 2016 Wild Boar Cabernet Franc

Stone Tower Winery - Wild Boar Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Francs are often full-bodied, moderately or highly tannic wine. The aromas boast in spices and notes are heavy with red/black berry fruits. This wine pairs well with hearty dishes - red meat or dark meat proteins are ideal companions for the Cabernet Franc. Also, Cab Franc really compliments the fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, used on perfect pair proteins as well.

Perfect Pairs:

Dark Meat Turkey, Beef, Collard Greens, and Mac & Cheese

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Red Bordeaux

Saude Creek Vineyards - 1791

Saude Creek Vineyards - 1791

This Bordeaux-style blend has earthy flavors of blackberry and cherry. The tannins soft, and there are notes of smoke, tobacco, and espresso that come forward on the nose. Just like the Cabernet Franc, this wine goes well with red meats, or dark white meat. This wine is absolutely perfect to end the dinner with!

Perfect Pairs:

Dark Meat Turkey and Smoked Prime Rib

XO, Analise