Turkey Burger + Pinot Noir Pairing

“Food isn't like anything else. It's something precious. It's not a commodity.” - Alice Waters

It has been years since I’ve had red meat, and I’ve been trying out several turkey burger recipes, that would satisfy my occasional burger cravings. When seasoned and dressed properly, turkey burgers can be juicy, moist, and super flavorful. I love pairing my turkey burgers with a nice glass of red wine, Pinot Noir to be exact.

This pairing provides a lovely balance, and one I enjoy so much, read more about it below.

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Turkey Burger

This turkey burger is packed full of flavor. The ground turkey is seasoned and marinated with black pepper, onion and garlic powder, Trader Joe’s Everyday Seasoning spice blend, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, and whole grain mustard. It is topped with Swiss cheese, homemade smoked bacon, pickled red onion and jalapeños. Then, garnished with spinach and avocado on a buttered brioche bun.

The balance and elements of this turkey burger are wonderful blend of:

  • Spice

  • Heat

  • Smoke

  • Salt

I truly enjoy pairing my burger with a delicate and soft Pinot Noir - learn more about my favorite pairing below.

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Saude Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018

Saude Creek Vineyard is a winery I’ve featured on this blog a few times (read the post here). It is a local Virginia Winery that has a stunning view, and some lovely wines. This year Saude Creek debuted their brand new Pinot Noir, and I was super excited to get my hands on it. Their 2018 Pinot Noir is quite delicious - it is soft, and delicate - a wonderful wine to sip by itself, or pair with a turkey burger.

Here are the tasting notes on this beautiful wine:

  • Light-bodied

  • Delicate and smooth finish

  • Low tannins

  • Red fruit: cherry, raspberry, and pomegranate

Pinot Noir is a lovely choice, as it is a very versatile wine, and pairs well with so many things. Also, this varietal does not overpower the burger at all. It’s acidity pairs well with Swiss cheese, and the various salty notes on the sandwich. Pinots compliment every element on this sandwich, from the smoked bacon, to the pickled veggies - each bite and sip are the perfect pair.

Additional Wine Pairings:

  • Sparkling Rosé

  • Pinot Gris

  • Chardonnay

  • Beaujolais

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XO, Analise

The A-List

"Life is too short not to celebrate nice moments!" - Jurgen Klopp

Enjoying the most delicious cheeses, and pairing them with the perfect wines at Tinto Wine & Cheese!

Enjoying the most delicious cheeses, and pairing them with the perfect wines at Tinto Wine & Cheese!

My lovely hibiscus plants are finally blooming on our front porch! 

My lovely hibiscus plants are finally blooming on our front porch! 

Two glasses of Merlot from Rosemont Vineyards.

Two glasses of Merlot from Rosemont Vineyards.

A gorgeous bouquet of flowers from a dear friend in celebration of my promotion.

A gorgeous bouquet of flowers from a dear friend in celebration of my promotion.

A surprise gift from my sweet husband.

A surprise gift from my sweet husband.

The most lovely wine wall at Mermaid Winery, in Downtown Norfolk.

The most lovely wine wall at Mermaid Winery, in Downtown Norfolk.

One of the most delicious glasses of red wine at a new favorite restaurant, The Buthcer's Son.

One of the most delicious glasses of red wine at a new favorite restaurant, The Buthcer's Son.

Happy Friday everyone! It has been super busy lately, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. We are gearing up for Father's Day, and finalizing summer plans with friends and family.

It is an exciting time for us. G and I are settling into our new jobs, while making sure we balance time together.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

What's new with you guys?!

XO, Analise

Uncorked: How to Host a Wine Party

"What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others." - Diogenes

G and I love throwing parties at our home. We typically throw a party every year at the beginning or end of Summer. When we have our event, I love serving wines that our guests will enjoy! As you guys know, we really like wine, and it is a treat when we are able to blow away our guests with an amazing selection.

Today I'm sharing some a few tips in choosing wonderful wines for your next party!

  1. Headcount. Each bottle of wine typically serves about 4 glasses, depending on how you pour. For a point of reference, our guests will have about 2-3 glasses of wine. With that being considered, you'll need to ensure your selection can accommodate your headcount. For example, if you have 10 guests, it's best to have about 8-10 bottles of wine. I always like to get a few extra bottles just in case! Tip: If you will be serving alcohol in addition to wine, feel free to modify the number of bottles!
  2. White, Rose, Bubbly, or Red? Depending on the event I adjust the type of wine I'll be serving. For brunch, I will serve champagne, rose, and white wine. This is typically a lighter meal and also earlier in the day. For evening events and dinner parties, I will serve red and white wine, and champagne is a must! Tip: If your audience prefers red over white, purchase more red wine since it's a crowd favorite!
  3. Food pairing. It is really important to make sure you have the appropriate selection of food that pair perfectly with your wine! Whether you are serving spicy, BBQ, savory or sweet dishes, make sure your wine selection accompanies your food. Tip: Whenever I make my lemon pepper wings, I make sure I have Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc available for my guests! They pair perfectly together.
  4. Budget. I try to stick to a price point for each bottle of wine that I buy. If I'm having a smaller gathering or hosting a dinner, I'll splurge and get some unique bottles from one of our favorite local wine shops, Tinto. Yet, if we are having a larger group, Trader Joe's is my preferred store to get my wine! They have an excellent price point and I set a cap for about $15 a bottle. Tip: Set a budget early. If your budget is $150 get a great variety and ensure the quality is spot on for your guests.

What are some of your favorite wines to share with friends?

XO, Analise

 

Photo Credit: Shannon Moffit Photography

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Uncorked: Dessert Pairings

 "Life's short. Drink the wine. Order the dessert." - Unknown

Valentine's Day is almost here! This is the perfect time to share some of my favorite wine and dessert pairings! The selections are ideal to enjoy with the special person in your life or with your girlfriends on Galentine's Day. 

Below I'm sharing some of my favorite wines and the desserts that go together perfectly.

Zinfandel

The Biltmore Estate Limited Release Zinfandel is so delicious! It pairs well with many things, but one of my favorites are truffles.

The Perfect Pair: Dark Chocolate Truffles

 

Chardonnay

I really enjoy a clean and crisp chardonnay. My personal favorite is the Upper Shirley Chardonnay. This wine goes perfectly with anything vanilla!

The Perfect Pair: Vanilla Cupcakes

 

Cabernet Sauvignon

One of my favorite red wines is cabernet. The Caymus Cabernet is to die for, and I absolutely love it ... especially with chocolate!

The Perfect Pair: Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

Prosecco

The Tesoro della Regina Prosecco is crisp and has a hint of apple notes. What better dessert to pair with than apple pie?

The Perfect Pair: Apple Pie

 

Champagne

Piper-Heidsieck Brut is a new favorite for me. This will pair well with chocolate covered strawberries. If you aren't fan of chocolate, you can use whipped cream as a substitute. 

The Perfect Pair: Strawberries

 

Merlot

The Rosemont of Virginia Merlot is like velvet and is absolutely great! I love drinking this wine at dinner with an amazing chicken dish, but I definitely save a glass for dessert. This merlot is perfect with a double chocolate brownie!

The Perfect Pair: Brownies

 

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