| Perfect Pairings | | | | is reminiscent of the jalapeno poppers served at |
| By Bill & Karen Garlough | | | | most taverns. It can also be made with low fat |
| | | | cream cheese and mayo without sacrificing |
| | | | | flavor. Add more jalapenos if you want an extra |
| One of our New Year’s resolutions for 2009 | | | | kick! |
| is to find exciting new wines that offer | | | | Tavern Popper Spread |
| exceptional value. In the column, I have always | | | | 2 8 oz Pkg Cream Cheese, softened |
| tried to present wines that offer good value and | | | | 1 Cup Mayonnaise |
| this approach is more appropriate than ever. | | | | 1 4 oz can Chopped Green Chilies |
| With all of the snow/sleet/ice/rain we experience | | | | 1/8 Cup (2 oz.) Jalapeno Slices (bottled, not |
| this time of year, we tend to hang out at our | | | | fresh), chopped (add more to taste) |
| homes and host or attend indoor parties. | | | | 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded |
| Football playoffs offer a good reason to invite | | | | ½ Cup Bread Crumbs (Japanese Panko is |
| your friends over and have some fun. In this | | | | suggested) |
| column, Karen will provide a quick and easy | | | | French Bread slices |
| Jalapeno Spread perfect for football parties and Bill | | | | – toasted |
| will pair some wines that work well with this | | | | Or |
| food. | | | | Tortilla Chips |
| Wine Facts | | | | In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and |
| Football parties are fun and offer a casual way to | | | | mayonnaise. Mix in green chilies and jalapeno |
| get together and socialize. Football party fare | | | | peppers. Transfer cheese mixture into an oven |
| tends to be bold and spicy, with BBQ ribs, chili, | | | | safe serving dish. Combine the parmesan cheese |
| pizza, sub sandwiches and a variety of dips and | | | | and breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the breadcrumb |
| chips as common menu items. These dishes | | | | mixture on top. Bake in a 400 degree oven for |
| commonly call for beer. When hosting a party, it | | | | 15 – 20 minutes until the cheese is warm and |
| is a good idea to offer wine for the non-beer | | | | the topping is golden brown. Garnish with a 3 - 5 |
| drinkers and a variety of non-alcoholic beverage | | | | sliced jalapenos and serve with toasted French |
| options including soft drinks and water. | | | | bread slices or tortilla chips. |
| As wine is rapidly growing in popularity in the U.S., | | | | Bill’s Football Party Wine Picks (with |
| there is a wide variety of flavors and styles | | | | suggested retail prices) |
| available. Slightly sweet and fruity wines tend to | | | | Pillar Box |
| balance bold and spicy foods. I will focus on | | | | $11 |
| some red wines that your guests will enjoy at | | | | Sacred Stone Master’s Red |
| your football party. | | | | Blend $10 |
| I recently visited a couple of local wine merchants | | | | Fruit |
| and challenged them to suggest wines that are | | | | $14 |
| fruity, reasonably priced and have a fun and | | | | Marquis Philips |
| whimsical name. Mark Dryden of Cabernet and | | | | Shiraz |
| Company in Naperville rose to this challenge with | | | | $14 |
| two interesting reds. Both wines are blends of | | | | Bill and Karen Garlough are the owners and |
| merlot, cabernet and syrah. Merlot grapes offer | | | | founders of My Chef Catering in Naperville, the |
| fruity character to a wine. The first wine Mark | | | | 2007 winner of the U.S. Chamber’s Small |
| suggested is called Fruit Bomb, from the Bergevin | | | | Business of the Year. Bill is a Level 1 Master |
| Winery in Washington. This wine offers big | | | | Sommelier. |
| cherry notes. I can just envision your guests | | | | Wine of the Month – by Bill Garlough, owner |
| asking you to “go long” for another glass | | | | of My Chef Catering, Naperville |
| of Fruit Bomb. Mark’s second | | | | Pillar Box Red – suggested retail price of |
| recommendation is Sacred Stone Master’s | | | | $11 |
| Red Blend from the Pietra Santa Winery, which | | | | While the label is whimsical as many Australian |
| contains more syrah grapes than Fruit Bomb, and | | | | wines are, the content is serious stuff. |
| has a slightly drier taste. Both wines are ideal | | | | This wine contains 50% Shiraz, 42% Cabernet |
| football party beverages. | | | | and 8% Merlot. It has a dark, purple colorand |
| Party Fare | | | | offers a fruity nose of black cherry, black |
| When having guests over, recipes that are quick, | | | | raspberry and blueberry. This full bodied red |
| easy and relatively inexpensive are ideal. At | | | | offers a great value and received a 91 rating |
| parties, people love to nibble on a variety of | | | | from Robert Parker, the famous wine critic. |
| comfort foods that are bold and spicy. This recipe | | | | |