martin Issue No.9 November 2015
THE
top ten WINTER WINES
This Season’s Party Pairings Gluten-free Goodies Holiday Party Punch View our recipes at www.martinwine.com/recipes
IMG SOURCE: FOOD NETWORK
Winter Wines The wine experts here at Martin's have selected the top ten wines for a cozy winter. These seasonal picks are sure to keep you warm and get you in the holiday spirit. We know many of you will be planning holiday gatherings in the upcoming months so to make this hectic time (a little bit) easier for you we've also picked our favorite food pairings for each wine. Whether you're an avid cook or want our catering department to take over, these drink & dish combos will be the hit at any holiday fĂŞte this year.
1. Delas Freres Cotes du Ventoux 2013 $11.99
IMG SOURCE: A DAILY SOMETHING
This wine delivers bright fruit and a subtle earthiness. The acidity comes through the aroma along with a hint of that distinct peppery quality. Pair with a warm beef stew or Martin’s Spiced Lamb Meatballs.
2. Patient Cottat Sancerre Anciennes Vieilles Vignes 2013 $24.99 3. Chehalem Riesling 2012 $16.99
[Pair this Riesling with Butternut Squash soup!]
4. Decero Malbec Remolinos Vineyard 2012 $16.99
Learn more about these seasonal wine pairings at www.martinwine.com.
3. 4. 2.
5. Ladoucette Les Deux Tours Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $16.99
6. Perrin et Fils Cotes du Rhone Villages 2012 $12.99
7. Vietti Barbera d'Asti Tre Vigne 2012 $14.99
This clean and crisp French wine has an expressive nose with an exceptional range of grapefruit and citrus fruit with floral aromas. These notes are enhanced and strengthened by the lively acidity on the palate.
A very soft medium bodied red blend with bright acidity from only the best sites for Cotes du Rhone. Notes of ripe berry with an earthy, dry and blanced finish.
A medium bodied wine that reminds us of dark cherries with some notes of oak and earth. This wine has an enjoyable amount of dryness on the finish and drinks at about the same fullness as a Pinot Noir.
Pair with your Seafood Gumbo this winter or try it with our Savory Goat Cheese Tartlet appetizer for your holiday party.
8. Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Blanc les Princes Abbes 2012 $15.99 The crisp acidity of this wine is great for cutting through and balancing out cream-based pasta dishes or anything with Cajun spices. Pairs well with any type of seafood dish.
Our wine consultants like to pair this with beef dishes like a Beef Bolognaise or Martin’s Charred Beef Tenderloin.
9. Bishop's Peak Pinot Noir 2013 $19.99 A pinot with the perfect balance of fruit and acidity and enough body to hold up to a holiday roast. Pair a Boneless Pork Roast from Martin’s or try it with your classic turkey recipe.
Pair with a classic NOLA dish like Fried Trout Almondine or order Crab Salad Ravigote from Martin’s catering.
Or ask one of our Wine Consultant’s about their favorite holiday wine pairing.
Pairs perfectly with pork and grilled veggies. Try it paired with Martin’s Grilled Chicken Marsala, we promise you won’t regret it!
10. J Lohr Chardonnay Arroyo Vista 2013 $16.99 This plush and racy Chardonnay has aromas of stone fruit and lemon with complex flavors and is balanced by palate-cleansing acidity. This chardonnay pairs well with seared salmon and lentils. The Smoked Salmon BLT Pinwheels from Martin’s catering is a good mate.
Martin’s Catering Item available at Metaire & New Orleans
shrubs:
Gluten-free Guide Gluten Sensitivity & Alcohol by Andrew Adorno
Are you watching the amount of gluten in your diet? According to a national survey, about 29% of the nation is trying to reduce or avoid gluten in their diets. That is 1 in 3 people! While only around 1% of the population actually has celiac disease, an inherited autoimmune disease that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested, another 6% of the population has a form of non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Although less severe, this sensitivity can still lead to significant adverse reactions when gluten is ingested. For those of you that don’t know, gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. The only treatment for those unable to digest gluten properly is avoiding it all together. It is present in many foods and beverages, but alcohol can also be a source. Here is what you need to know about gluten and alcohol:
3 ways
BEVERAGES SAFE TO CONSUME: Alcoholic beverages prepared from fruit are gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease to consume. Fruit-based alcohols include a wide range of products such as Wine, Champagne, Hard Ciders, Brandy, Cognac, Triple Sec and even Ouzo. Sake is also safe to consume since it is prepared from rice and does not contain any remnants of gluten. But for those looking for hard liquor options, research the distillation process before drinking. Most distilled alcoholic beverages are typically gluten-free since the distillation process leaves only pure alcohol, even if the product is fermented from wheat, barley or rye. Some popular distilled spirits include Vodka, Gin, Scotch Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Tequila made from 100% agave, Mezcal, Grand Marnier, Brandy… just naming a few! While these are generally safe to consume, there is never a 100% guarantee. Some people with high sensitivity to gluten might still react to these products depending on the preparation method or intensity of the process. If you are concerned about the gluten content of distilled alcohols, either sip slowly and note if a reaction occurs or just avoid all together. Bottom line: If you have a gluten sensitivity - play it safe. Stick with unflavored wines, champagnes, hard ciders, and gluten-free beers made from sorghum grains. Andrew Adorno is an undergraduate nutrition student and aspiring Registered Dietitian currently working at Martin’s. For complete article please visit www.martinwine.com/learn
Don’t forget to do your research! Asking a few simple questions will help you make more informed decisions on which alcohols are safe for you. Are oak barrels used to age the alcohol? Some oaks barrels are sealed with a gluten-containing paste. Is gluten or another protein used to refine the alcohol? Does the alcohol have any grain mash, flavorings, or color additives? How thorough is the distillation process?
Martin’s GLUTEN-FREE GOODS A few Gluten-Free Martin Wine Cellar Recommendations:
BEER: Angry Orchard Hard Ciders $1.50 Redbridge Beer $1.35 SAKE: Snow Maiden Nigori 720ml: $14.99 Well of Wisdom 720ml: $21.99
Shrub & Co. Spicy Ginger Shrub $21.99 16oz
You might be wondering, “What’s a shrub?” Well, it's more than just a flavored syrup. It's a combination of fruit (or strongly-flavored plants like ginger root), sugar, and vinegar as a preservative. Don’t let the smell scare you away! Shrubs are a magical product for drinkers and non-drinkers alike. We’re sharing our three favorite recipes so you can see for yourself. HAYMAKER’S SODA 1.5 oz Shrub & Co Spicy Ginger 4.5 oz sparkling water Fill glass with desired amount of ice, add shrub and pour sparkling water. Stir well. Yields one 8 oz soda. or GINGER MARGARITA 2 oz Patrón Silver Tequila 1/2 oz simple syrup 1/2 oz Shrub & Co Spicy Ginger 1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
VODKA: Tito’s 1.75L: $29.99, Bootlegger 750ml: $28.99, Chopin 750ml: $23.99, and Oryza 750ml: $25.99
Add ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well, strain into glass and garnish with a slice of candied ginger.
MEZCAL: Peloton de la Muerte 750ml: $23.99
or
RUM: Plantation Grand Reserve Aged 5 years
MORNING RHIZER
750ml: $20.99
TEQUILA: Calle 23 750ml: $20.99-$29.99 GIN: Oryza 750ml: $26.99 WHISKEY: Mellow Corn 750ml: $10.99
3 oz fresh orange juice 2.5 oz sparkling wine .75 oz Shrub & Co Spicy Ginger Fill glass with desired amount of ice. Add orange juice, shrub, then pour sparkling wine. Stir well. Yields one 8 oz drink.