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International Falls, Minnesota 56649
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Antonin Truffer Blanc de Blancs

Attributes:
Producer:

Antonin Truffer
Region:

France
Varietal:

Blanc de Blancs
Bottle Size:

750 ML

Food Matches:
Cheese: Blue Cheese
Fish or Shellfish: Bouillabaisse, Calamari, Caviar, Deep Fried Bass, Deep Fried Catfish, Shellfish (scallops, clams, crab, lobster, shrimp, etc...), Stews and Soups, Sushi
Fruits & Nuts: Fruit Salad
Herbs & Spices: Saffron, Wasabi
Poultry & Eggs: Soufflé
Red Meat: Ham
Vegetables: Bruschetta, Fruit Salad, Leafy Greens, Lentils, Nicoise Salad, Risotto, Vegetable, Roasted Mixed Vegetables, Spinach, Stir Fry, Zucchini

France:

France is the standard bearer for all the world’s wines, with regard to the types of grapes that are used to make wine and with the system of defining and regulating winemaking. Its Appellation d’Origine Controlee, or AOC system, is the legislative model for most other European countries. Most French wines are named after places. The system is hierarchical; generally the smaller and more specific the region for which a wine is named, the higher its rank. There are four possible ranks of French wine, and each is always stated on the label: Appellation Contrôlée (or AOC), Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (or VDQS); Vin de pays, or country wine; and Vin de table. France has five major wine regions, although there are several others that make interesting wines. The three major regions for red wine are Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhone; for white wines, the regions are Burgundy, the Loire and Alsace. Each region specialized in certain grape varieties for its wines, based on climate, soil, and local tradition. Two other significant French wine regions are Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon, both in the south of France. Cahors, in the southwest of the country, produces increasingly good wines.


Blanc de Blancs:

Literally 'white from whites', blanc de blancs champagne is made from light-skinned Chardonnay grapes. This sparkling wine has maximum finesse, lightness and elegance.

Charles de Fere 'Jean-Louis Cuvee' Blanc de Blancs

Attributes:
Producer:

Charles de Fere
Region:

France
Varietal:

Blanc de Blancs
Bottle Size:

750 ML

NV: WineEnthusiast Rating: 86
Acidity:

lively
Complexity:

complex, rich
Flavors:

apple, grapefruit, peach

NV: WineSpectator Rating: 79
Body:

lean
Flavors:

flowers
Texture:

strong

NV: WineEnthusiast Rating: 83

NV: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87
Acidity:

crisp, snappy
Compliments:

tasty
Fruit:

ripe

Food Matches:
Cheese: Blue Cheese
Fish or Shellfish: Bouillabaisse, Calamari, Caviar, Deep Fried Bass, Deep Fried Catfish, Shellfish (scallops, clams, crab, lobster, shrimp, etc...), Stews and Soups, Sushi
Fruits & Nuts: Fruit Salad
Herbs & Spices: Saffron, Wasabi
Poultry & Eggs: Soufflé
Red Meat: Ham
Vegetables: Bruschetta, Fruit Salad, Leafy Greens, Lentils, Nicoise Salad, Risotto, Vegetable, Roasted Mixed Vegetables, Spinach, Stir Fry, Zucchini

France:

France is the standard bearer for all the world’s wines, with regard to the types of grapes that are used to make wine and with the system of defining and regulating winemaking. Its Appellation d’Origine Controlee, or AOC system, is the legislative model for most other European countries. Most French wines are named after places. The system is hierarchical; generally the smaller and more specific the region for which a wine is named, the higher its rank. There are four possible ranks of French wine, and each is always stated on the label: Appellation Contrôlée (or AOC), Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (or VDQS); Vin de pays, or country wine; and Vin de table. France has five major wine regions, although there are several others that make interesting wines. The three major regions for red wine are Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhone; for white wines, the regions are Burgundy, the Loire and Alsace. Each region specialized in certain grape varieties for its wines, based on climate, soil, and local tradition. Two other significant French wine regions are Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon, both in the south of France. Cahors, in the southwest of the country, produces increasingly good wines.


Blanc de Blancs:

Literally 'white from whites', blanc de blancs champagne is made from light-skinned Chardonnay grapes. This sparkling wine has maximum finesse, lightness and elegance.

St. Francis 'Old Vines' Zinfandel

Attributes:
Producer:

St. Francis Vineyards & Winery
Region:

Sonoma County, United States
Varietal:

Zinfandel
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 86
Flavors:

berry, blackberry, boysenberry
Fruit:

concentrated

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85
Acidity:

tart
Body:

medium-weight

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85
Body:

full-bodied, solid
Compliments:

classic
Flavors:

blackberry, raisin

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 83
Acidity:

tart
Flavors:

black pepper, cedar, coconut, plum, raspberry, toasty oak, vanilla

2001: WineEnthusiast Rating: 88
Complexity:

rustic
Flavors:

blackberry, cassis, cherry, chocolate, plum
Fruit:

ripe

2001: WineAdvocate Rating: 89
Body:

full-bodied
Flavors:

cherries, earth, earthy, pepper, plum, smoky, spicy
Texture:

smooth

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 87
Aromas:

funky

2000: WineEnthusiast Rating: 86
Body:

lean, solid
Flavors:

cherry, earthy, sour

Food Matches:
Cheese: Aged Cheddar, Feta, Goat Cheese, Smoked Gouda, Soft Pungent Cheese
Fruits & Nuts: Citrus Fruits
Herbs & Spices: Anise, Fennel Seed, Tarragon, Bay Leaf, Cinnamon, Clove, Mint, Oregano, Pepper (black, white, green)
Pasta & Grains: Lasagna, Pasta with Peppery Mushroom Sauce
Poultry & Eggs: Coq Au Vin, Game Birds, Herb Marinated Chicken, Roast Chicken with Herbs, Roast Turkey, Spicy Chicken Dishes
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Beef Stew, Game, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Ham, Hamburgers, Lamb Stew, Minestrone, Sausage, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce
Spicy Food: Beef Stir Fry
Vegetables: Lentils, Tomato

Sonoma:

Like its neighbor Napa, Sonoma is a small area filled with independent wineries and characterized by microclimates that vary according to the topography. The coolest parts of Sonoma are the fog-filled south, where the grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Northwards up the valley the climate warms and provides a good base for Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. In general Sonoma wines are less dramatically flavorful than those of Napa. Cabernet Sauvignon is relatively soft, with blackcurrant fruit, minty and eucalyptus perfume, and some soft buttery oak. Zinfandel ranges from soft and gulpable to massive bramble and pepper styles. Chardonnay is rich and juicy, especially from the Russian River, and Sauvignon Blanc can be zingy and grassy. Most Sonoma wines have a freshness and a soft edge which makes them very suitable for drinking on their own, however they partner well with strongly flavored fish and meat dishes. The old-style Zinfandels are delicious with spicy cuisine.


Zinfandel:

One of California’s oldest varietals, this grape actually hails from Croatia. Red Zinfandel makes rich dark wines that are high in alcohol and medium to high in tannin. The can have a blackberry or raspberry aroma, a spicy character and even a jammy flavor. Some Zinfandels are relatively light-bodied and meant to be enjoyed young, while others benefit from aging.

Thai Chicken, Basil, and Chili Stir-fry

Rated

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 bunch fresh basil (2 cups leaves)
1/4 cup Chicken Stock
2 tbsp fish sauce or soy sauce
2 tsp sugar or honey
1/4 to 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp canola oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 scallions, white part minced, green part thinly sliced
1 to 4 jalapeño or Thai chilies, thinly sliced
6 oz Asian eggplant, cut in half lengthwise, then thinly sliced on the diagonal
6 oz snow peas, stems and strings removed

Preparation

1. Wash and dry the chicken breasts and trim off any fat. Cut the chicken breasts across the grain on the diagonal into 1/4-inch strips. Cut these strips into 2-inch pieces. Wash, dry, and stem the basil.

2. Combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

3. Just before serving, heat a nonstick wok or frying pan over high heat. Swirl in the oil. Add the garlic, scallion whites, and chilies and stir-fry until fragrant but not brown, about 15 seconds. Add the chicken, eggplant, and snow peas and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Stir in the basil, scallion greens, and sauce and continue stir-frying until the chicken is cooked, 1 to 2 minutes. Note: This dish is supposed to be a little soupy. Serve it in bowls over rice.

Yield

serves 4

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition information is provided as a resource. Values will vary depending on specific ingredients used.
Serving Size: 1
Number of Servings: serves 4
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 271 Calories from Fat: 70
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Total Fat 7.82g
12%  
Carbohydrates 10.88g
3%  
Dietary Fiber 3.91g
15%  
Saturated Fat 1.63g
8%  
Calories 271.05kcal
13%  
Cholesterol 96.39mg
32%  
Protein 38.11g
63%  
Sodium 782.83mg
32%  
Calcium
1%  
Iron
5%  
Vitamin A
43%  
Vitamin C
53%  
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.