David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15756
 | | 12/24/2006 2:34 AM |
| A very good friend of mine who is not a wino (he is a beer-nut) is preparing a Cioppino for a Christmas eve dinner for his family. He will of course have some of his beer but he would like to serve a wine with it too.
A Zin or spicy Syrah would probably be what I would serve but this family doesn't enjoy red wines (you know; the old headache story and too much tannin mantra). I was thinking they might like a spicy German Riesling of some sort.
Waddaya think? And what would be a good Deutsch wine would be good? How sweet do you think I should go?
Spatlese, Auslese, BA, or what? | | | |
|
Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts:10796
| | 12/24/2006 3:56 PM |
| | A dry Rose would be tasty and not too red for their tastes. | | | |
|
David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15756
| | 12/24/2006 5:52 PM |
| My Rosé collection disappeared Labor Day weekend.
Labor Day weekend means ladies don't wear white, I have to wear socks, and drink up on Rosé.
Do you think the Riesling is a bad idea? I'm wrestling in my mind with this.
He's coming over in a couple of hours to pick it up. | | | |
|
Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9247
| | 12/24/2006 5:56 PM |
| | I think an off dry Riesling would probably work fine. Not ideal, but since you aren't allowed red you're pretty limited. | | | |
|
David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15756
| | 12/24/2006 6:08 PM |
| Help me with this stuff (I don't completely understanding the Riesling classifications other than BA and TBA  ). Do I use a "Riesling" or a "Riesling Auslese"? Or something else? | | | |
|
Paul_H
San Francisco
Grape Puncher
Posts:890
| | 12/24/2006 6:23 PM |
| If it must be white, I'd vote for a dry riesling. Choose a " Riesling <anything> TROCKEN" (means dry).
I'd rather have a Cru Beaujolais with this. Why not take a bottle for them to try? Beaujolais hardly qualifies as "red" wine anyway.  | |
http://www.sweetandsourspectator.org | |
|
Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9247
| | 12/24/2006 6:56 PM |
| David, in order of sweetness:
Kabinett
Spatlese
Auslese
Depending on the wine and the vintage, a Kabinett could be either totally dry or significantly sweet. Likewise, an Auslese could range from moderately sweet to BA level. Personally I would aim for a Kabinett or Spatlese. | | | |
|
David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15756
| | 12/24/2006 7:32 PM |
| How about...
2002 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spälese
Sweet minerals and spicy pears. Plump, lush, and sporting a texture reminiscent of a goose-down duvet, it pleases with its sultry mouth-feel and copious fruit.
Pears and clams; is that a good pairing?
Can anyone tell me what a goose-down duvet is like when you suck on it? | | | |
|
juggernt
Tampa, FL, USA
Wine Bottler
Posts:3420
| | 12/24/2006 10:26 PM |
| Quote:
How about...
2002 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spälese
Sweet minerals and spicy pears. Plump, lush, and sporting a texture reminiscent of a goose-down duvet, it pleases with its sultry mouth-feel and copious fruit.
Pears and clams; is that a good pairing?
Can anyone tell me what a goose-down duvet is like when you suck on it?
There was once this cork-soaker at the winery... | |
Visit The Butcher Block at http://www.butcherblocktampa.com/ | |
|
Seaquam
Barrel Filler
Posts:1141
| | 12/25/2006 2:57 AM |
| Different strokes for different folks, but... The problem with pairing cioppino is the tomato-based stock, not the fish. I guess Riesling's acidity might be an answer (a NZ Sauvignon Blanc might work for the same reason), but even a full-bodied dry Alsatian Riesling doesn't sound in the least bit appealing to me with cioppino.
Personally, I think I'd just ask the host to match it with the beer he thinks will work best; I'd take some good beer over as a gift, and a bottle of decent red wine to let people try it with the cioppino (and, of course, so I could drink it ). | | | |
|
juggernt
Tampa, FL, USA
Wine Bottler
Posts:3420
| | 12/25/2006 5:19 PM |
| Quote:
Different strokes for different folks, but... The problem with pairing cioppino is the tomato-based stock, not the fish. I guess Riesling's acidity might be an answer (a NZ Sauvignon Blanc might work for the same reason), but even a full-bodied dry Alsatian Riesling doesn't sound in the least bit appealing to me with cioppino.
Personally, I think I'd just ask the host to match it with the beer he thinks will work best; I'd take some good beer over as a gift, and a bottle of decent red wine to let people try it with the cioppino (and, of course, so I could drink it ).
A nice plan. "Try this" is always an option, and if the host doesn't like it, you still have what you think is a good pairing. | |
Visit The Butcher Block at http://www.butcherblocktampa.com/ | |
|
DJ Hombre
Napa Valley, California
Barrel Filler
Posts:1366
| | 12/25/2006 6:45 PM |
| | with cioppino i'd steer clear of Riesling. If you want to do wine - then a rosato. I personally think a light / mid weight beer would be more suitable. | | | |
|
David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15756
| | 12/25/2006 7:38 PM |
| Paul, My "California + Yquem" cellar doesn't have any cru Beaujolais in it. The only time I buy a Beaujolais is in November and then only if I can get it before the third Thursday in November and break the law drinking it before that day. Just one of the ways I live "on the edge".
Eric, Thanks for you sweet post. I remember that 
juggernt, I'm trying to find the video of the guy in a ber who passes up a beautiful sexy girl for an ugly one because she can suck the cork out of a bottle of wine. And yes, the reason I thought of a Riesling was because of the high acidity that would hopefully pair with the acidic tomato sauce.
Seaq, I'm not invited to the dinner. It is their family and future daughter-in-law and her parents. I probably won't hear how "it" went until tomorrow or Wednesday.
Seaq and KJ, I recommended beer too. He is a big-time beer-nut so I know he'll have that available. This is the first time they are having the future in-laws over for dinner and they just wanted to have something available. I did throw in at the last minute a couple of bottles of Turley Zin. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't enjoy the Zin but I told him he should have that available for the in-laws.
Thank you ladies and gentlemen. I'll report their comments as soon as I hear. | | | |
|