foodwineclick

Grilling Time in Minnesota
OK, truth be told, I grill all year. However, June in Minnesota is the time to enjoy sitting out in shorts, “managing” the grill with a favorite beverage. Somehow, it’s not the same when you need a parka, just sayin’. Today we decided to cook one of our favorite roast chicken preparations with a couple of stellar wines. (click on any photo for full size slide show, hit “escape” to return)

We have rabbits AND deer. My small veggie garden is protected like Fort Knox. Swiss Chard has survived so far.

Kale of course

The critters don’t usually bother the herbs. I love harvesting fresh herbs from the backyard

Cooking a chicken at 450°F? This is why I love roasting outdoors!

At 450° F the chicken cooks in an hour. No stuffing, just dry brine and herbs in advance.

Chicken, of course!

Domaine A.-F. Gros makes classic, elegant Burgundy Pinot Noir. Here, a Premier Cru from Savigny-les-Beaune

Domaine A.-F. Gros Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru “Clos des Guettes” AOC 2012 (direct from Caveau Selections, or around $50 online)

Eye: Clear, pale ruby with a wide, warm-toned edge
Nose: Clean, initially more earthy but not overwhelming. After a bit of air, ripe red cherries with leather and a touch of cinnamon. Beguiling, invites return sniffs!
Mouth: Dry , medium+ acidity, medium- tannins. Medium intensity flavors of cherries, earth and mushrooms. Medium body, medium alcohol. Very pretty and drinking nicely, but would age another 5-10 years easily.  13% abv.

We have been anxiously waiting for iOTA Cellars’ first vintage of their estate Chardonnay and we are so impressed

iOTA Cellars Pelos Sandberg Vineyard Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills AVA 2016 ($35 direct from the winery)

This is the first vintage of iOTA Cellars’ estate grown Chardonnay. They have been honing their Chardonnay skills for the last couple of vintages with purchased grapes while they waited for their vines to mature. It was well worth their effort and our wait! This wine really grabbed my attention.

Eye: Clear, pale lemon color
Nose: Clean, medium- intensity. Fresh scents of lemon, and fresh barely ripe apples and pears. Flowers and just a hint of something rich like caramel, but not sweet.
Mouth: Dry, medium- intensity. Lean and crisp texture with medium+ acidity. The flavors of lemon, apple, pear carry into the flavors, with a nice roundness from time in oak, with only the hint of something far in the background. This is a delicate, elegant wine, nothing at all like some of it’s cousins from warmer climates and heavier handed barrel treatment. Bravo!

Is Chardonnay your preference with grilled chicken? iOTA Cellars works beautifully

Zuni Café Chicken & Bread Salad
Zuni Café Chicken is a classic recipe stressing fresh, local ingredients prepared simply. I use the recipe from Smitten Kitchen, here. I love making this on the grill, as the chicken roasts at 450° F which can create a smoke filled kitchen if you don’t have a good exhaust fan! The bread salad is a key part of the entire meal, so be sure to make the whole meal. We love this summer and winter. I have even made it in France at our cousins’ house with Bresse Chicken! One final note, the chicken in this recipe deserves some attention. Your best option: get a chicken from a local farmer at your farmers market. We always depend on our friends at Sunshine Harvest Farms for our best pasture raised meats. Their chickens are simply the “chickeniest” chickens you will ever taste.

Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with the flavors of chicken roasted on the grill. Domaine A.-F. Gros is a perfect complement to the meal