Wines produced from the Santa Cruz Mountains in Northern California are known for their complex character and intense flavors. The grapes, grown in rugged soils of the coastal mountains mature more slowly and in smaller quantities. Resulting concentrated flavors make Santa Cruz grown wines the perfect complement to a meal.
Pairing Food with Wine
When matching foods with wine, the two must complement, not overpower each other. The adage, “red wine with red meat, white wine with white meat,” plays it safe, but more important is to match the lightness or robustness of the food with those qualities in the wine. Choose the wine for the part of a meal that carries the predominant flavor, for example, the full-flavored sauce of Pasta Puttanesca calls for a hearty red wine like Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon ($28.) or Woodside Vineyards Estate Zinfandel ($28.).
Or, contrast the predominant flavor in a dish with a wine that is the opposite, as long as the intensity is matched. For instance, pair fruity Riesling or a crisp Bargetto Pinot Grigio ($20.) with spicy Asian food.
Holiday Meal Wine Suggestions
Any Santa Cruz-grown Pinot Noir is a good choice. Or, ask guests to provide a bottle of their favorite wine. Chances are good that any given wine will pair well with some part of the multi-dish meal. For a good one-wine-fits-all choice, try a dry sparkler like Equinox Blanc de Blanc or Brut Cuvee. (various prices)
Cooking with Wine Myth Dispelled by Local Chef
Michael Clark, owner-chef of Michael's on Main restaurant in Santa Cruz, cooks with wine on a regular basis and dispels the myth that alcohol remains in the finished dish. “The alcohol evaporates, leaving behind only a delightful flavor and aroma. The exception to this rule is with desserts," he says, "when the wine provides the extra kick needed to balance the richness of the dish.”
Health Benefits of Wine
Wine contributes vitamins and minerals along with flavor and aroma. Santa Cruz Winemaker Wells Shoemaker of Salamandre Cellars co-authored The French Paradox and Beyond, exploring how Americans can decrease their risk of heart attack through moderate wine drinking. The French Paradox, featured on the popular television program 60 Minutes, showed that, at that time, although the French and Americans had similar diets, there was much less cardiovascular disease among the French. It was speculated that this was due to the protective effects of wine consumption, since the French drink more wine than we do, often on a daily basis.
Related articles:
Taste Wines from Santa Cruz Family-Run Wineries by June Smith
Cooking with Wine by Alan Boehmer
Passport Wine Weekend in the Santa Cruz Mountains by Donna West
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