Perfect wine recommendation for stuffed chicken breasts
Friday, September 16th, 2011One of the most versatile grapes in the world will work magic with Ann Vogel’s Stuffed Chicken Breast recipe no matter what you choose to fill them with.
The wine we have in mind is one of our favorites, so if you’re a regular reader of the blog, you can probably already guess what we’re going to recommend.
This white wine pairs well with a wide range of flavors, making it hard not to recommend it for a versatile, dressed up chicken dish. For an easy hint of the white wine we have in mind, we think an unoaked or lightly oaked version would be best for Vogel’s dish.
Have you figured our recommendation out yet?
If not, here it is: California Chardonnay.
The ingredients in Vogel’s Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts all pair well with this delightful white wine. Chardonnay and feta are fast friends, sun-dried tomatoes are sweet and tangy and a good contrast, and Parmesan cheese is savory.
While Chardonnay has a long history in France — as do most traditional grape varietals — we found it interesting to learn that the grape that is now so widely planted in American soil was once a relatively unknown.
In 1961 California had around 300 acres planted. Fast forward 40 years and the acreage is now around 95,000.
If you’re looking for a good Chardonnay to pair with Vogel’s dish, or you’re somewhat leery about your ability to choose the perfect wine, we can help. Wente Vineyards Chardonnay is our top pick for this recipe.
This wine has a long and admired place in Chardonnay history. The Wentes planted Chardonnay in 1920 and by the mid 1930s they were making Pinot Chardonnay. A decade later this wine was raking in the awards.
Through out Napa and Sonoma, wineries like Beaulieu Vineyard, Hanzell Vineyards, Inglenook, Charles Krug, Mayacamus Vineyard, Louis M. Martini Winery, Martin Ray Winery and Stony Hill Vineyard all planted Wente budwood in their vineyards.
Wente’s 2010 Morning Fog Chardonnay is 50 percent barrel fermented in French oak, with the rest fermented in stainless steel tanks. It was aged sur lie. Blending these two brings out aromas and flavors of green apple and tropical fruits. The oak is subtle, the body mouth-filing and the acidity will leave a clean finish.
Wente’s 2010 Morning Fog Chardonnay is widely available and only $13.
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