Quick Coq au Vin

 

"This is my favorite French comfort food of all time; although, I've been guilty of putting too much bacon in it." -Jason Stoller Smith (Chef, Timberline Lodge)

 

INGREDIENTS

4 bacon slices, coarsely chopped, (I prefer Carlton Farms)

4 boneless chicken breast halves

3 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped and divided

4 ounces dried wild mushrooms, soaked in water, or 8 ounces crimini mushrooms, halved

8 large shallots, peeled and halved through root end

2 garlic cloves, pressed

1½ cups dry red wine (an Oregon Pinot Noir would be perfect)

1½ cups chicken broth, divided

4 teaspoons all-purpose flour

* grilled rustic toast

 

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.

2. Over medium-high heat, sauté the bacon in large nonstick skillet until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a bowl. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon parsley. Add to drippings in skillet. Sauté until cooked through, about 6 minutes per side; transfer to pie dish (reserve skillet). Place in oven to keep warm.

3. Add mushrooms and shallots to skillet; sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté until shallots begin to brown, about 4 minutes, then add garlic; toss 30 seconds. Add wine, 1¼ cups broth, bacon and 1 tablespoon parsley. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Simmer gently for approximately 10 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, place flour in small cup; add ¼ cup broth, stirring until smooth to make a slurry. Add flour slurry to sauce. Cook until sauce thickens, 3 to 4 minutes, and then season sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper.

5. Arrange chicken on platter over the grilled toast; stir juices from pie dish into sauce and spoon over chicken. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon parsley.

 

This recipe is in honor of my Restaurant recommendation below - St. Jack in S.E. Portland, specializing in French food, particularly from the Burgundy region (Lyon).  Enjoy!
Dear Wine Friend --   

 

Happy Fall......but we need more sun!  The grapes are short of ripening so keep you fingers crossed for a long, warm, sunny fall.  I'm hoping what we are seeing this past weekend is just a little blip on the radar.

 

I'm going to make this newsletter short and sweet and simply highlight some well-scored wine and new vintage sale wines for you to consider.  There are some amazingly tasty wines available in the "under $15" price point, and I am recommending a few here.   

If you are interested in joining CWM's Cellar Select Wine Club, October may be a good time to join.  This quarter I will be featuring wines from Spain, France and Italy, which are specially selected to add a little variety to your cellar.  And, as always, there will be a little bonus gift in each "bag" of wine!

 

Chris
This Month's Specials

 

2009 Seghesio Zinfandel Sonoma County. Bold aromas of briary wild berry and cracked pepper lead to plush and layered black raspberry, toasty sage and espresso flavors that finish with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2016.  90 pts Wine Spectator.  $20.00

2009 Chamisal Vineyard Stainless Chardonnay.  The fruit carries the wine all by itself offering waves of pineapples, limes, peaches, pears, apricots, and vanilla.  100% stainless steel offers a crisp and clean finish.  90 pts Wine Enthusiast. $15.00

2009 Forefront Pinot Gris.  Because of the cool climate in the Willamette Valley, our Pinot Gris has lovely, balanced layers of fruit, acidity and minerality. A touch of Gewürztraminer adds a hint of rose petal and spice, and rounds out this vibrant and complex wine. $12.00

2010 Da Vinci Opula Red Blend. well-balanced wine of medium weight with jammy flavors of ripe plums, cherries and red fruit. It has a deep crimson color and is a lively wine with a soft mineral finish and round tannins that linger in long, peppery finish.  $12.00

NV Kestral Vintners - Lady in Red 8th Edition.  Aromas of blueberry jam, cherry, red currant, blackberry and elderberry.  Flavors of tea, tobacco, cedar, earth and vanilla.  Yummy finish with lingering cherry, dried herbs and blueberry notes.  Merlot, Cab Sauv, Syrah, Sangiovese and small amount of Viognier.  $12.00

Jaboulet Parallele 45 Rouge.  Deep colour with an attractive brilliance.  Elegant and aromatic, with red fruits blended with spices. Well structured on rounded tannins, with a final spicy note.  $11.00

2009 Cline Ancient Vine Zinfandel.  Shows wonderful, juicy strawberry, with coffee and chocolate characters. Aging in new and used wood has lent this wine a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the explosive fruit notes. Ripe fruit and soft tannins make this mouth coating rich vintage a nice complement to pasta dishes with a light tomato sauce, robust wood-fired pizza or grilled meats. $13.00

2009 LaCrema Monterey Pinot Noir.  Brooding, earthy aromas meld with juicy ripe plum, punctuated by lovely notes of black tea. The palate echoes the aromatics joined by black licorice and cocoa powder. A subtle earthiness leads to a generous, fleshy mid-palate and a smooth, mineral-laced finish.  92 pts. Wine Enthusiast.  $19.00.

2008 Freemark Abbey Merlot.  An incredibly versatile wine, with a palate filled with bright cherry fruit and fresh Santa Rosa plum. A beautiful balance of acidity and fruit.  $19.00

ONE HOPE Sauvignon Blanc. pale, golden color and flavors of pink grapefruit and bright, grassy undertones, this distinctive wine is fermented in stainless steel barrels. ONEHOPE Sauvignon Blanc is light, refreshing and finishes very crisp making it a perfect pairing with salmon, halibut, light pasta dishes, fresh fruits and a variety of cheeses.  $10.00

2008 Jacobs Creek Reserva Shiraz.  Dense crimson hinting at the intensity of flavors to come in the glass.  Rich fruitcake with plum aromas with a hint of spice and sweet vanillin oak.  Excellent drinking now and will only improve over next 5 years.  $11.00

 
2008 Mer Soleil Chardonnay.  Perfect Chardonnay. Citrus driven nose. Hints of matchstick, pineapple, banana and coconut. Soft and round entry. Oak is apparent but not defining. Mid-palate goes on to reveal other layers of flavors--vanilla, lemon meringue pie, and again coconut. Finish is rich with viscosity that coats the mouth for minutes after your last sip. $28.00
Restaurants are reporting fewer customers these past couple of months but one restaurant I must rave about is St. Jack in S.E. Portland.  My daughter and I visited there just before she left for her "trip around the world"and she reports that she has yet to have a meal in Europe that could top the one we had at St. Jack.  Recommendations highly recommended! 
 
Bon Appetit!
 
*3 bottle minimum
Chris Hardy /
 Custom Wine Marketing LLC /1470 16th Street NE / Salem, OR 97301 / 503-310-4576