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Welcome to the world of Italian wine! Use this newsletter to learn basics of Italian wine, where to buy it, and how to pair it; helping you purchase with confidence!
Sincerely,
Kallie Smith & Nathan Woodhouse |
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 It's Cork-tail Hour!
Prosecco, and sparkling wine in general, is one of my favorite treats throughout the year, but there is something about chilly winter holidays that makes Prosecco all the more appealing to me. However, as I am never one to stick with monotony of the same drink all the time, I like to play with Prosecco as a cocktail mixer. Prosecco adds bubbles, body, and smooth flavor to many drink possibilities. In addition to these recipes, set up at Prosecco Cocktail Bar with various liqueurs, juices, and fruits and let your guests create their own signature cocktail!
Pomegranate Prosecco:
Pour 1/2 oz pomegranate juice in a flute glass and top with Pizzolato Prosecco. Drop in a few pomegranate arils (seeds) for garnish. This recipe can also be adapted to use cranberry juice instead of pomegranate.
Brunch Punch:
In a punch bowl or large pitcher, combine one bottle Pizzolato Prosecco, three cups orange juice, two cups citrus flavored sparkling water, and three ounces triple sec. If desired, float orange slices, frozen orange juice cubes, or orange sherbet in the bowl.
Prosecco Royale:
Pour 1/2 oz Chambord and 1/2 oz pineapple juice into a flute glass. Top the glass with Pizzolato Prosecco.
”Salute! |
Retailer Spotlight 
Peel Wood Fired Pizza
921 South Arbor Vitae, Suite 101
Edwardsville, IL 62025
For those of you who haven't tried wood fired pizza before, it's a treat unlike any other pizza. Crisp meets chewy in the crust and the light smoke flavor makes it a great accompaniment to many wines. The folks at Ionia Atlantic love wood oven pizza and can't wait to try this new restaurant just outside of St. Louis. The wine list is shaping up to be a great selection too. Pizza establishments often keep their wine selection short and rather dull, but Peel's list includes a great range of Italian wine like Gavi, Brunello di Montalcino and Nero d'Avola. And of course they feature the wine we have always loved with wood fired pizza, Majnoni Guicciardini Chianti. You'll find a great Ionia Atlantic Italian wine to pair with any of the topping choices at Peel. Stop in this month to try one of the area's only wood fired pizzas! |
Don't Forget the Dessert!
National Sales Manager Scott Reed's Selections for the Holidays
It seems that every dinner, be it any given weekend dinner party or the 'big' Christmas dinner, I or someone I know always forgets the dessert wine. In many cases we have picked out the perfect wine to have with the main course but by the time the Tiramisu comes out, whoops, the wine is gone or not the best match for this new delicacy in front of us. With that in mind, we gently remind you to pick up one of our fantastic dessert style wines.
The Vinchio Vaglio Serra "Valamasca" Moscato d'Asti and "Vigne Rare" Moscato are perfect with everything from sherbet to New York style cheesecake and the Vinchio Vaglio Serra "La Passione" and "Nivasco" Brachetto are unbelievable selections to accompany everything from chocolate to fresh berries! In addition to being great with desserts, these wines are a dessert alone as well! And don't forget your New Year's Eve guests with a sweet tooth! Pizzolato is a great "Extra Dry" Prosecco for the crowd but the sweet lovers will thank you for trying one of the above treats for a nice bubbly alternative to the traditional sparkler. You'll be glad you did!
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Food & Wine Pairing
Sometimes a casual meal is just the ticket on a cold winters' night. This is a great winter warmer for a family gathering.
1 lb Venison Loin Steak, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 Sweet Onion, diced
1 Bell Pepper, diced
3 Garlic Cloves, finely chopped
1 Carrot, diced
1 Celery Rib, diced
1 Dried Red Chili Pepper, cut in half
2 32 oz cans diced San Marzano tomatoes
2 T tomato paste
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
2 T Chili Powder
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil over medium high heat in a large pot. Add the onion, garlic, celery, and carrot and saute for about four minutes then add the bell pepper and dried chili pepper and continue for about six minutes or until the vegetables are starting to soften. Add the chopped venison, and while it browns add the cumin, coriander, and chili powder. Cook the venison through, about 6 minutes then deglaze the pan with about 1/4 cup of red wine (whichever wine below you choose to pair with the dinner). Add the tomatoes and tomato paste and allow to simmer for at least 20 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.
This hearty chili is a nice match for a bold Italian wine such as I Giusti & Zanza "Perbruno" Syrah or Seiterre Le Capannelle.
”Buon Appetito!
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Ionia Atlantic was formed from a passion for great wine and Italian lifestyle. Wonderful wines are found throughout the world, but we believe the most exciting, historic and diverse land for wine is Italy. We strive to share the fruits of this beautiful land by offering traditional, artisan wines with competitive pricing.
Sincerely,
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Kallie Smith
Ionia Atlantic Imports |
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December 2009
