Big Bend Red Artisan Blend

 

Wine: Red blend
Country: USA	Region:  California
Rating:  Good	Price: $15
Recommendation: Recommended, the wine is mellow, subtle and drinks well with or without food. For a cold winter's night we had a Red Blend and a throw together meal that I make from time to time. This wine is part of the National Parks Foundation wine collection, which is a collaboration between the winery and the foundation. From each bottle purchased, $2.00 is donated to the foundation which is what attracted me to the wine in the first place. Well, that and the nice picture of the Big Bend National Park in Texas. The wine is produced by the Adler Fels winery, which is located in the Mayacamas mountains 1,500 feet above Sonoma Valley in California. The views from the valley take in not only Sonoma valley but also reach to the coastline. The Big Bend Artisan Blend is a mellow wine with hints of red berries, particularly cherry and plum. There is some oak in both the bouquet and in the taste. Overall, a nice mellow wine, good without being spectacular. Turkey Meatballs with Italian Tomato Sauce Ingredients: The following are the ingredients. I don’t follow any recipes or measures, I just make it according to what I have available at the time and how much I have available. Turkey Meatballs – Usually one package, you could substitute almost any meat or seafood. Penne Pasta – as desired Mozzarella Cheese – as desired Vegetables – as desired, I used: Broccoli Zucchini Asparagus Red Pepper Onion - one Garlic – two or three cloves Italian red tomato sauce Activity Chop the vegetables into bite sized pieces, except the broccoli. Chop the onion and garlic into small chunks. Chop the turkey meatballs into quarters. Grate the cheese. Start cooking the Pasta. Saute the onion and garlic in a saucepan until they start to soften and the flavor and aroma spread nicely. Add the chopped vegetables heat through. Cook the Broccoli separately. Add the tomato sauce to the pan and heat through. Add the turkey meatballs and cook for at least 10 minutes. Add the grated cheese to the ingredients in the saucepan. Add the cooked pasta to a plate. Add the cooked broccoli on the side. Ladle the contents of the saucepan over the pasta. Rating: Good without being outstanding. Drinks well on its own and would go well with medium to heavy red meats and tomato based pasta dishes. The wine and the recipe make a good combination for a cold winter’s night. Available from HEB supermarket in Houston.