Once hailed as a summer vacation destination for western Washingtonians, Lake Chelan is becoming a world class wine destination. Find out why winemakers are heading to make wine in this region, and why this lesser known region needs to be on your radar for your next wine country vacation. Every wine region I visit leaves…
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Tempranillo Wine Guide
Tempranillo, a medium to full-bodied red wine loaded with dark fruit flavors and savory undertones, is a major player in the wine landscape of Spain, where the eponymous grape is believed to originate. Spain’s renowned Rioja, a blended red wine, relies heavily on Tempranillo for its impressive structure, its notable tannins, and its notable fruit…
Barbera Wine Guide
Barbera is a red grape variety planted throughout northern Italy, yielding a light- to medium-bodied red wine with gentle tannins, sprightly acidity, and luscious dark fruit flavors that pair perfectly with meats, cheeses, and anything involving tomato sauce. Find out what makes this grape so unique and which foods pair best with Barbera wine. Italian…
Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Guide
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most widely-planted wine grape on Earth, and can be found on six out of seven continents. Known for its power, full body, and dark fruit flavors, find out what makes this the most popular red wine on the planet. When we think about popular “crowdpleaser” wines, it’s tough…
Grenache Wine Guide
A grape that thrives in warm, dry conditions, Grenache plays a major role in wine production in southern Europe, particularly in Spain (where it is known as Garnacha), the south of France, and some regions of Italy. Great on its own, but also as a blending grape where it is responsible for some of the…
Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio) Wine Guide
Pinot Gris (also called Pinot Grigio) is a white wine grape variety with origins in France, and is a mutation of Pinot Noir. Known for its citrus and tree fruit flavors, sometimes richness and spicy flavors, and bright acidity, this is one of the most popular white wines in the country. Find out what makes…
Sauvignon Blanc Wine Guide
Beloved for its crisp flavor, bright acidity, and easy-to-drink nature, Sauvignon Blanc amply earns its massive popularity in the international wine market. Although this grape (and this wine varietal) originated in France, Sauvignon Blanc now grows in several continents, providing wine shoppers with plenty of opportunities to pick up these delicate and refreshing bottles. If…
Grilled Cheesesteak Sandwich
When it comes to a Cheesesteak Sandwich, you can’t help but think of the Philly style with a soft roll, cheese wiz, and Beef. But for this recipe, we’re adding our own Northwest twist using tender thinly sliced grilled Sirloin, a from-scratch cheddar cheese sauce, mixed grilled veggies, and a soft and toasted roll. This…
Rhubarb Lemon Fizz – A Rhubarb Cocktail
Rhubarb Lemon Fizz is a fun, festive, and refreshing summer cocktail containing 4 simple ingredients (and can also be made alcohol-free). Living in the Pacific Northwest we are surrounded by fresh berries and produce throughout the summer season. A few years ago a neighbor handed me a full bag of rhubarb from her garden. Not…
Blueberry Bourbon Baby Back Ribs
Blueberry Bourbon Smoked Baby Back Ribs have incredible rich and savory flavors. This is a fun take on a smoked baby back rib recipe to try if you want to change up from traditional BBQ flavors. Blueberry season in the Pacific Northwest runs from late spring to mid-summer. I friggin love blueberries, especially since they are…
Grilled Salmon Salad Recipe with Citrus Vinaigrette
Salmon Salad is flavorful, filling, and absolutely delicious! We are grilling up a savory and rich blackened salmon and then adding to a hearty salad. This healthy Grilled Salmon Salad Recipe will not disappoint. Ditch the canned salmon and grab a fresh filet for this delicious and easy grilled salmon salad. The goal is to…
Sparkling Wine — And the best bubbly for the Holidays
What’s the difference between Champagne, sparkling wine, bubbly, and more in this primer on sparkling wine, and some of the best Champagnes and bubblies we get to taste. Scroll down to find some excellent sparkling wines in all price levels for your holiday celebrations and New Year’s toasting! I adamantly and strongly believe in drinking…
Pinot Noir BBQ Sauce Recipe
Pinot Noir BBQ Sauce Recipe is what happens when the combination of the delicate flavors of Pinot Noir wine and the bold flavors of BBQ sauce collide. This savory and slightly sweet sauce can be made with any fruity red wine. There are many styles of BBQ sauce from around the US, and what stands…
Choice vs Prime – Which Quality is Best for Grilling and Smoking
Which cut of beef is best? It’s more than Choice vs Prime. Cuts of Beef range from grass fed, to corn and grain feeds. But just because there is a grade does not mean that all beef is created equal. Choice vs Prime is a good start to define quality ratings, but let’s also talk…
Grilled Hanger Steak with Pinot Noir and Marionberry Glaze
Grilled Hanger Steak is an amazing beef cut for the grill. Tender and full of amazing beefy flavor, this hanger steak recipe is enhanced with a Pacific Northwest inspired Pinot Noir and Marionberry reduction glaze. This post is sponsored by Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. on behalf of the Beef Checkoff. All opinions are my own. When…
Smoked Beef Short Ribs with Red Wine Braise
Smoked Beef Short Ribs finished with a Red Wine Braise are truly the ultimate beef short ribs (and one of my favorite meals ever)! Comes with wine pairing recommendations. This recipe has dinner party or holiday meal written all over it! Beef Short Ribs are my ultimate comfort food. This is *the* single cut that…
Grilled Pizza on a Big Green Egg
When it comes to grilling pizza, it’s about a great dough and a hot fire. A few other tips are important when it comes to getting that golden crust and perfect flavor for Grilled Pizza on a Big Green Egg. Grilling pizza is so much fun. Whether for a crowd, or just for your Friday…
T-Bone Steak – On The Grill
A simple Grilled T-Bone Steak is an amazing meal. Join as we explain the difference between a T-Bone and a Porterhouse, and the best way to cook a T-Bone. Looking for how to set up the grill with charcoal? Check out our summary of how to grill using the two-zone method. Porterhouse Versus T-Bone They…
Cookbook
Fire + Wine is a marriage between two unlikely characters–wood-fired food and well-chosen wines–brought to you by the real-life marriage of food and wine writer and certified sommelier (Mary Cressler) and pitmaster (Sean Martin). This critically acclaimed cookbook brings smoky goodness from the grill and pairs it with wine from around the world. The Second…
Smoked Trout With Savory Seafood Seasoning
Trout can come in many styles, and one of our favorites is smoked trout. It is so easy to simply season, and then put on the smoker for a tender, smoky, and juicy smoked trout dinner. There are many species of trout and this delicate fish can be prepared in many different styles. In our…
Smoked Almonds with Olive Oil and Kosher Salt
Smoked Almonds are such an easy, healthy, and delicious snack that has a distinct smoky flavor and perfect crunch. These smoke house almonds are so popular that we sell them to wineries around the Northwest to serve in their tasting rooms. You can also use these almonds for dishes that require any almond ingredient, like…
How To Grill A Steak To Perfection Every Time
This guide will walk through how to grill a perfect steak every time. One of the most common questions we get as caterers is How to Grill a Steak to perfection. The answer is, it’s easy! Learn how. As an event caterer, we often set up an interactive grill station so people can see how…
Wander Walla Walla Valley Washington this Fall
Looking for something exciting to do this fall but don’t have time to plan your getaway? Walla Walla, Washington, is ready for you! They’ve planned your entire trip for you! No, I’m totally serious, they’ve created the ultimate insider’s guide to the valley’s best kept secrets and celebrated favorites. All you have to do is…
Wild Mushroom Soup with Sherry and Thyme
A hearty Wild Mushroom Soup is the ultimate comfort food in our house. This recipe calls for both dried wild mushrooms soaked in sherry, and cremini mushrooms for a delicious, savory, earthy soup. This soup was also adapted from our very first cooking class we ever took, and in some ways launched our food and…
Smoked Salmon Dip
Smoked Salmon Dip is the perfect appetizer for smoked salmon lovers. This dip combines flavorful and tender chunks of hot smoked salmon (not lox, but you can use lox too) a mix of cream cheese and crème fraîche base, seasoned with a little dill and lemon. We have served this recipe at events throughout the Northwest…
Cowboy Ribeye Steaks with Coffee Ancho Dry Rub
These Cowboy Ribeye Steaks, or in this case thick cut bone-in Ribeye steaks, are packed with incredible flavor and great for feeding a crowd. Find out how to cook this impressive looking steak perfect every time to truly wow your guests! This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on products, we may…
Easy Pulled BBQ Smoked Chicken Sliders — And how to smoke chicken!
Pulled chicken is one of the easiest ways to smoke and serve chicken for a crowd. Smoke a whole chicken (or a chicken cut up into quarters) and then finished as smoked chicken sliders for the ultimate Easy Pulled BBQ Chicken sliders. We love preaching all things chicken and poultry. It tends to be an…
Grilled Peach Crostini with Mascarpone and Honey
Grilled Peach Crostini with Mascarpone and Honey is the perfect summer appetizer. Grilling peaches is a must during the summer months! Grilled peach wedges and baguette slices are grilled up, the bread is topped with some creamy mascarpone, layered with a grilled peach wedge, and topped with honey and a drizzle of aged balsamic and…
The 9 Best Leftover Brisket Recipes
We’ve got you covered on 9 the best leftover brisket recipes! From brisket nachos to brisket empanadas, we’ve tried it all and compiled this list of all the ways you can used brisket in a new and fresh recipe. Okay okay, so before you make any jokes — “Who the heck ever has leftover brisket?”…
How to make a Spanish Carajillo…
How to make a Spanish Carajillo …or rather how I learned the proper way to order coffee in Spain, and a recipe for a Spanish Carajillo and other Spanish coffee drinks. On our second day in Spain several years ago, our group enjoyed a fantastic two hour long lunch at Loreto Restaurant in Jumilla with the…
Sparkling Wines of Italy — The wide variety you should know about
There’s a wide world of quality Italian Sparkling Wine beyond Prosecco. Read below for our journey through Italy and the sparkling wine it produces. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Italian Trade Commission for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. It may be a weird combination for some – wine…
Blackberry Aperol Spritz (recipe & video)
A Classic Aperol Spritz Recipe, with a Pacific Northwest twist. An Aperol Spritz is a light and refreshing Italian cocktail with the perfect balance of sweet and bitter. In this Aperol Spritz Recipe we give it new personality by adding some homemade blackberry simple syrup. Aperol Spritz, An Italian Cocktail Anybody who has been to the…
Winter Reds — January 2018
I like to review wines the way most people taste them, with food. Many of the wine reviews you’ll see on this site are accompanied by a recipe. When we test recipes we usually open a few different wines of various styles that we think will work, then write about the best pairing. But often…
FEAST Portland 2017 is Coming!
One of the annual culinary highlights of many a Portland foodie is coming next week. FEAST Portland!!!!! Feast Portland: September 14-17, 2017 What is Feast Portland? Now, in case you’re not a Portland foodie, or have just been hiding under a rock (like I was the first few years of the event), it is one…
12 Wines for Spring Sipping
I like to review wines the way most people taste them, with food. Many of the wine reviews you’ll see on this site are accompanied by a recipe. When we test recipes we usually open a few different wines of various styles that we think will work, then write about the best pairing. But often…
A Taste of Idaho Wines. Yes, Idaho!
Last fall I had the opportunity to discover a new-to-me region of wine, located just outside of my own backyard. It might be surprising to many, but the Idaho Wine Industry has a lot more in common with its well known neighbors than you might suspect. And it’s definitely a region I’ll be keeping a…
Sparkling Wines to Welcome the New Year
A very bubbly list of some of the best wines to drink to welcome in the New Year. These Sparkling Wines are fantastic for New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, or really any occasion for that matter! Bubbly is probably our favorite thing to drink around here, and (almost) every Friday you can catch my…
Milestones – ROCO 2013 ‘RMS’ Brut Sparkling Wine
Rollin Soles (the man behind Argyle Winery’s reputation for amazing sparkling wine) is back making bubbles with the release of the 2013 RMS Brut Sparkling Wine. Spoiler alert: it’s awesome! A legend. At least by Oregon sparkling wine standards that is. I’m talking about Rollin Soles; the man behind the first sparkling wine facility…
Feast Portland is Coming Soon!!!
One of the annual culinary highlights of many a Portland foodie is coming next week. Feast Portland! Feast Portland: September 15-18, 2016 What is Feast Portland? Now, in case you’re not a Portland foodie, or have just been hiding under a rock (like I was the last few years), it is, from what I hear…
Show me the heat!
Refreshing summer white wines It’s usually around this time of the year when you see articles about things to help you “beat the heat,” whether it’s drinks, cocktails, activities, you name it. We started the summer out on a hot note. In May and even early June we saw some high numbers here in Portland…