What to drink with what you eat, Louisiana Style!

Blog Post by Michelle Gueydan

For me, pairing drink with food is as ubiquitous as waking up and going to sleep each day. Our daily dining experiences can be greatly enhanced when food and drink complement, not quarrel, with one another. The biggest reward can also be realized if a third flavor emerges from a complementary pairing. This is when you taste something that is more than the sum of each of its parts: in this case, the food and the wine. I will never forget the first time I experienced a pairing that took me to another level. Although I was not in New Orleans when it happened, I had Turtle Soup with a glass of Sherry and an incredible new taste emerged that made me forget that (at the time) I didn’t particularly like the taste of Sherry on its own.

I think we can all agree that we have Louisiana to thank for the culinary combination of sherry with (and IN) turtle soup. Nonetheless, this artfully tasteful combination is not the only association that sets our food culture apart from many others. We cook in the same way that we live: with soul and passion. For Louisianans, food is not just a means to an end, or a staple by which to survive. Food is a means by which we communicate and create, and then, share and influence. We continue to influence the world with our culinary traditions and even our more modern thought-provoking influences. To pay homage to our unique culinary revolutions and recognitions, we have chosen four types of Louisiana dishes/categories to pair with four intriguing wines aimed at bringing your pairing experience to that next level. Since our climatic conditions make it difficult to be a wine producing region, we don’t necessarily abide by the mantra: Drink the Foods of a Region with the Wines of that Region. However, for me this is not a handicap; it is an opportunity to show that our food+drink experiences can be as diverse and synergistic as the melting pot that defines us. And even more importantly, we are memorable! Our food and drink experiences can be just as memorable, especially as we aim to achieve the greatest reward: a new element that is greater than the sum of all of its parts!

This Wednesday, I am pairing up with Swirl for a virtual wine education & tasting session that will highlight 4 of our favorite dishes/themes and pair them with 4 carefully selected wines by Swirl. For your convenience, here are suggestions on how support some of our local restaurateurs with take-out/delivery options for each dish/theme. While we recognize that we are not gathering in the same space with the same dishes in front of us, the recommendations can still result in a pairing experience that will be thought-provoking, educational and rewarding experience. Please continue to this link for wine and food details, and to sign up: [my facebook link].

The WINES (available for pick-up/delivery from Swirl):

1.      2018 Domaine Bonnet-Huteau “Les Bonnets Blanc,” Muscadet de Sevre et Maine, France. $16.50
Note – Made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, this light-bodied, dry white wine has lime, apple & pear notes with bracing acidity and a salty finish.  Muscadets are often classic pairs with oysters.

2.      2019 Anne Amie Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon. $18.50
Note- The painted garden label and it’s contents nearly scream Spring! Think cherry candy spices, laced with with hints of citrus and apricot. Fruit forward, but dry and balanced.

3.     2018 Malabaila di Canale, Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont, Italy. $20.50
Note- A soft, supple and fruitier style of the Nebbiolo grape with bright cherry notes and hints of violent.  A versatile red wine for a variety of palates and flavor profiles.

4.      2018 Konpira Maru “Icarus” Cabernet/Merlot, Australia, $37.50
Note- Made from some of Aussie’s best undiscovered vineyards, this food-friendly wine is aching for experimentation in the kitchen!  100% natural fermentation and no additions. This is a unique splurge that is well worth the plunge!

The FOOD

1.      OYSTERS: Pairing - Domaine Bonnet-Huteau “Les Bonnets Blanc

a.      Felix’s Lakeview
Started take-out & delivery this past weekend. If raw is unavailable, try Oysters Bienville or Rockefeller. But, please call to confirm, as no “Covid” menu posted. 
b.      Station 6 Lakeview
This was going to be my go-to suggestion, but as of this weekend, not serving oysters…may be worth double checking by mid-week. If no, pls check em out once can dine on premise again.  Their oyster happy hour is the best around- on the half shell and served with glass of Champagne (real champagne)!
c.       Drago’s Metairie/Mandeville

2.      CRAWFISH: Pairing - 2019 Anne Amie Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir

a.      Captain Sid’s Bucktown
Take-out only.
b.      Clesi’s Mid-City
Take-out or delivery.
c.       Boil Seafood House, uptown
A unique Viet Cajun style.  Take-out or delivery (call for delivery zones)

3.      JAMBALAYA: Pairing - 2018 Malabaila di Canale Nebbiolo

a.      Clesi’s Mid-CityTake-out or delivery.
Take-out or delivery, but call to confirm daily menu options
b.      SEAFOOD COUVILLION @Toups Meatery, Mid-City:
We love the support that Toup’s is giving the hospitality industry with their daily free meal program.  While they don’t have jambalaya, Grandmother Toups’ Seafood Couvillion may be an excellent sub for this pairing.
c.       VEGAN JAMABALAYA @Sweet Soulfood on Broad:
Full disclosure: I haven’t tried them yet, but I am intrigued!  *If you are vegan, you could possibly try their gumbo or mushrooms & gravy for wine #4.

4.      BRISKET, RIBS, BEEF/PORK STEW, “DEBRIS”:  AKA a hearty dish w/ rich sauce.  If you have leftover red beans and rice (with or without smoked sausage) that could work too! Pairing - 2018 Konpira Maru “Icarus”

a.      Marji’s Grill on Broad
Menu changes DAILY, but recent highlights fit perfectly: beef cheeks, pork shoulder steak, smoked meat preparations, etc.
b.      Brown Butter, Mid-City:
This week’s menu not up yet, but options often include pork belly, short ribs, smoked meat.
c.       Toups Meatery, Mid-City:
Call to check daily options.  Good options: braised beef ribs or brisket sammy