St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and I’m bringing you some great food and wine pairings! The popular dishes that are certainly more Americanized today like Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Soda Bread, Boiled Potatoes surprisingly pair with more than pints of Guinness and Jameson Irish Whiskey shots. This year ditch the liters of green beer, and enjoy a Riesling or Pinot Blanc with some of your favorite St. Patty’s Day dishes!
Dish: Corned Beef and Cabbage
Pairing: 2010 Jean Baltenweck Rosacker Grand Cru Riesling, Alsace, Cave de Ribeauvillé
Price: $25.99
Why not do as the Alsatians do, when pairing wine with their famous version of cabbage and cured meat, choucroute? This classic meal consists of sauerkraut-and-sausage and is always served with a dry, crisp, light bodied Riesling. Don’t put the riesling grape in a sweet wine corner without trying some from Alsace first. This 2010 wonderfully cuts the heartiness of the classic St. Patrick’s Day dish. The Cave de Ribeauvillé Collection Riesling is elegant, refreshing, and a must have with this meal. Find this wine online or at a boutique wine shop near you.
Dish: Irish Soda Bread
Pairing: 2010 Bacharacher Hahn Riesling Spätlese, Mittelrhein
Producer: Toni Jost
Price: $25.99
Although this is enjoyed as a side to the corned beef and cabbage, it too deserves it’s own wine pairing! The classic Irish Soda Bread does not include dried currants, did you know? I am sure you have seen it in yours depending on the recipe you choose to follow or from when you buy a loaf from the bakery that makes it best near you because many American bakers usually add them to the bread, along with sugar, to give the bread a light sweetness. Hey now! So, why is a Spätlese chosen if this bread is already slightly sweet? Pairing wise, this bread calls for a wine that’s also slightly sweet and mineral-y aged. This riesling hits new heights as a soda bread partner, as the sweet bread will cut some of the sweetness in sweet wine creating a pleasing complexity.
Dish: Shepherd’s Pie
Pairing: 2013 Ribeauvillé Pinot Blanc
This Pinot Blanc is also by Ribeauville and compliments starters, savory tarts, and meats, making it a fun and delicious pairing with shepherd’s pie! Layers of whipped potatoes, meat, onions, and savory flavors, this savory pie will pair beautifully with this crisp and fruit driven Alsatian wine.
Want to know what one I choose? Keep an eye out on Instagram for some fun March 17th pairings and to see which St. Patty’s Day pairing is my favorite! Please pair responsibly…
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