News and Wine Blog
July Wine Club 2023 - Dancing Crow Vineyards
07/06/2023
While not the most common start, the wineries story begins with a murder (A group of crows is called a “murder.”) – of crows. When the first vines were planted on the land, straw was used to show where the buds should go. While a useful marker, straw is also a crow’s favorite find. When lunchtime rolled around, and the family took a well-deserved break, they were yet to realize they had been eagerly watched the whole time. Unexpectedly and all at once, a murder of crows swooped into the fledgling vineyard. The crows seemingly danced around the straw in an orchestrated flurry of black-winged movement and squawks. While the onlookers laughed in surprise, when they looked again, the crows and the straws were gone!
The family learned two things that day: never underestimate a dancing crow and what to name their vineyard.
The main wine for this month is the Zinfandel and we are also highlighting the Cabernet and the Sauvignon Blanc. Zinfandel is a iconic summer red wine to pair with anything on the grill. I made Bistro Mushroom Sliders with an herbal butter topping. This was very easy to make. You could purchase pre-made burgers to make it even easier and just add the sautéed mushrooms and herbal butter. Hamburgers pair best with medium to full-bodied red wines with some tannin. The tannin in a rich red wine is softened by a grilled hamburger’s heavy protein and fat content, making the wine taste more flavorful and smooth. Burgers on the grill with red wine....need I say more?
Deb took on the Dancing Crow Sauvignon Blanc this month and paired it with spicy Tilapia tacos topped with a Jicama Slaw. This Sauvignon Blanc will surprise you. It is not the typical California Sauv Blanc. It is lower alcohol, which is great for Summer and for food pairing and is more like a French and a California style blended together. The fruitiness of the wine, complemented the slight spiciness of the fish and the tangy slaw pulled out the acidity and minerality of the wine. It is light, refreshing and a great pairing for summer dishes and hot weather.
The Dancing Crow Cabernet will go with just abut any type of meat that you may make. I paired this with a frizzed herb lamb chop dish. My herb garden is beyond overgrown and I can't keep up with using all of it, not that I am complaining. Taking any type of fresh herbs you like, this dish specifically used lots of sage, you just cut the herbs up and sauté them in a bit of Olive Oil and minced garlic. The herbs were amazing on the lamb, but would be great on steak, pork, chicken or even hamburgers.
Recipe links below. ENJOY!
Dancing Crow Zinfandel
NOTES: This Zinfandel showcases aromas of blackberry and tart cherry on the nose, followed by flavors of brambly huckleberry and pomegranate on the midpalate, with a mocha and fresh thyme finish. This wine is robust, yet refined and playful, exhibiting a beautiful freshness and vibrant flavors.
Recipe to pair with: Zinfandel:
www.vinomas.com/Bistro-Burgers-Mushrooms-paired-with-Dancing-Crow-Zinfandel
Dancing Crow Sauvignon Blanc
NOTES: This Sauvignon Blanc from Lake County, CA, showcases a unique blend of New World and Old World influences, with Citrus and Stone-Fruit flavors supporting nicely-balanced acidity and a hint of minerality on the finish.
Recipe to pair with Sauvignon Blanc:
www.vinomas.com/Spicy-Tilapia-Tacos-with-Dancing-Crow-Sauv-Blanc
Dancing Crow Cabernet
NOTES: Opening with dark berry and mocha aromas, the palate soars high and bright with a great lift of cassis and sandalwood flavors. The acidity gives a breath of freshness that propels on to a prolonged, toffee-edges finish.
Recipe to pair with Cabernet:
www.vinomas.com/Lamb-Chops-with-Frizzled-Herbs-paired-with-Dancing-Crow-Cabernet
The family learned two things that day: never underestimate a dancing crow and what to name their vineyard.
The main wine for this month is the Zinfandel and we are also highlighting the Cabernet and the Sauvignon Blanc. Zinfandel is a iconic summer red wine to pair with anything on the grill. I made Bistro Mushroom Sliders with an herbal butter topping. This was very easy to make. You could purchase pre-made burgers to make it even easier and just add the sautéed mushrooms and herbal butter. Hamburgers pair best with medium to full-bodied red wines with some tannin. The tannin in a rich red wine is softened by a grilled hamburger’s heavy protein and fat content, making the wine taste more flavorful and smooth. Burgers on the grill with red wine....need I say more?
Deb took on the Dancing Crow Sauvignon Blanc this month and paired it with spicy Tilapia tacos topped with a Jicama Slaw. This Sauvignon Blanc will surprise you. It is not the typical California Sauv Blanc. It is lower alcohol, which is great for Summer and for food pairing and is more like a French and a California style blended together. The fruitiness of the wine, complemented the slight spiciness of the fish and the tangy slaw pulled out the acidity and minerality of the wine. It is light, refreshing and a great pairing for summer dishes and hot weather.
The Dancing Crow Cabernet will go with just abut any type of meat that you may make. I paired this with a frizzed herb lamb chop dish. My herb garden is beyond overgrown and I can't keep up with using all of it, not that I am complaining. Taking any type of fresh herbs you like, this dish specifically used lots of sage, you just cut the herbs up and sauté them in a bit of Olive Oil and minced garlic. The herbs were amazing on the lamb, but would be great on steak, pork, chicken or even hamburgers.
Recipe links below. ENJOY!
Dancing Crow Zinfandel
NOTES: This Zinfandel showcases aromas of blackberry and tart cherry on the nose, followed by flavors of brambly huckleberry and pomegranate on the midpalate, with a mocha and fresh thyme finish. This wine is robust, yet refined and playful, exhibiting a beautiful freshness and vibrant flavors.
Recipe to pair with: Zinfandel:
www.vinomas.com/Bistro-Burgers-Mushrooms-paired-with-Dancing-Crow-Zinfandel
Dancing Crow Sauvignon Blanc
NOTES: This Sauvignon Blanc from Lake County, CA, showcases a unique blend of New World and Old World influences, with Citrus and Stone-Fruit flavors supporting nicely-balanced acidity and a hint of minerality on the finish.
Recipe to pair with Sauvignon Blanc:
www.vinomas.com/Spicy-Tilapia-Tacos-with-Dancing-Crow-Sauv-Blanc
Dancing Crow Cabernet
NOTES: Opening with dark berry and mocha aromas, the palate soars high and bright with a great lift of cassis and sandalwood flavors. The acidity gives a breath of freshness that propels on to a prolonged, toffee-edges finish.
Recipe to pair with Cabernet:
www.vinomas.com/Lamb-Chops-with-Frizzled-Herbs-paired-with-Dancing-Crow-Cabernet
Post By:
Deanna Albertson