Wine Pairing Recommendations for Heart Healthy #SundaySupper

In honor of February being National Heart Month the #SundaySupper family of food bloggers is bringing you some a great Hearth Healthy menu this week!

healthy-red-wine
Image courtesy of my10online.com

And speaking of hearth healthy, drinking wine is widely regarded as being heart healthy – especially red wine.

In fact, it was my desire to optimize my health that got me started drinking wine when I heard about the French Paradox many moons ago!  The list of potential benefits discovered since then is impressive:

  • A compound called piceatannol, found in red wine, may inhibit the development of fat cells.
  • Enjoying a small daily glass of wine (up to 5 ounces) is correlated with lower levels of depression.
  • Moderate wine consumption may lower your risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
  • Antioxidants found in wine increase good levels of cholesterol
  • A diet high in resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, can lead to improved cardiovascular function.
  • Flavonoids found in red wine have been shown to have heart-healthy benefits
  • Moderate alcohol drinkers, including wine drinkers, performed better on cognitive tests than nondrinkers.

Not sure about all the red wine claims (sometimes they seem to go too far don’t they)? Well in my book, you’d have a hard time coming up with a more pleasurable “hedge” for your health than enjoying a glass of wine!

Check out this these fantastic heart healthy recipes, and my wine pairing recommendations!

Enjoy these menu items with a glass of bubbly.  Sparkling wine is the only wine that’s socially acceptable to drink for breakfast, lunch, dinner and in-between.  I love that! One of my favorites is Domaine Chandon Brut Classic.  It has a wonderful brioche, nutty, apple, pear and citrus character with kiss of spice. 

Pair these delightful dishes with Sauvignon Blanc.  Look for the 2013 Ferrari-Carano Sonoma County Fumé Blanc. It’s exhibits pretty stone fruit, orange blossom, citrus and mango aromas with peach, grapefruit, and pear aromas.

Pair these dishes with Chardonnay.  I really like the 2012 Foxglove Central Coast Chardonnay.  Foxglove is a second label for premium Chardonnay producer Varner Wines.  It shows in the classy cuvee that shows white peach, apple, citrus and a hint of spice character.   

Pair these dishes with a Riesling, arguably the most food friendly wine.  Look for the 2012 Trimbach Riesling from Alsace.  It shows a white peach, nectarine, and orange blossom character with an appealing hint of salinity. 

Pair these dishes with a Rosé, which combines the best of white and red wines, while maintaining their own unique charm. They possess the crisp acidity, delicacy and freshness of white wines, and the body, and flavors of red wines.  Look for the 2013 Cave de Tavel “Lauzeraies” Rosé from France.  It’s a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault grapes that packed with deep red fruit flavor, crisp acidity ,and ample body.

Pair these dishes with a Pinot Noir from Oregon.  I like the 2012 Adelsheim Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. It has a silky, fresh cherry, cola, spice and earth character.  Delicious and food friendly!

 Look for a “Rioja” for these dishes. It’s made from the Tempranillo grape.  One of my favorites that delivers for the price is the 2011 Bodegas Bilbainas “Viña Zaco” .  It has a mixed red and black cherry, plum character with hint of smoke and spice. 

Pair these desserts & snacks with a Moscato d’Asti.  Look for the 2013 Saracco Moscato d’Asti ($10). It shows a sweet, fragrant, delicate, floral, tropical fruit, and a hint of honey character.  It’s “frizzante”, which means it’s not as effervescent as most sparkling wines. 

 Cheers!

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37 Comments

  1. Renee Dobbs says:

    You have done it again with such awesome wine pairing recommendations. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy it when you do this for Sunday Supper.

  2. Stacy says:

    I love that prescription sticker, Martin! Someone should make glasses with that actually printed on them, if they haven’t already. As always, you have some great recommendations! The hint of smoke and spice in the Rioja sounds perfect.

  3. Liz Berg says:

    Isn’t it wonderful that wine is heart healthy? Thanks for your perfect pairings!!

  4. I’ve had red & white with the salmon and mango salsa, next time I’ll try the rose suggestion!

  5. Lots of great info here on wine!

  6. shcole107 says:

    Love your pairings!

  7. Sounds like a great match for my soup! Thanks Martin!

  8. MealDiva says:

    Great pairings! I’ll be on the look out for some of your suggestions, especially the Rose!

  9. khenricks says:

    I would totally drink a glass of bubbly with my overnight oatmeal … great pairing!

  10. I always love dessert wine and your Moscato suggestion sounds like a fun pairing ideas. Thanks, Martin!

  11. marbaird says:

    Ah, Ferrari Carrano is one of my favorite wines. Haven’t had it in a while. Guess I better go get a bottle. Thanks for all the excellent wine pairing suggestions Martin.

  12. Joy says:

    I’ve been wanting to learn more about how to pair wines with food, so I so appreciate your pairings. I actually just picked up a bottle of the Moscato di Asti, so I’m excited to try it with your recommended recipes!

  13. lk529 says:

    I don’t know how to pair wine so this is great!

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