Perfect Pairings for Wines of the Loire Valley
Loire Valley wines are excellent for both drinking by themselves as well as perfectly designed for the bounty of fresh foods this time of year offers.
White Wine
Staff Recipe: Fondue
Warm your house and your belly with a Fondue made with some of Pastoral's favorite Melting Cheeses!
Staff Picks: Top 5 Holiday Must Haves!
Staff Picks: Top 5 Holiday Must Haves!
During the holidays, the wide variety of gift options can be daunting. Let Pastoral make it easy for you: we've rounded up the Staff Picks for the Top 5 Must Haves this Holiday Season! Our staff is dedicated...
Pairing of the Week: Black Sheep and Illahe Viognier
This week's pairing highlights an ACS award winner from our own backyard and a wine from a little further afield.
What We're Drinking: Almyra Chardonnay
Domaine Skouras Almyra Chardonnay
Producer: Domaine Skouras
Bottle: Almyra
Origin: Peloponnese, Greece
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
This bottle made its way onto our shelves at all three stores in the past week or so. Although we talk extensively that...
What We're Drinking: Gitton Sancerre
It's so humid! Take a break with lean and mean (in the most elegant way, of course) Sauvignon Blanc.
Pairing of the Week: Mozzarella di Bufala and Villa Matilde Falanghina
Here's to a pairing that signifies that summer is in full swing. As those amazing heirloom tomatoes call to you at the farmer's market, keep this pairing in mind. And for the love of all that is delicious, add some Prosciutto to this pairing. It will blow your mind...
What We're Drinking: Valdecaz
Viura, also known as Macabeu, is a main component of Spain's Cava wines. Malvasia is the traditional grape used to make Madeira. When these two grapes get together freshness abounds. Spritzy acidity with round body with smells and tastes of tingly orange zest and candied lemon.
Pairing of the Week: Jasper Hill "Washed Moses" & Domaine Binner "Saveurs"
This week's pairing is a subtle "wink" at the classic Alsatian pairing of Muenster and white wine.
Pairing of the Week: Chiriboga Blue and Tintero La Grangia
Blue cheese served after dinner with a dessert wine is not news in itself, but this pairing we think is special in that it introduces a brand-new cheese to our case alongside a less-new but still pretty new wine that dances along the line between dessert wine and summer sipper. The pairing together is elegant and perfect for a warm summer night.
What We're Drinking: Bergerie Anjou Blanc
Remember your holiday party ? Well, at ours we drank quite a bit of this lovely Loire White that night and much merriment was had by all. Don't let the timing fool you, though, this wine being a hit at our holiday party doesn't mean it'll be out of place at your spring time table.
Pairing of the Week: Prairie Fruits Farm Fresh Chevre and Graziano Chenin Blanc
Spring is the season of all things fresh and in that spirit Pastoral is proud to present this week's pairing of Fresh Chevre from Prairie Fruits Farm from right here in Illinois (Urbana-Champaign to be exact) and Chenin Blanc from Graziano Family Wines in California. It's a bright, crisp pairing perfect for a sunny May afternoon on the patio with friends or out in the park.
Pairing of the Week: Olive Oil-Marinated Chevre and Cava
This week's pairing continues the Spanish theme as we head in to the 2nd Annual Pastoral's Artisan Producer Festival with an olive oil-marinated chevre and a sparkling cava. These two are perfect for spring and perfect for each other!
What We're Drinking: Leclerc Briant Champagne
Champagne may be typically connoted with celebrations, but we say it's about finding the little celebrations in your week to focus on. And there's no better way to celebrate being done with that big project at work than a bottle of bubbly and friends. So with our own big project coming to fruition this weekend at the 2nd Annual Pastoral's Artisan Producer Festival, we'll be drinking Leclerc Briant's Cuvee Brut.
What We're Drinking: Luli Chardonnay
Spring keeps popping up and has us daydreaming about days spent in the park, on the rooftop, and at the beach. Picnics and parties are always a great occasion for some crisp, fruity whites and that's why we're excited about this Chardonnay from...