What do samosas, spanakopita, and sushi all have in common? Each dish is a perfect match with RÃas Baixas Albariño, the refreshing and delicious white wine from northwestern Spain. Amateur cooks across the country are invited to put their culinary chops and Albariño's food-friendliness to the test by submitting their favorite original recipe for this year's wine and food pairing contest.
Albariño's crisp minerality and peachy, melon characteristics make it a natural choice for sipping during the lazy days of summer (or year round). As many top sommeliers have already discovered, Albariño wines enhance a wide range of cuisines including Asian, Indian or regional American fare, and it's a natural match for seafood. Terry Coughlin, General Manager of New York's leading Indian restaurant, Tabla, commented, "Albariño is an amazing grape to pair with Indian spices as well as spices of other ethnic cuisines." He added, "Albariño has a beautiful note of crispness which carries the natural flavors of the food and makes a good dish even greater."
Savor Albariño wines on their own, with tapas (small plates), or with dishes such as Falafel Chicken Skewers, Warm Apple Risotto with Pancetta, or Incredible Potato Salad "” a sampling of last year's winning recipes. Just as chefs and sommeliers create daring food and wine pairings, amateurs are invited to stretch their imaginations and culinary talents by putting Albariño wines to the test.
For further inspiration and to enter the contest, log on to www.riasbaixaswines.com, which features a selection of recipes as well as additional information on Albariño and its region. Three top contest entries will each receive a case of RÃas Baixas Albariño wines and one grand prize winner will also receive a gift card from Williams-Sonoma valued at $1,000.
Official rules and detailed information can be found at www.riasbaixaswines.com. The contest is currently under way and entries will be accepted through October 31, 2007 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. Must be 21 to enter. Void where prohibited.
Note to editors: For information on RÃas Baixas Albariño wines, more details on the recipe contest, or visuals, contact Beth Cotenoff or Chandni Patel at (212) 605-0370 or via email at bcotenoff@cornerstonepr.com or cpatel@cornerstonepr.com.