Pizza and Wine. Pizza and Wine. Pizza and Wine.
I just like to say it. Over and over.
In fact, before she was born, I wanted to name my daughter “Pizza”, just so I could spend the rest of my life saying, “I love you Pizza.”
Of course, things didn’t turn out that way, but I still love pizza. And wine. And my daughter. I love her the most. But pizza and wine, that’s definitely up there too.
Anyhow, do you love pizza and wine?
If so, HAVE I GOT AN EVENT FOR YOU!!!
We’re having our very hip-to-sip Fall Release Event at Monte Bello this Saturday, and the very passionate and talented folks at Pizza Politana will be driving their amazing wood-fired-pizza-oven-truck right up our mountain to personally serve their widely heralded, locally sourced offerings. (Sunset Magazine writes, “The Temescal Farmer’s Market is ground-zero for gourmands, and Chez Panisse alum Joel Baecker bakes its best new grub — beautifully blistered pizzas — in his portable wood-burning oven.”). Which is very excellent. And, we’ll be releasing new vintages of Monte Bello Chardonnay and Cabernet, plus new Lytton Springs, Pagani Ranch, and York Creek! Nice.
Anyhow, at the time I confirmed Pizza Politana’s participation, I didn’t even know yet what pizzas were going to be served. I was running on faith.
But then came the Petaluma Farmer’s Market, where I met up with Ryan Moore (our Director of Direct-to-Consumer Sales), and the very excellent Pizza Politana folks. I brought the wine, they brought the za, and this, believe you me, was a tasting!
And now, we have the menu. The pairings. The pizza and wine pairings. Pizza and Wine, Pizza and Wine, Pizza and Wine.
First up, the new 2008 Monte Bello Chardonnay. For my money, one of the best Monte Bello Chardonnays we’ve ever produced; quintessential cool-climate mountain fruit, showing tremendous acidity, minerality, and yeast characteristics, with a lovely round body, great complexity, and a dangerous quaffability. And to go with it? Dig this!
Know what kind of pizza this is? Check this out:
Crème Fraiche
Figs
Bacon
Red onion
Wild arugula
Nice!
And how about this lil’ baby, to go with the new, powerful, structured, and intense 2009 Lytton Springs?
Yeah, that looks good. Dig the profile:
Tomato sauce
Smoked mozzarella
Mushrooms
Caramelized onion
Gremolata
Man, this thing is so crazy flavorful …
But then along comes Monte Bello! The new 2008 is beyond fantastic (I bought in HARD on my personal futures order; the whole hog!) and it requires a pizza of maximum flavorishishness. Behold:
The profile?
Tomato sauce
Ridge’s red wine sausage (meaning, sausage made with our wine!)
Roasted eggplant
Parmesan
Um, yup. That’ll do.
So, with all that said, you best get yer tickets with a quickness. As I said, this thang is just about sold out. I hope you can come. Pizza and Wine. Pizza and Wine. Pizza and Wine.
I love you Pizza.
And wine.
Tags: 2008 Monte Bello, 2008 Monte Bello Chardonnay, 2009 Lytton Springs, 2009 Pagani Ranch, 2009 York Creek, Fall Release Event, pizza and wine, Pizza Politana, Ryan Moore
May 18, 2012 at 8:17 pm |
[...] quite charming, if I do say so myself. We were up at Monte Bello for an event this weekend (Pizza and Wine, yum!) and she was a champ. Daddy’s [...]
April 13, 2012 at 4:35 pm |
[...] am telling you, these people are THE BEST pairing partners imaginable. If you would, please read this article, it will explain to you in depth my love for Pizza [...]
November 11, 2011 at 11:55 pm |
Pizza and wine were meant for each other as much as Fred and Ginger, Bonnie and Clyde, Kate and Will. However, there are big differences in the toppings of various pizzas, so the wines that pair best with them also change. I love these combos.
November 6, 2011 at 11:57 pm |
The big difference between a fresh-tasting pizza and an average pie is a flavorful sauce. Cheers Christopher Watkins and thanks for the nice post.
September 5, 2011 at 9:19 am |
[...] quite charming, if I do say so myself. We were up at Monte Bello for an event this weekend (Pizza and Wine, yum!) and she was a champ. Daddy's [...]
August 30, 2011 at 6:05 am |
So sad I won’t be there! I’ve had plenty of experience of scoffing down pizza with wine
The following is a personal favourite of mine, a combination I came across here at home in South Africa:
The Pizza: A beautiful thin base wood fired pizza with Brie Cheese, Fig, Bacon & Rocket.
The Wine: Glen Carlou Vineyards Chardonnay 2009 – a sumptuous melange of peach and citrus, roasted nuts and barley-sugar, a dry finish but great fruit concentration.
Enjoy the event, I’m sure it’ll be great!
August 29, 2011 at 4:49 pm |
Dude!
I’ll be there and square…
Hopefully the pizza will be ’round.
- Jeff
August 29, 2011 at 11:00 am |
Yes, I do! I do love pizza and wine!
And, dang! (she whined) we’ll miss this weekend’s pizza party on the beautiful mountain, as we’ll be out of Montebello range.
Luckily, we got our pizza fix over the weekend! at Howie’s in Palo Alto: A shout out to them and their fabulous thin crust margherita pizza paired with – what else? – Ridge Lytton Springs!
(Ho mangiato – e bevendo – bene!)
August 29, 2011 at 11:00 am |
I sill have to pick up my 08 Monte Bello!
August 29, 2011 at 10:19 am |
Sounds absolutely delicious. I love Ridge wines – I wish I could be there!
August 29, 2011 at 10:07 am |
Sadly, as I cannot be with you in person, You will just have to make do with the thought that YES, I will have my own little pizza fest in dear old Blighty. That, to the uninitiated amongst you, is what we in the UK call our dear little country, when we are abroad.
However, as we are so much closer to Italy, the place of origin of the Pizza, we may stray from the path or righteousness, or Ridge – and maybe indulge in a little Taurasi – the wine of Campagnia, from the Aglianico grape – which is the closest (and best red wine) vinous accompaniment to a true Neapolitan creation.
What ever your choice, I will be thinking of you, even if YOU might think I am a heretic!
Tom