Start the New Year Out with Cable Bay Sauvignon Blanc Paired with Oyster Pie
Oysters are in season and at their best on the east coast, here’s a great way to enjoy them in the cold of winter.
The Wine
Cable Bay, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, NZ, Sauvignon Blanc, 2016
This is a complex and vibrant wine, conveying all the characteristics of a faultless growing season.Rocket flowers, passionfruit, papaya, lime and Smokey chicory mingle in the bouquet of this grown up sauvignon blanc The palate of this wine is finely textured with a note of chalky mineralality and, focused acidity giving the wine dimension and overall great balance.
SM91 points: Bright, light straw-yellow color. The nose is softly full with aromas of ripe passionfruit entwined with notes of cut grass and nettles, unfolding green herbs and suggestions of green bean, a classic Awatere Valley expression. Dry yet fruity with a medium light body and flavors passionfruit, fresh herbs, citrus and sweet grass, that carry to an elegant, lingering finish. Serve as an aperitif, or pair this wine with seafood, Pacific Rim fare, and light poultry. This wine is ready to drink but will develop more layers over the next two years. Estate grown fruit from the ‘Cinders’ vineyard, cool-fermented in stainless-steel, and aged 5 months on lees.
The Pairing
Oyster Pie with Leeks, Bacon and Mashed Potatoes
What you will need:
1 ½ pounds yellow-fleshed potatoes, such as Yukon Gold, peeled and cut in 2-inch cubes
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, more as needed
Salt and pepper
¼ pound smoky bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch lardons
2 medium leeks, pale and tender parts only, chopped in 1/2-inch pieces
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
1 cup crème fraiche
1 cup heavy cream or milk
1 tablespoon whole grain French mustard
Pinch of cayenne
12 large oysters, or more if desired, shucked, with juices
1 cup coarse dry bread crumbs
Handful of grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped parsley, for garnish
How to prepare it:
Step 1 - Bring a pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until completely tender. Drain potatoes, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid. Return potatoes to pot, add 2 tablespoons butter and season generously with salt and pepper. Mash well, adding cooking liquid as necessary to thin. Cover and keep warm.
Step 2: Meanwhile, render the bacon: Put a medium skillet over medium-high heat and add lardons. After a minute or so, when they begin to sizzle, turn heat to medium and stir them in pan to distribute evenly. Cook for a minute or two, letting bacon soften without browning. When it is just beginning to crisp, tip everything into a fine mesh sieve over a bowl to drain. (Reserve the fat for another purpose). Set bacon aside.
Step 3: Put a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons butter. Add leeks, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until wilted but still bright green, about 1 minute. Add reserved bacon, thyme, crème fraîche, heavy cream, mustard and cayenne; bring to a simmer. Add oysters and oyster juices, cook 1 minute, then remove from heat. The mixture will be rather soupy. Last step, Heat oven to 375 degrees. Transfer oyster mixture to a low-sided casserole dish approximately 9 inches across. Carefully cover the surface with spoonfuls of mashed potatoes in an even layer. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and Parmesan and dot with butter. Set pan on a baking sheet in case there's overflow while cooking. Bake for about 40 minutes, until you can see the stew simmering at the edges and the top is beautifully browned. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with parsley. Recipe adapted from nytimes.com
Cheers, The Wine Guys