Friday, March 28, 2014

Wine and Fondue

Wine and Fondue

Cheese fondue conjures up memory of friends sitting around a warm vat of cheese while everyone tries to make sure their bread doesn’t fall off the long fork into the mix. Most people think of fondue as just cheese and bread.

Fondue became popular centuries ago in Switzerland, where hard cheeses likc Gruyère, Emmental and Raclette were mixed with Kirsch (fruit brandy made with morello cherries), and a sturdy crust bread was dipped into the creamy cheese mixture on cold winter days. Fondue is also made using a dry white wine.
The cheese mixture is often paired with a crisp dry Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Brut Champagne or Brut sparkling wines, which cut through the rich fatty Gruyère. These wines will also pair with apples or pears dipped in the cheese. Other wines to consider are Chablis and Aligoté. Avoid oaky California Chardonnay. You want a wine with acidity.

After you have had the cheese fondue, jump into making a hot oil fondue. Use vegetable or corn oil, and make sure the temperature remains about 375 degrees. Any lower and the food will absorb too much oil. Use small cubes of raw beef, chicken, mushrooms, and potatoes. Also give fish a try, like swordfish. You can still stay with a sparkling wine from your cheese fondue if you wish, as fried foods pair well sparkling wines. If you want to change it up a little, go with a Spanish Cava.

After this, move on the desert fondue with chocolate. Use a high quality dark or milk chocolate, and get creative by stirring in flaked coconut, mini-marshmallows, toasted hazelnuts or almonds. Here is where you can get creative. Try some cubed pound cake, strawberries, banana slices, and pineapple cubes. Move to a red desert wine like Banyuls or a Tawny port.
Gather a group and have a party with fondue! Start with the cheese, move to the oil and finish with the chocolate fondue. Celebrate National Cheese Fondue Day on April 11th; invite some friends over for a fondue party. Ask everyone to bring something like bread, vegetables, meats, and fresh fruit. Oh don’t forget the pound cake and marshmallows for the chocolate.

Bon appétit!


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