Today we share a new pairing for Corned Beef and Cabbage, along with more Yakima Valley Wine pairings. Disclosure: the wines discussed here were provided as complimentary samples.
This month, the Wine Pairing Weekend group is exploring wines from the Yakima Valley and pairings to go with them. Here we highlight some of the Yakima Valley Wine Pairings we have tried, along with some other matches for these wines.
About the Yakima Valley AVA
The Yakima Valley AVA is Washington’s oldest AVA. This region is located in the southern center of the state, to the east of the Cascade Mountains. The valley has a very dry climate, with long, warm growing days and cool night creating excellent wine grape growing conditions.
There are four nested AVAs within the Yakima Valley. Our host for this event, Robin from Crushed Grape Chronicles, covers these along with lots of other good info in her introductory article on Yakima Valley. Robin joined me for a recent Instagram Live, where she shares about her interest in the Yakima Valley and Washington wines in general.
The Wine Pairing Weekend group had partnered with Wine Yakima Valley for the March event focusing on the region.
Rosé with corned beef
As I started planning for our most recent corned beef and cabbage, I realized I had never tried a rosé with this meal. I had a bottle of the 2019 Sin Banderas Yakima Valley Rosé (13% ABV) to try, and wondered if it might work.
I reached out to Susan Brown-Aaron, my contact from Sin Banderas. She encouraged me to give their rosé a try with the corned beef, noting it is a Grenache based wine.
The Yakima Valley rosé is salmon color in the glass. Bright cherry bubblegum on the nose. On the palate, watermelon fruit with a hint of salinity. A light herbal note – thyme I’d say. The wine is medium bodied, well-balanced and pleasant mouthfeel.
This Yakima Valley rosé is definitely a winner with the corned beef and cabbage (and one I’d like with a lot of foods!). It has a enough substance for the beef, and the bright flavors cleanse the palate after bites of the salty and mustard flavors.
Head over to my Wine with Corned Beef and Cabbage article for more pairing ideas for the St. Patrick’s Day classic!
More Sin Banderas pairings
I have several more bottles from Sin Banderas to try. Stay tuned for my pairings with them! Meanwhile, I will mention a few of the ideas Susan suggested:
- 2017 Sin Banderas Red Blend ($32, 14.1% ABV): This Yakima Valley red blend is comprised of 67% Syrah, 33% Mourvedre. Just six barrels produced. Susan recommends hearty fare, such as beef bourguignon. She also says it’s great with pizza! I might try it with our Beef Shepherds Pie Casserole.
- 2020 Sin Banderas Yakima Valley Riesling ($24, 12% ABV) comes recommended with Thai food and “the amazing street tacos of Yakima”. Sounds like another reason for a trip to the area! I’m thinking I will try it with our Indian Butter Chicken tonight. After publishing this article, we opened another bottle of their Riesling to pair with our Vegetarian Hatch Chile Enchiladas – delicious combo! Three barrels of this wine were produced, with fruit from DuBrul Vineyards.
About Sin Banderas
Sin Banderas translates to “without flags” and gets this name because of the diverse group that has come together to create this label. Wine workers from Owen Roe — a maker, a grower, and a cellar master — decided to create these wines.
Jacki Evans is the winemaker at Sin Banderas. Susan notes that Jacki is great at creating blends, and “brings out the best in the grapes and strives for clean expressive wines.”
Learn more by visiting the Sin Banderas website.
Pairings for Dineen Vineyard wines
My featured recipe for this weekend is my new Lamb Ragu Pasta recipe, which I cooked up to go with the 2015 Dineen Vineyards Heritage Red Wine ($35, 14.2 % ABV). This pairing, inspired by my conversation with Marissa Dineen, definitely rates an “A” grade!
Stay tuned for of my pairings with Dineen Vineyard wines! Meanwhile, Marissa has a keen interest in food pairings for her wines. Visit the winery blog for some great pairing ideas ranging from healthy fish recipes to decadent mac & cheese.
We also talk about pairings in my IG TV chat with Marissa Dineen (navigate to about 5:30 to skip the preliminaries…Marissa joins us around that time!).
More on Yakima Valley wine
Be sure to check out all these great articles about Yakima Valley wine and food pairings to to with it!
Camilla M Mann
Now that is a pairing I hadn’t considered! And I have another bottle of the rose…and a brisket in my fridge. Serendipity? Perhaps. I’ll let you know how it goes. Cheers.
gwendolyn alley
Hmm I have some rose wines from Puglia– maybe I’ll go that direction for our corned beef on St Patricks Day!
Cooking Chat
Rosé from Puglia, that sounds good!
Lori
street tacos sound incredible!
robincgc
First, I love that you found a good pairing for corned beef and cabbage! That is a feat!
Second, I had no idea that Sin Banderas was from Owen Roe folks! I actually briefly met Jacki on a visit there a few years ago. I love that these people working together decided to start their own winery and the name “without Flags” holds such great meaning in these times. BRAVO to them.
Cooking Chat
Glad I was able to add to your broad base of WA wine knowledge, Robin!
MARTIN D REDMOND
The Sin Banderas/Owen Roe connection is interesting. Pairing Rosé and Corned Beef not top of mind for me…then again…Rosé when I’m not sure which way to go with a pairing. Great to hear it worked so well!
Cooking Chat
Thanks Martin! I’ve had enough success with rosé pairings to give it a try, glad I did!