Sponsored Post: We’ve partnered with Pacific Rim to bring you vivid and elegant pairings and tips with food-friendly Riesling wines.
Check out this autumn dinner menu perfectly paired with an array of Riesling wines and let it inspire your holiday planning and dinner parties of the season. It’s savory, sweet, refreshing and cozy and quite literally hits all the spots.
If there’s one thing we (my husband and I) love to do as a team, it’s plan a menu. I think one of the reasons this time of year is my most favorite, is because it’s when we start planning and collaborating on all the details of our holiday gatherings, large and small alike. Apart from our annual Friendsgiving tradition, it also seems that around this time we take Sunday dinners a bit more seriously. Thoughtfully planning a full meal from cocktail to dessert feels really classy, but doesn’t have to be as daunting as it sounds. 
As we’ve been focusing a lot more on sustainable practices lately, particularly in the kitchen, we were so excited at the opportunity to team up with Pacific Rim to talk about riesling that’s sustainably produced in the Pacific Northwest, and how to pair them with a seasonal menu. As people who appreciate wine and all that goes along with it, I wanted to share some info about their practices below!
via Pacific Rim Winery
AT PACIFIC RIM, WE’RE COMMITTED TO WALKING THE WALK REGARDING SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES —NO CORPORATE “GREEN WASHING” HERE. WE BELIEVE THAT MAKING BEAUTIFUL WINES SHOULD NOT COMPROMISE THE BEAUTY OF OUR PLANET.
BANNED HARD HERBICIDES + HEAVY WATERING
WINERY BUILT TO OPTIMIZE EFFICIENCY FOR ELECTRICAL AND WATER USAGE
EXCLUSIVELY USE WILD YEASTS
TRANSITIONED TO LIGHTWEIGHT GLASS
WE COMPOST 100% OF OUR POMACE WEIGHT
(A BI-PRODUCT OF GRAPE CRUSH)
I’ve been stuck on figs, buckwheat and burrata lately (I used figs in a buckwheat porridge earlier this week that is a major fall breakfast upgrade), and was so excited to incorporate them again into a full vegetarian focused meal with these different rieslings. Keeping the menu simple, but elevated was our vibe here. We wanted it to be easy to throw together for a holiday gathering with friends, or something for a cozy night in that you’d like to kick up a notch. We’re starting you off with a scotch + riesling cocktail that sets the tone for a fall flavored menu. Followed by a pear and burrata salad, a buckwheat and butternut squash bowl, and for the grand finale? Fresh figs over ice cream with toasted walnuts and a drizzle of dessert wine on top. You really can’t go wrong here.
LEMONY SCOTCH + RIESLING COCKTAIL
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
This autumn-inspired cocktail combines the warmth of scotch with the sweetness of Riesling, enhanced by a hint of citrus and bitters.
Ingredients
- 1 oz blended scotch whiskey
- 3 oz Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling
- 1 dash angostura bitters
- 1 dash lemon juice
- 1 lemon wheel (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a rocks glass, combine 1 oz blended scotch whiskey, 3 oz Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling, and a dash of lemon juice.
- Add ice to the glass and stir the mixture until well chilled.
- Garnish with a dash of angostura bitters and a lemon wheel.
Notes
This cocktail sets the tone for a fall-flavored menu. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy night in. Consider using a high-quality scotch for the best flavor. Serve immediately for optimal taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 5
- Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 0
PEAR + BURRATA SALAD
- Yield: 0 serving size for an individual portion 1x
Ingredients
SALAD
- 1 pear (sliced thinly)
- 1 4 oz piece burrata cheese
- 1 cup field greens
- shallot vinaigrette (recipe to follow)
SHALLOT VINAIGRETTE
- 1 shallot (finely minced)
- 3 tbs cup champagne vinegar
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper
Instructions
SALAD
- To assemble, scatter greens on serving dish in a circle shape.
- Place burrata in center and arrange pear slices in a fan shape around cheese.
- Dress lightly with shallot vinaigrette.
SHALLOT VINAIGRETTE
- In a small non-reactive bowl, whisk to combine the shallot, vinegar and olive oil.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
BUCKWHEAT + BUTTERNUT SQUASH BOWL
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup buckwheat groats
- 1 lb butternut squash (cubed)
- 8 oz shiitake mushrooms (sliced)
- 1/4 cup parsley leaves (roughly torn)
- 1 tbs butter
- 2 tbs olive oil (divided)
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Toss squash with 1 tbs olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 12 minutes, flip and continue cooking an additional 10-12 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. When butter is bubbling, add buckwheat groats and toast, stirring continuously for about 5 minutes.
- When groats are toasted, add 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook undisturbed for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with fork. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm 1 tbs olive oil until shimmering. When hot, add mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add butternut squash and buckwheats groats, tossing to combine.
- Add parsley leaves, season with salt and pepper and continue cooking until warmed through, about 3 minutes.
- Serve warm, and garnish with additional parsley leaves. Pair with Pacific Rim’s Dry Riesling or J Riesling.
- Yield: 0 serving size for a *generous* individual portion 1x
Ingredients
- 3 scoops french vanilla ice cream
- 2 figs (halved)
- 1/2 cup walnuts (toasted)
- Vin de Glaciere Riesling (From Pacific Rim,)
- or similar dessert wine for topping
Instructions
- To serve, plate ice cream and garnish with walnuts and figs.
- Drizzle with dessert wine and serve immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of Riesling should I pair with the autumn dinner menu?
For this autumn dinner menu, we recommend a Riesling that is sustainably produced in the Pacific Northwest, as it complements the savory and sweet flavors of the dishes beautifully.
How can I incorporate sustainable practices when preparing this dinner?
You can focus on using locally sourced ingredients for your dishes and opt for organic produce, which aligns with the sustainable practices highlighted in the recipe.
What are some specific dishes in the autumn dinner menu that pair well with Riesling?
The menu includes dishes that balance savory and sweet flavors, making it ideal to pair with Riesling for both appetizers and main courses, enhancing the overall dining experience.
