Custom Search

Best California Wines Under $20

You do not have to spend a lot of money to be assured of a great California wine. In fact, it is possible to find excellent California wines under $20. Castle Rock Monterey Pinot Noir 2006 is made from pinot grapes on California's central coast. Cheap pinot noir can sometimes be too acidic or have a watery taste, but this particular one is very good.

The central coast climate provides a long growing season for the grapes, so the wine produced is more concentrated with an intense flavor. This wine costs $13 a bottle is wonderful with lamb, chicken, salmon and pasta.

Edna Valley Vineyard Paragon Chardonnay 2006 also costs $13 a bottle and is very popular. Produced in the San Luis Obispo region of California, this wine has peach, grapefruit and pineapple fruit flavors, and a subtle balance of oak and minerals. A lot of expensive Chardonnays tend to be very creamy and heavy on the oak but this one is just right. You can actually get a reasonable Chardonnay for $7 but it is worth paying a bit more for this perfectly balanced one.

Learn More About Wine>> California Wine Country Mini Articles are spread through out the site get a list of articles at this link.

Photo Description:

A Picture of Jumbo Grilled Sea Scallops with Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade and Green Goddess Dressing - this dish makes a lite yet pleasing starter to both surf and turf entrees making it a perfect start to your wine country dinner party menu. Your guest and or family will be amazed by this dish right down to its wonderful presentation complete with fresh basil leafs. The basil leafs can be substituted with fresh baby spinach leafs if you prefer.

Jumbo Grilled Sea Scallops Recipe

Sea scallops are delicious. Dry day boat scallops are particularly good in this grilled sea scallops recipe but if you can't get those, any scallops will do. Dry day boat scallops are sold the day they are caught, rather than preserved. You can serve this recipe with a green salad and warm baguette to soak up the tapenade and dressing if you like.

The combination of the red and green sauces are visually appealing and tastes great. Because of its clean, herby flavor, Sauvignon Blanc is an ideal wine to serve with this grilled sea scallops dish.

Jumbo Grilled Sea Scallops with Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade and Green Goddess Dressing

Ingredients -

8 jumbo dry day boat scallops
2 eggs
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup sun-dried tomato tapenade
½ cup green goddess dressing
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
Large leaf basil for garnish

Preparation:

Break the eggs into a bowl and whisk them. Put the breadcrumbs in a different bowl. Dip each scallop into the eggs then the breadcrumbs. Do one scallop at a time and make sure they are evenly coated.

Heat a grill to medium high and sear the scallops for 3 minutes on each side. Arrange them on a plate. Pour the sun-dried tomato tapenade around the scallops and then the green goddess dressing. Sprinkle the dill over the sauces and decorate each plate with large basil leaves.

Wine Suggestion:

What Wine Goes with Jumbo Grilled Sea Scallops Recipe?

Because of its clean, herby flavor, Sauvignon Blanc is an ideal wine to serve with this grilled sea scallops recipe. Alternatively, the clean flavors of Riesling or Pinot Grigio complement the flavor of the scallops and are gentle enough in flavor not to overpower the dish.