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California Wine Labels |
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The name and address of the wine producer must appear on the label. If the label says, "estate bottled," you know the grapes have been grown at the winery and the wine has been bottled there too. If not, you know where the grapes were grown but not where the wine was bottled.
Californian law states that if "Napa" appears on the label, at least 75% of the grapes used should have been grown there. If the wine is labeled "vintage," at least 95% of the grapes used must be vintage. Wine can sometimes evaporate from the barrels and need topping up. That allows winemakers to use 5% from another vintage if need be. 75% of the grapes used must be of the grape variety stated on the label.
Some winemakers prefer to list both varietals on the label and will name the wine, for example, Cabernet-Merlot. Alcohol strength must be mentioned on the label, as must a "contains sulfites" warning if it does contain them. Wine naturally contains sulfites but some have sulfites added during the winemaking process. The volume (how much wine the bottle contains) must also be stated on the label.
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| Learn More About Wine>> California Wine Country Mini Articles are spread through out the site get a list of articles at this link.
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Photo Description:
A Picture of Lobster Salad Recipe with a Lime and Basil Salsa - this dish makes a lite yet surprisingly refreshing appetizer or salad and the spics of the dish makes the mouth come a live for the courses to follow.
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Light and Refreshing Lobster Salad Recipe |
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Lobster is wonderful tasting and versatile. One great use for this delicious seafood is to use it in a salad. The following recipe also features cherry tomatoes, rucola and apple. We should all treat ourselves now and then and what better treat than fresh lobster!
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Lobster Salad Recipe with a Lime and Basil Salsa |
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| Ingredients - |
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¾ lb cooked lobster meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups seeded chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, peeled
¼ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup peeled, diced cucumber
1/3 cup finely chopped green onions
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
2 apples, chopped
8 cherry tomatoes, halved
Pinch of pepper
4 cups sliced rucola
1 cup trimmed cabbage
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| Preparation: |
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Position the knife blade in the food processor bowl. To make the salsa, add ½ cup of the chopped tomatoes, lime juice, vinegar, garlic and olive oil. Process this mixture until smooth, before pouring it into a medium sized bowl. Stir in the rest of the chopped tomatoes, cucumber, onions, basil, salt and pepper. Set this mixture aside.
Combine the lobster, cherry tomatoes, rucola and cabbage and apple pieces in a large bowl and toss well. Arrange this mixture on the plates with a little of the salsa dotted around the edge of the plate. Serve the rest separately so people can help themselves to it.
Serves 4
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| Wine Suggestion: |
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Which Wine to Serve with This Recipe
Some wine recipes feature lobster but this lobster salad recipe does not contain any wine. It is delicious served with a fresh, dry white wine such as Chenin Blanc, unoaked Chablis or Sauvignon. These wines are best served at 55ºF.
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Serving California Wine with Salads
If you are serving a meal in several courses, you might like to serve a different wine with each one. If you are serving a light starter with a light meal, you might find that the same wine matches both dishes, but if they are quite different, a wine which is too heavy might overpower the flavors of the recipe you have spent a lot of time making and a light wine just won't taste right. Wines should complement meals, not battle with them.
One of the problems with pairing California wine and salad is that a lot of salad recipes feature acidic vinaigrettes. Raw vegetables and greens do not flatter wine either. Fortunately, modern salads are full of different textures and interesting flavors.
Wine with Seafood Salad
Gone are the days when a salad was a pile of lettuce leaves. Today we have crab salad recipes, lobster salad recipes, duck salad with pine nuts, pesto, and Parmesan pasta starters and many more. When you use the right ingredients, you can find a perfect wine partner. Anything from a buttery Chardonnay to a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or earthy Cotes du Rhone can bring out the flavors of your homemade seafood salad recipe. Even Gewürztraminer or Riesling can pair well with some kinds of salad.
Strong, peppery greens in a salad might mean that a spicy wine such as Petite Syrah or Zinfandel would bring out the flavors the best. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc have herby notes, which work with light or delicate flavored salads. Sauvignon Blanc is delicious with oysters, clams, shrimp, mussels, and light fish salads. For a seafood salad, such as crab or lobster, sparkling wines tend to go well, especially if you are serving a creamy dressing with the seafood. If the sauce is rich, Chardonnay can be a good choice. Whichever salad you are serving; there is a perfect California wine to complement it just right.
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