Muscat is a Must-have for a Summer Picnic
August 1, 2009
Many people enjoy Muscat as a delicious dessert wine – and it is. Muscat is a lightly sweet white wine that is a lovely complement to any kind of fruit dessert such as cobblers, pies, or even just fresh berries with a little whipped cream on top. But if you’ve never tried Muscat as a summer afternoon sipping wine, you are missing out! Here we have assembled a “picnic menu” that we think will change your mind about Muscat.
Check the prepared foods or deli section of your market (most Whole Foods have an extensive selection) for roasted pork meat and purchase enough for everyone in your group to have a few slices. Visit the mustard aisle for a spicy sweet variety – we like Mendocino Mustard Company’s Hot Sweet Mustard. Buy a bunch of fresh asparagus, some Black Mission figs, fresh strawberries, caramelized hazelnuts, almond biscotti and a jar of lemon curd. Choose a creamy bleu cheese such as Gorgonzola, Camembert, Beenleigh Blue or Hubbardston Blue. Ask the cheese folks at Whole Foods or Cowgirl Creamery in the Ferry Building for a suggestion.
The morning of your picnic, clean and trim the asparagus and drizzle with a little good quality olive oil and salt. Roast in in a 350 degree oven until tender, but still crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Let it cool to room temperature and pack it in a plastic container. Pre-slice the pork and bread and place in airtight plastic containers. Pack everything along with plates, napkins and some wine glasses, a couple of bottles of our chilled 2007 Foggy Bridge Muscat, and you are ready.
Once you are settled, bring out all the goodies. You can enjoy the pork as slices with a dollop of mustard, or make a sandwich. The asparagus will taste great dipped in the mustard as well. Spread the blue cheese on a small piece of walnut bread and nibble the figs and hazelnuts alongside. For dessert, dip the strawberries in the lemon curd and finish with the crunch of an almond biscotti. Keep the muscat chilled and enjoy throughout the repast. A great way to spend a summer afternoon!
Posted in Uncategorized
