Wine time: Psyched for Panthers play
Like the Energizer bunny, the Panthers just keep going.
For many of us we, have to be content watching the games on TV. As the playoffs are underway for Super Bowl 50 scheduled Feb. 7, many of us will have or attend football parties for the big game. For whatever reason the NFL has dropped the Roman numeral designation for this single year, so it’ll be designated as “50” not “L.”
Here is a finger food recipe, and beer and wine recommendations to have at our events.
Beverage recommendations
▪ Orange Blossom Brewing Co. Toaster Coconut Porter, Florida – about $2.25. Beer and football go together and this craft beer definitely goes with Marie’s Coconut Chicken Bites. This is a complex and exotic brew. It has aromas of chocolate and coconut with flavors of brown sugar, molasses, and subtle notes of coconut that compliment the dark brown grains that it’s brewed from.
▪ Artesa Chardonnay Carneros 2013, Napa Valley, Calif. – about $25. This is a sophisticated and elegant wine. A floral nose of lemon blossom and honeydew give way to ripe citrus flavors of green apple, pineapple and stone fruit. It’s rich in texture with a generous mouthfeel. It’s aged partially in oak giving it a complex nature with a crisp finish.
▪ Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2013, Lodi, Calif. – about $17. Zinfandel has been called the American grape and this is an all American wine. If you want big and bold flavors here it is in a bottle. It’s 77 percent zinfandel and 23 percent petite sirah. This wine is dark, almost opaque, with aromas of raspberry and dark cherry giving way to flavors of blueberry, black plum, vanilla and cocoa. It has lush silky tannins. It’s a big wine, while you can enjoy it now, it’s capable of staying in the cellar for up to 10 years.
Jim and Marie Oskins live in the Lake Wylie area. They can be reached at winetime@comporium.net.
Want to go?
Duplin Winery will hold its third annual Bridal Expo 11 a.m.-3 p. m. Jan. 16 in Rose Hill, N.C.
“We’re bringing North Carolina’s finest wedding professionals together in one place for our bridal expo,” said Jonathan Fussell, president of Duplin Wine Family and head of the winery’s marketing division. “We want to help make the planning process easier, and our staff is here to help couples gather ideas and check off their to-do lists.”
The Bistro will present hors d’oeuvre, entree and dessert samples. Attendees can taste wedding and groom’s cakes. In addition, Duplin Winery’s staff will be on hand to help select wines and champagnes to pair with each course on the wedding day.
Couples can meet face-to-face with North Carolina’s best wedding professionals such as florists, travel experts, custom jewelers, DJs, videographers, photographers, hairstylists and limo service providers, as well as dresses and tux rentals.
Tickets cost $5 in advance, or $8 at the door, everything included.
The Duplin Winery Wedding Chapel is at 918 W. Charity Road in Rose Hill. To find out more, call 800-774-9634 or visit duplinwinery.com.
Marie’s Coconut Chicken Bites
This is one of Marie’s favorite recipes for finger foods.
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
3 1/2 cups sweetened coconut, shredded
2 eggs
2 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Bake the coconut on a cookie sheet, in a preheated oven at 325 degrees until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Allow the coconut to cool then coarsely grind in a food processor. Butter two large cookie sheets or spray them with vegetable oil. In a bowl mix together the coriander, cayenne, salt and pepper. Coat the chicken pieces with the pepper mixture in the bowl. Add the eggs to the bowl and toss well. Dredge the chicken pieces with the coconut being sure to coat the pieces completely. Transfer the chicken to the cookie sheets and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (can be made a day ahead). Bake in a preheated oven at 400 until brown and crisp, about 12 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature and serve. Use the Dijon mustard as a dipping sauce.
This story was originally published January 11, 2016 at 11:30 AM with the headline "Wine time: Psyched for Panthers play."