1313 3rd St
International Falls, Minnesota 56649
(218) 283-8440
Bibbiano 'Montornello' Chianti Classico Add
Forest Glen Merlot Add
Okanogan Bench Rock Red Add
Wines are recomendations only and may not be carried by this store.

Bibbiano 'Montornello' Chianti Classico

Attributes:
Producer:

Bibbiano
Region:

Chianti Classico, Italy
Varietal:

Sangiovese Red Blend
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 82
Acidity:

clean
Body:

medium-bodied

2002: WineAndSpirits Rating: 84
Body:

light

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 82
Body:

medium-bodied
Complexity:

simple
Flavors:

plum, tobacco

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 81
Aromas:

berry aromas
Body:

light, medium body
Complexity:

simple
Compliments:

pleasant

1999: Tanzer Rating: 83
Aromas:

floral
Flavors:

briar, cherry

1998: WineSpectator Rating: 78
Body:

light
Complexity:

simple

1998: Tastings Rating: 85
Acidity:

bright, crisp
Aromas:

gamey aromas
Body:

lean, medium-bodied
Fruit:

fruity

1997: WineSpectator Rating: 81
Body:

light
Flavors:

cedar, plum

Food Matches:
Cheese: Parmesan
Pasta & Grains: (Grilled) Tofu, Lasagna, Mushroom Risotto, Pasta with Creamy Mushroom Sauces, Risotto
Poultry & Eggs: Duck, Game Birds
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Curried Beef, Curried Lamb, Curried Pork, Grilled Beef, Grilled Flank Steak, Lamb Stew, Rabbit, Salami or Sausage, Sausage
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce, Stock Reductions
Vegetables: Beans, White, Eggplant, Mushroom Risotto, Mushrooms, Peppers, Spinach Ricotta, Tomato Bread Soup, Vegetable Gratin or Stew

Forest Glen Merlot

Attributes:
Producer:

Forest Glen
Region:

California, United States
Varietal:

Merlot
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2004: WineEnthusiast Rating: 83
Acidity:

clean

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 83
Complexity:

rustic, simple

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85
Flavors:

blackberries, dark chocolate

2001: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84
Body:

full-bodied

2001: WineNews Rating: 87
Acidity:

fresh
Complexity:

deep
Flavors:

blackberry, jammy

2000: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84
Flavors:

cherries, spice
Fruit:

ripe

2000: Tastings Rating: 85
Acidity:

bright
Body:

medium-bodied
Flavors:

berry, jammy, oak, vanilla

2000: Tastings Rating: 84
Body:

medium-bodied
Compliments:

delicious
Flavors:

candied, cherry, jammy
Fruit:

sweet

Food Matches:
Pasta & Grains: Lasagna
Poultry & Eggs: Roast Chicken with Herbs
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Casseroles / Hot Dish, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce
Vegetables: Beans, White, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Tomato

Merlot:

(mer loh) Deep in color, high in alcohol and low in tannins, this grape is grown mostly in California, France, Washington, New York and Chile. The aromas and flavors can be plummy, chocolaty, and even redolent of tea leaves. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon although it is the most prevalent grape variety in Bordeaux.


California:

California produces the majority of wine made in the United States. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir dominate the wine production in California, but many other varietials thrive in the California climate. Many fine wines are produced in California using Mediterranean grapes.

Okanogan Bench Rock Red

Attributes:
Producer:

Okanogan Estate & Vineyard
Region:

Washington, United States
Varietal:

Dry Red Table Wine
Bottle Size:

750 ML

Food Matches:
Cheese: Soft Pungent Cheese
Pasta & Grains: Lasagna
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce

Washington:

Most of the wineries in this state are located east of the Cascade Range, where the climate is desert-like, with hot days and cool nights. The irrigated vineyards produce high yield, but the flavor is nevertheless very good. Traditionally Rieslings have been the most successful here, but currently Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc are doing well. Chardonnay is successfully fermented in new oak barrels, yielding distinctively crisp and delicate flavors, like fresh apples. Washington Merlot, with its cherry flavors and aroma, tends to be more full-bodied, moderately tannic and slightly higher in alcohol than its Bordeaux cousins and higher in acidity than those from California. Acreage for the Syrah grape has increased substantially in the past few years, and in Washington it turns into big, dark, intensely concentrated wines with aromas and flavors of blackberries, black currants, roasted coffee and leather. A little-known German grape, Lemberger, does very well here. It produces a fruity but dry red wine in the Beaujolais or Dolcetto style.

Mexican Lasagna

Rated

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 tsp (10 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/4 lbs (568 g) lean ground beef
2 tbsp chopped jalapeño pepper
2 cups tomato sauce
1-1/2 cups (375 ml) low-sodium beef broth
1 tbsp flour
Salt to taste
6 small flour tortillas, cut into three strips each
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely chopped cilantro (optional)
2 cups shredded low-fat cheddar cheese

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

2. In a large pan, warm the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and green pepper and sauté until the onion becomes translucent. Add the garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes.

3. Add the beef and cook until brown. Stir in the jalapeño, tomato sauce, and half of the beef broth. Cover and let simmer.

4. In a bowl, gradually mix the flour with the remaining beef broth; add to the beef mixture. Simmer until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat, add the cilantro, and stir well.

5. Fill a casserole dish with the sauce, cheese, and tortillas in alternating layers, beginning with a thin sauce layer and ending with a cheese layer. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until heated through.

Yield

Makes 6 servings