Whether you’re a California local or just want to live like one, Wine Institute’s new video, “California Wines Food Tour,” is a visual feast sure to whet your appetite for pairing California wines with fresh and innovative California-style cuisine. The video also highlights discovercaliforniawines.com, a go-to resource filled with wine-friendly recipes to try at home. Looking for creative ideas for entertaining holidays and beyond? These recipes offer a bevy of delicious dishes—and a taste of the good life that has made the Golden State the leading wine and food destination in the U.S.
Picture this: a dazzling array of California wines that meet their match in fresh and creative dishes—including roasted beet, citrus and fennel salad; a California-style clam bake; flank steak tacos; and glistening filet mignon with cherry tomato compote—and just in time for the holidays, a delectable turkey breast stuffed with goat cheese, cranberries and bacon.
Here in California, appreciating great flavor every day is our way of life. Leading chefs from all over the world relocate here to seize the agricultural bounty in their own backyard. Our more than 700 certified farmers’ markets offer local, sustainably grown fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheeses, pasture-raised meats and California wines to pair with them. With nine out of 10 of America’s top producing agricultural counties and more than 400 local, seasonal crops, California’s bounty of fresh ingredients has inspired chefs to create new dishes that can tempt consumers everywhere to use local produce to prepare their own versions of the recipes.
Drawing on the state’s diversity of influences, California’s creative, healthy cuisine mingles styles and flavors from around the world, pairing them with wines from 116 unique growing regions. We invite you to browse the recipes on our website for holiday—and everyday—flavor inspiration. Here are just a few of our perfect pairings for California wines and food:
Chardonnay or Rosé: Turkey Breast Stuffed with Goat Cheese, Cranberries and Bacon
Sauvignon Blanc: California-Style Clam Bake
Pinot Gris or Pinot Noir: Roasted Beets, Citrus and Fennel Salad
Merlot: Seared Lamb Chops with Mint Chutney
Cabernet Sauvignon: Filet Mignon with Cherry Tomato Compote
Zinfandel: Citrus Marinated Flank Steak Tacos with Roasted Tomatillo and Avocado Sauce
Late Harvest Riesling: Caramelized Pear and Pastry Cream Tart
Discovercaliforniawines.com also serves as the official resource for wine lovers looking for information on all things California, from its more than 100 varietals to its ideal winegrowing climate, diverse regions and wineries. Whether you’re just diving into the world of wine or you’re a seasoned taster, there’s searchable information to meet your needs, including special events —from tastings to immersion experiences.
Wine Institute is the association of 1,000 California wineries and wine-related businesses dedicated to enhancing the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. California is the fourth largest wine producer in the world and makes, 90 percent of all U.S. wine. Each year, nearly 21 million tourists visit wine regions throughout the state to explore and enjoy the wines, cuisine and cultural offerings associated with California’s signature industry.
