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septembre, 2020
Tomatoes Heart Goat Cheese
Summer swan song: Tomatoes plus chèvre. If any two ingredients capture a California summer, it’s that duo. The Golden State leads the nation in tomato production. (No other state comes close.) And California launched America’s goat cheese industry, thanks to pioneering cheesemaker Laura Chenel.
Any time you can pair ripe summer tomatoes with fresh goat cheese, you’re headed for pleasure, but this tomato tart is over the top. If you don’t have a garden, visit a farmers’ market for locally grown tomatoes; cherry tomatoes work fine in this recipe, and if you use a mix of red and gold types—well, hello gorgeous.
In some parts of the nation, people are pulling out their sweaters, but September tends to be the warmest month in California wine country. Winemakers are in the thick of it, working almost round-the-clock to get grapes harvested at the ideal moment, then crushed and fermented. Typically, it’s the busiest time of year for wine country when the vineyards are bustling and the air smells like fresh wine, as wineries crush the grapes.
This year is different, of course. In-person visits are down but lively online experiences are spiking. September is California Wine Month, with dozens of virtual events to entertain and educate you wherever you are. Vineyard tours, tastings, talks, discounts. It’s all there for you, all month long, so you can enjoy a different wine experience every day.
MANY WAYS TO BE GREEN
As you participate in California Wine Month events, know you are supporting an industry working hard to be sustainable from grape to glass. From one end of the state to the other, vintners and grape growers have stepped up to participate in some of the many programs that guide them in operating more sustainably and then certifying them when they do. Programs like Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Napa Green, Fish Friendly Farming, LODI RULES and SIP-Certified provide third-party verification of stringent sustainability requirements. Want to learn more?
The Pour
Two Ways to Go:
Pinot Noir and Zinfandel could both work with this juicy tart, a surprising statement given how different the varieties are. Pinot Noir tends to be more delicate, with raspberry and cherry aromas and moderate tannin. Zinfandel is often (but not always) more robust, with more alcohol. Reach for the Pinot if you’re serving the tart with chicken, tuna or salmon; pour the Zin if you’re pairing the tart with lamb. California Pinot Noir does well in cool AVAs such as Los Carneros, Santa Lucia Highlands, Sta Rita Hills and Sonoma Coast. As for Zins, the Sierra Foothills, Dry Creek Valley and Lodi are some of the regions that have done well with this varietal.
Meet the Grapes: Explore more wine pairings
Wine Institute is an association of California wineries and affiliated businesses from the beautiful and diverse wine regions throughout the state. Wine Institute works to create an environment where the wine community can flourish and contribute in a positive fashion to our nation, state and local communities. For information please contact communications@wineinstitute.org.