Wines
to Drink with Ice Cream
(And a bonus
recipe)
On the list of life's pleasures,
wine and ice cream are worthy additions. So why not enjoy these two together?
The right pair can be a sweet finish to a meal. If you've ever spooned up an
affogato, an espresso and ice cream dessert, you know how good the pairing
of bitter and acidic with creamy and sweet can be.
AWS members are often
challenged by their friends or associates with “OK. What wine would you pair
with . . .?” questions. Ice cream is one
of the foods that seems to be impossible, but who says you can’t drink wine
with ice cream? Ask most wine professionals, and they’ll tell you to have a
beer or whiskey, instead. But what if wine is your only option, or what if you just
love wine and ice cream together? Adaptability is a quality of AWS
members.
According to dessert and
wine pairing guidelines, the wine should be sweeter than the dessert, otherwise
the wine might taste flat. The other thing to consider is acidity. Most wines
are inherently acidic. Think about it. You wouldn’t squeeze lemon juice on your
ice cream.
The last thing to consider
is tannins. Tannic wines, like Cabernet Sauvignon or Nebbiolo, may pair with
rich dishes, but once you add a sugary component, the profile changes. The
sweetness of your dessert is overpowered by bitterness.
For wine lovers,
however, who want to enjoy a scoop of your favorite ice cream with your glass
of vino, here are some pairings. A few of them bend the rules.
If you’re having …
1. Chocolate Ice Cream
Look for Brachetto
d’Acqui, a sweet, semi-sparkling dessert wine with floral notes and hints
of red berries. Add fresh raspberries or strawberries to this combination.
Perfection.
Bersano Brachetto d’Acqui
NV Code: 78387 $6.99
2. Salted Caramel Ice Cream
Salted caramel is a great
match for Pedro Ximenez (“PX”) sherry. I’m not talking about
cooking sherry. PX is the sweetest of sherries, with notes of espresso,
caramel, and raisin. PX is another option to serve with or on top of your
coffee ice cream.
Mayu Pedro Ximenez Elqui
2015 Code: 73147 $6.49
3. Pistachio Ice Cream
Pair this treat
with Cava, a sparkling wine from Spain. Cava is a Champagne lover’s
choice for a good quality, budget sparkling wine. It’s made in the same style
as Champagne, but without the price.
Poema Cava Brut Code: 2456 $10.39
4. Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Go with a Chardonnay.
The more oak, the better. The ice cream’s rich, nutty flavors match the aromas
of a buttery, oaked Chardonnay.
Bogle Phantom Chardonnay
2016 Code: 47958 $19.99
5. Blood Orange Sorbet
Moscato d’Asti is a great match. Almost any sorbet tastes
great with this bubbly, semi-sweet dessert wine. Pour Moscato over sorbet for a
sorbet float. It’s about 6% alcohol.
Risata Moscato d’Asti NV Code: 1591 $14.99
6. Strawberry Ice Cream
When having strawberry
ice cream, always have a glass of off-dry (slightly sweet) Rosé ready.
Its notes of strawberries, raspberries, and ripe watermelon complement
strawberry ice cream.
Underwood Rose 2016 Code: 17604 $7.49
(Also available in
cans!)
7. Peach Sherbet
Choose an off-dry Riesling to
pair with peach sherbet. Riesling is known for aromas of stone fruits,
apricots, and nectarines.
Dr. Loosen Dr. L Dry
Riesling Code: 73399 $12.99
8. Vanilla Ice Cream
Vanilla ice cream is a
classic, but it’s also a blank canvas for whatever toppings you like. If you’re
adding red berries, go with a Late-Harvest Zinfandel. If you’re topping with nuts or
chocolate, go for a Tawny Port. See the list below for
some more options when it comes to toppings.
Easton Obscura 2009
(375ml) Code: 77010 $22.99
Sandeman Tawny Porto Code: 6507 $15.99
9. Plain Greek Frozen Yogurt
Tangy plain Greek frozen
yogurt pairs perfectly with the tart flavor of Italy’s dessert wine, Vin
Santo. The extended barrel aging of these white wine grapes provides
richness, as well as acidity. For the ultimate pairing experience, serve with
baked spiced apples or pears.
Lucignano Vin Santo 2006
(375ml) Code: 74286 $32.99
10. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Australian Shiraz is
the perfect pairing. Its raspberry fruits, chocolate, and eucalyptus notes are
complementary to mint and chocolate.
d’Arenberg The Stump
Jump 2016 Code: 75753 $10.99
Toppings Expand Your Wine-Pairing Options.
·
Light-colored
fruits? Peaches,
nectarines, or citrus pair well with Sauternes, Riesling, Ice Wine, or Moscato.
·
Dark-colored
fruits? Raspberries,
strawberries, or blackberries are great matches with Ruby Port or a rich Zinfandel.
·
Nuts? If your toppings include almonds, peanuts,
or hazelnuts, go for a Sherry, Madeira, Chardonnay, Tawny Port, or Vin Santo.
We hope these
suggestions get your creative juices flowing. What’s your favorite ice cream
and wine combination? Any flavor failures? Post a comment and share those thoughts with
your fellow members.
BONUS
Make Your Own Red Wine Ice Cream
Part berry sorbet and
part red wine ice cream, this frozen dessert is a great way to use up leftover
wine.
Prep: 20 mins
Stand: 1 hr.
Servings: 12
Yield: 6 cups
Ingredients
• 1-pound fresh
strawberries chopped
• 1-pound fresh
blackberries
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 ¼ cups dry red wine
• 2 tablespoons balsamic
vinegar
• 1 one-inch piece fresh
ginger sliced
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Whipped cream
• Black pepper
(optional)
• Ground cinnamon
(optional)
Directions
• Step 1
In a large saucepan
combine the first eight ingredients (through the salt). Cook and stir over
medium-high heat until fruit softens, and sugar is dissolved.
• Step 2
Remove from heat; let
mixture cool to room temperature. Remove ginger slices; discard.
• Step 3
Working in batches,
transfer wine mixture to a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Transfer
blended mixture to a 13x9-inch dish or pan. Cover and freeze overnight.
• Step 4
When ready to serve,
scoop sorbet into wine glasses. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with black
pepper or cinnamon, if desired.
No comments:
Post a Comment