Colder temperatures descended upon Napa Valley last week and were only banished from the region by the arrival of several days of rain, mist and clouds.   Wintery weather has finally arrived and nearly all of the autumnal leaves have fallen from the grape vines.   Accompanying these conditions is the distinct chill of oceanic dampness in the air which leads to an instinctive reach for a glass of warming red wine.

When searching for a hearty red wine that could warm even the coldest of souls, consider a robust blend wine.   Elyse Winery (“Elyse”) in Napa Valley has over the years made one such blend red wine called “Nero Misto”.   Nero Misto in Italian means “mixed black”.   Such name is appropriate when reviewing the grapes blended in the 2007 vintage of this wine:  37% of Petite Sirah; 25% of Zinfandel; 19% Carignane; 12% Primitivo; and a 7% blend of Charbono, Barbera and Vadiguie.    

What are those grapes?

If you only recognized Zinfandel in the list of the above grapes, do not be hesitant.   Many of these other grapes will be explored in depth in future articles posted in early 2010 on this web site.   For now, however, many of these grapes are some of the darkest red wine grapes planted (save for Alicante Bouchet) and when blended together, they have the propensity to create a rich, velvety dark mystical red wine that can warm one on a chilly day and yet easily pair with a wide range of food.

Upon opening a bottle of Elyse’s 2007 Nero Misto, the nose is met by aromas of strawberry, plum, black pepper and anise.   On the palate, the wine presents a velvety texture accompanied by flavors of black raspberries, plums, a hint of black cherry, strawberry and spice.   It is medium-bodied with silky tannins and its aromas and flavors mystically enchant the senses.  Additionally, given the fruit flavors, spice and pepper notes, it is easy to understand why this wine will also pair well with a variety of food, including spicier southwestern dishes.

As the holiday season is in full swing and there never seems to be enough time to get everything done, a simple flavorful, spicy one-pot meal is timely to serve with Elyse’s 2007 Nero Misto.   This week’s menu thus holds:

1)      Chili with Garden-Fresh Carrots; and

2)     Honey Cornbread Muffins.

Chili recipes can vary, but given the diverse blend of black grapes mixed into the wine, I found it fitting to start with my grandmother’s time-tested chili recipe.   Her recipe entails the usual suspects of chili powder and chili beans, but with the right amount of simmering on the stove, added sautéed sweet onion, oregano, cumin, garlic and pepper (among other spices) contribute more depth.   To add something still available in my garden, I chopped some fresh carrots to simmer which added a certain sweetness to the chili.   Allowed to simmer on the range for quite some time, the flavors in the chili marry and combine to create a blend of sweetness and spice.   Once finished, the bowl is topped with some freshly grated cheddar cheese.

To pair alongside, warm cornbread muffins crumble and fall apart in the mouth, as the honey contained in the recipe oozes a sensation of sheer comfort.   The simple substance of the cornbread muffins also helps to offset the alcohol content found in the wine.

Once paired with the wine, there is the distinct satisfaction and pleasure of knowing that a wine does indeed pair well with chili.   The wine’s spices and fruit meld instinctively with the sweet and spicy flavors found in the chili.   Simply prepared and simply paired, this meal and wine brings warmth and spice to any busy table or soul this holiday season.