4668 Cascade Rd.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
616-949-0240
Folie a Deux Menage a Trois Add
Tolaini Al Passo Add
Elyse Couzins Add
Wines are recomendations only and may not be carried by this store.

Folie a Deux Menage a Trois

Attributes:
Producer:

Folie a Deux
Region:

California, United States
Varietal:

Dry Red Table Wine
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 86
Flavors:

oak, smoky

1999: WineEnthusiast Rating: 86
Acidity:

clean, crisp

1996: Tastings Rating: 85
Acidity:

bright, flabby, low acidity, soft
Body:

full-bodied
Flavors:

herbs, red fruits
Fruit:

ripe

1995: WineAdvocate Rating: 85
Aromas:

*-scented
Body:

mid-weight
Complexity:

rich
Compliments:

elegant
Flavors:

berry

1995: Tastings Rating: 85
Texture:

round

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

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.

Tolaini Al Passo

Attributes:
Producer:

Tolaini
Region:

Tuscany, Italy
Varietal:

Proprietary Blend - Red
Bottle Size:

750 ML

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

Elyse Couzins

Attributes:
Producer:

Elyse
Region:

Napa Valley, United States
Varietal:

Dry Red Table Wine
Bottle Size:

750 ML

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

Napa:

This tiny strip of land just north of San Francisco is home to America’s most prestigious wineries. Its climate is ideal for viticulture. Ironically, it was deemed too ideal for some vintners, who have moved their vineyards from the valley’s flat plain to the hills in the east and west, adhering to the idea that grapes that struggle to grow yield better wine. The climate, soil, and individual wineries are enormously varied, so it’s impossible to identify a singular trait of Napa wines. In addition, nearly every noble grape is grown here, although Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the primary grapes. In the past, Napa’s wines have alternated between extremely fruity and fat to lean and subtle. Today the best Napa wines have achieved a balance between these extremes. Many are made to be drunk young and have abundant ripe fruit; others can be initially hard and tannic, but soften over four or five years to perfumed, cedary fruit. White Napa wines are excellent with fresh-grilled fish and chicken, but can also cope with more spicy and creamy flavors. Many Napa reds will overwhelm delicate cuisine, but rich red meat and cheeses do make good companions.

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