If you’ve never had the Buffalo Tofu at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market with a glass of Unionville’s Estate Blush, you are missing out on one of the great food & wine pairings of the world! I’m really excited to share the news that almost the full portfolio of Unionville wines can be purchased now at each of the Basil Bandwagon locations- Lambertville, Flemington, and Clinton. These are terrific places, equal parts grocer, prepared foods counter, and vitamin & supplement shop. The stores focus on organic, local, fresh, and healthy foods. Their Farm to Market Café always has amazing offerings, and their specialty juices and smoothies are always rotating and delicious. You could visit for a sandwich, a cup of coffee, a pint of local ice cream (I’ve spied offerings from The Bent Spoon in the freezer), or do your entire week of grocery shopping. Now, you can stock up on wine for dinner or the weekend too.
Here are a few pairings that Purchasing Director Katrin Alampi and I pondered upon. You can find these items at the Café counter in each store, and these wines are all stocked there too. Enjoy!
– John Cifelli, GM
Mushroom Turkey Burgers: local turkey, mushrooms, onions, garlic, oats
pair these with the Silver Lining Cabernet Franc. This fruity, medium-bodied red will bounce off the savory, umami flavors of the burger. Skip the ketchup, let the wine play that role.
Lemon Kale Quinoa Salad: quinoa, root vegetables, kale, olive oil, lemon juice
pair with Pinot Grigio. This is a fun one because root veggies and kale are challenging wine pairing partners. Our Pinot Grigio is textured and zippy, the acidity acts to wash and refresh the palate.
Falafel with Tahini: spicy chickpea patty served with housemade tahini
pair with Estate Blush. When you build a cheese board, you often find fruits and nuts together as accompaniment. The fruity blush wine and the nutty character of falafel and tahini are lovely together, and the touch of sweetness to the wine balances the spice of the dish.
Black Bean Burger: black beans, brown rice, corn, bell peppers, onion, garlic, cumin
Pair with Revolutionary Red. This burger packs a punch of flavor, and the medium to full bodied Revolutionary Red matches it in weight, fruitiness, and intensity.
Chicken Salad: shredded organic chicken, mayo, celery, onions, stoneground mustard
Pair with Estate Chardonnay. I consider myself to be somewhat of a chicken salad aficionado. Why most places want to clobber theirs with mayonnaise confounds me. Basil’s is perfectly balanced, and the sweet, salty, and savory flavors are wonderfully complimented by the tropical and citrus fruit character of our Chardonnay. Have this on toasted multi-grain to take it to the next level!
