Grilling Season with Napa Valley Cabernet

Discover the ultimate pairing experience for grilling season with our 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Uncover the rich and complex flavors of this outstanding wine as you experiment with our two contrasting BBQ sauces, crafted to complement your favorite grilled meats and emphasize the wine's distinct taste profile.

As grilling season arrives, your taste buds might be craving a heartier, full-bodied wine that can stand up to the bold flavors of grilled meats and vegetables. Enter our 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a quintessential Napa cabernet, with a complex, fruit-forward flavor profile and round, lush tannins that perfectly balance the umami and high fat content in grilled meats.

At your next BBQ, play with the flavor profile of the wine by pairing it with your favorite grilled meats and creating two contrasting BBQ sauces. Each sauce takes a totally different approach to the classic accoutrement and will bring out different flavors and characteristics from the wine.

Sweet South Carolina Style

Tangy and slightly sweet, South Carolina-style BBQ sauce will provide a noteworthy contrast to the bolder, rounder flavors in the wine and play well with the spicy notes of cinnamon and ginger.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup yellow mustard
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoons onion powder
• 3 tablespoons butter

Directions

1. Add all ingredients except the butter to a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the butter until melted.
3. Let cool, season with salt and pepper and serve. 

Classic Kansas City Style

Kansas City-style BBQ sauce is known for its rich and smoky flavor, with a hint of sweetness and tanginess. The ripe red fruit flavors from the wine are ideal for countering the smokiness and the light acidity keeps everything bright.

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Whisk together until well combined.
2. Place a small saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
3. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until it has thickened. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
4. Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool for a few minutes before serving. 

Napa Valley Cabernet 

Wine Spectator 2022 Wine Value of the Year

On the nose, a bouquet of dark red berry fruit, supported by briary cherry, and tea leaf herbaceous notes. The palate follows through nicely with juicy and bright strawberry preserves, black raspberry, black cherry, and cola, supported by delicate hints of mint, mocha and dark chocolate. Well integrated baking spice notes of vanilla bean, cinnamon, and ginger from the toasted oak barrels seamlessly compliment the lively berry fruit aromas and flavors leading to a long savory finish with focused acidity. This crowd-pleasing Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is incredibly drinkable now, upon release, and can age for many years to come.