Basil and Cherry: Creating sweet and spicy

When I first set out to write about Basil, I couldn't separate it from the tomato. It's that ying and yang.  The seasonal flavor conjures up visions of... basking under tuscan sun amidst sunflower fields sipping Chianti with a second course of pasta on it's way-totally satiated.  Basil and tomato are so classic and delicious with all wines Sangiovese that I just wanted to post an italian flag and go on vacation instead of working on creatively incorporating basil into wine pairings.

However, I love the fragrant scent of fresh basil leaves with a woody, spicy, and sweet complex flavor profile. I wanted to include it in a recipe that used the aromatics, from it's mint origins, to brighten flavors and show off more wines during summer. Then, I started to get creative and followed the stone fruit season to make some super yummy salads and dressings that taste delicious with wines of all kinds.

Since I feel best eating summer fresh salads after a long hot day in the vineyard or garden, I created a couple salads that are wine worthy. I hope you enjoy them!

Putting the kids to work pitting late season cherries- great for dexterity

Cherry basil dressing

Cherry Basil Vinaigrette

Additions:

1 C Cherries, pitted
1/2 C apple cider vinegar
5 T honey or agave syrup
1/4 C Cherry juice
1/4 C chopped basil
3 T olive oil
1 t lemon zest
1/2 t garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste


Protocol:

In small saucepan, heat cherries, vinegar, and honey. Simmer for 5-7 minutes. Once it has cooled, add it to a blender and combine remaining ingredients. Place blender on high for 30 seconds to puree. Enjoy within 5 days.

Enjoy as a salad dressing or marinade for pork. Drizzle over fresh grilled salmon.


Wine notes: 

This pleasing combination of flavors remind me of the profile of Counoise, a rare blending grape from the Rhone valley of France. The wine- like the dressing- is spicy, cherry, aromatic, light in color, and an interesting component of a blend.

This dressing is delicious with spinach salad topped with strawberries, feta cheese, and toasted pine nuts. Enjoy with Rose of all types and varieties, Grenache,  Counoise, and Sangiovese. Add bacon and substitute blue cheese for the feta to enjoy with a bigger red wine like Syrah or Claret style Cabernet Sauvignon. The cherry flavors in the wine are complimentary to the dressing.


***It's a short season that cherries and basil overlap and time is of essence for seasonality. However, frozen cherries would be fine if you no longer can find them fresh.