"Murios's Meatballs", is an excellent party appetizer or can be served as a main entree when complemented with your favorite pasta. And it not only pairs well with the Esterlina Cole Ranch Off-Dry Reisling but it also uses the wine within the recipe!

"Que Syrah Chicken" makes a wonderful centerpiece to any meal.  The chicken combines hot pepper jelly, brie, and Esterlina Syrah which may sound unusual but is actually a perfect match with the jam bridging the flavors of the brie and Syrah.  Thus, as Mario says, serving the Esterlina Syrah with this chicken is a must.  To round off the meal we suggest complementing the chicken with some simple roasted potatoes.

Murio’s Meatballs

Meatballs

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 cup finely chopped onions
• ¼ cup minced garlic
• ¼ cup finely chopped green pepper or jalapeno peppers for spicy version
• ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs
• ½ cup Esterlina Off-Dry Riesling
• 2 eggs beaten
• ½ teaspoon Allspice
• ½ teaspoon Nutmeg

Sauce

• 1 jar (10 ounces) currant jelly
• ½ cup chili sauce
• ½ cup Esterlina Off-Dry Riesling
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch

Heat oven to 350°

Meatballs:  Combine all ingredients in large bowl- mix, shape into 1-inch balls - put on baking pan and bake 20 minutes until brown.

Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients, mix well and cook over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens - stir constantly!  Add meatballs.  Cook for two minutes more.

Put meatballs with sauce in a fondue pot and serve with cocktail picks or spoons.  Serve with Esterlina Off-Dry Riesling

Esterlina 2005 Cole Ranch Off-dry Riesling: This Riesling has a nose with pineapple, green apple and spice hints. Lots of grapefruit and honeydew flavors, with a strong mineral undercurrent. It also has great acidity and a hint of residual sugar. 

Que Syrah Chicken

• 4 Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 4 tablespoon Butter
• 3/4 cup Hot pepper jelly or Fig Spread
• 1/4 cup onions, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon of lemon or orange juice
• Brie or other cheese to your taste
• Rosemary as desired
• 1 Bottle of Esterlina Syrah-A must!

Sauté 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts in 4 tablespoons butter for 5 minutes on each side or until cooked through.  Add 3/4 cup hot pepper jelly or fig spread, 1/4 cup Esterlina Syrah, a tablespoon of lemon or orange juice, onions and garlic to skillet.  Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.  Top each chicken breast with a few thin slices of brie and broil until melted.  Garnish with fresh chopped rosemary.  Serve with Esterlina Syrah.

About Esterlina Syrah Sonoma Mt. (Janian Vineyard): This is Esterlina's second release of Syrah from this excellent vineyard. It has lots of black fruit aromas, with berry, clove and a bit of smoky oak. The flavors are rich and complex, with ripe plum, cherry, white pepper, and cinnamon. With firm tannins, good acidity, and a great finish, this wine will appeal to most red wine lovers.

Esterlina Vineyards & Winery

The Anderson Valley in Mendocino is home to Esterlina Vineyards and Winery a boutique winery that produces several varieties of wines.  Visitors to Esterlina will find its location, nestled in the highlands above Philo, CA, an ideal spot for a casual and intimate wine tasting.  It is also an ideal spot for growing grapes.  This is not coincidental.  Mario Sterling, the patriarch of Esterlina vineyards believes the climate, soil and geography of a vineyard are essential in wine making.  Esterlina, which in Spanish means "Sterling", has several vineyards all chosen for specific properties essential to the grapes grown on them.  For example, Cole ranch, where the Esterlina Cole Ranch Off-dry Riesling stems from, is the smallest American viticultural area and Esterlina is the sole vineyard in this appellation.  The special attention and hands-on processing Esterlina devotes to its wine making is evident in every aspect of their wine.

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