Monday, April 13, 2009

Pinot Noir Rack of Lamb

Every couple of weeks I like to try something in the kitchen that I have not done in the past. Megan loves it when I try new things in the kitchen. This is why I love her so. Maybe it's because she doesn't have to cook. This week I grilled a Pinot Noir and Rosemary Marinated Rack of Lamb. I could not believe how easy it was to cook this wonderful piece of meat. Usually when people talk about Rack of Lamb you immediately think $$$. Since Easter was right around the corner I purchased this rack on sale at Fresh Market for under $20. This is by far my favorite store to get fresh cuts of meat on the cheap. They cut all their meats really thick and only cut a certain amount per day so the meat is always fresh but you have to get it before it is all gone.

Pinot Noir is one of my favorite wines to marinate with because of it's aroma and flavor profile. PN always has a smokey, almost rendered bacon fat, kind of aroma. PN is also a lighter grape so you won't have to worry about the wine stealing the flavor show. PN always has a flavor profile of Cherries and usually Raspberries.

Stringtown Pinot Noir, Oregon ($18):
Visual: Ruby Red to Brick Red in color, Medium to Medium-Long Legs
Nose: Smokey, Raspberry Jam, Black Cherry, Plum
Palate: Bright Cherries, Plum, Tiny Tannins (those things that dry your mouth) but they work perfectly with the lamb because the lamb has quite a bit of fat in it so the tannins help to clear you mouth of the fat so when you take that next bite it is just like the first bit you had. A very balanced PN for under $20

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