Cookin’ on the Coast 2023 – Episode 9:
Frind Estate Winery Big White Blend w/Kale Caesar & Lemon Pepper Chicken
For episode #9 of Cookin’ on the Coast, Chef Heidi is joined by George Anderson from Frind Estate Winery in West Kelowna. To pair with today’s dish, he’s brought Frind’s 2022 Vintage Big White Blend, with a beautiful balance between residual sugar and crisp, clean acidity.
Head to a Liquor Plus liquor store near you to pick up this wine from Frind Estate Winery that works well with nearly every occasion.
To go along with the Big White Blend from Frind Estate Winery, Chef Heidi has prepared a Mediterranean-inspired kale caesar salad with garlic croutons and lemon-pepper grilled chicken. This timeless classic is nutritious and delicious, plus it pairs beautifully with the wine.
In this episode, Chef Heidi and George from Frind Estate will sample the wine with the Kale Caesar, while discussing the pairing, and the history of Frind Estate Winery.
Grab the recipes below and all the ingredients at your local Country Grocer:
Featured Beverage: Big White Blend from Frind Estate Winery
Made with grape varietals from both their Northern and Southern Okanagan Vineyards, each grape was chosen with flavour and structure top of mind. The result is a well-balanced white blend that’s crisp, acidic and vibrant.
Watch for flavour notes of lemon, lime, honeydew, white lily and peach.
Find the Big White Blend from Frind Estate Winery at a liquor store near you.
Vintage: 2022
Varietal: White Blend
Region: Okanagan Valley
Why it Works with Kale Caesar & Lemon Pepper Chicken
The residual sugar and clean, crisp acidity of the Big White Blend from Frind Estate Winery makes for a perfect pairing with Chef Heidi’s kale caesar salad with garlic croutons and lemon-pepper chicken.
The dish is nice and light without any intense or intrusive flavours, so a white wine is an excellent choice. And the Big White Blend from Frind Estate Winery is no exception, making for a great pairing with any lighter dish featuring white meat or salad.
White Wine Blend Pairing Tips
Although white wine blends can vary quite dramatically depending on which varieties of grapes are used, white wine blends are typically light-bodied without much tannins. For that reason, these wines are known to pair well with lighter foods like salads, fish and white meat.
With a white wine blend, you’ll definitely want to stay away from ultra-rich dishes, red meat heavy sauces.
If you’re looking for inspiration when pairing your white wine blend, Frind Estate Winery has a delicious sounding suggestion:
- Breaded goat cheese on a beet and arugula salad
This Week’s Partner: Frind Estate Winery
Located on the historic Bennett Property in West Kelowna, BC, Frind Estate Winery is the first beachfront winery in North America. The property was purchased in 2017 when owner Markus Frind sold a company you’ve probably heard of called Plenty of Fish.
Passionate about both agriculture and technology, Frind set out to combine his two passions to create one of the most advanced wineries on Earth. The winery employs cutting edge tech that produces some of the most unique wines on the market.
Frind Estate Winery produces a range of wines – everything from Sparkling Brut to big reds to Chardonnay. Come for the wine, but stay for the stunning beachfront view.
Learn more about Frind Estate Winery, their wines and history: Frind Estate Winery
Liquor Plus Sponsors Cookin’ on the Coast
Each week, Liquor Plus sponsors the Pairings segment of Cookin’ on the Coast on CHEK. The show features unique food and drink pairings offered by BC suppliers, with recipes created by Chef Heidi Fink and sponsored by Country Grocer. All of the beverages featured on the program can be found in Liquor Plus stores across Vancouver Island.
