Cookin’ on the Coast 2023 – Episode 13:
See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Gris w/Butter Chicken & Basmati Rice Pilaf
For episode #13 of Cookin’ on the Coast, Melissa Vandstone is here from See Ya Later Ranch out of Okanagan Falls, BC. With her she’s brought the 2021 Vintage Pinot Gris, along with a couple other favourites. This Pinot Gris is bright and fruity, with distinct qualities and a unique fermentation process that makes this wine a perfect match for Chef Heidi’s dish.
Head to a Liquor Plus liquor store near you to pickup this light and fruit Pinot Gris from See Ya Later Ranch.
Paired up with the 2021 Vintage Pinot Gris from See Ya Later Ranch is Chef Heidi’s Indian-inspired butter chicken with naan bread, chutney and basmati rice. This dish is packed with bold, rich and spicy flavours, and requires a wine pairing that will be able to cut through the richness without being overpowering.
On this episode of Cookin’ on the Coast, Chef Heidi and Melissa Vandstone discuss why this Pinot Gris is such a good match with the dish, the wine’s fermentation process, the history of See Ya Later Ranch, and more.
Grab the recipes below and all the ingredients at your local Country Grocer:
Featured Beverage: Pinot Gris from See Ya Later Ranch
The 2021 Vintage Pinot Gris from See Ya Later Ranch is a bright and fruity white wine. For flavour, you’ll notice stone fruit and zesty lemon with a kick of fruit and spice. Combined with those balanced fruit flavours, a taste of oak give the wine a nice mouthfeel, subtle acidity, and slight minerality. The result is a long and fruity finish.
Plus, this 2021 Vintage Pinot Gris won the Silver Medal at the 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada!
Find the 2021 Pinot Gris from See Ya Later Ranch at a liquor store near you, or visit their winery at 2575 Green Lake Road in Okanagan Falls.
Vintage: 2022
ABV: 13%
Why it Works with Butter Chicken, Naan & Rice
Chef Heidi has prepared a favourite Indian-inspired dish with butter chicken, naan bread, chutney and basmati. This recipe is packed with a lot of big, bold and spicy flavours, and will require a wine that’s up to the task.
The Pinot Gris from Se Ya Later Ranch is a great match, particularly because of the nose and palate appeal generated from the stainless steel fermentation process. Flavours of stone fruit, lemon zest and fruity spice shine through in this wine, which does well to cut the richness of the butter chicken. This Pinot Gris also provides some soft acidity and minerality, which helps in the process of cutting through the dish.
If you had Pinot Gris last night or are just looking to switch things up, Melissa points out a few other options that will pair excellently with the butter chicken, including Gewürztraminer, Rosé and Pinot Noir.
Pinot Gris Pairing Tips
Pinot Gris wines are typically easier to pair than most, thanks to their versatile qualities. While a Pinot Gris from different regions or wineries can vary, they’re generally known to be bright, slightly acidic, with notes of fruit.
For pairing with food, Pinot Gris’ share a lot of characteristics and pairing options with unoaked Chardonnay. White meat, cream sauce and citrus forward are all safe bets.
Besides Chef Heidi’s famous butter chicken and basmati rice pilaf, try these dishes with the Pinot Gris from See Ya Later Ranch:
- Oven-roasted chicken & roasted potatoes
- Marinated salmon
- Hot wings
- Swiss, Chevre Cheddar or Gouda cheese
- Risotto with lemon on seafood
This Week’s Partner: See Ya Later Ranch
See Ya Later Ranch was founded to honour the legacy of Major Hugh Fraser, a colourful character who purchased the original property and started planting vines in 1920.
Today, See Ya Later Ranch is known for well-crafted VQA wines and one of the most beautiful wineries in the Okanagan Valley. The tasting room and wine shop occupy the original building made of hand-split stone, which was the Major’s home a hundred years ago. It’s quite the setting in addition to the stunning views of the surrounding valley, vineyards and lakes.
See Ya Later Ranch produces all kind of wine whether you’re into red, wine, or specialty wines, they’ve got a Legacy Series from 2020.
Learn more about See Ya Later Ranch, their story, wines, restaurant and more: See Ya Later Ranch.
Photo credit to Trends Mag
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.
