We are often asked what kind of dishes or foods pair well with our wines. Just in time for the holiday season, we've assembled some suggested pairings for our most popular wines, as well as some tips for serving. Enjoy breaking bread with friends this holiday season, and toast to the abundance of the earth's gifts!

Muscadine Wines

Scupperdyme: This delightfully full-flavored and sweet white wine gets its light bronze coloring from fermenting white muscadines on the hulls. It is an excellent choice for an afternoon get-together with hors d'oeuvres or for pre-dinner appetizers. Pairs beautifully with an array of cheeses and elk and buffalo summer sausages. Serve well chilled.

Sweet Muscadine: The velvety and smooth sweetness and aromatic muscadine aromas of this wine make this a delightful pairing for salty, spicy or citrus-flavored dishes. We enjoy this most with main dishes like slow-cooked ham, stuffed pork tenderloins, spicy butter steamed bass, or citrus grilled shrimp. Serve well chilled.

Autumn Blush: The current Autumn Blush vintage available now is mild, very smooth and all around delightful. It is a fresh, fruity blush that pairs well with a remarkable range of foods from delicate fish to meats such as pork and veal and a range of ethnic cuisines like Chinese, Thai, Mexican and Greek. Serve lightly chilled.

Ruby Red: Because this semi-dry wine has some tartness typical of the muscadines and carries a long finish, it holds up nicely to dishes with stronger flavors. Serve with barbecue or blue veined cheese, sweet and sour foods, Chinese or Mexican food. Many also enjoy this wine with beef stew and grilled steak. Chill and allow to sit at room temperature for 10-20 minutes before serving.

Delisse: An elegant muscadine dessert wines, Delisse indulges the palette when paired with desserts such as cheesecake, tiramisu, apple strudel, baklava, baked pears, creams, custards and puddings, apple and pear desserts and almond cake. (Can you tell we really enjoy trying this one with new dishes?)

Grape Wines
Blazing Sun (Pinot Grigio): Perhaps our most versatile white wine, Blazing Sun pairs well with a wide range of foods, primarily lighter fare such as pasta, vegetables, fish and chicken. Dishes to try include mushroom risotto, steamed cod, lemon-parsley spaghetti, or a citrus salmon. This wine can also be served as an appetizer if you wanted a slightly drier wine to start your meal. Serve well chilled.

Sunset Rose (White Merlot): This wine is made from Washington State Merlot grapes freshly pressed at harvest to capture the flavor of the Merlot grapes. The Merlot juice is fermented without the skins similar to a white Zinfandel. Serve with salads with rich dressings, light appetizers, raw or steamed vegetables, fruits, delicate fish, barbecues and spicy cuisines. Serve lightly chilled.

Sirano (Syrah):

This red wine boasts a refined blend of blackberry, black pepper and floral flavors, which build to a bold, clean finish. Serve with your best cuts of red meat or rich, braised and simmered shanks. Serving Tip: We recommend decanting red wines for 30 minutes before serving. Otherwise, use the new Vinturi Wine Aerator for instant decanted quality. Serve room temperature.

If you've tried pairings that you'd like to share with other readers in future issues of The Grapevine, you can email your suggestions to us at willscreekwinery@aol.com.

Happy Pairing!