This island located in the north Atlantic has raw ingredients that the Irish love to enjoy with a glass of wine in hand. Here we’ll tell you about the connection between Chilean wine and Irish food.
Ireland has an array of exceptional ingredients. Butter, bread, milk, artisanal cheeses, grass-fed beef and lamb, eggs from free-range chickens, fish and shellfish such as oysters and smoked salmon, and fresh produce are just some of the foods that shape a cuisine that has traditionally been simple, straight-forward, and moderately seasoned.
Although the rise of gourmet and modern Irish gastronomy in recent years has catapulted these products toward Europe’s best dining establishments, the national recipe list stands out for its hearty dishes made with few ingredients that are slow-cooked, steamed, or pan-fried using salt, pepper, and dairy products as their main condiments. They are pure and unpretentious flavors distinguished by the high quality of the ingredients.
Interestingly, local beer and spirits don’t always pair well with these dishes, which is where the importation of wines has played a fundamental role. According to the 2020 Drinks Ireland|Wine Market Report, one in four bottles of wine sold in Ireland comes from Chile. From supermarket shelves to pubs and liquor stores, the popularity of Chilean wine has unleashed an unexpected fusion that works wonders: the pairing of Chilean wine with Irish cuisine. Marqués de Casa Concha is one of the labels available on the island, and the following suggestions will help you pair it with some of Ireland’s favorite dishes.
Irish Stew
Ireland’s typical dish par excellence consists of tender cubes of beef or lamb cooked slowly in broth with potatoes, onions, and plenty of vegetables and seasoned with herbs such as thyme and rosemary. It’s a succulent, comforting dish ideal for cold, rainy days that ask for a bottle of wine. The Marques de Casa Concha Merlot, with its spice notes, an elegant touch of toasted oak, and tremendous fruit expression on the palate combine perfectly with the flavors of this particular stew.
Ph: Once Upon a Chef
Shepherd’s Pie
Another traditional dish found in Irish homes is Shepherd’s Pie, which is believed to date back to 1791. It’s a fragrant combination of ground lamb seasoned with onion, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme that is thickened with flour and then covered with mashed potatoes loaded with butter and grated cheddar cheese. This flavorful dish, which is served piping hot straight from the oven, asks for a red wine with moderate tannins and good acidity to balance out the rich texture of the lamb. The Marques de Casa Concha Syrah complements this dish deliciously thanks to its refined texture, complex flavors of cherries and blueberries and its considerable structure.
Ph: Epicurious
Full Irish Breakfast
Anyone who visits Ireland simply has to try this breakfast of champions that reflects the local pantry. This enormous dish includes fried eggs, pork sausages, bacon, black pudding, white pudding, grilled tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, and baked beans. The Irish usually accompany it with a cup of black tea or coffee, but since this hearty dish would also make an excellent brunch, a glass of red wine would work perfectly to cut through all the fat. The Marques de Casa Cocha Cabernet Sauvignon has a tremendous concentration of flavors that, framed by its firm tannins, help to cleanse the palate with an almost silky texture.
Ph: Sizzlefish
Seafood Chowder
This simple and delicate soup consists of a combination of chunks of white fish, smoked fish, and salmon, with shellfish such as mussels and shrimp from the Dublin Bay cooked in fish stock with lots of cream and fresh herbs. Given its consistency, it’s often served in small portions accompanied by a slice of soda bread with fresh butter. This is an intense and filling dish that the Irish like to accompany with an oak-aged white wine such as the Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay, whose layers of ripe flavors such as fig, pear, and minerals lend elegance and vitality to every spoonful of this addictive soup.
