Von Stiehl Winery - Algoma, Wisconsin

One of the best parts of fall is the reemergence of comfort food. During the heat of summer, appetites wane and we're easily satisfied with a big bowl of salad and maybe a skewer of barbecued meat. We drink refreshing Wisconsin white wines like Chardonnay, Dry Riesling, and Lakeshore Fume. Once temperatures start to drop in the fall, however, we find ourselves craving full-bodied red Wisconsin wines and food we can really sink our teeth into, like cassoulet.

The origins of cassoulet are obscure. At least three towns in southern France call it their own dish, while others insist it was brought to Western Europe by the Arabs. In any case, the dish first gained fame in the late middle ages in southwestern France, and is today one of the most beloved French dishes throughout the world.

Hearty and warm, rich and satisfying, cassoulet is made with white beans and just about any type of meat, barring fish or chicken. It should always include sausage, and may include duck, goose, lamb, pork or even venison - whatever strikes your fancy. It's best when it can stay in the oven for many hours, forming and reforming a nice crust on the top. The smells alone will drive you wild.

Below is a simple recipe for Cassoulet. Enjoy it with our Cabernet, Merlot, or even our Satin Red. This dish brings out the best of any of our red Wisconsin wines.

Cassoulet
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 celery stalks, sliced
Saute in a little olive oil.
Transfer to an oven-safe casserole and add:
1 -14 1/2 oz. can stewed tomatoes
32 oz. white beans, rinsed and drained
2 oz. old red wine (who lets red wine get old???)
1/2 lb. bologna, cut into chunks
1/2 lb. Polish sausage, cut into chunks
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/4 tsp. tarragon
1/4 tsp. sage
salt and pepper

Mix together and bake in a covered casserole at 325* for one hour, or longer at a lower temperature, stirring occasionally.

Serve in large soup or pasta bowls with more red wine and lots of crusty bread.

Santa returned from his jaunt to Wisconsin dragging a kayak behind his sleigh and he has no idea why! Santa was so angry when he left that he pushed Comet and Dasher a little too hard. Dasher blew a reindeershoe and limped through the air like a...well there aren't many similes for that one.

Feeling bad and wanting to “smooth” things over, Santa opened a bottle of Cherry Bounce and shared it with Dasher, Bart, and Comet. The bottle of Bounce briskly disappeared.

Bart asked Santa if there was any sight or sound from Mrs. Klaus. Santa got a tip from Sallie at the winery. Sallie said she saw Mrs. Klaus come in three separate times to sample the same six wines. Mrs. Klaus let a few things slip to Sallie. She donated half of Santa's red coats to the Salvation Army, then sought out a delightful massage at the spa in Hotel Sierra. She sashayed across the river to Captain's Walk Winery and caused a bottle of their Disappearing Treasure to live up to its name. Sallie said that in her last visit, Mrs. Klaus mentioned she was going to a delightful cabin north of Algoma to have a cup of something to sober up.

Comet, Dasher, and Bart were at the edge of their seat in anticipation: had Santa finally found her and was he about to say where this cabin was? Santa said that while she didn't want to be seen, he saw her with Donner and Blitzen. He parked behind that cabin to sneak a peak. Afraid of being spotted, he hurried the takeoff; that's when he snagged the kayak.

Fill your sleigh, or kayak, with these special pre-packaged two and four bottle gift boxes now through Christmas:

Four Bottle Gift Box:

Chardonnay, Dry Riesling, Christmas Blush, & Christmas Wine.

Value $47.60

Special Sale $34.95 Wrapped

Limit ten per customer

Two Bottle Gift Box:

Christmas Blush & Chardonnay.

Value $25.80

Special Sale $19.95 Wrapped

Limit ten per customer