Perfect Pair: Toast Skagen

Tuesdays are all about pairing food and wine. Here's some summer suggestions to get you going. Summer is coming to a close, but the weather is still hot.  This recipe is from one of my filming trips to Sweden.  You can find this dish on many restaurant menus around the country.  Check out my recommendations below.

The recipe is: Toast Skagen from Sweden

2 cups peeled baby shrimp

Juice from 1/2 lemon

2 tablespoons minced dill

2 tablespoons minced red onion

1 cup mayonnaise

4 pieces white bread

Salt and White pepper 

Bleak roe (optional)

Chop the shrimp into small pieces. In a mixing bowl, add shrimp, mayonnaise, red onion, dill, and lemon juice. Fold everything together carefully. Add salt and white pepper to taste.

On a grill or in a sauté pan over medium heat, toast the bread slices.

Place the toasts on plates, spoon the shrimp mixture on the toasts. Add bleak roe on top if you'd like.

The Pairings: 

Berlucchi Franciacorta Brut (SRP: $29.99) Franciacorta DOCG – ItalyCrisp and rich, with a generous aroma of apple and pear. A zesty palate of fresh citrus fruits accompanied by subtle spice nuances. Refined and elegant with great body, this pairs perfectly with seafood and will seamlessly cut the fattiness of the mayonnaise with it's high acidity. (Twitter: @BerlucchiWine)

Villa Sandi Prosecco DOC (SRP: $13) - Veneto, Italy

Prosecco is traditionally an Italian aperitif that goes well with appetizers and lite bites. The aroma is fruity and flowery with hints of ripe golden apple and small mountain flowers. The fruity and floral notes will complement the spice of the pepper, while its crisp freshness will relieve the mayo. (Twitter: DOCProsecco)

Damilano Langhe Arneis (SRP: $19.99) - Piedmont, Italy

A 100% Arneis, indigenous grape varietal from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. This light bodied white is delicate and fruity with harmonic, moderate acidity. Pairs well with fatty fish, white meats and seafood.

Notorious Pink is a special blush cuvee made from 100% Grenache, the leading grape varietal at Domaine la Colombette in the south of France. Bright pink in color. Very aromatic with citrus and red fruit. Floral aromas with crisp and refreshing mineral character. This rosé works well with seafood, vegetables, pastas and poultry dishes. Notorious Pink is available in a 750ml bottle for a suggested retail price of $19.99. It is imported and distributed in the United States by BH Group and available nationally. For more information regarding importing and distribution please visit http://www.bhgroupusa.com/.

Landmark Vineyards’ (@Landmarkvyds) 2012 Overlook Chardonnay ($22) would pair perfectly with the recipe for Swedish Toast Skagen. The citrus and melon notes on the palate would be ideal to complement the shrimp called for in the recipe. Chardonnay fruit from 22 vineyards across Sonoma, Monterey and Santa Barbara counties were combined to form the 2012 Overlook Chardonnay by winemaker Greg Stach. The wine has a golden hue with aromas of grapefruit, honeydew melon and lemongrass and flavors of peach, chalk and lively citrus notes on the palate.

Allow me to introduce wine visionaries’, John and Lane Giguiere, newest addition to their ever evolving portfolio, the Matchbook 2012 Arsonist Chardonnay (SRP $22). This next generation Chardonnay boasts a racy, sexy label and a true, spirited story behind the name making this wine stand on its own. The Arsonist is bold, confident, and not afraid to show its true Chardonnay character, as it has nothing to hide. It’s slightly buttery palate is best friends with creamy, seafood dishes such as the rich, yet balanced, Swedish Toast Skagen dish. (@CrewWines)

The Ruffino 2012 Lumina Pinot Grigio is a medium-bodied wine with an elegant structure. It offers fresh, crisp acidity with notes of lemon and safe on the finish. With the clean, intense notes of meadow flowers, pears and pleasant hits of golden apple, it’s refreshing taste pairs well with seafood, grilled chicken or summer salads.