Perfect Pair: Cucumber Tea Sandwiches and Piedmont Whites

Cucumber sandwiches are one of the classic tea sandwiches for Kentucky Derby parties. I first tasted these sandwiches long ago when my friends had tea parties for their birthdays when I was very young. We learned how to sip tea and hold our pinkies up. Tea sandwiches provide your guest something easier to manage when dressed in nice clothing. You can try these sandwiches for a Derby party or even make them for Mother's day.

The Dish: Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

The Recipe:

16 small slices thin white bread, ends trimmed

8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1 English cucumber, 1/4-inch slices

Pinch of salt

Fresh dill, chopped

Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on each slice of bread. Place cucumbers in a single layer 8 of the slices. Season with salt. Top with the other bread slices, cream cheese side down. Make 2 diagonal cuts across sandwich to make 4 triangle tea sandwiches. Dip one edge of each tea sandwich in a dish of chopped dill. Serve immediately or keep chilled in an airtight container until ready to serve.

The Pairings:

Try soft Piedmont whites like Langhe Arneis and Cortese di Gavi. Both of these are ideal for spring.

Luca Bosio Langhe Arneis D.O.C.G. 2016

This wine is made from Arneis grapes grown on the Bosio Estate in the Roero region (which is in the Southeastern part of Piedmont, close to Turin, in the foothills of the Alps). It starts with a clean, floral nose, with captivating hints of pineapple, apricot and peach that follow through to the palate and refreshing finish.

Luca Bosio Cortese Di Gavi 2016

The nose and palate on this very pale white wine show clean and crisp floral and herbaceous notes. The palate has bright, crisp floral overtones and captivating hints of pineapple, apricot and peach.