What Goes Better with Chicken Nuggets - Sokol Blosser Pinot Gris or Pinot Noir?
Last weekend I was working in the yard when my neighbor called over the fence, "What are you doing?" To which I replied, "Playing in the dirt." Before long, the conversation got around to what was for dinner and before I knew it my wife, Susan, and I were invited to dinner. Fun! I told my neighbors, Shelley and Todd, that I would bring the wine. Todd informed me that we were having chicken nuggets.
OK, chicken nuggets are not a typical food pairing for Sokol Blosser wines when we entertain at the winery. But here at Sokol Blosser, we love our comfort food as much as the next guy. If you don't believe me, go to www.evolutionwine.com and play the food pairing game - you'll see I'm not kidding. Knowing that Shelley loves Pinot Gris and Todd loves Pinot Noir, I brought some of each. That night, Shelley, Todd, my wife Susan, and I were going to eat, laugh and find out which goes better with chicken nuggets - Sokol Blosser Pinot Gris or Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir. Here are the notes I took before the evening got too fun:
Type of Chicken Nuggets: Store bought. Breaded. You know, the kind of nuggets that when you saw them on the dinner table, you knew Mom was going to let you eat dinner with your hands. Yeah! That's the kind of chicken nuggets I'm talking about.
Preparation: Baked in Oven. Served hot and golden brown (Nicely done, Shelley).
Dipping Sauces: Tomato Ketchup, Honey Mustard & Barbeque Sauce.
Results:
Shelley (The Pinot Gris Lover)
Preferred: Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Pinot Noir
Comment: I thought I was going to prefer the Pinot Gris, but the Pinot Noir brought out the spices and flavor of the breading on the nugget.
Todd
Preferred: Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Pinot Noir
Comment: The flavor of the chicken stands out more with the Pinot Noir than it does with the Gris. The Pinot Noir made the chicken taste more juicy and flavorful.
Susan (My Wife - The Best, My precious flower, Where would I be without you?, ect. Guys, we all need to build up points whenever we can.)
Preferred: Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Pinot Noir
Comments: The Pinot Noir added a sophistication to the chicken nugget. It made the nugget taste better. The Pinot Gris did not take anything away, but it did not add anything either. The Pinot Noir added and better complimented the chicken nugget.
Scott
Preferred: Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Pinot Noir
Comments: Both the Pinot Gris and the Pinot Noir worked for me (spoken like the true Sokol Blosser sales guy that I am). With a plain chicken nugget I definitely preferred the Pinot Noir. It's the sauces that make a difference for me. A chicken nugget with honey mustard - Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Pinot Gris all the way. With the Barbeque Sauce it's Pinot Noir!
What a great impromptu evening! Thanks Shelley and Todd.
Next Week, Mac and Cheese!