Pairing:  Buffalo Burgers, Hot Dogs, Potato Salad, Green Salad and Deviled Eggs Paired with a 2013 Bootleg Proprietary Red Blend from Napa

Food:  One of the great traditions we follow on the U.S. Independence Day celebration is the outdoor cookout. Buffalo burgers and hot dogs grilled over a wood charcoal fire, Mother’s wonderful potato salad, perfect deviled eggs, and a green salad with fresh lettuce and herbs right out of the garden. Yum!! Bring on the fireworks!!

Wine:  We find delight in sampling different red blends from different locales in California. The Bootleg winery is located in and sources its grapes from vineyards in the Napa Valley wine region. Their 2013 Proprietary Red is an inspired blend of 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petite Sirah, 21% Zinfandel, 12% Merlot, and the remaining 18% made up of Malbec and Petit Verdot. I repeat … a truly inspired creation from winemaker, Gabe Valenzuela. This is “out of the box” winemaking at its Californian best.

Tasting Notes:  A deep, deep garnet color … almost black (likely from the Malbec). On the nose, the smell of blackberry and black cherry fruit leather (or how we might imagine such a thing!) along with sage, cinnamon, and newly turned over earth. The palate … Big! Delicious! Big “hedgerow” flavors (blackberry, blueberry, black raspberry, black currant) against a lovely background of soft tannins. Just a touch of sweetness. Coats your mouth with its luscious flavors. Perfectly balanced in every way. Makes every part of this wonderful cookout taste even better. Wow … a perfect pairing … an unforgettable wine!

Other Wines That Pair Well with Burgers and Dogs:  Zinfandel (California), Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile), Beaujolais (France), Shiraz (Australia)

Other Food That Pairs Well with a Napa Red Blend:  Grilled Sausages, Roast Beef, Rabbit (Spit Roasted wrapped in Bacon), Venison

Views of Beautiful California Vineyards:  California Vineyards

A Source:  www. klwines.com