The Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Making a pumpkin pie might sound easy enough, but even the most skilled chefs know that the best pumpkin pie recipe can be tricky to maneuver. Below are some tips on how to make a great pumpkin pie that will look like you expect it to and taste divine as well.  You will want to serve your pumpkin pie, as well as your dessert wine, at the end of the meal to top it off nicely.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE BEST PUMPKIN PIE RECIPE

Affecting the outcome of your best pumpkin pie recipe are many factors, starting with the type of dish it is baked in (i.e., whether the pan is glass, ceramic, metal, or another variety of baking dish). Different types of baking dishes can all generate different flavors and textures. Secondly, all homemade crusts can vary greatly in consistency and quality. You can choose to use an already prepared pie crust or use a crust recipe of your own.  Finally, it is important to know that pumpkin pie filling is a type of custard. What this means is that you have to remove it from the oven while it is still soft and jiggly, which is not always easily determined. If you take the pie out too early, it may never set. If you leave it too long in the oven, it may show signs of cracking.

TRUST THE CRUST – IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT FACTOR

For the best pumpkin pie recipe to turn out to match your heart’s desire, use your most trusted pie crust. Maybe you may have access to a generational recipe for pie crust that has been passed down to you. Regardless, to prevent the crust from getting soggy, bake it for 15 minutes at a lower temperature (325 degrees) before you add the filling. This is called “blind baking” when you bake the crust first for just 15 minutes before putting the filling in it.  Finally, to prevent cracks and fissures, replace one whole egg with an egg yolk and bake the pie at a low temperature. The end result will be a crack-free pie that will taste delicious.

PUMPKIN PIE INGREDIENTS

To make the pumpkin pie filling, use a large non-stick bowl and combine the following ingredients:

• 1 15-oz. can pumpkin puree
• 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 t. ground cinnamon
• 1/1 t. ground nutmeg
• ½ t. salt

Whisk the ingredients until you have a consistent and smooth filling. Add the filling to the 9-inch pie crust. You may want to cover just the edges with foil to prevent the crust from burning. The pumpkin pie should be baked at 350 degrees for 35- 40 minutes or until you see the filling starting to become firm – but not completely firm; it should be a little jiggly.  You should be able to insert a knife and have it come out clean.

Always keep a close eye on the pie as it is cooking, as the crust can easily brown too soon. A pumpkin pie that is baked just right will appear dry around the edges. Also, if you gently shake the pan, the center may wobble a bit. The pie will look swollen when it comes out of the oven, but it will settle as it cools. Leave the pie on a rack at room temperature for a few hours. Or you can refrigerate it until ready to serve.

CANNED OR FRESH PUMPKIN?

Canned pumpkin is the best and simplest option; plus, it is more easily available. Using fresh pumpkins to make the pie is not difficult but it does take time, and you need to know how to select the best pumpkin. Some pumpkins are only grown for their size and looks; they tend to have little flavor. Therefore, you would need to avoid the ornamental varieties.

The pumpkin in the can will often list several other ingredients, including winter squash, acorns, butternut, kombucha, and honey nut; they all go well in a pumpkin pie.

Toppings that you may want to consider include whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

DESSERT WINE GOES WELL WITH PUMPKIN PIE

Many think a wine of Gewurztraminer’s stature will suit pumpkin pie quite nicely.  Others tout the pairing of Riesling wines with pumpkin pie.  This set of four Riesling choices can give you a variety of Riesling tastes.  What you should remember about pairing pumpkin pie and dessert wine, and pairing wine with desserts in general:

• Pair the acidity 
• Match the flavors 
• Balance the sweetness

A pumpkin pie and dessert wine pairing is an ideal way to end a holiday dinner.  How you decide to pair your best pumpkin pie recipe and dessert wine will speak to your ability as a host or hostess and have your guests excited to come back next year. If you have any questions about wine pairing for the holidays, or wine in general, call Pacific Rim & Company at 1-503-863-5454.

Fall Wine Time: The Best Wines for Fall

As the warmth of summer makes its exit and the cooler days of fall slowly ebb in, the chance to take a closer look at rich, seasonal wine choices appears too. Autumn marks cool evenings around the fire pit, warm food, and some beautiful fall wine choices that pair well with many of autumn’s best dishes. What’s at the core of a good fall wine? And how do you select the perfect option for your table? This quick guide can help. 

The Best Wines For Fall Mean These Ingredients

When most think of fall wines, they think of spicy aromatic ingredients, but those aren’t the only key flavor profiles you want in your fall wine choice. Instead, you want a warming wine that includes flavor notes like jam and spices. This is the ideal time of year to think about wines aged in oak - both red and white varieties - and look for notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. While many think those light-bodied white wines and rosés have to disappear until the following year, the reality is that not all of them need to wait until next Spring. Instead, you simply need to switch things up a bit to include richer flavors that help complement the season. 

A Few Great Fall Wine Choices

Not sure what to put on your table? Here are a few different choices you may want to consider. 

• Pinot Noir: This is a lighter-bodied red wine, and it’s great early in the season. It works well with a dish like stuffed mushrooms or even something a bit meatier like turkey chili. Look for a Pinot Noir that incorporates notes of cherry, vanilla, and spices. 
• Chardonnay: This white wine may have graced your outdoor living space in the summer more than once, but it works just as well on your fall table. Thanks to notes of fall fruits like pear, you’ll find it’s the ideal complement to options like creamy pasta dishes.
• Viognier: This is a white wine, but it offers a richness that you’ll find with traditional Chardonnay choices. Search for an option that includes notes of rose, honeysuckle, and mango or one that incorporates flavors of the season like golden apple, walnut, and cream. It will work well if you’re roasting a chicken this season. 
• Carignan: This medium-bodied red wine incorporates many of the flavors you might associate with the season in one space. Here you’ll typically find notes of cranberry and baking spices. It works well with traditional Thanksgiving foods including butternut squash. 
• Zinfandel: A higher ABV choice, this red wine is an excellent addition to your fall table. You’ll find notes of fruit and smoke, as well as a hint of cinnamon. It works well with chicken or veal. It’s also the ideal bottle to pull out on pizza night. 

And last but not least:

• Gewürztraminer: If you could bottle fall, you’d easily end up with a Gewürztraminer variety. With notes of ginger, citrus, and rose, it pairs perfectly with spicy root vegetable combos. In fact, it’s perfect whether you’re headed out for a fall picnic or a night around the campfire. 

Ready to make your perfect fall wine selection? Take a look at a few varieties we have to offer.

NEW: Washington State's AVA

Exciting news for Washington state and wine lovers everywhere! Washington’s wineries are attracting more and more of the national spotlight. Just recently, Rocky Reach became the State's 20th American Viticultural Area (AVA), which means that it is officially designated a wine grape growing region. There’s a new AVA in Washington! Washington state AVA approvals recognize the quality of grapes grown and wine produced in the region.

ROCKY REACH

The new AVA in Washington, Rocky Reach, is located between Wenatchee and Chelan, and it closely follows the Columbia River. It is an area contained within the larger Columbia Valley, which is famous for its wines and wineries. The total Washington state AVA covers more than 32,000 acres in Rocky Reach and makes up about 25 percent of the area. Currently, there are eight major commercial vineyards that cover 117 of these acres. Located within the greater Columbia Valley, Rocky Reach uniquely covers vineyards that are located at low elevations.

Rocky Reach derives its name from the Rocky Reach reservoir and Rocky Reach Dam, and some historians suggest that the name most likely originated in the late 1800s to describe the rapids within “reach” of the Columbia River.

AVA DESIGNATION

In order to be graded as an AVA, the wine grape growing region must have certain key features that include the region’s soil, geology, climate, and topography. Unlike other areas of the Columbia Valley, Rocky Reach has unique geology that is predominantly granitic bedrock. In addition to the windblown sand and silt, the soil in Rocky Reach also overlies gravel and cobblestones. As far as the topography is concerned, Rocky Reach is located in an area of the Columbia River where the fast-running waters have eroded the landscape, creating a deep canyon. Within these canyons are flat-topped terraces on both sides of the river basin, which make the place ideal for viticulture. Finally, Rocky Reach has a very favorable climate for grape growing. With its low elevation, it has a warm and long growing season. 

IMPORTANT MILESTONE

For the state of Washington, approval of the state’s 20th Washington state AVA is an important milestone as it reflects the region's continued growth and vitality of the wine industry. For years, Washington state winegrowers have been pushing for more national recognition for their world-class wines and, finally, it looks like the recent recognition of Rocky Reach as the state’s new AVA in Washington has paid off.

Pacific Rim's vineyards are in the Yakima and Horse Heaven Hills AVAs, both of which are in the greater Columbia Valley AVA. The soil we grow from was shaped by the Missoula Floods and the bedrock is basalt, with wind-blown loess. This combination is perfect to produce a complex Riesling.

Pacific Rim & Company has long recognized the wine potential in the state of Washington, offering many fine wines from the region. Find out what we have known for a long time. Check out our wines and/or call to speak with one of our local experts today at 1-503-863-5454.

Chilling Red Wine Like the Pros

All over North America this summer, the weather has been hot and humid. One way to deal with the summer heat is to cool off by drinking a glass of nice chilled red wine. How cold should wine be to enjoy it? Does it make a difference if it is red or white wine? If you were to speak to five wine connoisseurs and ask at what temperature red wine should be served, you would likely get five different temperatures you should be chilling red wine at. To learn more, read on.

When it comes to red wines, the purists say that this beverage should be served at a temperature a little less than room temperature. Secondly, it is generally agreed that the majority of red wines may benefit from a little time in the fridge before consumption. Place the wine in the refrigerator several hours before you plan to drink it.

CAN YOU CHILL ALL RED WINES?

For the most part, just about all red wines can be slightly cooled between 45-60 degrees Fahrenheit to bring out the best flavor during the hot summer months. If red wine is served warm, it will taste less fruity and bland. But if the red wine is served too cold, it becomes disjointed, and the balance is lost.  That does not mean, however, that chilled red wine is a given; there are a few exceptions.

WHICH WINES TASTE BETTER COLD?

In general, chilled red wine can enhance some flavors, while others can become dull. Overall, chilling red wine can bring out the fruity notes, while the tannins (the chemicals that produce bitterness) are shut down. This means that the best red wines to drink cold are the younger and lighter varietals, like Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, or Pinot Noir. The process of chilling red wine results in a refreshing taste that is incredibly easy to drink.

On the other hand, aged or full-bodied wines, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Gamay, are made more flavorful at much lower temperatures. 

HOW SHOULD YOU CHILL WINE WITHOUT A THERMOMETER?

Since not everyone is fanatical about temperatures and may not have a thermometer, the best recommendation is to leave the red wine in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving. The wine should be cool but not ice cold.

SHOULD YOU ADD ICE CUBES TO THE WINE TO CHILL IT?

While some people do add ice cubes to chill their wine, this is not recommended. The ice will melt, and the additional water will dilute the wine, thus reducing the flavor and aroma. If you just have to add ice cubes, you should only add a minimal amount and drink the wine before the ice melts into water.

If you are going to be sitting on the deck or your patio on a warm evening, use an ice bucket to keep the red wine chilled.

In summary, wine experts agree that there is no one universal method of chilling red wine. You may have to experiment a bit to find out what temperature you really like for your red wine. As well, you can drink the wine warm; it all depends on your taste buds, the weather, the type of wine, and personal preferences. For questions or advice, call Pacific Rim & Company at 1-503-863-5454, visit us online, or email us at: PacRimInfo@Banfi.com.

How to Hold a Red Wine Glass

For those who drink wine in the company of others or at social gatherings, it is important to know how to hold a wine glass. While in your own home, wine glass etiquette may not matter, but when you are with other wine drinkers, rest assured, how you hold your red wine glass can reveal a lot about you. In general, there is a correct way to drink wine from a glass as it allows you to enjoy the beverage to the fullest extent. To start, how to hold a red wine glass begins at the stem. Even though it may look fragile and precarious, this is the way wine is supposed to be consumed. 

HOLDING A WINE GLASS AND TEMPERATURES

Wines are, in general, supposed to be served on the cool side. Red wines need to be just below room temperature. When you hold the wine by the glass bowl rather than the stem, your hands warm up the wine and ruin the experience. Therefore, hold the red wine glass stem using your thumb and index finger. Your other fingers will then naturally support the base of the wine glass. Depending on the size of the wine glass, sometimes you may have to keep the glass steady by holding the stem with your thumb, index, and middle fingers.

WINE GLASS HOLDING AND APPEARANCE

Holding the wine glass by the stem will not only keep the wine at the right temperature but you also won’t leave any fingerprint marks all over the wine glass. This is especially useful knowledge if you are also eating food at the same time. Having oily greasy marks on the wine glass can look tacky and primitive.

CAUTION

It is common to see wine glasses that are not nearly full to the top, and there is a reason for that. Because the wine glass is supposed to be held at the stem, filling the wine glass with to the top can make it quite heavy, and you may have great difficulty holding it with just your fingers. Hence, when at a social function, always ensure that your wine glass is only about a third full; this makes it a lot easier to hold the wine glass with your fingers. In addition, a glass that is less full also makes it easier to swirl the wine without spilling it. Finally, select a wine glass that is lightweight and small to medium size. The larger the glass, the more difficult it becomes to hold it with just your fingers.

CONCLUSION

In the end, if you are drinking wine at home, you can hold the wine glass as you please. But when you drink wine in the presence of company or at a social function, hold the wine glass properly at the stem using your fingers. The key is to limit contact with the wine so that it does not get warm. Unfortunately, there are also stemless wine glasses that are quite popular, and, when faced with this situation, there is no option but to hold the glass bowl.  For more tips and advice on wine etiquette, like how to hold a red wine glass, contact Pacific Rim & Company at 1-503-863-5454, check out more of our blog, or email us at PacRimInfo@Banfi.com.