A delight for the palate and senses: Sand Point Chardonnay from California

After we introduced you to the Chardonnay from Burgundy in the last blog post, we would like to take you on an enjoyable trip to California in this blog post and introduce you to one of our most popular Chardonnays: the Sand Point Chardonnay from the Lange Twins winery.

Immerse yourself in the world of Californian winemaking and choose between two delicious recipes: a creamy pasta al Gorgonzola or crispy chicken burgers. Experience the harmony of exquisite wine and the finest culinary arts. Cheers!

The Sand Point Chardonnay

This Chardonnay is an all-time favorite among our customers. And that's why we would like to introduce you to this special wine in more detail.
The Californian Chardonnay has a golden yellow color with light yellow reflections and leaves aromas of juicy pear, tropical fruits with green apple as well as vanilla and toffee on the nose.

In terms of taste, the wine offers a juicy and full body with a good oak aroma of nutty vanilla and a hint of caramel. The fine acid structure makes the Chardonnay an exciting wine that is easy to enjoy. And one thing is certain: the taste makes you want more.

The wine pairs perfectly with the following two dishes: creamy pasta al Gorgonzola or crispy chicken burger. We have put together the exact cooking instructions for both pairing suggestions at the end of the blog post. Choose between the vegetarian version or the burger and let the aromas of the wine explode with the food.

wine bottle with bread and flowers

 

The Lange Twins winery

As the name of the winery suggests, the founders are twins Brad and Randall Lange. The brothers were already living and managing the vineyards in the Californian wine-growing region of Lodi in the fourth generation when they decided to establish their own winery. The Lange Twins winery .

meadow and river

Sustainability, interaction with animals and the environment, and running the business as a family were important concerns for the twins right from the start, and are now being continued by Joe Lange in the next generation. Sand Point is a renaturation project that is restocking a large area of ​​the Mokelumne River with native flora and fauna and, so to speak, releasing it into the wild. This provides the vines with a natural environment and ensures exciting wines from Sand Point. Discover more exciting wines from Sand Point here .

 

recipe for Pasta al Gorgonzola

(makes 2 servings)

Ingredients:

  • 300 g pasta (e.g. penne or tagliatelle)
  • 150 g Gorgonzola cheese (or other blue cheese)
  • 200 ml cream
  • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • A handful of fresh spinach or arugula (optional)
  • Chopped walnuts or pine nuts for garnish (optional)

Preparation:

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente according to the instructions on the package.

While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a separate pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and sauté lightly until fragrant.

Cut the Gorgonzola cheese into small pieces and add it to the pan. Stir the cheese until it is melted and forms a creamy sauce.

Pour the cream into the pan and heat the sauce slowly, stirring occasionally until it reaches a homogeneous consistency. Season with salt and pepper.

Once the pasta is al dente, drain it and add it to the pan with the Gorgonzola sauce. Toss the pasta in the sauce to ensure it is well coated. If necessary, add a little more pasta water to thin the sauce.

Optionally, you can add fresh spinach or arugula to the pasta and stir until it wilts slightly.

Divide the creamy Pasta al Gorgonzola between plates and garnish with chopped walnuts or pine nuts. Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious dish with a glass of chilled Sand Point Chardonnay!

 

recipe for chicken burgers

(makes 4 burgers, depending on the side dish this is 2-4 portions)

Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breast fillets
  • 4 burger buns
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs, bread crumbs or sugar-free cornflakes
  • 1 teaspoon paprika powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • oil for frying
  • Burger side dishes of your choice such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, homemade burger sauces, etc.

Preparation:

Rinse the chicken breast fillets, pat dry and remove any fat and tendons if necessary. Then halve the fillets so that they fit better into the burger buns.

Prepare the flour, beaten egg and breadcrumbs in three shallow bowls. Season the breadcrumbs with paprika powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Alternatively, you can use breadcrumbs or crushed, sugar-free cornflakes instead of breadcrumbs.

First coat the chicken breast pieces in flour, shaking off any excess flour. Then dip them in the beaten egg and then coat them well in the seasoned breadcrumbs.

Heat enough oil in a pan to fry the chicken breast pieces well. Add the breaded chicken pieces to the hot oil and fry over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Make sure the chicken is cooked through.

While the chicken is cooking, you can lightly toast or warm the burger buns to prepare them.

Once the chicken is done, cut the buns in half and top the bottoms with lettuce leaves, tomato slices and onion rings (or other desired toppings). Place the crispy chicken breast pieces on top of the toppings and garnish with cheese or various sauces as desired.
Place the burger bun lids on top and serve the chicken burger.

We recommend serving it with French fries, rosemary potatoes or a fresh salad. And of course, the Sand Point Chardonnay is a must. Enjoy!

Conclusion

The Sand Point Chardonnay from the Lange Twins winery definitely offers an unforgettable wine experience that delights the senses. The appropriately selected pairing recipes are the perfect complement to this Californian wine and invite you to a feast. Cheers and see you on the next culinary adventure!