Entertaining presents a fun opportunity to pull out the stops and try new recipes and preparations or savor the comfort of traditional dishes revisited for the memories they recall. This tart, though easy to make, can cause a sensation at the table with its beautiful presentation. While rich and satisfying, it provides a break from the elaborate beef steaks and roasts that often center dinners. Filled with savory mushrooms and onions this is one umami packed dish that easily pairs with many wines, from festive sparkling to a great big Cabernet Sauvignon. But paired with Syrah, the mix of fruity and savory flavors lift into minerality and earthiness; a truly synergistic pairing.
Depending on growing conditions Syrah can show a wide and complex range of flavors and aromas from black fruits and berries, grilled meat, mushroom and a savory earthiness to a spicy, jammy, berry bomb. This versatility means that Syrah should have a place in every wine lover’s collection.Â
We reach for our own 2018 Streetvine Horse Heaven Hills Syrah with its intense aromas and flavors of dark, brambly fruits and espresso to pair with this dish. The whole cluster fermentation enhances the perfume and spice aspects of the wine to complement the baser earthy flavors of the mushroom and goat cheese in tart. At the same time the savory nature of the mushrooms and goat cheese enhance the fruitiness of the wine for a powerful pairing. The saltiness of the goat cheese helps balance the fruit and savory characters by highlighting the minerality of the wine.Â