Perfect Pairings for Red Wine: Jeune Bête

A wine of complexity and harmony, Jeune Bête is an achievement for those searching for ripe flavors but with elegance. It’s a profoundly terroir-driven wine with bold flavors of lush dark fruits, spice, and a moderate tannin structure that lends itself to a variety of dishes. Here, we will discover how to pair Jeune Bête with four dishes of excellence, step by step, and why these dishes compliment the wine’s flavor.

Understanding Jeune Bête

Jeune Bête is an award-winning 2022 Rhône-style (a French wine region style from a famous wine region) red blend from Cellar Beast Winehouse. It is crafted from 62% Grenache and 38% Syrah grape varieties, sourced exclusively from Meek Vineyard in Yakima Valley, Washington. Wine production is performed in Andreas, Pennsylvania, with these full-cluster wine grapes.

Terroir and Viticulture

Meek Vineyard's location in the prestigious wine region, the Yakima Valley AVA, provides a unique terroir characterized by well-drained soils and a climate that balances warm days and cool nights. This environment allows Grenache and Syrah grapes to develop concentrated flavors while maintaining balanced acidity and appropriate alcohol content.

Winemaking and Aging

The dry wine was aged for six months in neutral French oak barrels, which preserves the fruit's integrity while imparting subtle complexity. This approach results in smooth tannins and a harmonious balance of flavor profiles between fruit, earthy notes, and hints of spice.

Tasting Profile

• Aromas: Floral notes of lavender, tarragon, and sage.
• Flavors: Dark plum and zesty pomegranate.
• Body: Medium-bodied with smooth tannin content.
• Acidity: Balanced, providing freshness and enhancing food pairings.

Accolades

Jeune Bête has received significant recognition, including a Double Gold award with a 95-point rating at the 2024 American Fine Wine Invitational.

This bottle of wine's balanced acidity and smooth tannins make it versatile for pairing with a variety of dishes, enhancing both the wine and the culinary experience.

Cooking with Red Wine

Red wine isn’t just for sipping—it’s a culinary secret that exposes a depth of flavor, adds depth, and elevates even the simplest dishes into gourmet creations. Jeune Bête, with its complex yet balanced profile, is the type of wine for cooking. Its dark fruit complex flavors, medium body, and smooth tannins bring out the best in savory recipes. It is an indispensable ingredient for a wide range of foods, from savory dishes like hearty stews to rich dishes like seafood dishes.

Below, we explore four recipes that showcase Jeune Bête’s versatility as both a drink and a cooking companion. These dishes will demonstrate how red wine can transform your culinary experience, using wine in cooking and creating unforgettable pairings that complement the wine itself.

1. Braised Lamb Shanks with Rosemary and Red Wine Reduction

Ingredients

• 4 lamb shanks
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 cup Jeune Bête wine
• 2 cups beef stock
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Season lamb shanks generously with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil and sear lamb shanks on all sides in a large Dutch oven until golden. Remove and set aside.
4. Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened.
5. Deglaze the pan with Jeune Bête, scraping up browned bits.
6. Add beef stock and rosemary, then return lamb shanks to the pot.
7. Cover and braise in the oven for 2.5-3 hours until the meat is tender.

Pairing Notes
The wine reduction mirrors the bold fruit and earthy notes of Jeune Bête, while the lamb’s richness softens the tannins, creating a harmonious balance with the wine sauce.

2. Grilled Ribeye with Herb Butter

Ingredients

• 2 ribeye steaks (1-inch thick)
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp thyme leaves
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions

1. Season steaks generously with salt and pepper.
2. Preheat the grill or cast-iron skillet to high heat.
3. Grill steaks for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Remove and rest for 5 minutes.
4. Mix butter with parsley, thyme, and garlic. Before serving, top steaks with a dollop of herb butter.

Pairing Notes
The ribeye’s marbling stands up to Jeune Bête’s tannins, while the herb butter enhances the wine’s wonderful flavors and earthy nuances, creating an elegant pairing.

3. Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup mixed mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup Jeune Bête wine
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock, warmed
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet; sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
2. Add mushrooms and cook until softened.
3. Stir in rice, toasting for 1-2 minutes.
4. Deglaze with Jeune Bête, stirring until absorbed.
5. Gradually add stock, one ladle at a time, stirring until absorbed. Repeat until rice is al dente.
6. Stir in Parmesan and parsley before serving.

Pairing Notes
The umami of mushrooms mirrors the bit of wine’s earthy tones, while the risotto’s creamy texture contrasts the acidity, making each sip vibrant and refreshing when paired with the finished dish.

4. Charcuterie Board with Aged Cheddar and Prosciutto

Ingredients

• A selection of cured meats (e.g., prosciutto, salami)
• Aged cheddar and other hard cheeses
• Crackers or baguette slices
• Fresh fruit (e.g., figs, grapes)
• Nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts)

Instructions

1. Arrange meats, cheeses, crackers, and accompaniments on a board.
2. Serve with Jeune Bête slightly chilled to enhance the wine’s freshness.

Pairing Notes
The savory, nutty flavors of aged cheddar enhance the wine’s depth, while the prosciutto complements its fruity and peppery undertones.

Why These Pairings Work

Jeune Bête’s firm tannins and medium-high acidity perfectly counter rich, savory, or umami-laden dishes. Each pairing contrasts or complements the bottle of wine’s depth of flavor with fruit and earthy characters, enhancing the dining experience. Combining these dishes with Jeune Bête elevates the food and wine, showcasing the best of both worlds and French wines.

Enjoy your culinary journey for pairing food with quality wines like Jeune Bête! Explore our Wine Shop and let us know how these recipes work for your next gathering or dinner party. Check back for recipes with white wines showcasing their bright acidity, natural wines for advanced wine drinkers, and sparkling wines from major wine regions. Cheers!