Hot In Little Rock

It will come as no surprise to regular readers that we have a special affinity for the Certified Arkansas Farmer’s Market.  Thank goodness they continue to provide some produce as well as meats, eggs, and dairy products all year.  We do a hunk of our shopping with them online, picking-up our order on Saturday mornings in the Argenta District of North Little Rock.

We recently ordered some sausage, which we prepared the other night with red, yellow, and green bell peppers, mushrooms and onions.  All we did was brown the sausages, peppers and onions, added salt and pepper to taste, then added a large splash of red wine, covered the skillet and placed it in a 350 degree oven while we made a cobbler from one of the mixes sold at CAFM. Talk about easy! Just add a salad.

The wine was a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from Bonterra Vineyards.  Bonterra is produced using strictly organic methods.  The ranch also raises sheep and a whole variety of vegetables.  Even the bottles are from recycled glass and the label is hemp with soy ink.  These folks go the whole distance.  And the wine is good.  Very good.

The color is a perfect purple cherry, and the aromas on the nose are of cherry, spice, and plum.  Since it had a chance to open up, we noticed more oak on the palate than we had at first.  There was the ripe red fruit, including cranberry, and a bit of cedar.  The mouthfeel was nicely rounded, and the finish reminded us of raspberries.  They add 12% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah and 2% Merlot to the 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the combination works well.

So, go online, order up the makings for a dinner or two from CAFM, grab a bottle of Bonterra Cab, and you will be a happy camper.