Each month, members of the Court of Master Sommeliers, an international association of wine experts, suggest wine pairings for popular menu items. Here they offer up both premium and bargain wines to be enjoyed at brunch. The sommeliers do not have a financial interest in any of their recommendations.
Doug Frost, MS, consultant and author, Kansas City, Mo.
Premium Wine: Gunderloch Jean Baptiste Kabinett Riesling, Rheinhessen, Germany, 2007
Grape variety: Riesling
Taste profile: Some sugar, lots of tartness — think of it as adult grapefruit juice.
Pairings: Riesling is surprisingly capable of handling big breakfast flavors such as sausage, ham, bacon and even cornbread or red-eye gravy.
Average wholesale case price: $155
Bargain Wine: Perrin et Fils Côtes du Rhône Rosé, Rhône, France, 2009
Grape varieties: 60 percent Cinsault, 20 percent Syrah, 15 percent Grenache, 5 percent Mourvèdre
Taste profile: A medium-bodied version of pink wine with lots of overt fruit — raspberries, strawberries, cherries — but a decidedly dry character.
Pairings: Omelets are tough on wine but perfect with pink dry whites.
Average wholesale case price: $84
Joseph Spellman, MS, winery sommelier, Justin Vineyards and Winery, Paso Robles, Calif.
Premium Wine: Steinberger Riesling Kabinett, Rheingau, Germany
Grape variety: Riesling
Taste profile: Steely, vibrant, fresh and apple-y, with white flower notes, this wine has a racy acidity with a touch of sweetness to give it balance. It also has a low alcohol content, about 8 percent.
Pairings: This wine is a natural with any smoked fish and is perfect for lox with capers and onion.
Average wholesale case price: $180
Bargain Wine: Domaine de Figueirasse Vin de Pays des Sables du Golfe du Lion Gris de Gris, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2009
Grape varieties: 40 percent Grenache Noir, 30 percent Cinsault, 20 percent Grenache Gris, 10 percent Grenache Blanc
Taste profile: This wine has delicate floral fruit with light strawberry aromas and is dry and clean, barely pink, and medium weight. It adds a fine balancing component for richer breakfast items.
Pairings: Try it with link sausage, artisanal cured ham and bacon, and soft ripened cheeses. It’s also excellent with a panini of pork sausage, egg and Brie.
Average wholesale case price: $75
Claudia Tyagi, MS, consultant, Roseville, Mich.
Premium Wine: Francis Ford Coppola Winery Sofia Rosé, Monterey County, Calif., 2009
Grape varieties: A proprietary blend of Grenache and Syrah
Taste profile: The essence of wild berries — tiny strawberries, red raspberries and a touch of Red Zinger Herb Tea. The silken texture yields dry, fruity refreshment.
Pairings: Great with thin-sliced ham or roast beef, but also works with cottage fries, hash browns, sausage links and lox. My favorite is a BLT: toasted seven-grain bread, whole-grain Dijon aïoli, thick applewood-smoked bacon and thin slices of ripe Roma tomato, tucked in with a crisp romaine leaf cover.
Average wholesale case price: $142
Bargain Wine: Mionetto Il Prosecco del Veneto, Veneto, Italy, NV
Grape variety: Glera, also known as Prosecco
Taste profile: Golden Delicious apples, citrus-tinged peaches and the sweet hint of tiny white flowers.
Pairings: I dream of an opulent fresh fruit salad heavy on sliced strawberries, blueberries, peaches and a touch of very ripe banana. Dressed with just a dab of clover honey and a squeeze of fresh lime, it would be my perfect Prosecco pal.
Average wholesale case price: $105
Learn more: Meet the Master Sommeliers. Check out bios and photos.
