By Meg Barkley
Mix up your upcoming gatherings by leaning into the fun that a delicious dish of flaky crust can provide. Explore ways to incorporate pies on the dinner table during this season’s festivities. Clif Family has you covered with the perfect pie and wine pairings to make your event #pietastic.
Throw a Pie Potluck
Invite your friends for a meal at the table that is both satisfying and engaging. Ask everyone to bring their favorite pie and bottle of wine to pair. (Tip: Send around a sign-up sheet to make sure that you don’t get duplicates). Encourage sweet and savory options. And request that all guests bring the recipe for sharing! Just think how easy the cleanup will be.
Dazzle During Dessert
At your next dinner party, highlight 2-3 pies for the sweet finale. Try your hand at some new and exotic flavors or combinations you have not tried.
Serve the pies pre-sliced on butcher blocks or platters to encourage everyone to dig in and taste through all the flavors. Be sure to include all the appropriate accompaniments like ice cream or whipped cream to add extra pizazz. And don’t forget to select a special dessert wine.
Take Care of the Host!
Sometimes it’s hard to know what to bring your host or hostess during the holidays. Bake your favorite quiche in a pie dish that becomes part of the gift. It’s easy to find lovely vintage vessels at your local consignment shop. Or pick-up a colorful new dish at your local retailer. Your host will not only have a new dish but an easy breakfast to heat up and enjoy the next day. Add a bottle of bubbles so that they can enjoy a Mimosa during their post-party morning clean-up.
Clif Family Wine and Pie Pairing Suggestions:
Apple Pie – Clif Family Napa Valley Chardonnay
Chess Pie – Clif Family Oak Knoll Sauvignon Blanc
Persimmon Cheesecake – Clif Family Napa Valley Viognier
Key Lime Pie – Clif Family Rte Blanc Sauvignon Blanc
Pumpkin Pie – Clif Family Bici Rhône-style Red Blend
Pecan Pie – Clif Family The Climber Bordeaux-style Red Blend
Chocolate Crème Pie – Clif Family Kit’s Killer Cab Cabernet Sauvignon
Kentucky Derby Pie – Clif Family Croquet Vineyard Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Chicken Pot Pie – Clif Family Sonoma Valley Grenache
Quiche Lorraine – Clif Family Anderson Valley Gewürztraminer
Shephard’s Pie – Clif Family Le Colline Vineyard Estate Zinfandel