What Sparkling Wine To Pair With This Vegetarian Dish?

What do you want out of Pairing a Sparkling Wine with a dish? Do you want your palate cleansed, ready for the next bite, do you want the Sparkling Wine to overpower the meal, switching out the flavours, or do you want them to work in harmony together, both delivering their flavours without compromising each other?

For this pairing we’re going with the latter, the pairing between this Vegetable Red Lentil Bake and the Spanish Sparkling Wine had me lost for words on how to describe it.

Sparkling Wine From Lanzarote

The beautiful island of Lanzarote, which is the birthplace of this Sparkling Wine, is known for its year-round warm weather volcanic landscape, glistening beaches and clear blue sea. On the Island, they have Timanfaya National Park which is known for surrounding the Timanfaya Volcano the rocky landscape around it was created by the volcano erupting in 1730 until 1736. The coastline of Lanzarote has been shaped by volcanos ever since it rose from the ocean.

Lanzarote was the second island to emerge from the ocean floor about 11 million years ago, it is also the closest Island to Africa. 40% of its territory is protected natural spaces, including the Timanfaya National Park.

Lanzarote is one of the 7 Canary Islands of the coast of Africa, to be more precise, off the coast of Morocco, although the islands are much closer to Africa, they are part of The Kingdom of Spain.

Los Bermejo Winery, owned by one of the most important families in Lanzarote, it wasn’t until 2001 they really got started in the production of wine, and in just a few years they became the oenological head of the island. Oenology refers to the science and study of wine and winemaking.

They say their wines reflect the richness of their land, landscapes and the efforts of their farmers, and after tasting their Sparkling Wine, I’m in no doubt that that’s true, the area that they plant their vines are surrounded by volcanic ash and black stones, their vineyard looks nothing like the traditional set up for vines, it is very unique and is an amazing sight to see.

The main grape variety on Lanzarote is the ‘Volcanic Malvasia’ it originates from Greece, it was brought to the Canary Islands during the 16th century from Madeira in Portugal.

Bodegas Los Bermejos – Bermejo Malvasía Volcánica Brut Nature – Tasting Notes

Aroma 👃 “Citrus, minerals and wet stones on the aroma.”

Flavour 👅 “An enjoyable middle ground of citrus, not too sweet but not bitter either, minerals with wet stones, a good wine to pair with foods.”

This Sparkling Wine From Lanzarote Won a Silver Medal in the Gastronomic Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

The Sparkling Wine and Red Lentil Bake Pairing

Pairing Notes – “A nice complement of flavours, a delightful citrus burst that works alongside the sweet courgette, the oats and red lentils soak in the citrus from the Spanish Sparkling Wine, the Pairing is subtlety great, you don’t lose flavours from either the Dish or Sparkling Wine.”

How To Cook The Red Lentil Bake

Ingredients

• 125g Red Lentils
• 55g Oats
• 1 Onion 
• 1 Courgette 
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 Tsp Herbs
• 1 Egg
• 100g Grated Cheddar Cheese
• 1 Tomato 

Instructions

1. Pre heat the oven to 180° C
2. Boil the red lentils in a saucepan, then simmer for 10-15 minutes until soft
3. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan
4. Peel and chop the onion, fry until soft
5. Chop the courgette and add to the frying pan, cook for 5 minutes
6. Add in the cooked red lentils
7. Sprinkle in the herbs
8. Stir in the oats
9. Beat the egg and add to the mixture
10. Add in 75g of the grated cheese and mix all together
11. Place the mixture into a baking dish
12. Sprinkle on the 25g of grated cheese
13. Slice the tomato and place on top
14. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes
15. Serve with a side of courgettes

This sparkling wine can be purchased from the Wine Shop Lanzarote

Image Credit: Lanzarote Vineyard