I used to never give food pairings much thought. Wine, beer, whiskey, paired with food, I figured it was just nonsense. Then, in October 2015 my wife treated me to a birthday surprise featuring the pairing of Steve’s Hot Dogs and Schlafly. The fun took place for a lucky few up at a local tavern, the Tick Tock Tavern, located right next door from Steve’s. Schlafly brought with them a host of tapped brews and the fun began.
Hot dogs and beer. I would have loved them together no matter what, but you know what, I actually figured out the fun of the pairing. I let myself actually listen to the Schlafly rep and behold, I realized that mixing and matching these flavors could actually be fun, satisfying and make sense.
With that lesson now ingrained, I am now forever in search of more pairings, the more drastic the better.
Which brings me to the point of my writing today:
The Wild Bacon Wine Trail
If it were up to me, bacon would be a food group. And thanks to health reasons my consumption of the beloved meat is at an all-time low unless it has the word turkey in front of it. That said, it’s time to take a vacation from the healthy stuff and have some fun with the real thing.
May 4 & 5, 2019
Saturday, 10:00 to 5:00 • Sunday, 11:00 to 5:00
Smoky, savory and always delicious, bacon will be the star ingredient in the foods paired with wine at seven stops on the Hermann Wine Trail. Participating wineries; Adam Puchta, Bias, Dierberg Star Lane, Hermannhof, OakGlenn, Robller, and Stone Hill. The $30 ticket price includes a souvenir wine glass. Purchase tickets in advance online at www.HermannWineTrail.com or call the Hermann Welcome Center at 800-932-8687.
2019 Wild Bacon Tasting Menu
- Adam Puchta
Mexican Street Corn and Bacon Soup, paired with Vignoles Margarita
- Bias
Loaded Bacon Bomb, paired with Liebeswein
- Dierberg Star Lane
Asiago Dusted Bacon Knots, paired with Chardonnay
- Hermannhof
Bacon Twisted Romano Breadsticks, paired with Vidal Blanc
- OakGlenn
Chocolate Bacon Squares, paired with Sweet Ruby
- Röbller
Orecchiette with Bacon, Rosemary, Garlic and Parmesan Cheese, paired with Seyval
- Stone Hill
Cheesy Bacon Jalapeno Popper Dip, paired with Steinberg White
