(Photo by Carlos Sarmiento)
Earlier this year I had the great fortune of winning an online contest of a beautiful collection of estate wines sponsored by Italian winery Villa Tirrena.
Naturally, I had to create something special for these unique library type of wines.
Paolo and Noemia d’Amico, proprietors of Villa Tirrena, have pursued their common passion for wine making and have created an award-winning portfolio of eight organic labels, grown and produced at the border between Umbria and Lazio regions.
(Photo courtesy of Paolo e Noemia d'Amico)
In the heart of Etruscan Italy, Villa Tirrena is a Domaine surrounded by UNESCO-listed villages, such as Civita di Bagnoregio and Orvieto, with centuries of history and architecture.
(Photo courtesy of Paolo e Noemia d'Amico)
Villa Tirrena is not only a vineyard and winery but it is truly a destination property that offers a place of discreet elegance, the perfect marriage of cosy and modern luxury. It features eight suites, four lounges, a heated swimming pool, a Turkish steam bath, a tennis court and many other facilities.
(Photo courtesy of Paolo e Noemia d'Amico)
Let‘s get cooking!
Menu: Grilled Hanger steak & Argentinian chorizos with Lyonnaise potatoes.
Wine pairing: 2014 Atlante Cabernet Franc - Paolo e Noemia D'Amico - Villa Tirrena IGP (Umbria, Italy)
Serves 4
Ingredients
Steak:
2 lbs of Hanger Steak
Sea Salt & cracked pepper
3 tablespoons of extra Virgin olive oil
Sausage:
1 lb of Argentinian style chorizo (sausage) recommend: https://wildforkfoods.com/products/argentinian-style-bombon-sausage?algoliaHit=true&variant=9557491843108
Potatoes:
1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (about 4 medium potatoes), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
2 tablespoons of sea salt
2 tablespoons white vinegar
5 tablespoons melted butter, divided
1 large onion thinly sliced
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh parsely, chopped for garnishing
Directions
Steak:
Season the hanger steaks on all sides with sea salt and pepper, then lightly rub extra Virgin olive oil all over steaks.
Set up your grill for direct grilling and preheat to high (450 degrees). Brush or scrape and oil the grill grate.
Arrange the hanger steaks on the diagonal on the grill grate. Grill until sizzling and browned on the outside and cook to taste, about 2 minutes for rare (120 degrees); 3 minutes per side for medium-rare (130 degrees).
Give each steak a quarter turn after 1 minute to lay on a crosshatch of grill marks, if desired. *Recommended: Use an instant-read thermometer inserted through the side of the steak to check for doneness.
Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let rest for 2 minutes. Cut the hanger steak on the diagonal into 1/2 inch slices and transfer o a platter or plates.
Sausage:
Grill chorizo sausage until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F (approximately 15-20 minutes).
Potatoes:
In a large pot, cover potatoes with 1 inch cold water. Add salt and vinegar. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cook until potatoes are barely tender, about 4 minutes. Drain potatoes; set aside.
Meanwhile, in a large cast iron skillet, nonstick skillet, or stainless-steel sauté pan or skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion, season lightly with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and softened, about 10 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon water and scrape up browned bits on bottom of skillet. Transfer onions to a medium heatproof bowl and set aside.
Add 2 tablespoons of butter to now-empty skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add half of the drained potatoes in a single even layer and cook, without moving, until golden brown on bottom, about 3 minutes, adjusting heat as needed if at risk of scorching. Using an offset or thin metal spatula, flip potatoes and continue to cook until completely tender, offering little to no resistance when poked with a paring knife, and golden brown on second side, about 3 minutes. Transfer potatoes to bowl with onions and set aside.
Add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to now-empty skillet and repeat with remaining potatoes.
Return reserved potatoes and onions to skillet, toss to combine, and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with parsley.
Serve it up!
This delicious meal looks great served in rustic way, family style (as shown below) by simply presenting the potatoes in the cast iron pan and placing the hanger steak and chorizo on a wooden cutting board.
Buon appetito!
(Photo by Carlos Sarmiento)
(Photo by Carlos Sarmiento)
(Photo by Carlos Sarmiento)
(Photo by Carlos Sarmiento)
About the wine…
Paolo and Noemia d’Amico have pursued their passion in wine and have created an award winning portfolio of 7 organic labels grown and produced in Umbria.
Mainly using French grape varieties, the volcanic soil from the Calanchi Valley adds a new take on established variants.
Once produced, the wines are stored to the sound of classical music in the cellar created by Noemia d’Amico and world renowned architect Luca Brasini.
Made from tufo rocks, the cellar carves its way underneath the hanging garden, via magnificent structural arches that create an enchanting pathway to the library.
Adjoint a special room where tasting take place, set amongst vintages from 30 years of Paolo e Noemia d’Amico wines.
2014 Atlante Cabernet Franc - Paolo e Noemia D'Amico - Villa Tirrena IGP
(Umbria, Italy)
(Photo by Carlos Sarmiento)
Tasting notes:
Of an intense ruby red, at the nose you can feel fresh and lively black berries, accompanied by some slightly toasted and coffee notes.
The palate develops around a vibrant fruit, supported by round and polished tannins, that, at the beginning, make the palate delicate, then greedy, for a harmonic finish.
Grapes:
100% Cabernet Franc
Food pairing: Pairs with red meat, roasts, game and cheese.
Accolades:
Certificate of Excellence 2018 - The Wine Hunter Award
Gold Medal 2018 - Decanter DWWA
91 Points - James Suckling
Thank you to Paolo & Noemia D'Amico from Villa Tirrena for providing this exceptional wine from their estate. Grazie Mille!
For more information, visit:
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Decorative wine drip collar ring provided by:
(Special discount promo code: CFW15)
(Photo courtesy of Paolo e Noemia d'Amico)