Wine with Dessert: Forgotten Fire Late Harvest Riesling and Warm Apple Crisp

Now that my favorite season, autumn, is in its crisp, colorful glory, I’m ready to light a fire, snuggle up in a blanket, and think about, among other things, which recipes will be perfect for cooler days.  One dish that I’ve made repeatedly in the fall is Warm Apple Crisp. I’ve been enjoying the tastes of tart, locally picked apples tempered with a sugary topping, cinnamon and nutmeg flavors for years. It is incredibly easy to make, always a crowd pleaser, and when topped with a dollop of vanilla ice cream, this dessert with just the right amount of sweetness will make even the most ardent summer lover crave autumn days.

When choosing a wine to pair with a sweet dessert you may want to consider a late harvest Riesling which is made from grapes that have been left on the vine longer than usual resulting in a higher concentration of sugar.  Noble rot, a fungus, helps the water in the grape evaporate and the grape shrivels leading to a wine which is sweeter and more rich.  I chose a Late Harvest Riesling (UV) which I purchased recently from Forgotten Fire Winery in northern Wisconsin.  Forgotten Fire opened in 2011 and is named in honor of the Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871.  The small winery is on land in the town of Peshtigo but has a Marinette address (just in case you’d like to visit which I did).

The Forgotten Fire Late Harvest Riesling (UV) produced from Michigan grapes exhibited fragrant aromas of honeysuckle and apples.  On the palate, this slightly sweet wine from start to finish was full of lovely apricot and more apple notes. Balanced with good acidity this was delicious with the apple crisp thanks to the sugar levels in both which complemented each other.  I can’t think of a better wine and dessert pairing to kick off fall!  Cost is $15.

Warm Apple Crisp

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Ingredients

• 4 Large apples (peeled and diced)
• 1 cup sugar
• nutmeg and cinnamon (to taste)
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 cup flour (sifted)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2

Sprinkle apples with nutmeg, cinnamon, and 1/2 cup of sugar. Add water.

Step 3

Place in a 9 inch square baking dish.

Step 4

Cream margarine and remaining sugar.

Step 5

Add flour and mix well.

Step 6

Pat this mixture over apples and bake 30-45 minutes.

Step 7

Enjoy with a glass of your favorite late harvest Riesling!