The weekend is around the corner and if there is dad/pa/gramps/Gpaw/etc. stopping by, you may want to consider firing up the grill for a celebration of these special guys. My favorite sidekick, who is from Wisconsin and the father to our three daughters, and I had a practice run of Father’s Day by grilling bratwurst, a Midwest staple, and pouring two brilliant wines sent as samples from Johan Winery & Vineyards in Oregon. The “brats” were absolutely mouthwatering and the wines, a Kerner and Blaufrankisch, ticked the boxes for a delightful pairing. Now it’s your turn.
If you’ve not grilled bratwurst, the time is now to do just that; any quality butcher should have this iconic sausage. I prefer to boil bratwurst in beer to ensure that they are cooked all the way through prior to grilling and to release a fair amount of the grease. To test, cut into one with the tip of a sharp knife to see that the meat is not dark pink; it should be light pink in color and very juicy. Next, preheat the grill to medium-high then place the brats on the grate. Cook, turning them frequently, until they are browned with the traditional “lines” but not charred. Serve in a bratwurst bun with sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup, relish… whatever you like! Now, the wines!
About Johan Winery & Vineyard
Located within the Van Duzer Corridor AVA in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Johan Vineyards encompasses 175 acres with 87 acres under vine. A certified Biodynamic estate, their goal is “to create a self-sustained holistic farm system with the energy to produce an honest expression of itself to share with others.” Johan Vineyards also maintains over 30 acres “as a biodiversity preserve which includes virgin oak savannah and biologically active riparian zones.”
Soils are calcareous sedimentary with granite that affords “a greater pH buffering capacity conducive to a healthy and diverse soil microbiome. The resulting wines have exotic and complex aromatics with balancing acidic structure and tension.” Coastal winds are persistent and the sun provides plenty of heat to the valley floor. “We see 30-40% greater daily wind speeds compared to our neighbors in the north Willamette Valley.”
Along with Kerner and Blaufrankisch, Johan Vineyards produces noteworthy wines of Savagnin, Zweigelt, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Melon Bourgogne, Ribolla Gialla, and Pinot Gris. Styles include Pet Nat, roses, and blends. For more about Johan Vineyards, click HERE.
Bratwurst and Wines from Johan Vineyards
A delightful dry white wine was 2023 Kerner ($35), an offspring of Riesling and originally from Germany, making it a fitting pairing with bratwurst. Intense aromatics of white flowers, petrol, and citrus led to a palate exuding notes of ripe orchard fruit, breezy salinity, and a lingering finish. The winemaking team foot-tread the Kerner grapes, allowed them to soak on their skins for a few hours before pressing, then fermented and aged the wine in barrels on their original lees for 11 months. This medium bodied 2023 Kerner was balanced and offered a creamy texture to counterpoint the snappy flavors of the bratwurst.
Each time I pour a glass of Blaufrankisch, I’m reminded how much I love this wine! The Johan Vineyards 2021 Blaufrankisch ($40) is no exception. Its dark and ripe red fruit and plethora of herbal aromas were an enticing entry. On the palate, I found vibrant acidity and soft tannins along with minerality, earth, savory herbs and a lasting finish. Delicate yet rich, sips of the Blaufrankisch, then a bite of the bratwurst were lip-smacking and memorable. Just wow!
Happy Father’s Day!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
