Raisin Pie/Wine matchups in the run-up to Christmas!!

Oh yeah, it`s that special time of year again when we seek out some sweeties/stickies to go with my famous Raisin Pie. Regular forumites from the old place will remember my annual festive season search for the ultimate wine match. The freeezer is stocked up here at Doris Ranch so I am gonna start with a late harvest Semillon. Naturally suggestions welcome and tasting hints acknowledged!!!

BTW, reminds me of the Derbyshire speciality, Bakewell Pie, and a terrible sherry food wine matchup promoted by my brother on a recent trip to the UK!!!

[James Roscoe]

Just send my pie to 3803 Poe Ct. Bowie, Md 20721. I'll pay the shipping. I'll have a nice sticky waiting. I may even post a note on it!

Bob, my grandmother used to make a fabulous raisin pie. I haven't had one in years.. can you post a recipe??? thanx...

Try a Pedro Ximenez.. the Alvear is nice and available... or if you can find an Albala, you would be amazed.. I have been drinking the 1971 and 1972 of the Albala.. and they are amazing.. should be fantastic with raisin pie!!

Oh yeah, it`s that special time of year again when we seek out some sweeties/stickies to go with my famous Raisin Pie. Regular forumites from the old place will remember my annual festive season search for the ultimate wine match. The freeezer is stocked up here at Doris Ranch so I am gonna start with a late harvest Semillon. Naturally suggestions welcome and tasting hints acknowledged!!!

Hey Bob,
Is there a share-able recipe for that raisin pie, hmmmm?

OK, will put the recipe together for everyone. So down to business, my first sweetie of December is a Botrytis Semillon, from my cellar. Think this is my fourth split from the `97 vintage. Very vague notes from previous tastings!

WTN: `97 Botrytis Semillon "Griffith"-Lindemans, Australia.

11% alc, sugar content at harvest 36.0 brix, content at bottling 7.4 Brix. Excellent storage, good cork, 375 ml.

Colour. Golden brown/copper.

Nose. Honey, peach, pear, caramel, burnt toffeee thought one taster. Could not mistake the botrytis here!

Palate. Still has excellent acidity, very sweet, orange marmalade is typical. Raisiny, not too cloying. good finish of dried apricots, caramel/toffee. Think this would have been a better match with creme brulee, did not quite work with my pie. Better luck next time around when I will open a Muscat. Maybe a younger semillon might work? Possible match here might be something like a Thai Chicken Salad.

[James Roscoe]

OK, will put the recipe together for everyone. So down to business, my first sweetie of December is a Botrytis Semillon, from my cellar. Think this is my fourth split from the `97 vintage. Very vague notes from previous tastings!

WTN: `97 Botrytis Semillon "Griffith"-Lindemans, Australia.

11% alc, sugar content at harvest 36.0 brix, content at bottling 7.4 Brix. Excellent storage, good cork, 375 ml.

Colour. Golden brown/copper.

Nose. Honey, peach, pear, caramel, burnt toffeee thought one taster. Could not mistake the botrytis here!

Palate. Still has excellent acidity, very sweet, orange marmalade is typical. Raisiny, not too cloying. good finish of dried apricots, caramel/toffee. Think this would have been a better match with creme brulee, did not quite work with my pie. Better luck next time around when I will open a Muscat. Maybe a younger semillon might work? Possible match here might be something like a Thai Chicken Salad.

I'll be looking for the FedEx guy with the funny shaped box.

I was going to say PX too. A raisin wine for raisin pie?

I was going to say PX too. A raisin wine for raisin pie?

I would say more crème brûlée... but. yeah..

OK, Bob, you can't torment us like this. You have to give us a recipe. I've never even heard of raisin pie.

OK, Bob, you can't torment us like this. You have to give us a recipe. I've never even heard of raisin pie.

Oh lordy.. how long have you lived without ever having had raisin pie?? Is it even possible?? I am going to have to make some soon...Bob?? Bob?? Maybe Jenise???

[James Roscoe]

Bob, another day has gone bye and no delivery from FedEx. What gives?

I think I remember asking about this raisin pie in previous years, because it sounded so curious to me then. But, somehow the recipe has slipped my mind, so, please refresh us!!

And I'll also throw in my vote for PX, just because it sounds like such a good match, although obviously I know not what a raisin pie is..

Something like mincemeat?

Hang on everyone, recipe will follow asap!!!
PX sounds good, point is though I am trying to drink up some splits of sweeties/stickies I have here. Do not need to go out and buy more other stuff!!!!!!!!......OK twist my arm.

I really think the PX will go better than many other stickies... it has the nutty taste that I think will go great with it.. now.. just get me the damned recipe.. it's not that secret.. we promise we won't tell the foodies over on the other forum.. ok??

WTN: A.R.Valdespino Don Gonzalo Old Dry Oloroso Sherry.

Yup, found an opened bottle here at Doris Ranch but don`t ask me how long it has been open!!!!! Darkish colour, almost treacle like. Nose is toffee apple and nuts. On the palate, good impact as my eyes are watering! Sweet treacle aftertaste, good length but finish is spoiled by being open too long?? It is raisiny however!
I am not a sherry drinker so there...but it goes well with the mincemeat pie I have here.

OK, listen up for the recipe, mine is very similar to this one..........

http://www.ourcanadiangirl.ca/fun/fun_millie.php

I would add 1/2 tsp allspice and same cinnamon. Little flour will help and brown sugar, maybe touch vinegar. Should be good!!

....And when the French loggers appear on the river, Millie doesn't think twice about crossing the logs to get some raisin pie. Think the pie was worth it? Find out for yourself!

I guess I'll have to. Looks like a winner.

Bob, my grandmother used to make a fabulous raisin pie. I haven't had one in years.. can you post a recipe??? thanx...

Try a Pedro Ximenez.. the Alvear is nice and available... or if you can find an Albala, you would be amazed.. I have been drinking the 1971 and 1972 of the Albala.. and they are amazing.. should be fantastic with raisin pie!!

James, see my sherry note just posted. IYO, how long will a bottle last once opened? There was something odd on the finish of mine but tough to pin down.

BTW...got around to tasting the newly released Tulloch Botrytis Semillon. Will post some notes asap as well as a `94 Angove`s Floreate late harvest Sauv Blanc. Amazing stuff for a wine 12 yrs old.

Bob.. thanx for posting your almost raisin pie recipe..

Those PX wines are indestructible; they aren't sherry, it's some other process. They have been completely oxidized. They will last in the fridge for weeks.. even months... they aren't damaged by heat.. .nothing... they get neither worse or better with time..

Thanks James, think I need some sherry education!! Will look around for something asap.

Here is another sweetie I pulled from the cellar!!

WTN:`94 Angove`s Floreate Sauvignon Blanc "Dessert Wine".

375ml, very crumbley cork, 10.5% alc.

Light brown copper colour w. some floaties. Nose has no sign of being shot, some floral tones still and hint of apricots,but SB? Has to be large % semillon here.
Very good acidity, quite ripe/sweet but not cloying. Peach and apricot, wine is not all that oxidized but does have some "tawny' character, thought one taster. 2nd day, acids have taken over and not a good match for my mince meat pie where the cinnamon and spice are dominant.

BTW I see a Bullers thread posted this day. I tried the Muscat downtown and thought the finish very short. Might have gone with the raisin pie though!!

PX, Bob.. PX...

Those Sauternes-like wines go nicely with apple or pineapple pie, though....

PX, PX, PX!!!

Hi Bob,

I am going to stick my raisiny neck way out there and suggest the most raisiny wine I have ever tasted: Banyuls. Good depth and raisin like flavor profile with sweetness to match the sweetest raisin pie. It is the only sticky I have in my cellar and I would definitely pull it for some yummy raisin pie.

That sounds like it might work Tom. Have to give this pie thing a break, too busy elsewhere!!