The dish for Picpoul de Pinet

I have discovered a great combo for this wine: (excuse me, Stuart, Rahsaan, and other vegetarians) chicken dusted with hot pepper-flaked cornmeal and then baked, served with a side dish of cooked barley sauteed with garlic, tomato, squash, and other things that I forgot to ask my wife about but knew there was more in there--she did the meal last night.

The Picpoul? Saint-Peyre 2007. Clean, tight, a little smoky (and was that a hint of pineapple atop a ham?) About $10 a bottle, I think, and just great with the chicken and side dish.

Funny, I have never found Picpoul that travelled well. It has always seemed to be much better when drunk within haling distance of the Med and seems a tad faded when bought here.

Don't know if it is really a bit fragile or if I am just taken in by the surroundings in southern France. I like your dish, although I have always tended to drink it with some sort of seafood.

Funny, I have never found Picpoul that travelled well. It has always seemed to be much better when drunk within haling distance of the Med and seems a tad faded when bought here.

Don't know if it is really a bit fragile or if I am just taken in by the surroundings in southern France. I like your dish, although I have always tended to drink it with some sort of seafood.

Everything tastes better where it's produced--that explains the phenomenon of opening a bottle of wine at home that you bought while visiting the winery and then find yourself wondering: what was I thinking?

When I visited the region, I was slightly amazed at how it could produce such crisp white wine perfect for seafood. But this pairing worked so well together for me, it's changed my attitude about the wine. Of course, I could be out to lunch, which I believe I ought to be soon...

excuse me, Stuart

Uh-oh, am I going to have to light a match?

Now I need to think of something with a similar flavor profile as your dish to try that wine with.

Uh-oh, am I going to have to light a match?

Now I need to think of something with a similar flavor profile as your dish to try that wine with.

You will think of something, and I bet it has shrooms in it! And, when you do, I'll wish I lived closer!

Uh-oh, am I going to have to light a match?

Now I need to think of something with a similar flavor profile as your dish to try that wine with.

You will think of something, and I bet it has shrooms in it! And, when you do, I'll wish I lived closer!

Let the games begin!