Viognier Delight, Mediterranean Bite

Create this easy Mediterranean dinner that will be sure to have your tastebuds dancing! The fresh herbs and citrus from this Shrimp Mediterranean Bowl, creates the perfect pairing with our 2022 Viognier!

Watch how to make this recipe HERE

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Raw Shrimp (deveined and peeled)
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 2 tsp. granulated garlic
  • 2 tsp. paprika
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano
  • Fresh parsley
  • Fresh dill
  • 3 lemons
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 1 1/2 cups couscous
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 Tbsp. chicken bouillon
  • 5 Persian cucumbers
  • 1 yellow bell pepper
  • Handful of cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

Method

  • For Shrimp: Coat the shrimp with 3 Tbsp. olive oil, salt, pepper, granulated garlic, paprika, dried oregano, and juice of 1 lemon; set aside to marinate. Once you’re ready to cook, add a skillet to the stovetop with a drizzle of olive oil. Let it heat up and then add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook until the shrimp has turned pink and become a “C” shape.
  • For Couscous: In a small pot, add in a drizzle of olive oil and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Cook until fragrant then add in the couscous. Stir until the couscous is a little toasted. Add in the water and the juice of half a lemon and the chicken bouillon. Cover and simmer on low for 5-10 minutes, or until al dente.
  • For Cucumber Salad: Dice up 3 1/2 cucumbers, tomatoes, bell pepper, and olives. Add them all into a bowl and add in salt, pepper, 2 tsp. minced parsley, the juice of half a lemon, and red wine vinegar. Mix and set aside.
  • For Tzatziki Sauce: In a bowl, add in the yogurt, juice of half a lemon, zest of 1 lemon, 3 grated garlic cloves, and 1 Tbsp. minced dill. Mix together. Mince 1 1/2 cucumbers and add to sauce. Taste and season to your liking.
  • Time to assemble your dish! Ass the couscous, cucumber salad, shrimp, and a spoonful of Tzatziki sauce. Pair this dish with our 2022 Viognier! The aromas of citrus and stone fruit bring out the bright flavors in this dish.

Winemaker Notes for Ancient Peaks Viognier

Viognier is an exciting new entry into our family of wines, furthering our exploration of Rhône varieties at Margarita Vineyard. Viognier excels here amid the vineyard’s marine-cooled climate, which draws out the grape’s floral varietal aromas while maintaining a bright fruit expression with textural crispness. The 2022 Viognier comes from Block 15C, a tiny half-acre block that unfolds along rocky alluvium soils. Here, brisk marine air settles after flowing through a mountain notch known as Trout Creek. This reliable cooling effect provides our Viognier fruit with perfect elements for nurturing vivid varietal character. Margarita Vineyard stands alone as the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles region, and as the only vineyard in the new Santa Margarita Ranch AVA. The surrounding mountain peaks act as a gateway for cool marine air, resulting in an extended growing season that yields fruit with uncommon depth and structure. The winemaking goal of our inaugural Viognier was to produce a crisp, racy white wine that stands in contrast to fatter, riper renditions of the variety. The 2022 growing season was moderate through mid-summer in the wake of dry winter conditions. A sustained heat wave landed on Labor Day weekend, and the Viognier fruit was harvested shortly thereafter at a lower Brix to achieve the intended style. After light pressing and cold settling for two days, the juice was fermented in 25 percent new French oak barrels with the remainder in neutral French oak. The wine was aged for 11 months un-racked on the fermentation lees to develop enhanced textures and mouthfeel.