Why should beer get all the cheer this St. Patrick’s Day? Believe it or not, but wine can pair with everything on your St. Patrick’s Day menu, including the corned beef and soda bread. Not sure you believe a good glass of wine can refresh and revive your spirits just as well as a pint o’ green ale? Here’s proof. And no, we don’t recommend
putting green food coloring anywhere near your favorite bottle. That would just be wrong.
Corned Beef with Zinfandel
Salty, savory, and totally irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth corned beef is a staple of Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations and fabulous as leftovers (slap some hash between two toasted slices of rye bread and prepare to be wowed). This year, pair this simple, flavorful hash with a zinfandel that’s light enough to play a supporting role but spicy enough to pick up the hefty amount of pepper in the tender meat. The best part? All you really 
need is a slow cooker and a good book! Get the recipe.
Rangeland 2013 Zinfandel
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/Rangeland
Red Potato Colcannon with Chardonnay
You have taters on St. Patrick’s or it just isn’t festively starchy enough! Hearty red potatoes and crunchy, vibrant cabbage come together with butter, salt, white pepper, and a twist of lemon to create a refreshing yet satisfying side dish that cleanses the palate with Irish swagger. Pair alongside a soft, round chardonnay for maximum comfort food status (you may want to eat an entire bowl of this sexy “side.” We won’t judge). Get the recipe.
Opolo 2013 Chardonnay Edna Valley
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/OpoloVineyards
Soda Bread with Sauvignon Blanc
Made with plenty of buttermilk and baking soda, Irish Soda bread is an easy-bake tradition you cannot screw up (believe me, I’ve tried). Just remember this: the bread’s dense texture and subtle flavors call out for a crisp sauvignon blanc (and an entire pad of butter)! Use this bread to sop up your main meat or dip in a trio of mustards 
ranging from grainy to sweet to hot. Your gluten free guests will scowl, but that’s to be expected. Get the recipe.
2014 Sculpterra 2014 Sauvignon Blanc
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/SculpterraWinery
Shepard’s Pie and Grenache
The savory ground beef, silky gravy, and sweet roasted veggies in this old fashioned Shepard’s pie recipe won’t just stick to your ribs—it will transport you to an Irish hillside dotted with grazing sheep. OK, maybe meat and mashed potatoes can’t do all that, but when paired alongside a ruby colored, aromatic grenache, you might find yourself slipping into a dream state of sorts. Just go with it. Get the recipe.
2012 Four Lanterns Lights Out Grenache Blend
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/FourLanternsWinery
This blog post was written by Hayley Thomas, food and wine writer for SLO New Times and PasoRoblesWineries.net. She can be reached at [email protected]
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