Blackberry Bacon Manchego Grilled Cheese
You need to try this one. A deliciously decadent sweet and salty grilled cheese with layers of flavour that play together beautifully, paired with a wine that compliments it in the best possible way. This is a fantastic dinner for one if you're craving something on richer side, or you can double the recipe and make this for your next date night!
The Wine Pairing
This grilled cheese was inspired by Montepulciano D’Abruzzo. A gorgeous, approachable, crowd-pleasing red wine style from Abruzzo, Italy that is medium to full bodied with medium to high tannins and acidity. All of these things point towards a greasy cheesy pairing like this one. That full body means this wine can stand up to richer heavier dishes, the higher tannins are balanced and softened by the fat from the cheese, butter, and bacon, and the higher acidity works as a refreshing palate cleanser between each bite! The structure of this wine is on point for this grilled cheese, but the pairing magic doesn’t end there. The flavours are also a perfect match. The fruity and tangy Manchego, the smokey bacon, and the sweet and sour blackberries all play with the flavours of this wine style: Blackberry, boysenberry, sour cherry, smoke, tar - the list goes on!
My Wine Recommendation
I recommend the Torre Zambra Colle Maggio Montepulciano D’Abruzzo. This wine is the perfect high quality (yet affordable) representation of this wine style, and was an absolute dream with this grilled cheese!!
Buy it here! (YYC and US link).
Blackberry Bacon Manchego Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
Instructions
- Butter both sides of both slices of bread.
- On one slice, add half the Mozzarella, followed by half the bacon, then the Manchego slices.
- In a small bowl, mash fresh blackberries and honey together. Spread blackberry mixture overtop the manchego slices, then top with remaining bacon and Mozzarella, followed by the second slice of buttered bread.
- Heat skillet over medium-high heat and add your sandwich. Cover and cook for 3-5 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes (or until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted).
- Let cool for a couple minutes then enjoy with a large glass of Montepulciano D'Abruzzo!
