Quick Takeaways
- Early autumn's warm, sunny days in wine country are ideal for one last round of grilling before the season turns.
- Both recipes use skewers, making them easy to customize and quick to cook.
- One pairing suits a Chardonnay lover holding onto summer, the other suits a red wine lover ready for fall.
Early autumn brings some of the warmest, most beautiful days of the year to wine country, making it the perfect time for one last round of grilling. Here are two skewer recipes, each built around a different Stags' Leap Winery wine.
Glazed Chicken and Fig Skewers, Paired With Chardonnay
For the Chardonnay lover not quite ready to let go of summer, these glazed chicken and fig skewers deliver. The orange marmalade glaze draws out the wine's ripe apple, guava, orange blossom, and crème brûlée notes.
The pairing: 2023 Napa Valley Chardonnay, a 94-point release with the richness expected of a Napa Chardonnay balanced by bright, fresh acidity.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- 5 small onions (2 grated, 3 cut into cubes)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 5 figs, divided
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons orange marmalade
- 2 tablespoons fig preserves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- Bamboo skewers, soaked in cold water
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the oil, garlic, chicken, and the two grated onions. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the marmalade, fig preserves, lemon juice, salt, and white pepper. Cook, stirring, until slightly thickened, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Skewer the chicken with the remaining onions and figs. Grill on medium-high heat until cooked through, turning every 4 to 5 minutes and basting with the remaining marinade.
- Drizzle with the marmalade sauce and serve. Garnish with mint and lemon if desired.
Chicken Skewers With Apple Cider Marinade, Paired With Red Wine
As the mild temperatures stir up an appetite for one last dinner from the grill, these apple cider-marinated chicken skewers are built for the red wine lover eager for fall to begin. The apple cider marinade complements notes of black cherry, cobbler, cinnamon, clove, and vanilla.
The pairing: 2021 The Investor Napa Valley Red Wine, a 93-point blend built for exactly this kind of transitional-season meal.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- 1 sweet onion, cut into cubes
- 1 bell pepper, cut into cubes
- 1 zucchini, cut into cubes
- ½ cup apple cider
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Bamboo skewers, soaked in cold water
- 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the apple cider, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and garlic in a small bowl, with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the chicken and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Skewer the chicken with the zucchini, bell pepper, and onions. If using sweet potato, microwave for 4 minutes on high until cooked but still firm, then add to the skewer.
- Grill on medium-high heat until cooked through.
- Serve with the 2021 Investor Napa Valley Red Wine.
Both Pairings at a Glance
| Recipe | Wine Pairing | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Glazed chicken and fig skewers | 2023 Napa Valley Chardonnay | Chardonnay lovers holding onto summer |
| Apple cider chicken skewers | 2021 The Investor Napa Valley Red Wine | Red wine lovers ready for fall |
Frequently Asked Questions
What wine pairs well with grilled chicken? It depends on the marinade. A citrus or fruit-based glaze, like the orange marmalade here, pairs well with Chardonnay, while a spiced marinade with cinnamon and clove notes suits a fruit-forward red blend.
Can I make these recipes ahead of time? Yes. Both marinades can be made a day ahead, and the chicken can marinate overnight in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
What is The Investor Napa Valley Red Wine? It's a red blend from Stags' Leap Winery known for notes of black cherry, cobbler, cinnamon, and clove, making it a natural match for warm, spiced fall dishes.
Can I substitute the vegetables in the apple cider skewers? Yes. Any firm vegetable that grills well, like mushrooms or summer squash, can stand in for the zucchini or bell pepper.
