5 Ways to Enjoy Black Star Farms at Home

Cure your quarantine blues with 5 ways to enjoy Black Star Farms at home. With our tasting rooms open for curbside pick up and online orders only, our team has compiled some fun ideas to help you enjoy our products safely and ease your troubles in this time of uncertainty.

1

Experiment with Food and Wine Pairings

Do you have some spare time on your hands to craft a delicious meal? If so, now would be the perfect time to experiment with food and wine pairings. Following are some of our suggestions.

• 2018 Arcturos Pinot Gris & Herb Roasted Whitefish
• 2017 Arcturos Pinot Noir & Roasted Lamb
• 2017 Arcturos Cabernet Franc & Grilled Venison (or Steak) with Portobello Mushrooms
• 2018 Arcturos Late Harvest Riesling & Cheese Fondue
• Sirius Raspberry Dessert Wine & Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

2

Flex Your Creative Muscles and Craft Delicious Charcuterie Boards

The key to a memorable charcuterie board is having a good balance of flavors and textures, along with visually-appealing elements. Charcuterie can be a great lunch alternative, happy hour snack, or appetizer. Following is a simple list of elements to help you create a successful (and tasty) charcuterie board.

• Meats – Some of our suggestions covering a wide range of flavors and textures are Prosciutto, Bresaola, Soppressata, and a creamy chicken liver mousse.
• Cheese – We recommend selecting a combination of 3-5 kinds of cheese that fall into aged, firm, creamy, crumbly, and blue categories. Some of our go-to’s are Aged Cheddar, Leelanau Cheese Raclette, Triple Cream Brie, Chèvre (Goat Cheese), and Gorgonzola.
• Crackers – Try our Black Star Farms House-Made Lentil Sea Salt or Sweet Potato Cashew Crackers. Available to purchase online and in-store, curbside pick up.
• Fresh Fruit – Apple slices aren’t just for kids! Choose your favorite apple and slice it thinly.  Fresh grapes and pears are also good choices.
• Dried Fruit or Jam – In honor of our local agriculture, we recommend dried cherries or cherry jam. Fig or onion jam are also popular choices. Your favorite local honey is also a great option to add a little sweetness to your board.
• Nuts – Important for taste and texture, we recommend gourmet nuts from Whitley’s Peanut Factory. They offer a variety of nuts and seasonings, from plain, salted, sweet and spicy. Available to purchase from our tasting room’s curbside service.
• Flare – Spruce up your visual elements by adding a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary, fresh basil leaves, or edible flowers.
• Wine – Try a sparkling wine like our Bedazzled or 2018 Sparkling Riesling. Sparkling wines are versatile, refreshing, and will pair nicely with your charcuterie board creation. 

About the Writer, Olivia Kiel:

As a Manager at the Old Mission Peninsula Tasting Room and blogger for Black Star Farms, I get the opportunity to write and learn about wine (two of my favorite things) every day. Over the years I’ve developed a passion for everything Black Star Farms by working alongside the company’s best and pouring its finest wines for guests from all over the world. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Ferris State University where I studied Writing and Business and have been a Northern Michigan resident for about three years. When I’m not pouring wine, you’ll likely find me with a good book, enjoying the outdoors, or tasting something new and exciting at a local winery. Thank you for reading my posts, and don’t hesitate to say hello next time you visit Black Star Farms Old Mission. Cheers!