Rigatoni with Prosciutto and Mushroom Cream Sauce

1 pound rigatoni pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 shallots, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound assorted mushrooms, (such as cremini, shiitake and button), cleaned and sliced
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup vegetable stock
1 cup (8 ounces) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
6-8 slices of prosciutto, chopped

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.

While the pasta is cooking:

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until soft, about 2 minutes.

2. Add the mushrooms to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook until mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the heat to high. Add the wine and cook for 3 minutes until all the liquid evaporates.

3. Add the stock and simmer until liquid is slightly reduced. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the mascarpone cheese. Stir until creamy.

4. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water, and transfer to a serving bowl. Add the mushroom mixture and the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Toss well to coat pasta, adding the reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta.

5. Garnish with the chopped chives and prosciutto. Serve immediately.

Monte da RavasQueira• 2008 • Portugal • 233477

Grape: Syrah Blend

appearance - bright, clear

color : deep purple

aroma - intense

flavors (smell + taste)

sweetness - dry

acidity - round, slight acidity

oak - burnt wood

fruit - blackberries

earth - barnyard, mineral

body - full

alcohol - 14%

tannins - soft

additional notes - very rich mouthfeel, for those who love an earthy wine

• Although viticulture in Portugal dates back to the time of the Greeks, the modern Portuguese wine trade begin in the 1700's with massive exports to and investmen by the British. Hence the British names of many Port producers.

• Portugal also has the honor of claiming the world's first official wine-producing region, the Duoro Valley, so proclaimed in 1758.