Perfect Pairings: Parcel 41 Merlot, 2006, Napa Valley, California, 344646

Simple Ham Steaks with Merlot Sauce

2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon ground ginger
4 ham steaks
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
3/4 Cup Merlot wine
1/4 Cup cold water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 Cup seedless green grapes, cut in half lengthwise

1. Melt butter in a large skillet. Add sugar and ginger. Quickly brown ham steaks on both sides; remove from skillet.

2. Pour wine into skillet. Add onion and cook until tender. Combine water and cornstarch; stir into wine mixture. Bring to a boil over medium heat; stirring constantly.

3. Place ham slices in sauce; cover and cook until heated through.

4. Add grapes and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer. Pour sauce over ham steaks and serve.

Makes 4 servings.







					Simple Ham Steaks with Merlot Sauce 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon ground ginger 4 ham steaks 1 tablespoon chopped green onion 3/4 Cup Merlot wine 1/4 Cup cold water 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 Cup seedless green grapes, cut in half lengthwise 1. Melt butter in a large skillet. Add sugar and ginger. Quickly brown ham steaks on both sides; remove from skillet. 2. Pour wine into skillet. Add onion and cook until tender. Combine water and cornstarch; stir into wine mixture. Bring to a boil over medium heat; stirring constantly. 3. Place ham slices in sauce; cover and cook until heated through. 4. Add grapes and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer. Pour sauce over ham steaks and serve. Makes 4 servings.



	Parcel 41 Merlot • 2006 • Napa Valley, California • 344646 Grape: Merlot appearance - bright, clear color : medium purple aroma - moderate flavors (smell + taste) sweetness - dry, slight sweetness acidity - defined oak - ash fruit - black cherries earth - black pepper body - medium-full alcohol - 14.1% tannins - soft serving notes - decant, allow to breathe for 30 minutes				• In France, Merlot is thought of as an insurance grape. It ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, and should Fall weather turn sour, the Merlot that is already in the vats can still produce a good wine. It was California who thrust this grape into a starring role. In the 70's and 80's that star shown brightly. But a movie called Sideways changed all of that and the Merlot tide has definitely turned.