Mark Oldman, author of the Brave New World of Wine book and the Drink Bravely blog, visited the Ocean Mist Farms Artichoke fields to share wine pairing tips for his favorite food – Artichokes! Castroville, Calif. is the city of Mark's dreams (in his own words!) because it is the home of the Artichoke.

Some wine connoisseurs say Artichokes are difficult to pair with wine because there is a compound in Artichokes that makes wine taste sweeter. Mark believes Artichokes and wine go together beautifully and suggests pairing your Chokes with an acidic, tangy white wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Grüner Veltliner.

Wine selection may also be determined by how the Artichokes are cooked. Grilling creates a tasty bitterness that can be complemented by red wines such as Merlot or Zinfandel. The sauce in which the vegetables will be cooked or served should also be considered. A hearty tomato sauce can be complemented with a fruity Italian red wine or a dry rose. A cream-based or other white sauce calls for a Sauvignon Blank or a Chardonnay.

Watch the video of Mark Oldman enjoying the Ocean Mist Farms Artichoke fields and sharing his wine pairing tips. For more information about pairing wine and Artichokes, visit our Pairing Tips page on the Ocean Mist Farms website.

We highly recommend Mark's latest book Brave New World of Wine that can be found at Pottery Barn or on Amazon.com.

Cheers!