I’ve combined the decadent flavors of Raeburn’s Russian River Valley Chardonnay with a summer pairing that will blow your mind in the best way possible. This appetizer comes together in less than 15 minutes and you won’t believe how delicious these flavor combinations are on a summer night.

When I tasted the 2020 Chardonnay I knew I wanted to pair it with a creamy cheese like burrata. The beautiful balance of fruit and just a touch of vanilla toast over the rich texture of the wine is both complex and versatile. Pairing opportunities are limitless and I wanted to design a combination of both complementary and contrasting flavors. To achieve this, I brought together the prosciutto's saltiness, the juicy peaches' sweetness, the tang of the balsamic reduction, and the delicate herbal notes of fresh mint. A spray of freshly cracked pepper and coarse sea salt and a color pop from fresh edible flowers tied it all together. It’s rare for me to say it, but this is one of the best pairings I’ve ever put together. I hope you agree!

​Chardonnay is an early budding variety that makes it susceptible to frost damage, but it also ripens early which allows it to work well in areas that are cooler or have shorter growing seasons. Chardonnay performs well in a wide range of soils and climates; this is a factor that helped it to become one of the world’s most ubiquitous grape varieties.