Wine Pairings: Elevate Your Salad Game
At the Copper Cellar Family of Restaurants, we understand that a great meal is all about the perfect pairing…
This season, we invite you to elevate your salad experience with our expertly curated wine pairings! With diverse restaurant concepts across East Tennessee, we offer a unique array of salads that go splendidly with a variety of wines.
Summer Salad & Wine Pairings You’ll Love
Whether you’re a wine aficionado or new to wine pairings, our team is ready to assist you in selecting the ideal wine to complement your meal. Here’s a quick guide to enhancing your greens this season with the right glass of vino at one of the Copper Cellar Family of Restaurants:
1. Classic Caesar Salad
Available at Chesapeake’s and several other Copper Cellar Family restaurants, this salad is a classic that’s sure to please many palettes! Packed full of crisp romaine lettuce, grated parmesan, and housemade croutons, you can order it on its own or elevate it by upgrading to the “Featured Caesar Salad,” which includes a special protein on top every day.
- Wine Pairing: Bogle Chardonnay
- Why It Works: A classic Caesar calls for a wine that complements its creamy, salty flavors without overpowering the dish. This bright, citrus-forward Chardonnay brings acidity with a hint of green apple and pear that works well with the richness of Caesar dressing.
2. Portabella Mushroom Salad
For the Portabella foodies! This unique salad, available at Smoky Mountain Brewery locations, comes with fresh romaine, banana peppers, garlic roasted tomatoes, Asiago cheese, croutons, and your choice of dressing. Add grilled steak to make it a hearty salad that pairs perfectly with the recommended red wine below…
- Wine Pairing: Hayes Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
- Why It Works: We’re pairing this cabernet with SMB’s Portabella Mushroom Salad for its rich, earthy notes that complement the mushrooms’ robust flavor. With a creamy oakiness and flavors like dark cherry, chocolate, nutmeg, and a hint of espresso, this wine harmonizes with the rich, meaty flavor of portabellas.
3. Seared Ahi Tuna Salad
Love seafood? This salad is a must-try during summer! Available at Copper Cellar on Kingston Pike, our Seared Ahi Tuna Salad features blackened, rare tuna with spinach and romaine, Asian slaw, oriental noodles, and wasabi peas tossed in a soy vinaigrette dressing.
Not big on tuna? Try our Seafood Salad for similar tasting notes, packed full of fresh shrimp and lump blue crab meat!
- Wine Pairing: Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
- Why It Works: This bright Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with the fresh, zesty flavors in Copper Cellar’s Ahi Tuna Salad. Crisp citrus notes help balance the richness of the tuna and complement the salad’s bolder ingredients, such as the wasabi peas and soy vinaigrette.
4. Turkey Creek Salad
This salad is a fan favorite for its Thanksgiving flavors, available at Calhoun’s year-round. It comes packed with smoked turkey, romaine and spinach, sun-dried cranberries, honey roasted pecans, feta cheese, strawberries, and honey balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Here’s what we’d suggest pairing with it…
- Wine Pairing: Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling
- Why It Works: While many white wines would pair well with this salad, a fresh chilled riesling adds an almost celebratory aspect to the meal, making it truly feel like Thanksgiving in summer. With notes of fruit and citrus like white peach, pear, and apricot, the sweetness of this wine pairs deliciously with the natural sweetness of the berries and honey in our Turkey Creek Salad.
5. Housemade Pasta Salad or Chicken Salad
Located next to Chesapeake’s West location, our ready-made pasta salad and chicken salad from The Marketplace offer unique salad options that feel indulgent but not heavy. These light and creamy salads are best suited for a white wine pairing like the one below…
- Wine Pairing: Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc
- Why It Works: This pairing works because of Emmolo’s dry, fresh profile and bright acidity, which complement the rich textures of these creamy salads. The crisp fruit flavors balance well with the savory elements of the salads, making for a refreshing and delicious summer meal. Perfect for enjoying at home or on the go!
The Perfect Pair Tastes Better Here
No matter which salad you choose from our menu, we have a wine that will enhance every bite. But these perfect pairings are just the beginning when you dine with us at one of our convenient, unique restaurants across East Tennessee.
This summer, come explore these flavor combos and more to discover how a simple glass of wine can take a meal from ordinary to extraordinary. Join us at any of our locations and let us help you find your perfect pair! We’ll see you there.
