Tips for Pairing Artisan Bread and Wine Plus 3 Easy Bread Recipes

With all the extra time we have indoors, it’s no surprise that so many of us have taken up some new hobbies. And one of the most popular quarantine hobbies right now is, naturally, baking. Specifically, baking rustic artisan bread. If you’re a wine lover, I’ve got great news! Nothing pairs better than wine, bread, and cheese. 

Take yourself back to a rustic, simpler time with these ideal bread and wine pairings. We’ve even included some easy artisan bread recipes to try out!

1. Simple 5 Minute Artisan Bread

Pairs with: This is the simplest artisan bread you can make, and highly adaptable, depending on your own taste. Pinot Gris or Cabernet are both great choices. Cabernet is highly acidic, and has a medium to full body, with black fruit notes. It pairs well with the simple, mild flavors found in the bread. If you’re looking for something a little less likely to overpower, and adaptable Pinot Gris, with its fruity notes of pear, lemon, and apple, makes it a great choice.

  • 2 cups lukewarm water
  • 1 Tbsp granulated yeast
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

Take three cups of water, just a bit warmer than room temperature. Add the water, yeast, and salt to the large bowl of your stand mixer.

Dump in the flour all at once

Use your stand mixer on a slow setting, or use a spoon, to mix the flour thoroughly into the yeast and water. Don’t bother kneading! The best part of artisan bread is that you don’t need to handle it.

Now, you can store the dough in a container, at room temperature. Don’t seal it tightly, you want gasses to be able to escape.

After about two hours, you can store it in the fridge. You’ll want to leave the cover open for the first day or two, after which it’s safe to seal

That’s it! Delicious, crusty, artisan bread right at your fingertips! Any time after the dough has risen, you can shape it into loaves by grabbing it with your hands and cutting the risen dough with a serrated knife. Then you shape it loosely with your hands. Try not to play with it too much, so you don’t release the gas.

Bake at 450F for 20-30 minutes until golden brown.

2. Garlic, Parmesan, and Herb Bread

Pairs With: Now that you’ve mastered the basics, take a step up flavor-wise. The delicious herbal flavors of this bread pair well with a crisp, dry Chardonnay. Fresh, citrusy white wines like Sauvignon Blanc are also perfect with all kinds of herbs, especially the delicious garlic and rosemary you’ll find in this bread. This bread and wine pairing is the perfect compliment to a white sauce pasta!

  • 1tbsp instant dry yeast 
  • 1 tbsp sugar 
  • 1 cup of warm water 
  • 1 tsp salt 
  • 2 tsp dried rosemary 
  • 1 tsp dried basil 
  • 6 cloves minced garlic 
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
  • 1/3 cups grated parmesan cheese 

Bake at 375F for 20-30 minutes. In your largest mixing bowl, add yeast, sugar, and water. As yeast dissolves, add in your herbs.

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour and parmesan.

Dump flour and parmesan with herb, yeast, and water, and mix together thoroughly, with a stand mixer, or two spoons

Cover lightly, and let rest for at least two hours. It will double in size.

When you’re ready to bake, cut the dough in half with a serrated knife, and drizzle it with olive oil before popping it in the oven.

3. Cinnamon Raisin Pecan Bread

Pairs Well With: Now that you’ve taken a step into the wide world of artisan bread, round out your palette with this great pastry-style bread. You can pair it with a rich Pinot Noir. Just like this delicious, hearty raisin bread, Pinot Noir is always a crowd-pleaser. The red fruit notes in the wine play well with the spicy cinnamon and raisin in this rustic, delicious sweet bread. Perfect for a snack, or after dinner.

  • 3 1/4 all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 cup of tbsp warm water
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans

Whisk your flour, salt, cinnamon, and yeast into a medium bowl.

Gradually add in the water, until everything is incorporated, and wet.

Add in the raisins and pecans, mixing the dough gently. Try not to handle it too much!

Transfer to a large, clean bowl Cover loosely and let it rise for about 12 – 18 hours

Bake at 450F in a crock-pot or dutch oven for 40 minutes.

Baking rustic, artisan bread is a simple and deliciously rewarding hobby. If you’re a wine lover, it’ll upgrade your at-home wine tasting and make the perfect touch for movie nights, dinner parties, and more! Be sure to share these three bread and wine pairings and easy recipes with those you love.

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