This blog post is written on behalf of Gallo Family Vineyards Hearty Burgandy as part of a compensated campaign for the Mom It Forward Blogger Network. This post contains affiliate links.

Motherhood is oftentimes a very busy job. I am a nurse, a maid, a tutor, a chauffeur, a chef, a housekeeper, a dog and cat caretaker - and that's all while I am also running a full time business of blogging on my own! By the time dinnertime rolls around each night, I am generally exhausted! With that being said, you will understand where I am coming from - and if you are a parent, you will also be able to relate - when I say a glass of wine at the end of a long day is the perfect way to enjoy a little me time!

Gallo Family Vineyards Hearty Burgundy, A Hearty Wine for Hearty Dishes!

There are many things I love about wine, and if you asked me to name my favorite wine, I would probably answer your question with "it depends." There are so many varieties of wine, from sparkling white wines to crisp rosès, to deep, rich Malbecs to one of my new favorites, Hearty Burgundy by Gallo Family Vineyards.

Being the light weight that I am, I don't normally drink wine on an empty stomach. I love enjoying a glass of wine with a snack or with a meal, but and are so many ways to pair different wines with different foods! The Hearty Burgundy is the "original red blend" of the Gallo Family. This is rich wine with hints of plum and dark berries, and stands up well to foods like hard cheeses, chili, sausages on the grill or a pasta dish with a hearty meat sauce. Since any of these foods would pair well with a Gallo Family Vineyards Hearty Burgundy, so I decided to make a quick and easy meal that incorporates all of those things.

A Chili Mac and Cheese Casserole!

Less time cooking and more time to sit down with a nice meal and a glass of wine? Talk about the prefect way to end the day!

But back to Gallo Family Vineyards for a moment! 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of Gallo’s Hearty Burgundy, America’s first truly iconic Red Blend. Gallo Family Vineyards founders Ernest and Julio Gallo first introduced the red blend Hearty Burgundy in 1964 as an ode to the wines they enjoyed in Italy while gathered around the dinner table with their loved ones. Isn't that how we all develop a love of certain wines and meals, through the lovely memories we make with them?

 

Ernest and Julio created the Hearty Burgundy because they wanted a wine that would stand up to the rich, hearty dishes they were used to eating, like pasta with bold red sauces and spicy meats - you know, classic Italian dishes! The Hearty Burgundy was born and it quickly became a favorite - both of the Gallo family and on the American dinner table, as it is a great tasting wine with big flavors and a not-so-big price tag!

To celebrate the Golden Anniversary of Hearty Burgundy, Gallo Family Vineyards has produced a limited edition bottle that pays homage to the original flavor that first brought Americans into wine in the 1960’s and 70’s. In addition to having a 60’s wine style, the limited edition bottle has a special gold label, as a nod to the wine’s “golden anniversary” and bears a 50th anniversary seal. This special bottle of wine is not only perfect for enjoying at home, but the special 1.5L bottle of Hearty Burgundy is perfect for entertaining groups of friends too! There are not many things that I enjoy more than good food, great friends and exceptional wine. The next time you have a get together pick up a 1.5 L bottle of Hearty Burgundy and indulge in a Gallo Family favorite!

If you'd like to try my Chili Mac and Cheese Casserole, the recipe is quite simple!

Ingredients

1 lb grass fed ground beef
1 package macaroni noodles
1 16 oz jar of tomato sauce
3 heaping tablespoons chili seasoning
1 ½ cups sharp cheddar, shredded (separate into two ¾ cups)
½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Saute ground beef until browned and set aside. Cook your macaroni noodles according to the package directions. When fully cooked, drain and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the tomato sauce with the chili seasoning, ensuring that it is completely mixed throughout the sauce. Combine the ground beef, macaroni noodles and sauce, and mix in the pepper jack cheese and ¾ cups of the sharp cheddar. Pour into a 9x13 baking dish and top with the remaining ¾ cup sharp cheddar cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and beginning to turn golden brown. Easy enough, right?

Of course a nice glass of Gallo Family Vineyards Hearty Burgundy is wonderful on its own, and this 1.5 litre bottle is perfect for enjoying with your friends, but I wanted to share a few other ideas for pairing the perfect foods with a Hearty Burgundy by Gallo Family Vineyards...

Wine & Cheese Trays

Burgundy wines pair well with Brie and Camembert, Gruyere, Parmesan and Manchego cheeses. Create a cheese tray with nice chunks of cheese, slices of prosciutto, and Italian sausages and your guests will thank you!

Rich Pasta Dishes

Hearty Burgundy was inspired by Ernest and Julio enjoying rich, bold Italian dishes, so it only makes sense that you enjoy a great pasta with this wine! Try it with a Spicy Penne Pasta, or a dish of Spicy Italian Sausage and Peppers!

Chili 

I've never considered drinking wine with a bowl of chili, but now that I know the Hearty Burgundy pairs well with it, I have a go-to comfort food meal!

Learn more about Gallo Family Vineyards: Hearty Burgundy Wine! 

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Have you ever tried Gallo Family Vineyards Hearty Burgundy? How do you enjoy your wine, with a meal or snack, or just on its own?