Summer Wine Pairing: Rosé with Crab Spring Rolls

Without a doubt, Provence rosé has become “the” summertime wine. With Mourvèdre as their backbone, these blended wines transcend their beautiful salmon-colored hue. Typically dry and acidic, Provence rosés capture their terroir as well as any wine, with hints of lavender and thyme and the sunny disposition of the South of France in every glass. Seek out wines from the Bandol AOC appellation, as the limestone soil makes it one of the most prized Provence rosés. Rosé pairs perfectly with spicy foods, grilled chicken or seafood like these delicious crab spring rolls

Crab Spring Rolls with Red Curry Dipping Sauce
Makes 4 rolls

CRAB ROLLS
¾ cup premium lump crab meat
3 tablespoons minced corn kernels
2 tablespoons minced roasted red bell pepper
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon fresh ginger juice
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 cup rice noodles, softened
4 rice paper rounds
4 butter lettuce leaves
½ cup 4-inch English cucumber batons
½ cup 4-inch carrot batons
½ cup 4-inch daikon batons
½ cup thinly shredded red cabbage
¼ cup cilantro leaves

DIPPING SAUCE
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon red curry paste
½ tablespoon rice wine vinegar
¼ teaspoon sriracha

PREPARE THE FILLING
In a medium bowl, combine the crab, corn and bell pepper and mix well. Add the sesame oil, ginger juice and vinegar and toss gently to combine. Add the rice noodles and stir to coat. Reserve.

ASSEMBLE THE ROLLS
Soak a rice paper in lukewarm water until soft and then lay out on a damp kitchen towel. Top with a lettuce leaf and one-fourth of the crab filling. Add one-fourth of the cucumber, carrot, daikon, cabbage and cilantro. Fold the rice paper into a roll around the filling like a burrito. Repeat to make 4 rolls.

MAKE THE DIPPING SAUCE
In a blender, combine all ingredients and puree until smooth. Transfer to a bowl for dipping.

Discover more pairings like this in our new “Perfect Pairings” culinary class on board Marina and Riviera. Enjoy and cheers to the start of summer!