Little Gem Salad with Red Grapes, Blue Cheese and Walnuts

Little Gem lettuces are a romaine relative, but they are smaller, more tender and sweeter for your salad. If you can’t find Little Gems, hearts of butter lettuce or Bibb lettuce make a good alternative. Add juicy grapes, crunchy walnuts and tangy blue cheese for a meal you’re sure to put on repeat. To switch it up, replace the grapes with pears, figs or Fuyu persimmons. Pair with your favorite Temecula Valley Riesling.

Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients

For the Vinaigrette: 

• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, plus more if needed 
• 1 small shallot, finely minced 
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra virgin olive oil 
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

• ½ pound (225 g) Little Gem lettuces or hearts of butter lettuce 
• ¾ cup (125 g) halved seedless red or black grapes 
• ½ cup (60 g) chopped toasted walnuts 
• 2 ounces (about ½ cup/60 g) coarsely crumbled blue cheese 

Instructions

• Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and shallot. Whisk in the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 
• Put the lettuces in a salad bowl, tearing them into bite-size pieces or leaving whole if you prefer. Add the grapes, walnuts and blue cheese. Add enough vinaigrette to coat the leaves lightly — you may not need it all — and toss gently. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more vinegar or salt if needed. Serve immediately. 

Suggested Wines:

Falkner Winery ~ 2022 Riesling – Off-dry white wine has a wonderful pear aroma and flavor followed by spices such as nutmeg and allspice.

Baily Winery ~ 2021 Riesling – This wine has just a touch of sweetness, well balanced by the firm, clean acidity.

South Coast Winery ~ 2020 Riesling – Has a rich, tropical fruit and spicy aromas that work well with the ever-present crisp acidity. It strikes the perfect balance between dry and sweet.

Recipe and photo courtesy of the Wine Institute of California