Baked lemon ricotta has an exotic and refreshing tang with the texture of a decadent cheesecake. You can buy it online or at your nearest Whole Foods market.  This is reminiscent of lemon cheesecake without the crust. It’s amazing! The cheese makes the sweet lemon and tropical fruit burst on your palate.

Kerner is a an aromatic white grape that was created in 1929 by crossing two German grapes (Riesling and Trollinger).  Abbazia is one of the world’s oldest wineries dating back more than 800 years.  It was founded by the Augustinian Order of Canons Regular in 1142 and has a steep tradition in making exceptional wines. This dry white wine is made from 100% Kerner grapes and is a great alternative to Pinot Grigio. The 2012 vintage offers exotic aromas of white flower, juicy apple, ripe peach, lemon curd and a hint of tropical fruit. The palate bursts with ripe juicy fruit and offers refreshing acidity with a crisp finish. It simply reminds me of summer in a glass. Consume within 1-3 years of release date to ensure the best drinking experience. This wine is also fantastic with an array of seafood dishes.

Alternative Pairing 

Serve the baked lemon ricotta for dessert with a drizzle of fresh raspberry sauce and pair with a sparkling Brachetto from Italy.
The raspberry notes in the wine play well off the raspberry sauce and the lemon notes in the baked ricotta. After all, raspberry and lemon is a classic combination. Read Crystal’s tasting notes on the Rosa Regale Brachetto here.