Wine Dinner #1

If college has taught us anything, it's how to improvise. Last Thursday, my friend Caitlin and I were at the Vintage Cellar tasting, when she realized she had two bottles of wine, spaghetti, and taco shells at home, and I had popcorn in my pantry: in other words, we were halfway to having the complete 3 wines and 3 dishes for a true wine dinner. So we decided, why not? and after the tasting, ran to Kroger and picked up the missing pieces. This was the result: 

Appetizer: Butter popcorn and Chardonnay 

For our appetizer, we chose to pair Chardonnay with buttered popcorn. After what we've learned in class (and yes, alright, a few Google searches) we thought the typical buttery/vanilla notes in a Chardonnay would pair nicely with the butter in the popcorn. 

And we were so right. This is now my new movie night tradition. 

Wine: Entrada Chardonnay

Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Region: South America

Country: Chile

Year: 2013

This wine without the popcorn was more fruity than the buttery/vanilla flavors usually associated with Chardonnay. The nose was light and floral, with very slight hints of apple. The taste was likewise very smooth, light - really drinkable, with strong fruit notes at the start then revealed slight vanilla at the mid-palate, and a clean finish.

After having some popcorn, the wine's underlying buttery characteristic was definitely emphasized. We had such fun with this wine - eating more popcorn to see how much more we pull out the butter flavors. Great combination and will forever be my go-to movie snack (unless I'm in a public theater...unless I get creative and make it happen). 

Entree: Spaghetti Tacos and Foxhollow Cabernet Sauvignon

Yes, you read that correctly. Spaghetti tacos. When Caitlin suggested them, I definitely was wondering if they were a thing. Indeed, they are, and they're actually pretty good! You essentially just take spaghetti with meat and sauce and all that jazz, then shove it into a hard taco shell, and voila! Spaghetti tacos!

We paired the pasta with Foxhollow Cabernet Sauvignon, thinking the red wine would complement the red pasta sauce....plus we had no clue what would pair well with taco shells. 

Wine: Foxhollow Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: California

Country: United States
Year: 2012

This wine was sort of strong for my taste, as I'm slowly working my way to liking reds. The nose was a bit spicy, but mostly some dark berry notes. A bit smokey on the front palate, but gave way to some nice dark cherry notes and a lingering finish. 

With the pasta, I couldn't really tell a difference in the taste of the wine. The finish might have been a bit longer, but if there was any other subtle change I wasn't able to pick up on it - unlike the Chardonnay and the popcorn (yummm...now I want some again).

Caitlin and me with our creation!

Desert: Chocolate Lava Cakes with Dornfelder Sweet Riesling

Such a great way to end the evening. We got ourselves individual chocolate lava cakes in the hopes that chocolate would go with the sweet red riesling I picked out from the Vintage Cellar - somewhat of a shot in the dark on that wine selection, but it ended up working out beautifully!

Wine: Sweet Dornfelder Oh Be Joyful

Variety: 100% Riesling

Region: Europe

Country: Germany

Year: 2013

I actually really loved this wine. It was sweet, but not in an overpowering way. We got light cherries, some strawberry and raspberry notes on the nose. The taste was almost a cherry and strawberry jam flavor that lingered and filled the mouth in a nice way, with a really clean finish. I would definitely buy this wine again on it's own.

The chocolate cakes were amazing on their own (hello - melted chocolate center), but I really enjoyed the way it went with the wine. I wouldn't say either brought out anything special in the other, but it was almost like putting sliced strawberries on top of the cake - a really nice complement that enhanced the overall taste. They made a great pairing; I would think any form of chocolate would go nicely with this wine.

Caitlin and I had a great time, and are hoping to get a huge group together and make an event of our next wine dinner!

Wine and Cheese Pairing #1

My dear friend Caitlin and I finally had our first Wine and Cheese pairing this past February! Between snow, crazy busy schedules, and a mutual craving for cheese, it was time well spent! 

Pair #1: Dark Horse Merlot and swiss cheese

Variety: 100% Merlot

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2013

This merlot was recommended to us at the local Gucchi Kroger by an employee in the wine section, so Caitlin was doll and bought it and held on to it for a few weeks until we finally got around to doing this. 

Without cheese, it had a strong, warm nose, with definite cherry and berry flavors. Was slightly dry without a strong front palate "attack" that I've found some red wines can have. Definitely dark fruit notes, with some slight spice at the finish. 

The swiss cheese we had was typical swiss cheese. It's never been a cheese I typically will eat by itself; I've always thought it had somewhat of a plastic-y flavor, but underneath it's somewhat tart and maybe reminiscent of a tangy mozzarella. 

With the cheese, the wine opened up nicely (to reference Boyer's lectures/book, the fat in the cheese was cutting the tannic content, softening their effect on the palate - science ftw!). The berry flavors were more pronounced when paired, and I definitely got more sweetness in the taste. The end notes were very much amplified when mixed with the cheese. Definitely a good pairing and for my first pairing, illustrated clearly how a cheese could affect a wine's flavor and composition. 

Pair #2: Chateau Morriesette Petit Verdot and sharp cheddar

Variety: 100% Petit Verdot

Region: Virginia

Country: United States

Year: 2011

This Virginia wine had strong berry (red berries? maybe strawberry or raspberry notes) aromas on the nose. Surprisingly spicy mid-palette. Possibly some acidity - tongue was stinging a bit. Full bodied, but the berries don't come through in the tastes as much as they did in the smell. 

The cheese: definitely just a very good, higher quality cheddar than the kind you get in Kraft Mac&Cheese! Has that sharp quality to it, but till a very creamy texture and taste. 

With the cheese, it was amazing how the fat in the cheese cut the spice of the wine. The end notes of the wine, which I barely noticed when drinking the wine alone, were much more pronounced. I wouldn't say I could detect berries more with the cheese, but with the cheddar cutting the acidity, I was able to taste more the wine itself instead of fighting tactile sensations. 


Pairing #3: Kennedy Point Sauvignon Blanc and goat cheese

Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough

Country: New Zealand

Year: 2013

I'm learning that I really like Sauvignon Blancs, so for this third wine I wandered the sauv blanc section at the Vintage Cellar and decided on this Kennedy Point - mostly because I could afford it, but also because we've learned that New Zealand makes good, more tangy sauv blancs so I gave it a shot! Right away when we opened it, the very first smell I got was cat urine. Yep, cat urine. As we let the wine open for a few minutes though, that note mellowed significantly and a lot of pear flavor came through on the nose. Without the cheese, this wine lived up to New Zealand's reputation: smooth, but certainly a bit tangy with some light fruit notes. I really enjoyed it actually and found it easy drinking. 

The cheese: This goat cheese was characteristically smooth in texture, very tangy and gave off a tart aroma. 

With the cheese: While our other two pairings worked really well, this one was not my favorite (despite liking goat cheese and the wine separately). The tanginess of the cheese definitely brought out more of the tangy and grassy notes of the wine. The fruit notes were a little downplayed when paired with the cheese. I think this was a case of having two very strong and similar flavor notes compounding, rather than complementing each other. 

This was a great experiment, and I know Caitlin and are are trying to find time to do some pairings again! This was also the first occasion I got to use my Boyer-approved bottle opener from the Vintage Cellar. I was clearly excited: 

Tasting - Bolla Moscato

Name: Bolla 

Variety: 100% Moscato 
Region: Pavia  
Country: Italy 
Year: -
Price: $9.95

Shop Review: "Loaded with juicy exotic fruit, mature apricot, yellow peach and tangerine flavors, this sweet and delightful wine is perfect for Sunday brunch or picnics." 
-Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg 

My Review: I did NOT like this wine. For some reason all I got were plasticy or rubbery notes. The nose was a weird combination of white grapes and new rubber. The taste was pretty much the same, but almost like the wine sat in a brand new, unwashed plastic water bottle for too long and was tinted with a plastic taste. Definitely not my favorite!

Tasted without food. 

Tasting - Monte Degli Angeli Sangiovese

Name: Monte Degli Angeli

Variety: 100% Sangiovese 
Region: Puglia  
Country: Italy 
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Shop Review: "The aromas are rich and dark, with lots of black cherry and hint of balsamic. In teh mouth the wine is round and energetic, with cherry and black raspberry fruit complemented by hints of damp earth. If you like Sangiovese-based wines like Chianti or our best-selling Colsanto from Umbria, you'll love this! The wine is ripe, fresh, and fruit-driven with a wonderful dash of earthy complexity at the end. Buy it by the case and drink with pizza, grilled poultry, and pasta." 
-Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg 

My Review: Cherry notes on the nose. Very spicy, maybe smokey end notes. Front palate is sweet, with some acidity and definitely semi-dry. 

Tasted without food. 

Tasting - Oracle Pinotage

Name: Oracle

Variety: 100% Pinotage 
Region: -  
Country: South Africa 
Year: 2014
Price: $7.95

Shop Review: "An unusual style of Pinotage with complex aromas of black pepper, smoke, tomato, and dark fruit. The palate is packed with ripe mixed berry flavors, making this unoaked red wine a real crowd-pleaser." 
-Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg 

My Review: Strong peppery nose. The taste gave off some dark berries with a smokey aspect; other flavors weren't as distinct. 

Tasted without food. 

Tasting - Alvarez de Toledo Godello

Name: Alvarez de Toledo

Variety: 100% Godello 
Region: Bierzo   
Country: Spain 
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Shop Review: "Clean pale yellow color. Nose fruity, persistent and elegant aromas. Good backbone on the palate." 
-Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg 

My Review: Grassy and vegetative smell on this wine; almost peppery. Definitely a more tart white, with the same grassy notes found in the nose. Had some heat, but not unpleasant. 

Tasted without food. 

Tasting - Villa Jolanda Brut

Name: Villa Jolanda

Variety: 100% Brut
Region: -  
Country: Italy 
Year: -
Price: $8.95

Shop Review: "Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste." 
-Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg 

My Review: The nose gave off strong pear notes, nicely light and fruity. Strongly reminiscent of Welch's White Grape Juice. The taste had a strong front attack with fruit notes, then vanilla in the mid-pallet. The end was full and warm with grapefruit. 

Tasted without food. 

Tasting - Villa Pozzi Moscato

Name: Villa Pozzi Moscato

Variety: 100% Moscato 
Region: Sicily  
Country: Italy 
Year: -
Price: $8.95

Shop Review: "Loaded with juicy exotic fruit, mature apricot, yellow peach and tangerine flavors, this swet and delightful wine is perfect for Sunday brunch or picnics." 
-Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg 

My Review: Mostly just berries on the nose. Candy sweet, so definitely not my favorite. The carbonation is almost too much, kind of like a concentrated shot of soda that's almost uncomfortable. I noticed that more than the flavor. Not the best moscato I've had. 

Tasted without food. 

Tasting - Bodegas Atalaya Laya

Name: Bodegas Atalaya, Laya

Variety: 70% Garnacha Tintorera, 30% Monastrell
Region: Almansa 
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95

Shop Review: "A blend of 70% Garnacha Tintorera, aka Alicante Bouschet, and 30% Monastrell; fermented in stainless steel, followed by four months in French oak. Bright purple. Cassis, blueberry, pungent herbs and mocha on the nose. Smooth and open-knit on the palate, displaying fresh cherry and dark berry qualities and a hint of black pepper. Finishes with gripping tannins and good length, leaving a subtle floral note behind." 
-Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg 

My Review: The nose on this wine gave away berries from the first encounter; a bit of smoke could be detected as well. Strong front palate with intense smoke taste. Friend Caitlin pointed out a bit of oak flavor. Difficult to detect berries in the taste, even though they were so present in the nose. 

Tasted without food. 

Tasting - Bodegas Atalaya Laya

Name: Paul Laureano Tinto Classico

Variety: 40% Trincadeira, 40% Aragonez, and 20% Alfrocheiro
Region: Alentejano
Country: Portugal 
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95

Shop Review: "Paulo Laurenano's Classico is a delicious blend of the native Portuguese varietals Trincaderia (40%), Argonex (40%), and Alfrocheiro (20%). This is a full bodied red that reveals all that the terroir of Portugal has to offer. Light cigar tobacco and soft leather present beautifully on the nose. Dark, black fruits fill the mouth, but the wine flows smoothly over the palate, with a good bit of spice on the finish. Pair with spicy, cured meats and hard cheeses."
-Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg 

My Review: Notes of cherry and wood in the nose. Found the taste to be pretty light and not as heavy or "oppressive" like most reds. Possible hints of berries, but not 100% sure that's what I'm detecting. 

Tasted without food. 

Tasting - Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Name: Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Central Valley 
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Shop Review: "A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag. No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple. Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping." 
-Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg 

My Review: Nose brought vanilla and slight butter smell. Zero oak on the taste, very light. Nothing in particular stood out to me as I tried this wine - other than that it was quite smooth, with that slight hint of butter. 

Tasted without food. 

Tasting - Cortenova Pino Grigio

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio 

Variety: 100% Pino Grigio 
Region: Veneto 
Country: Italy 
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95

Shop Review: "Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots, and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste."
-Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg 

My Review: The most notable thing about the nose on this wine was that I instantly salivated, so maybe that indicates high acidity (?). Not so much fruity as vegetative, almost like a sauvignon blanc. Strong front pallet
 of something grassy, but intensity mellows off with an easy finish. High heat at the attack on the front pallet.

Tasted without food.  

Tasting - Crane Lake Riesling

Name: Crane Lake Riesling

Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: California 
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Shop Review: "Punch lime and lemon mark this off-dry Riesling with a staccato rhythm, adding edge to honeyed tones of peach and honeysuckle. Exceptionally priced, it's satisfying and elegant." 
-Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg 

My Review: Everything about this wine was sweet. Probably sweeter than some moscatos I've had. Definitely not bad, just very sweet for my tastes. 

Tasted without food. 

Tasting - Crane Lake Petite Sirah

Name: Crane Lake Petite Sirah

Variety: 100% Petite Sirah
Region: California  
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Shop Review: "Shows a certain rustic simplicity now, with youthfully jammy flavors of blackberries, cherries and currants, sprinkled with cocoa and pepper and wrapped into dusty tannins."
-Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg 

My Review: This wine a beautiful, dark and bright burgundy color, along with a sweet, pleasant smell. Somewhat dry, but with very strong cherry flavors (which were all I could really detect). 

Tasted without food.