We started a new series of wine tastings this week which we are calling “Pairings”. The news “Rules” are as follows:
1. The Host must provide 3 different wines
2. At least two of the three wines must come from the same Vineyard or Winemaker
3. Each wine will be paired with 2 different foods
Wine tasting steps:
1. Taste the wine before eating any food
2. Describe the wine
3. The Host then reads how the winemaker describes the wine
4. Taste the wine with each of the 2 foods chosen by the Host
5. Votes are then cast according to the following legend:
a. 0 = Wine tastes best alone
b. 1 = Wine tastes best with food #1
c. 2 = Wine tastes best with food #2
NOTE: The wines are not hidden from view!!
Food and Wine Pairings #1!! Hosted by the Mealeys
Wine #1: Simi 2011 Sonoma County Chardonnay
First taste comments:
Elizabeth “Good Chardonnay”
Andy “Crisp. Steel Barrel as opposed to oak”
Karen “It’s a Wayne Chardonnay”
Jess “Good summer wine”
Mike “Smooth”
Bob “Buttery…but it’s not”
Becky “Refreshing. Almost an apple.”
Winemaker notes:
Brilliant clear straw in color, this glimmering Chardonnay displays tropical aromas of guava, pineapple, bright nectarine, peach, green apple, and citrus delicately spiced with toasty oak. Supremely balanced and well-defined, this refreshing wine's nectarine, peach, and lemon flavors are lifted by notes of orange blossoms and a hint of smoke—adding a toasted warm oak character that reveals itself as sweet vanilla, hazelnut, nutmeg, and smoky bacon—before transcending to a delicate, zesty tangerine finish.
Enjoy with homemade tagliatelle with spot prawns and lemon thyme butter sauce, seared scallops with goat cheese and summer truffle ravioli, or baked chicken thigh with saffron garlic sauce.
Food #1 - Salmon and Olive on Bread
Comments:
Elizabeth “The wine is more mellow and stronger now”
Karen and Lauren “I like it better with the salmon and olive!”
Food #2 - Pesto and fresh mozzarella on crunchy french bread
Comments:
Mike “The wine seems harder”
Jess “The wine is crisper with #2 than with #1”
Elizabeth “This food doesn’t hide the flavor as much. More original flavor”
Jess “True. The flavor comes through.”
Andy “Flavor more intense”
WINE #1 VOTES*
0: None
1: Bob, Karen, Mike, Kara, Lauren, Stephen, Andy
2: Becky, Jess, Elizabeth
Wine #2: Simi 2009 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
First taste comments:
Lauren “Musty. No fruit in that. Made out of wood.”
Karen “Dry. Currant.”
Stephen “A little bit of legs”
Elizabeth “Definitely dry”
Bob “Like chewing on a tree. This is a Karen wine, Becky.”
Jess “Berry”
Becky “Tobacco”
Andy “Fig”
Lauren “Cherry”
Mike, Elizabeth, Bob “Blackberry”
Stephen “Acorn. Pinecones”
Winemaker notes:
The Simi 2009 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon follows up on its deep, dark garnet color with lifted aromas of clove, cinnamon, hints of cedar, mint chocolate, and toasty oak notes that beautifully frame dark fruit. Compelling flavors of cassis, blackberry and plum along with black pepper, cedar, and clove keep this dark and somewhat brooding wine from being too serious. This medium-to full-bodied Cabernet will bring out the best in roasted mushroom and wild nettle pesto pizza, or charcoal-grilled beef carpaccio with asiago-onion salad.
Blend: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot
Food #1 – Bread with Camembert cheese
Comments:
Bob “Drinks like water”
Elizabeth “Cuts the dry-ness”
Mike, Karen “I don’t like that it cut it”
Bob to Mike “You like it dry Mr. Sweetie?!?”
Becky “I like the cheese!”
Jess “It mellows the wine”
Elizabeth “Evidently I like this wine with the cheese. It’s going down fast!”
Bob “Chug-a-lug”
Food #2 – Bread with Raw Tuna (from Fresh Market)
Comments:
Jess “That’s good tuna!”
Karen “I like it. It keeps the dry”
Kara “That’s weird. The cheese took the dry away, and the tuna brings it right back”
Kara “That’s weird. The cheese took the dry away, and the tuna brings it right back”
Jess “I think it’s a little too dry, so it’s better with tuna”
Becky “The bread is too soft”
Becky “The bread is too soft”
WINE #2 VOTES*
0: Bob, Karen, Mike, Kara, Andy
1: Lauren, Stephen, Elizabeth
2: Becky, Jess
Wine #3: Warre’s Warrior Port Wine Reserve
First taste comments:
Kara “Smells like booze”
Bob “Smells like a very good evening”
Bob “Smells like a very good evening”
Mike “Sweet”
Jess “Oh, yummy!”
Karen “It’s just like…yum”
Lauren “Licorice! Cherries”
Elizabeth “and Blackberries”
Andy “and Twizzlers”
Becky “I feel it in my brain”
Winemaker notes:
Dark red colour, with a seductive rich perfume of ripe plums and cherries. On the palate complex, with an excellent structure and a long lingering finish. Warrior is delicious served at the end of a meal, for example with rich, nutty or chocolate desserts, as well as strong cheese. Although usually served at room temperature, Reserve Ports are equally delicious when served slightly chilled in hot weather
Food #1 – Bread with Bleu Cheese
Comments:
Mike “Tastes the same to me”
Elizabeth “Mellows out the flavor”
Karen “Makes it sweeter”
Becky “I agree. Too sweet.”
Food #2 – Chocolate (dark and milk) Covered Cherries
Comments:
Becky “Good with the chocolate. Spicier. Not sweet.”
WINE #3 VOTES*
0: Bob, Karen, Mike, Lauren, Andy, Elizabeth
1: none
2: Becky, Jessica, Stephen
Kara abstained from voting – She didn’t like it so couldn’t vote!
* Legend
0 = Wine tastes best alone
1 = Wine tastes best with food #1
2 = Wine tastes best with food #2
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