Wine Dinner #1

Course 1:  French baguette with garlic and herb dipping oil.  

Course 1 Wine Pairing:  Ecco Domani 2010 Pinot Grigio.  

The grapes for this wine come from the Northeastern "Tre Venezie" region of Italy.  


Notes:  I selected a pinot grigio to pair with this appetizer, because I wanted a medium bodied white wine, and at about $7, this fit the bill.  Visually, the Ecco Domani pinot grigio had a slight golden color which complimented the green herbs in the dipping oil nicely.  On the nose, it was rich and fruity with honeysuckle notes.  Fruit flavors came through on the palate as well, which was clean and crisp.  The finish was smooth and refreshing.  Overall, there were simple flavors.  The clean, crisp quality made it this a good pairing for my light appetizer. I imagine this wine would pair well with fish, as well.

Course 2:  Cheesy vegetable lasagna.  

Course 2 Wine Pairing:  Bella Sera 2010 Pinot Noir.    

Notes:  I went to the internet in search of a wine pairing to go with vegetable lasagna, and ended up going with a recommendation from classicwines.com.  For meat lasagna, they recommended Chianti, but acknowledged that "Vegetable lasagna presents a more difficult set of issues, for veggies are notoriously tough to pair with many wines.  But as long as you think creatively, then you'll be just fine.  One of the classic ingredients in vegetable lasagna is mushroom, and nothing goes better with mushroom than Pinot Noir."  I took the advice, and went with Bella Sera 2010 Pinot Noir.  At about $7, it fit in the budget and also fit with the Italian fare theme.  Despite the dark image above, this wine had a bright red color.  The nose had hints of berry and oak.  Those flavors came through on the palate as well, which was a little tannic and harsh for my taste.  Overall, I think the concept of the red wine with earthy, "meaty" mushrooms is an solid pairing idea.  

Course 3:  Molten chocolate lava cake.  

Course 3 Wine Pairing:  Bella Sera 2009 Merlot.    

Notes:  I like to finish meals with rich, chocolate-y desserts and tonight was no exception.  I went with a molten chocolate lava cake which I paired with a Bella Sera 2009 Merlot.  The Merlot had a deep red/purple color, with aromas of plum.  The palate had hints of cherry and cocoa, and was less harsh than many other reds I've had.  The rich flavors of the wine complemented the chocolate cake well - a sinfully satisfying pairing to finish the meal.

Tasting - Ebano Ribera del Duero Tempranillo

Name:  Ebano Ribera del Duero Tempranillo

Variety:  Tempranillo

Country:  Spain

Region:  Ribera del Duero

Year:  2007

Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  87 Points, Robert Parker.  The 2007 Ebano 6 is 100% Tempranillo aged 4 months in French oak. Dark ruby red in color, it displays a pleasant bouquet of cedar, spice box, violets, black cherry, and blackberry. Medium-to fullbodied on the palate with savory flavors and plenty of spice, this racy, vibrant Tempranillo has enough structure to drink well over the next 5-6 years and is a very good value.

My Review:  I tried this wine on its own without food

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Vinho de Mesa Tinto

Name:  Lost Vineyards Vinho de Mesa Tinto

Variety:  Tinto

Country:  Portugal

Region:  Not specified

Year:  Not specified 

Price:  $3.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Pours a light garnet color with a nice crisp zest, with aromas of cranberries and orange peel on the nose. Drinks smooth with a briary of mild cherries, wild strawberries and raspberries along with a note of rhubarb. Pairs particularly well with wild game and heavy fish such as salmon. 

My Review:  This tinto had a rhubarb aroma.  The palate was smooth with pepper and cherry flavors.  I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Torrent Bay Chardonnay

Name:  Torrent Bay Chardonnay 

Variety:  Chardonnay

Country:  New Zealand

Region:  Nelson

Year:  2009

Price:  $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Fleshy, melony aromas cuddle some fresh oak. The palate has decent acidity so there’s freshness along with weight, resiny oak flavors, lemon and green apple. 

My Review:  This wine had an earthy aroma.  The flavor had hints of oak and seafood, which came through as almost savory.  I tried this wine on its own without food

Tasting - Spanish Vines Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Spanish Vines Sauvignon Blanc

Variety:  Sauvignon Blanc

Country:  Spain

Region:  D. O. La Mancha

Year:  2009

Price:  $4.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  85 Points, Wine Enthusiast.  Apple and floral notes and then an almost buttery palate with baked apple and citrus flavors.

My Review:  This wine had a floral notes, melon flavors, and was remarkably smooth.  I tried this wine on its own without food

Tasting - Muscanti Brut

Name:  Muscanti Brut

Variety:  Muscanti

Country:  Spain

Region:  Girona

Year:  Not listed

Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Lemon blossoms, green apple, toast and honeydew melon are front and center in this crisp refreshing Spanish Sparkler. Silky supple with lingering flavors, yet a tingle of citric acid on the finish. A combination of traditional cava grapes but this wine is not made in the traditional méthode champenoise (which is required by Spanish law to be called Cava). This is made with the Charmat process so this wine may only be called ‘Spanish sparkling wine’ .

My Review:  This white wine had a hint of mint on the nose, with a bitter, acidic taste, that almost resembled green granny smith apples.  I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Name:  Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Variety:  Riesling

Country:   Germany

Region:  Rheingau

Year:  2010

Price:  $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Flint and mineral notes accent pineapple and lime aromas, while on the palate, the wine shows plenty of ripe, citrusy fruit flavors.  Tangy acids on the long finish provide balance.

My Review:  This Riesling had a honeysuckle aroma and a sweet grapefruit-flavored finish.  I tried this wine on its own without food.