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.

Tasting - Don Ramon Tinto

Name:  Don Ramon Tinto

Variety:  75% Grenache;  25% Tempranillo

Country:  Spain

Region:  Campo de Borja

Year:  2008

Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo. Aged 3 months in American Oak casks. Ruby red in color, with creamy aromas of earth and cherry. 

Flavor turns toward deeper and darker black cherry and raspberry on a medium framework. A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit adds some depth and complexity.

My Review:  This wine was fruity on the nose, with an earthy flavor.  The oak aging definitely came through on the palate with this wine.  I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Resonata Nero D'Avola

Name:  Resonato Nero D'Avola

Variety:  Nero D'Avola

Country:  Italy

Region:  Sicily

Year:  2010

Price:  $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Dense ruby red with violet reflections.  Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice.  Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background.

My Review:  This Nero D'Avola had a berry aroma.  It was a dry wine with tannic flavors.  I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Protocolo Blanc

Name:  Protocolo Blanc

Variety:  70% Airen, 30% Macabeo

Country:  Spain

Region:  Not specified.

Year:  2009

Price:  $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  87 Points, Stephan Tanzer.  Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.

My Review:  This wine had a citrus aroma.  On the palette, it was dry and had subtle mint flavors.  I tried this wine on its own without food

Tasting - Santola Vinho Verde

Name:  Santola Vinho Verde

Variety:  Vinho Verde

Country:  Portugal

Region:  Mealhada

Year:  Not listed

Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh. 

My Review:  This vinho verde had a zesty, lemony aroma and granny smith flavors.  I tried this wine on its own without food

Tasting - Legaris Crianza

Name: Legaris Crianza

Variety:  Crianza

Country:  Spain

Region:  Ribera del Duero

Year:  2003

Price: $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  90 Points, Wine Spectator.  A silky texture carries plum, tobacco, coffee and mineral flavors over ripe tannins in this balanced red. Berry and vanilla notes linger on the finish. Drink now through 2013.  –T.M.

My Review:  This Crianza had a crimson and orange color.  There were coffee aromas and a peppery taste.  There was definitely some heat coming through in the body of this wine.  I tried this wine on its own without food.  

Tasting - Into Zin Zinfandel

Name:  Into Zin Zinfandel

Variety:  Zinfandel

Country:  United States

Region:  Lodi, California

Year:  2008

Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Spicy , jammy, ripe round plum with juicy soft finish. Goes well

with marsala chicken, peppered steak or broiled lamb shank.

My Review:  The Into Zin Zinfandel had a crimson color and a slight cherry aroma.  It was full-bodied and smooth with a spicy flavor.  I tried this wine on its own without food

Tasting - Tres Ojos Garnacha Tempranillo

Name:  Tres Ojos Garnacha Tempranillo
Variety:  50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Garacha
Country:  Spain
Region:  Calatayud
Year:  2010
Price:  $5.95


Vintage Cellar Review:  A 50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Garacha, this medium rosecolored rosado boasts a spicy red cherry/plum nose with a soft lush attack of red berry fruit flavors and a crisp dry finish. Simple
and refreshing and a natural for tapas


My Review:  This Tres Ojos Garnacha Tempranillo had a berry aroma and a pepper-y taste.  It was full-bodied and smooth.  I tried this wine on its own without food

Tasting - Lazzaro Chardonnay

Name:  Lazzaro Chardonnay
Variety:  Chardonnay
Country:  Argentina
Region:  Mendoza
Year:  2010
Price:  $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Opens with mellow peach and melon aromas and some oak. The palate is round, creamy and full. Tastes of spiced, dried apple with a stalky, pithy accent.

My Review:  The Lazzaro Charndonnay had a pear aroma and was dry on the palate.  I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Coastal Vines Brut

Name:  Coastal Vines Brut
Variety:  Non-varietal white blend
Country:  United States
Region:  California
Year:  2010
Price:  $6.95


Vintage Cellar Review: Coastal Vines Sparkling Wine is a light colored wine with aromas of apple and citrus. On the palate there are flavors of melon and pear. The finish is crisp and clean. Pair with cheeses, like brie, for
appetizers; grilled garlic shrimp over a bed of pasta; or with a light white cake for dessert.


My Review:  The Coastal Vines Brut had a lemon aroma, and a spicy flavor.  I was disappointed by the smoothness and thought there was a lot of heat coming through.

Tasting - Innocent Bystander Moscato

Name:  Innocent Bystander Moscato

Variety:  50% Gordo Muscat (Muscat of Alexandria) grown on the Boulton vineyard and 50% Black Muscat grown on the Burge estate vineyard.

Country:  Australia

Region:  Victoria

Year:  2011

Price:  $15.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  The focus of Innocent Bystander is to produce quality, flavour-driven wines from carefully selected vineyards in the Yarra Valley and beyond.  Over time Steve Flamsteed and his team have increased the level of complexity and texture in the Innocent Bystander wines with greater use of wild fermentations and restrained oak handling. 

My Review:  Although my favorite wine at today's Vintage Cellar tasting was the Frisk Prickly Reisling, I must admit that this Moscato came in a close second.  On the nose, strawberries and floral notes.  On the palate, cherry and peach flavors.  The sweet finish makes this a decadent dessert wine.  I tasted this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Sivas Sonoma Cabernet

Name:  Sivas Sonoma Cabernet
Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon
Country:  United States
Region:  Sonoma, California
Year:  2009
Price:  $14.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Fruit driven, with a nice combination of blackberry, red currant, and a background of dark chocolate and cocoa.  A hint of brightness in the fruit aromas, together with a the classic Cabernet depth, signals this wine's Sonoma County roots.  On the palate, dark chocolate covered cherry flavors meets hints of mocha, and the dark fruit profile carries all the way through the lively mid-palate.  The mouth feel is soft and silky, with mouth-filling, velvety tannins that give the wine finesse and marry well with the wine's light acidity.  In addition, the mixture of French and American oak aging lends light touches of vanilla and cinnamon to this wine's background complexity.  This wine's focused fruit profile and depth, finishing with along raspberry note.   


My Review:  This dark colored wine had a spicy aroma.  On the palette, a strong tannin component comes through, with a harsher taste and finish.
I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Frisk Prickly Reisling

Name:  Frisk Prickly Reisling
Variety:  83% Riesling, 17% Muscat Gordo
Country:  Australia
Region:  Victoria
Year:  2011
Price:  $11.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Leave to the Aussies to come up with a tasty value wine with a sassy descriptive name.  frisk is a friskly Reisling with a pleasing level of prickly spritz lifting the ample fruity flavors.  It has a pale straw color, lively bubbles, loads of tropical fruit and jasmine aromas, off-dry fruity flavors, a refreshing 9.8% alcohol, and a sweet/tart finish;  and all that Australian goodness.

My Review:  This Reisling was by far my favorite wine at today's tasting.  This sweet wine had a pleasant berry aroma.  The taste had notes of strawberry and plum, and I enjoyed the smoothness.  The slight sparkle makes this wine a little indulgent and festive: the perfect wine for toasting a girl friend's birthday or celebrating a special occasion.  
I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Allamand Cuvee St Jeanette

Name:  Allamand Cuvee St Jeanette
Variety:  50% Chardonnay, 50% Saint Jeannet
Region:  Mendoza
Country:  Argentina
Year:  2011
Price:  $11.95


Vintage Cellar Review:  From the winery formerly known as Finca El Reposo comes this blend of 90+ year old Chardonnay and the almost extinct grape Saint Jeannet.  Saint Jeannet originated in the South of France, but is now thought to exist only at this one vineyard in Argentina.  Made very naturally from organically farmed grapes with almost nothing added later, wild yeast fermentation and no oak.  Only 3,000 bottles of this wine are made each year, compared to around 420,000 bottles of Lafite Rothschild.  


My Review:  This wine had a pale golden color and a citrus aroma.  It had a harsher taste and was dry.  

Tasting - Leese Fitch Sauvignon Blanc

Name:  Leese Fitch Sauvignon Blanc
Variety:  Sauvignon Blanc
Country:  United States
Region:  California
Year:  2010
Price:  $10.95


Vintage Cellar Review:  90 points, Wine Enthusiast, A lovely Sauvignon Blanc, dry, crisply acidic and clean, with complex citrus, flower, and mineral flavors.  A great value for the money.  --S.H.


My Review:  This white wine was almost clear.  There was orange on the nose, and a dry, grapefruit flavor on the palette.  

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Boas Vinhas Tinto

Name:  Boas Vinhas Tinto
Variety:  Touriga Nacional
Country:  Portugal
Region: Beira
Year: 2009
Price:  $9.95


Vintage Cellar Review:  Deep bright violet and red color.  Rich in aromas of red fruits as plums and strawberries.  Its intense yet docile and fleshy taste fills the palate without roughness, leaving a pleasant sensation.

My Review:  This wine had a scarlet red color and a slight cherry aroma.  The taste of this Red Tinto was mildly fruity and very different from the Doural Red Tinto.  It had a hint of spice and milder tannins than the Doural and Cotes Du Rhone I had at this tasting.  I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Sol'Acantalys Cotes du Rhone

Name:  Sol'Acantalys Cotes du Rhone
Variety:  Cotes du Rhone
Region:  Bouteille a la propriete
Country:  France
Year: 2010
Price: $11.95


Vintage Cellar Review:  A beautiful ruby red wine.  Very fragrant, with aromas of red fruit (currant, strawberry, and cherry) with hints of black pepper and cinnamon.  Medium0bodied and silky in the mouth with mature, round tannins.  Enjoy with meats, grilled vegetables or cheese.  

My Review:  This Cotes du Rhone had a deep red color.  I noticed a hint of cinnamon in the smell.  It tasted similar to the 2009 Doural Tinto.  This was also a dry wine with strong tannins.  I tasted this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Doural Tinto

Name:  Doural Tinto
Variety: Red Tinto

Region:  Not specified

Country:  Portugal

Year:  2009

Price:  $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  This Portuguese tinto(red) blend exhibits a deep red color with violet hues.  The nose is vibrant and fruity.  The palate offers notes of spice, cherry, and dark berry supported by good structure.  Pairs well with red or game meat, cheeses, and fish.

My Review:  This wine had a rich red color with a tint of blue in it.  This was the first red wine that I tried.  Like the Nykteri Santorini Yannis, this was a dry wine.  A stronger tannin dimension came through in tasting this wine.

I tasted this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Nykteri Santorini Yannis

Name:  Nykteri Santorini Yannis
Variety:  Santorini Yannis
Region:  Santorini, Southern Kyklades Islands
Country:  Greece
Year:  2010
Price:  $13.95


Vintage Cellar Review:  I fell first for the compelling story of this 'night work' wine, and then for the aroma and taste, and can't think of a wine to compare it to.  "Nykteri - Dry White Wine Appellation of Origin Santorini of superior quality.  Since 3,500 years ago, the Nykteri is synonymous to Santorini's famous white wines.  The formula to 'instant wine making' on the night of the same day that the grapes were harvested solved the problem of the variety's sensitive aroma deterioration.  The wine is matured for 3 months at least in barrels.  In this way the wine's contact with barrel's wood gives the Nykteri a special finesse.  Characteristics crystal clear, semi-yellow wine.  Dominated by the aromas of jasmine, citrus fruits, flowers, and pear, all these enhanced with a gentle vanilla sense.  A strong body with warm personality and a long lasting taste.  Serve with grilled anything as well as with local Greek dishes such as tomato meatballs and fava dip.


My Review:  This wine had a gorgeous golden color that immediately caught my eye.  The scent was fruity, so I was expecting this white wine to have somewhat of a sweet flavor.  When I tasted the wine, I noticed a woody, oak flavor that had not come through in the aroma.  This wine turned out to be quite dry, which is a taste I have yet to acquire.  It would have been interesting to compare this to another white wine at the Vintage Cellar tasting today.
I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Casa Bianca Spumante Rosato

Name:  Casa Bianca Spumante Rosato
Variety:  Prosecco
Region:  Montello vinyards, in Asoli (Northern Italy)
Country: Italy
Price:  $11.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Prosecco is very popular in Italy.  The wine is often served as a festive apertif but mild dry Prosecco Spumante is also very suitable as a companion of appetizers and entrees.  Prosecco is a generic term and can be sold in many different qualities.  The best have their own appellation, as Casa Bianca.  The vineyards of Montello and the hills of Asoli located in northern Italy.  This rosato spumante is made from white grape pinot nero prosecco and red.  By fermenting them together creates the pale pink color and flavor that is more powerful than the white variety.  Spicy rosato spumante with a fine, persisent mousse, juicy fresh red fruit in the aroma, and a rich, smooth and lasting flavor.

My Review:  This Prosecco was the first wine that I tried at the Vintage Cellar wine tasting today.  It had a light pink color and was slightly carbonated.  Both the aroma and taste were fruity.  The girly color and sweetness made this my favorite wine of the group.

I tasted this wine on its own with no food.