Wine & Cheese #3

Another successful wine and cheese pairing is down in the books! My friends and I lined up 3 wines and 3 cheeses for what we hoped would be a delicious pairing. Like the previous pairings, we had some good ones, some bad ones, but overall a great experience!

First wine up is: 
Name: Barboursville Virginia Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2017
Price: $12.99
Shop/Wine Critic Review: "A fresh and exuberant wine with crispness and clean varietal aromas and flavors of apple, pear, and lemon." (Total Wine)
My Review: This wine was pretty delicious! It was definitely buttery and had hints of citrus throughout. In the finish, it very acidic. I would say it tasted like your typical Chardonnay.
Paired with: Great Lakes Muenster
Pairing Review: Muenster is one of my favorite cheeses so I was excited to pair this with some wine. The cheese didn't have too much flavor and when paired with the wine, they didn't really do anything for one another. The cheese was really milky and the texture didn't go well with the wine. 5/10 would recommend.

Second wine up is:
Name: Bota Brick RedVolution
Variety: Red Blend
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: Non-Vintage
Price: $15.99
Shop/Wine Critic Review: "California- This smooth, full-bodied wine with lush flavors of dark fruit, spice and vanilla, culminates in a juicy, fruit-focused finish. Pairs beautifully with any meat dish." (Total Wine)
My Review: This wine was VERY astringent and hurt my nose a little when I smelled it. It had hints of tobacco, was very jammy, and tasted a lot like blackberry. It was pretty smooth which was surprising considering that it hurt my nose.
Paired with: Locatelli Italian Pecorino Romano
Pairing Review: This Romano was very strong and papery. I definitely would not recommend eating it alone, but rather on some type of pasta or pizza. When paired with the wine, the cheese mellowed out the flavor a lot. The wine became very bland and is much better on its own. 2/10 would not recommend.

Third wine up is:
Name: Colorblock Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Valle Central
Country: Chile
Year: 2018
Price: $8.99
Shop/Wine Critic Review: "Opulent layers of blackberry, plum and cherry flavor this wine, which finishes with notes of dried violet and spice." (Kroger)
My Review: This wine tasted a lot like the one before. It was very jammy and oaky. It also had strong hints of tobacco which isn't my favorite flavor in wine. This wine was very tannic in the finish which wasn't great.
Paired with: German Cambozola
Pairing Review: When paired together, the cheese made the wine more jammy and smoothed it out a lot. The cheese on its own is pretty gross, however, when tasted together, they both made each other better. I would only like having these two again if I could have both together. 4/10 would recommend.



Overall, this was another great experience. I've had better pairings, but I'm always eager to try something new. Cheese and wine really alter the taste of one another so I want to continue doing these pairings to expand my palate.

Wine Dinner #3

My last wine dinner of the semester was another success. This time around, I joined up with some friends and we had a delicious meal of salad, Margherita Pizza, and chocolate pie paired with some interesting wine pairings.

Appetizer: Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette 

I can always appreciate a good salad and this was definitely one of those. It wasn't anything special, but it tasted great and the Balsamic Vinaigrette added a nice flavor to it. We paired this course with a Brut Rose.

Name: Arca Nove Rose
Variety: Alvarinho 60% & Trajadura 40%
Region: Vinho Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: 2017
Price: $7.99
Shop/Wine Critic Review:"On the dry side, but still with plenty of ripe red fruits, this is
an attractive fruity wine. Its acidity, prickle and fresh character are all ready to drink." (Wine Enthusiast)
My Review: I didn't expect this wine to be carbonated, but it was. It was semi-sweet and the overwhelming flavor for me was grapefruit. This was a pretty good wine and I definitely would try it again!
Paired with: Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Pairing Review: To be honest, this pairing did not go well together. With the dressing, the salad became way too acidic and the Vinaigrette took all of the flavor out of the wine. The wine became pretty bland and tasted more like sparkling water when paired together. With this pairing, I learned that two acids really cancel each other out. 2/10 would not recommend.

Entree: Margherita Pizza

The pizza was great! Margherita pizza is always a good choice because it doesn't take long to make, yet it always tastes delicious. We paired this course with a Chianti.

Name: Villa Travignoli Chianti Rufina
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $9.95
Shop/Wine Critic Review: "Made entirely from Sangiovese, this informal red has subdued black cherry and vanilla aromas that carry over to the simple palate, where they're brightened by a hint of tangerine zest. It's easy-drinking, with soft, fleeting tannins. Enjoy soon." (Wine Enthusiast)
My Review: When I first smelled this wine, I only received hints of alcohol. However, when tasted it had a lot of oak, cherry, and tobacco. Additionally, for me it was very tannic and dry. I didn't like it very much.
Paired with: Margherita Pizza
Pairing Review: When paired with the pizza, the wine was a lot less dry and tannic. The pizza really brought out the smokiness in the wine which added a nice flavor. The creaminess of the mozzarella really smoothed out the wine and made me like the wine a lot more. 7/10 would recommend.

Dessert: Chocolate Pie

Chocolate is my favorite so I really enjoyed this pie. The pie was extremely sweet and rich so it was a little difficult to finish, but delicious nonetheless.

Name: Meridian Vineyards Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Sonoma, CA
Country: USA
Year: Non-Vintage
Price: $6.95
Shop/Wine Critic Review: "Meridian Merlot begins with aromas of black cherry, cedar and spice notes, which open up to rich plum and dark berry fruit flavors on the palate. A touch of spice lingers on a long, elegant finish." (Total Wine)
My Review: This wine was really jammy and semi-sweet. I definitely tasted a hint of tobacco, some smokiness, and it was a little tannic. It wasn't too bad.
Paired with: Chocolate pie
Pairing Review: When paired with the pie, the tobacco in the wine really came forward. The hint of jam disappeared which removed the sweetness. The pairing wasn't bad, however, it became a lot less sweet which made the wine unbalanced and not as delicious.  5/10 would recommend.

Overall, this wine dinner went pretty great! It was fun to meet up with friends and have a nice meal with one another. In college, it's not often that I get to have a 3 course meal so it was a nice change up to my normal ravioli dinners. After this class is finished, I want to keep this up and continue to have wine pairing dinners with my friends.

Wine Tasting #44

Name: Crane Lake

Variety: Riesling

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2017

Price: $7.95

Shop/Wine Critic Review: This light-colored wine displays aromas of honeysuckle and orange blossom; flavors include green apple and peach. The finish is mildly sweet, crisp, and lingering. This wine is an excellent aperitif, yet it pairs well with a number of different foods. Try it with New England clam chowder, smoked salmon, Chinese chicken salad, roasted duck, or scallops in a cream sauce. - Vintage Cellar

My Review: Honestly, this wine tasted like juice to me. I smelled lots of honey and when tasted, the sweetness was definitely there. I tasted hints of apricot and apple. It was pretty good and quite refreshing!

Wine Tasting #43

Name: Terre dei Savoia

Variety: Nebbiolo

Region: Piedmont

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $9.95

Shop/Wine Critic Review: Red berry, rose, leather and baking spice aromas come together in the glass. The structured, juicy palate doles out ripe black cherry, licorice, roasted herb and tobacco alongside firm, velvety tannins. Still young and bracing, give this a few more years to fully develop. Drink 2016–2026. - Vintage Cellar

My Review: This wine was strong on cherry and blackberry for me. It had a lot of spices mixed into it with an overwhelming tobacco taste. The tannins were super strong which turned me off to the wine.

Wine Tasting #42

Name: Vigna Lenuzza

Variety: Cabernet Franc

Region: Friuli

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: $5.95

Shop/Wine Critic Review: With a ruby red color and with intense purplish reflections it has a nose of red fruits like cherry, raspberry, and blackberry, to spices like marjoram, rhubarb and white pepper. On the palate it is pleasantly fresh, not too heavy, with sweet tannins and with soft herbaceous notes, which are the traditional characteristics of the Cabernet-Franc. - Vintage Cellar

My Review: This wine has strong hints of cherry, raspberry, and blackberry. It was very oaky and smoky which I didn't enjoy that much. The tannins were very heavy in this one.

Wine Tasting #41

Name: Peter Cruythoff

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Swartland

Country: South Africa

Year: 2015

Price: $5.95

Shop/Wine Critic Review: Made in a definite herbaceous style, this Sauvignon Blanc also offers tropical undertones of gooseberries that add fruit to the palate. Well-balanced with zesty acidity, every glassful is fresh and crisp, and perfect for warm summer days. - Vintage Cellar

My Review: This wine was crisp and had strong hints of lemon with a slight earthiness. I didn't get any tropical undertones like the description read, however, the zest was present from the hint of lemon. This wine was pretty decent.

Wine Tasting #40

Name: Masseria Pertuso Avelium

Variety: Bombino Bianco/Chardonnay

Region: Puglia

Country: Italy

Year: 2016

Price: $7.95

Shop/Wine Critic Review: From the Apulia region of Comune di Andria nella zona, the color is Straw yellow with greenish reflections. A fresh bouquet with floral and citrus fruits characteristics. A wonderful wine to pair with fish - Vintage Cellar

My Review: This wine wasn't too bad! For me, this wine had hints of orange and melon. It was smooth and did not have too much acidity which I enjoyed.

Wine Tasting #39

Name: Douglas Hill

Variety: Shiraz, Barbera, and Grenache

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $7.95

Shop/Wine Critic Review: A blend of Shiraz, Barbera, and Grenache with flavors of fresh berries and stone fruits, this sweet-style, easy-drinking wine is delicious when served with appetizers, seafood, shellfish, pork, poultry, and desserts.”- Vintage Cellar

My Review: This wine had strong hints of honey and grapefruit. When tasted, it was similar to a flat off-brand soda which is a peculiar way to describe it, however, that's how it come off. Interestingly, it had a little kick at the end which was interesting.

Wine Tasting #38

Name: Bricco dei Tati

Variety: Piemonte Barbera

Region: Piedmont

Country: Italy

Year: 2014

Price: $8.95

Shop/Wine Critic Review: This is a young, fresh, lively Barbera with a persistent and attractive bouquet of black cherries and a bit of spice on the palate. It has few tannins which is typical of the Barbera varietal, and a medium finish. Delightfully approachable, pairs great with cheese, barbecue and game. - Vintage Cellar

My Review: This wine was definitely similar to the Vina Temprana wine but a tad stronger. I tasted hints of plum, red currants, and cherry with some spiciness towards the end. It was interesting and not too bad.

Wine Tasting #37

Name: Vina Temprana

Variety: Garnacha

Region: Campo de Borja

Country: Spain

Year: 2017

Price: $9.95

Shop/Wine Critic Review: This wine's bright raspberry and plum aromas are typical of Garnacha. Its fresh, racy palate isn't heavily structured, offering a lovely mix of plum, oak and chocolate flavors. - Vintage Cellar

My Review: Definitely heavy on the cherry and brown sugar. It was slightly oakey with a splash of tannins throughout. It wasn't too bad.

Wine Tasting #36

Name: Casa Bella

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Pavia

Country: Italy

Year: 2017

Price: $9.95

Shop/Wine Critic Review: Produced by macerating Pinot Grigio grape must with
its skins. The skins’ pink hue give the wines its copper color. Flavors of green
pear, pomegranate, and honeysuckle. It is somewhat of a big burst of opulent
tropical flowers, orchid-like scented, with hints of flower, pungent oily floral notes.
My Review: This one smelled a lot different than it tasted. When smelling, I thought
it would be pretty acidic but It was a lot softer than I expected. For me, blueberry,
strawberry, and pomegranate were the primary flavors.

Wine Tasting #35

Name: Michael Chapoutier Tournon

Variety: Viognier Marsanne

Region: Victoria

Country: Australia

Year: 2014

Price: $9.95

Shop/Wine Critic Review: Orange blossom and mango aromas leap out of the glass, with a fleshy core and a juicy finish, accented by hints of citrus zest. Viognier and Marsanne. - Vintage Cellar

My Review: This wine didn't seem very complex to me. Definitely strong on the orange and lime, but I didn't get much of anything else. It was pretty acidic in the finish which I didn't like very much.

Wine Dinner #2

My second wine dinner was a success! This time around I was able to enjoy a delicious meal with my family! This pairing was EXCEPTIONALLY better than the last because Mexican and wine do NOT work for me. My meal of choice was an appetizer of Bruschetta, an entree of Shrimp Scampi, and a dessert of Chocolate Soufflé. My brother and I made this meal while my mom was at work and it was quite a hit. Also, my mom really loves Stella Rosa wines which is why it was the wine brand of choice for the night.

Appetizer: Bruschetta

My brother really slaved over this appetizer and in the end it got burnt in the oven because I didn't hear him ask me to take it out. Despite it being slightly burnt, it was super delicious! For this course, the dominating flavors were tomato, basil,  and garlic with a topping of mozzarella. I paired this course with Stella Rosa's Moscato D'Asti.

Name: Stella Rosa Moscato D'Asti

Variety: Moscato

Region: Piedmont

Country: Italy

Year: 2014

Price: $9.99

Shop/Wine Critic Review: Fresh peach, apricot, and honey characteristics. This is in perfect balance with the sweetness. Natural carbonation. - Winemaker's notes

My Review: When comparing my notes to the winemaker's, I was pretty spot on! I tasted strong hints of peach and honey with an appropriate amount of sweetness. I really liked the carbonation in the wine because it added a hint of complexity to it. I enjoyed this one and I would definitely buy it again!

Paired with: Bruschetta 

Pairing Review: The Bruschetta was oh-so delicious and when paired with the wine it was excellent! When paired with the food, the carbonation of the wine really mellowed out and the sweetness decreased by a lot. As for the food itself, the garlic flavoring toned down and it brought out more flavor in the tomatoes. The mozzarella also became creamier when it paired with the wine which I liked. Overall, it was a pretty good pairing. 8/10 would recommend

Entree: Shrimp Scampi

This meal was definitely a combination of my brother and I's hard work. It took a while to prepare because the shrimp had to be steamed and cooked, plus the linguine had to be boiled. The staple flavors in the meal were garlic, parsley, lemon, and the smallest hint of cream to thicken up the lemon-based sauce. This was my first time making shrimp scampi and I loved the flavors! I paired this course with Stella Rosa's Pink (which is basically a Rosé).

Name: Stella Rosa Pink

Variety: Muscat

Region: Piedmont

Country: Italy

Year: 2017

Price: $9.99

Shop/Wine Critic Review: Stella Pink® is a semi-sweet, lightly sparkling wine with a vibrant pink hue that gives off delicate fresh peach, honey, and red berry qualities. - Winemaker's notes

My Review: This one was definitely the sweetest of the trio. It was heavy with flavors of cherry, apple, honey, and cranberry. Surprisingly, it was a little bitter in the end, but I think that was just a tad bit of tannins coming through in the end. Yet again, I enjoyed it.

Paired with: Shrimp Scampi

Pairing Review: This entree was really good! The Stella Rosa website recommended that this wine be paired with a seafood scampi so that's exactly what I did. Like I said earlier, the meal was lemon based so when it was paired together the wine became less sweet. Interestingly, the tannins in the wine came out more when combined with the tangy lemon. As for the food, I think the wine really made the lemon and garlic stand out even more. This was so good and I would definitely make it again! 9/10 would recommend.

Dessert: Chocolate Soufflé

When researching desserts, a lot of recipes wrote that chocolate Soufflé was difficult to master, however, I decided to take the challenge. Honestly, this meal wasn't even a challenge - the ingredients were simple and the process was easy. In total, preparation plus cook time only took around 30 minutes which wasn't bad at all. The staple flavor in this recipe was chocolate and I wish I hadn't forgotten to get fresh fruit at the grocery store because it definitely would have easily stepped the meal up for a 10 to a 12. If you love molten cakes, I recommend that you make this dessert because it's so delicious.

Name: Stella Rosa Black

Variety: Blend - Brachetto + other grapes

Region: Piedmont

Country: Italy

Year: 2016
Price: $11.99

Shop/Wine Critic Review: A proprietary blend of several red grape varietals including Brachetto. The wine is combined with natural flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, and raspberry. Natural carbonation. - Winemaker's notes

My Review: I'm starting to think that Stella Rosa wines are going to be my new favorite because they're all great! This wine was very jammy and had hints of blackberry and raspberry. Based on the others, I thought it would be pretty sweet but it actually wasn't. I loved it!

Paired with: Chocolate Soufflé

Pairing Review: This pairing was my favorite of the night! The chocolate in combination with the berry flavors in the wine was quite amazing. The chocolate soufflé was slightly bitter since the chocolate was semi-sweet, however, the wine really brought out the sweetness in it. Additionally, the chocolate smoothed out the slight carbonation and made it a real treat. I definitely think this pairing is my favorite of all wine dinners so far! 10/10 would recommend.

Our corkscrew broke

My mom

Overall, this wine dinner was a huge success! My family enjoyed it and I always love having the opportunity to spend time with them whenever I get the chance. With this dinner, I was able to teach my mom what I learned in class and she was impressed with my new knowledge. I definitely want to do this again with family because it was such a fun dinner.

My Brother

My Mom, Kylo, and I

Kylo and London enjoying some "wine"