2008 Intro to Bold Reds: Cheap vs. Expensive

Syrah, Cambria, Tepusquet Vineyard,

Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, California, 2004 - $16

Pairing: Spicy Hummus

Shiraz, Rosemount, Show Reserve,

McLaren vale, Australia, 2004 - $23

Pairing: MahÓn

Zinfandel, Ravenswood,

California, 2006 - $9

Pairing: Italian Eggplant Rolls

Zinfandel, Ridge,

Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, California, 2006 - $29

Pairing: Manchego

Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford Ranch,

Napa Valley, California, 2005 - $15

Pairing: Mini Beef Wellington

Cabernet Sauvignon, Steltzner Vineyards, Estate Grown,

Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, 2004 - $32

Pairing: Farmers Five Cheddar

2008 Intro to Light Reds

Beaujolais-Villages, Louis Latour,

Chameroy, CÔte-D’Or, France, 2006 - $12

Pairing: Turkey Sausage with Cranberry Chutney

Pinot Noir, Chalone Vineyard,

Monterey County, California, 2007 - $14

Pairing: Olive Tapenade

  

Pinot Noir, River Road, Estate Grown,

Stephanie’s Vineyard, Green Valley,

Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, 2006 - $28

Pairing: Tomme Savoie

Merlot, Franciscan,

Napa valley, California, 2004 - $20

Pairing: Baked Camembert with Black Cherries

2008 Intro to the Light Whites: Cheap vs. Expensive

Pinot Grigio, Cavit,

Delle Venezie, Italy, 2007 - $8

Pairing:  Spicy Artichoke Dip

Pinot Grigio, Ca’Montini,

Trentino, Italy, 2006 - $16

Pairing: Pecorino Toscano

Sauvignon Blanc, Blackstone,

Monterey County, California, 2005 - $8

Pairing: Stuffed Mushrooms

Sauvignon Blanc, Cakebread Cellars,

Napa Valley, California, 2006 - $28

Pairing: Humboldt Fog

Dry Riesling, Trefethen, Oak Knoll District,

Napa Valley, California, 2006 - $20

Pairing: Raclette

Late Harvest White Riesling, Hogue,

Columbia Valley, Washington, 2007 - $8

Pairing: Shortbread Cookies

2008 All Sparkling

Grand Brut Champagne, Perrier-JouËt,

Champagne, France - $35

Pairing: Triple Crème

Extra Dry Champagne, MoËt & Chandon White Star,

Champagne, France - $32

Pairing: Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Blanc de Blancs, Schramsberg,

MÉthode Champenoise, California, 1999 - $37

Pairing: Smoked Salmon in Black Olive Pastry

Blanc de Noirs, Mumm Napa, Sparkling Wine,

Napa Valley, California - $19

Pairing: Bleu

RosÉ, Louis Bouillot,

CrÉmant de Bourgogne, France - $15

Pairing: Strawberries

2008 The First Tasting: Full flight paired with cheese

Blanc de Blancs, Mumm Cuvee Napa

Napa Valley Sparkling Wine, California, 1998 - $19

Pairing: Brie

Unoaked Chardonnay, Clos LaChance,

Hummingbird Series, Monterey County, California, 2006 - $10

Pairing: Fresh Goat Cheese

Chardonnay, Robert Mondavi Winery

Napa Valley, California, 2005 - $16

Pairing: Fontina

Pinot Noir, Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards,

Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, 2006 - $19

Pairing: Gruyere

Zinfandel, Ridge,

York Creek, Napa Valley, California, 2005 - $29

Pairing: Manchengo

Porto, W. J. Graham,

Six Grapes Reserve - $19

Pairing: Bleu

Introducing the Menus Past to Present

I understand it's been a while since I've posted to the blog.  Priorities change but I never stop tasting on my own.  I hope you have too.

Just the other day I was talking to my wine cousin Peter and realized I've been doing wine tastings in my home since 2008.  Many family, friends and coworkers have fallen in love and hate with both the wine and the food and cheese over the years.  I've enjoyed consistenly coming up with new pairings, but I thought for a change I should give my lovely wine cousins the chance to vote.

In the subsequent posts you'll see the menus that I offered beginning with 2008 and all the way to present.  While I won't provide any color commentary to each course, please let me know if there is a pairing that you just need to have again.  Perhaps we can make that dream come true.  Who doesn't love reminiscing a little...

French Wine Tasting Course 2 - Vouvray

Vouvray, Louis Armond, Loire Valley, France A.O.C. 2009 - $15

For the second course of this tasting I've chosen a popular and reasonably priced white wine.  Vouvray is actually the name of a region in France in the Loire Valley.  Below are some facts about Vouvray:

Fact 1 - Loire Valley region of French wine country is well known for it's white wines.  Found in the Northwestern part of France (near Brittany) most of the best grapes are along the banks of the Loire River headed east from the Atlantic Ocean.  Some famous regions in the Loire Valley include: Sancerre (typically mostly Sauvignon Blanc grapes) Muscadet (sweet wine), Pouilly-Fuisse (mostly Chardonnay) and Vouvray.

Fact 2 - As you can see from the label of this bottle, you typically buy French wine based on the region on the bottle.  Although, you can't see here that Vouvray is from the Loire Valley.  You need to really pay attention to how your wine or liquor store is organized if you're looking for this wine.  Typically when you walk into a wine shop and look for the French wine section first.  Then look for the Loire Valley section, then look for wine bottles with Vouvray on the label and find one in your price range.

Fact 3 - This Vouvray is made with 100% Chenin Blanc grapes.  The Chenin Blanc grape is also famous to South African wine.  With a light sweetness that reminds me of a Riesling or dry Riesling.  It has a nice balance of fruity flavor that pairs perfectly with spicy food, slightly salty food or a light salad with a tangy vinaigrette.

PAIRING - Prosciutto and Melon
Thanks to the help of Christina these little summer morsels were the perfect pairing with this crisp and slightly sweet wine.  We took cubes of cantaloupe and honeydew melon and skewered one type of the melon with a small square of prosciutto.  You can always drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil on top with some fresh sea salt and pepper if you'd like to add a little more spice.  The sweetness of the ripe melon heightens the fruitiness of the Vouvray and the saltiness of the prosciutto add incredible balance and finish to the wine.  For those that want a little taste of Provence, try this wine with a beef carpaccio salad too.

As we enter into the cooler months this fall and winter.  If you'd like a little reminder of spring and summer, find some ripe melon & prosciutto and pick up a bottle of a crisp Vouvray.