Wine Dinner with Friends - Homemade

Now that we were back at school and in the swing of things after Spring Break, we thought we would start off the last half of the semester before we graduate with a wine dinner. This included me, my brother, Dylan, Tom, and Heather. It was kind of a spur of the moment event that we decided to do one day after class, so we gathered all the ingredients we already had and made a trip to the store to get anything else we might need for the dinner. We ended up with five wines in total but each of us consumed different ones with different dishes to see how well they complemented each other.

Name: Annabella Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $12.95

Winemaker Review: Annabella Chardonnay is a full flavored wine with medium body and a rich concentration of fruit. It has overtones of apples and pears with a wonderful nose and mouth feel. A subtle essence of new oak creates a lingering finish. This wine pairs perfectly with grilled salmon, herbed chicken, or a mild cheese.


Name: Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $11.75

Winemaker Review: Our full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon is brimming with black cherry and vanilla and a rich, smooth finish with oak overtones. Enjoy with bleu cheese-stuffed filet mignon or hearty minestrone soup.



Name: Duplin Muscadine

Variety: Muscat
Region: North Carolina
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $7.99

Winemaker Review: A cool, sweet, and easy taste of America's favorite sweet grape, the Muscadine.



Name: Maipe Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price: $11.99

Winemaker Review: Mendoza, Argentina - 100% Torrontes. A beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish. Best enjoyed in its youth.


Name: Beringer Founders' Estate Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $12.99

Winemaker Review: Founders' Estate Pinot Noir has the flavors of black cherry and plum with hints of toasted nuts and spice. We hope you enjoy drinking it as much as we enjoyed making it.



For the first dish, we decided to pair multi-grain crackers and jalapeno cheese with white wine. I personally tried the Annabella Chardonnay, because I had never had a Napa Valley Chardonnay and really wanted to try it with an appetizer. I thought this was a perfect pairing and it was my favorite of the evening. The Chardonnay itself was awesome. It was smooth, oaky, refreshing, medium-bodied, slightly sweet, and had a great finish. This was my first time having wine with cheese and I realized why it is such a great combo.

                          

For the second pairing, we all had different kinds of fish or chicken but everyone had brown rice and vegetables. I had tilapia with a chile seasoning and paired it with the Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon. The food was really good, but did not pair very well with the wine. The cabernet sauvignon seemed overly spicy and was overwhelming when combined with the food. It had a strong body and a good amount of tannins with a strong finish, but had hardly any fruity flavors and tasted overwhelmingly alcoholic.

The third pairing was dessert. We had strawberry shortcake with blueberries and whipped cream paired with the Duplin Muscadine. Overall, this was a great pairing and although they were both very sweet, they didn't clash. The shortcake was really good and went with the acidity of the Muscadine really well. The white wine by itself was sweet, smooth, light-bodied, fruity, and had a nice finish.



We continued to drink the rest of the wines and really enjoyed the evening. The food pairings went really well with all the wines and it was fun preparing the meals. We listened to music and talked about a lot of stuff and learned a lot about wine in general. It was a great experience and we plan on doing it again.

Jam Jar Sweet White

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White
Variety: Muscat
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Winemaker Review: 100% Muscat. Soft floral hints add depth to the otherwise straightforward ripe peach and nectarine aromas. There's a good balance in the mouth, with a nice acidic lift and slightly lime edge to cut the sweetness on the finish and close with the faintest hint of honeydew melons.

My Review: This was a light and fruity white wine. It had floral hints on the nose and in the finish, creating it a crisp and refreshing balance. I liked this one a lot, especially the hints of peach that I noticed throughout the tasting.

Food: No

Entrada Malbec

Name: Entrada Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Chile
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Winemaker Review: Firm and structured, this is a solid wine, laced with mineral acidity and tight tannins. It has a juicy, blackberry fruit component cutting through the texture.

My Review: This was a very strong red wine. It was medium-bodied and contained a lot of tannins throughout, but especially in the finish. It had a fruity hint, but most of what I could taste was dry with very little sweetness.

Food: No

Vina Borga Borsao

Name: Vina Borga Borsao
Variety: Grenache
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Winemaker Review: 86 points - Robert Parker. Also made from 100% Grenache, the 2012 Vina Borgia was fermented and aged in stainless steel. Its medium dark ruby color is followed by abundant notes of strawberries and black cherries offered in a straightforward, medium-bodied, soft, hedonistic, round style. It is hard to believe a wine this good can sell for $7 a bottle. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years.

My Review: This was a very smooth and fruity red wine. It was medium-bodied and had a decent tannic finish, but nothing overwhelming. I really enjoyed this one and thought it was a great deal.

Food: No

Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Name: Peter Lehmann Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Southern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: Regularly $20.00, Sale $9.95

Winemaker Review: The 2010 Chardonnay presents subtle notes of spiced apple slices and ripe peaches with hints of freshly baked bread and melon. Light bodied, clean and refreshingly crisp in the mouth, it offers just enough apple and pear flavor concentration, finishing with medium-long persistence. Drink it now to 2014.

My Review: I enjoyed how smooth and refreshing this wine tasted when it first hit the palate. It finished well and left a nice aftertaste that lingered and tasted like apples. It was crisp and had a little bit of a spice to it.

Food: No

Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

Name: Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Castilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Winemaker Review: Mostly Airen with a little bit of Macabeo. 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 was a dry white wine that had very citrusy aromas. It smelled sweet but was quite the opposite with a hint of citrus in the finish. It was a smooth, but didn't have a lot going on. It seemed as though it would be a great complement for a simple appetizer like crackers and cheese.

Food: No

R Wines Eco.Love Riesling

Name: R Wines Eco.Love Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2012
Price: Regularly $18.00, Sale $7.95

Winemaker Review: Our South Island Riesling has a range and combination of flavors unlike any other. These flavors span citrus, root ginger, white peach, spices and florals. Eco.love Riesling is made in balance to an off-dry style. Food Pairing: Asian Fusion, Seafood, Curry and anything spicy.

My Review: This was a great white wine and one of my favorite Rieslings that I've had. It was much different from others in that it wasn't very sweet but had a smooth texture. I agree with the review in that it would go great with any spicy food.

Food: No

Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Winemaker Review: Well-balanced flavors of dark berries and plums. Spicy fruit finish.

My Review: This was a fairly strong red wine with a good amount of tannins throughout, including the finish. It had dark fruity flavors as well as a bit of spice.

Food: No

Canyon Road Pinot Noir

Name: Canyon Road Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

Winemaker Review: Rich, fruit forward cherry flavors, soft tannins, a medium body and a smooth velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes.

My Review: This was a very fruity red wine with a medium-body and good amount of tannins. I liked the long finish and thought it would go well with a pasta dish.

Food: No

Wine Men of Gotham

Name: Wine Men of Gotham
Variety: 80% Semillon, 20% Chardonnay
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95

Winemaker Review: Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish.

My Review: I tasted more Chardonnay in this wine than semillon, but it was well-bodied and had hints of sweetness. I also noticed hints of melon and apricot and I think it would work really well as an aperitif.

Food: No

Indwe Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Indwe Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Elim
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Winemaker Review: Grapes are meticulously sourced from our grape producers along the Coastal region of the Western Cape ensuring complexity and freshness in the wine. Indwe Sauvignon Blanc is full of layers, balance and persistence. The wine is imbued with tropical and citrus notes, with hints of melon and gooseberry flavors.

My Review: This wine was full of flavor and unlike the few sauvignon blancs that I've had before. It was a little sweet with hardly any dryness in it. The finish was long and tasted of melon.

Food: No

Chateau Clos de Vieille Eglise Castillon

Name: Chateau Clos de Vieille Eglise Castillon
Variety: Bordeaux Blend
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $7.99

Winemaker Review: Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France- Produced predominantly from Merlot grapes in vineyards bordering St. Emilion, this medium-bodied, round and supple wine offers delicious flavors of black fruit, cedar and cassis ending with a lush finish. Try it with chicken, beef or veal.

My Review: We had this red blend with chicken marsala for dinner. The wine itself was medium-bodied with smooth tannins which really complemented both the chicken and the sauce. I enjoyed the hints of darker fruits and even a little oak that were in this wine. I was very satisfied with the pairing that we came up with.

Food: Chicken Marsala

Smoking Loon Chardonnay

Name: Smoking Loon Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $7.99

Winemaker Review: Full of flavor on the palate, with Meyer lemon, caramel apple, and smoky vanilla oak. The four unique California appellations in this blend contribute balanced citrus acidity, fruit flavor and oak nuance. Medium bodied.

My Review: I really liked this chardonnay as it had the flavor that seems to be specific to California. It was not that fruity and I noticed hints of vanilla and oak. It was consistent throughout and had a nice, long finish.

Food: No

Wine Dinner with Family - Homemade

While home on Spring Break, my family decided to do a wine dinner with three different wines and three different dishes. We took a trip to Wegmans because it had been recommended to us by a family friend for its great wine selection. We ended up purchasing food for dinner and bought three wines to go with each dish.

Name: Horse Heaven Hills Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Horse Heaven Hills, Washington
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $9.99

Winemaker Review: This medium-bodied Merlot delivers aromas of spice and blackberry, with a perfect balance of earth, dusty cocoa and ripe cherry flavors, and lingering rich velvety finish.








Name: Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier
Variety: 80% Chenin Blanc, 20% Viognier
Region: Pine Ridge Vineyards, California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $10.95

Winemaker Review: Our distinctive blend marries the crisp, honeyed citrus fruit of Chenin Blanc (80%) with the plush body, soft floral and juicy peach notes of Viognier (20%) for a lush, versatile and delicious wine. Enjoy a glass on its own or try it alongside your favorite seafood or spicy dish.






Name: Loosen Bros Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mosel
Country: Germany
Year: 2012
Price: $11.99

Winemaker Review: A crisp, fruity and refreshing Riesling from the mineral-rich slate soil of the Mosel Valley. It is an ideal companion to mildly spicy stir fry dishes and Indian curries or simply serve it as an aperitif.

For the first dish, we decided to pair the Horse Heaven Hills Merlot with a house salad and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. The wine had a little spice to it, so we thought it better to use a more neutral dish as opposed to a spicier one, which would compound the "hot" flavors. It turned out to be perfect, especially with the dressing, which complemented the fruitiness of the wine. The Merlot was smooth and medium-bodied with a long tannic finish. This was my favorite pairing of the evening.

The second pairing (with Dad pictured in the background) consisted of buffalo chicken pizza and a Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier. We thought it might be a good idea to choose a white wine to go with a spicy dish, although the buffalo chicken didn't turn out to be that overwhelming. The wine was great and had a perfect balance of smooth, mineral flavors with a sweet, fruity taste. The wine was able to temper what spiciness there was with the pizza, but the cheese did not go very well with it. I liked the wine a lot, but was not a big fan of the pizza or the pairing in general.

The third pairing of the evening was a German Riesling by the Loosen Bros with a baked pumpkin pie. I was unsure at first of whether or not this specific Riesling would work as a dessert wine, but quickly learned that it does. The pie was very flavorful and was greatly complemented by the nice acidity in the wine. The Riesling was my favorite wine of the night, with a consistency that I have not tasted in hardly any other wines. It was sweet and crisp, with a long lasting finish that had many different fruity hints. 

Shown below is Mom with her favorite wine of the night, the Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier. She was a big fan of the pairing, saying that the spiciness from the buffalo chicken was complemented perfectly by the white wine's earthy flavors.

This is my family (pictured left to right: Mom, me, Dad, brother). My brother, Travis, is also in this class and is only a year younger than me. My sister who wasn't at the dinner with us is a Freshman at Radford University. My mom is a huge fan of wine and loved having the dinner and wants to have many more in the future. She was very impressed by the amount of knowledge we've already taken in from just a half of a semester in this course. My dad is not big on wine, but is starting to enjoy it more as he learns more about it through talking with us. I really enjoyed this experience and feel like I've learned a lot from it. I plan on having more dinners like this to better understand wine pairings and how a certain dish can really complement a great wine.

Bree Riesling

Name: Bree Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Pfalz
Country: Germany
Year: 2011
Price: $8.98

Winemaker Review: Enjoy flavors of crisp apple, passion fruit and lime. Whether you are having fish, Asian cuisine or a light salad, Bree Riesling will not only complement your meal, but your table as well. The Pfalz region has a cooler climate than the Mosel.

My Review: This was a very light Riesling located from a cooler climate in Germany. It was very sweet with hints of granny smith apple and even a bit of lemon. I would like to try it as an aperitif to cleanse the palate before a meal or even as a dessert wine.

Food: No

Porta Cabernet

Name: Porta Cabernet
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: $7.98

Winemaker Review: Bright red in color, this particularly fruity wine features red fruits, strawberries, and blackberries. Very soft and fruity on the palate with ripe tannins and good balance. This fruity Cabernet pairs well with meats and pasta dishes.

My Review: As suggested, we tried this red with pasta. Some chicken was added along with a four cheese sauce. They complemented each other very nicely. The wine itself had a great balance thanks to its fruity flavor and medium body. One of my favorite wines, especially with dinner.

Food: Chicken pasta

Oak Ridge Zinfandel

Name: Oak Ridge Zinfandel Lodi AV
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Lodi, California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $11.98

Winemaker Review: A robust wine packed with fat, ripe fruit--cherries, cassis, blackberries--yet enough acidity to give it lift. Smoky, cola flavors that do not overpower. Finished with ripe tannins. A terrific wine from an underrated region. Pairing with BBQ Beef & Stir Fry.

My Review: This was a pretty strong red, with what I would consider a strong tannic structure. It left the mouth pretty dry, but had a lot of flavor to it. I noticed hints of darker fruits that packed a punch. It was a solid red wine that would go well with cooked meats.

Food: No

Kemblefield Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough

Name: Kemblefield Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2011
Price: $8.98

Winemaker Review: A passionfruit and gooseberry nose gives way to a palate sprinkled with ripe tropical fruit flavors, with a hint of gooseberry and citrus. A full flavored Sauvignon Blanc with great balance and a lengthy finish.

My Review: This white wine had an earthy hint as well as a mineral taste that lingered through the finish. It was rather dry for a white, but was consistent from start to finish. I liked that it was different from most whites I've had.

Food: No

Conte Priola Pinot Grigio

Name: Conte Priola Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $7.99

Winemaker Review: Crisp yet delicate, this dry, light-bodied wine has refreshing citrus flavors and represents an excellent value. Have it as an aperitif, with light hors d'oeuvres or a seafood lunch or dinner. Versatile with light seafood dishes.

My Review: This was the first wine I've tasted with dinner and blogged about. I took advantage of the winemaker's notes and had it with fish (salmon). It seemed to complement the food perfectly and I was happy with the decision. It was light and crisp and I noticed hints of citrusy flavors.

Food: Salmon

Cloud Break Pinot Noir

Name: Cloud Break Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $7.99

Winemaker Review: The Cloud Break Pinot Noir has charming aromas of raspberry and strawberry with notes of vanilla. Oak aging rounds out the wine and gives it body. Flavors of fresh strawberry, cherry, and raspberry fill the palate. The wine is elegant and crowd pleasing. Great with Salmon.

My Review: This red wine was not indicative of the price that we paid for it. It was strong bodied, had hints of many fruits like strawberry and plum, was very tannic, and had a lasting finish. I was impressed with the quality and would like to try it with fish as the winemaker's review suggests.

Food: No

Radius Merlot

Name: Radius Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $6.99

Winemaker Review: Flavors and aromas of sweet cherries, ripe red raspberries, succulent plums and marshmallowy vanilla leading to a soft and silky finish. Enjoy with red meats, grilled fish, and sharp cheeses.

My Review: This wine was recommended to me by a friend so I decided to try it out. It had the taste of an inexpensive wine, it was light bodied, fruity, and simple. It was very light on the tannins and finished pretty smooth. It wasn't a great wine but also wasn't too bad.

Food: No

Yellow Tail Shiraz

Name: Yellow Tail Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Riverina
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winemaker Review: Ripe cherries and strawberries, spice, and vanilla aromas. This bold Shiraz wine is well balanced, with earthy tones and lingering fruit on the tongue.

My Review: I personally think that yellow tail wine has a bad reputation for being "cheap," which this shiraz contradicts. It was smooth as indicated by many other reviews but also had a bold spicy flavor to it. It was fruity but not overwhelming and had a decent finish with a medium amount of tannins.

Food: No

Loredona Riesling

Name: Loredona Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Monterey
Country: California
Year: 2011
Price: Regularly $15.00, Sale $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: If you like your Rieslings on the sweet side, this pretty wine is for you. It's brisk in Central Coast acidity, with citrus, peach, honeysuckle and spice flavors that finish clean and long.

My Review: This was by far my favorite of the wines from this tasting. It wasn't as sweet as I thought it was going to be and had a very nice balance of tropical with spicy. The finish was the best part, as it was very smooth and seemed to linger for the perfect amount of time. I would definitely consider purchasing a bottle the next time I get a chance.

Food: No

Maipe Malbec

Name: Maipe Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Deep purple color with violet tints, complex plum, fig, strawberry, spices and floral aromas; rounded and velvety tannins, excellent length with a distinguished character. Excellent when paired with game, roasted red meats, pasta or pizza.

My Review: There was a lot going on with this wine, but the flavors I tasted more than anything was strawberry and spice. It seemed like a wine that would be really enjoyable with dinner, specifically roasted chicken.

Food: No

Villa d' Rosso Toscano

Name: Villa d' Rosso Toscano
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Montepulciano
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review: 100% sangiovese grapes and is a wonderful rendition of a velvety Tuscan Red.

My Review: This red wine had a medium body with a decent amount of tannins that didn't overpower but was enough to had some hardness. The best description I could come up with was the same one in the other description which was velvety. It had a hint of plum that lingered through the finish.

Food: No

Arnold Palmer Chardonnay

Name: Arnold Palmer Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley
Country: California
Year: 2012
Price: Regularly $20.00, Sale $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: A vibrant Chardonnay from vineyards in cooler climates of California. Chardonnay is well known for its characteristic fresh apple fruit aromas and rounded, rich flavors. Weather during the 2011 harvest provided ideal growing conditions for lush, yet perfectly balanced fruit.

My Review: This was not a Chardonnay that I'm use to experiencing, which is sweet and acidic. It was very smooth and creamy, which seems to be characteristic of California Chardonnay. There was nothing over the top about it, but the simplicity really goes a long way if there is consistency all the way through the finish like there was in this wine.

Food: No

El Sierro

Name: El Sierro
Variety: 95% Macabeo, 5% Chardonnay
Region: Valencia
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review: In the glass, there is a bright and shiny white wine with an incredibly welcoming, fresh appetizing aroma reminiscent of ripe tropical fruits. The flavor is rich, balanced and extremely comfortable. The near-perfect all-purpose white wine. As an additional benefit, and good evidence that El Sierro reflect the new Spain, the bottle is sealed with the technical viewed perfect screw cap that at once eliminates any risk of cork flavor and keeps the fruit and wine fresher for longer time.

My Review: This white wine had a floral and earthy hint. There wasn't much too it, but the simplicity was a nice change of pace. Although there was nothing really special about this wine, I enjoyed it

Food: No