Dinner: Mom's Birthday Celebration

My Mom before the dinner started

This weekend was my Mom’s 52^nd Birthday.  Instead of going out to dinner at a restaurant, I told my mom about the wine dinner tasting, and she was all about it - especially when I told her that I would be the one cooking AND get double the points since I got my parents involved!  She told us to surprise her with different wines and some of her favorite types of foods, and this is what we came up with.  We went with more Italian themed foods with a chocolate dessert.  Additionally, we chose three different wines in various price ranges.  One was an Italian blend, one was a dark red wine (her favorite), and the final was a white wine to balance it out.

Appetizer: Toasted Caprese Salad (pictured above left)

Main Dish: Penne Pasta with Bacon and Spinach (pictured above center)

Dessert: Triple chocolate brownies (pictured above right)

Wine 1: Chloe Chardonnay

Name: Sonoma County Chloe Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Year: 2012
Region: California

Country: United States

Price: $15.95

Wine Review: Layers of fresh citrus, delicate vanilla and a creamy character unfold into an unforgettable silky finish.

Personal Review: This was a lighter Chardonnay and not very oaky. 

With Appetizer: Did not pair very well. The food brought out the pear and vanilla flavors of the wine but had a very bitter after taste.

With Main Course: The wine was crisp and smooth.  This cut down the acidity of the wine and paired very well.

With Dessert: This was not good. It was very, very sour and super gross.

Wine 2: Modus Toscana

Name: Modus Toscana Indicazione Geografica Tipica

Variety: Blend - 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot
Year: 2011

Region: Tuscany

Country: Italy 

Price: $24.95

Wine Review: Lush and impressive, elegant and harmonious.  Each grape variety is picked individually when ripe and matured in small oak barrels.  The wine has been named Modus to emphasize the care attention that has been dedicated to it.
Personal Review: This wine had pepper and plum aromas.  It was bitter and tasted like eating the skin of a grape with hints of pepper flavors.  Definitely a bolder wine. 

With Appetizer: This was bitter as well, but it was gross because it was very dry.

With Main Course: This was amazing.  The garlic in the dish offset the dryness from the wine and brought out the flavor.  Delicious

With Dessert: The beginning was very gross, but it had a delicious after-taste – possibly due to the chocolate still being on the teeth.

Wine 3: Sea Glass Pinot Noir

Name: Sea Glass Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir

Year: 2013

Region: California

Country: United States
Price: $11.99

Wine Review: This Pinot Noir captures the best of Santa Barbara County's unique terroir. Delicate aromas and juicy cherry flavors are beautifully balanced with a vibrant acidity.
Personal Review: This wine smelled like cleaning supplies and soap.  I absolutely hated this wine, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it.  I thought it was bitter as hell, but I generally do not prefer Pinot Noirs.

With Appetizer: this was dry as all get out.  When I tried the Toasted Caprese Salad without the basil garnish, the wine made it so much better.  It brought out flavoring without the dryness. 

With Main Course:  The family was split on this one.  My Mom and I did not like it, but my Dad and David loved it.  It ended up growing a little on my mom and I, but it was not my favorite.

With Dessert: This was by far the best wine with the brownie.  The dark flavors paired very well with the chocolate.  I would have this again.

My parents, puppies and I after the dinner/wine tastings

Mom with Birthday Candles

Overall, my mom liked the blend the best, my dad preferred the Pinot Grigio, and David and I liked the Chardonnay.  With the appetizer, the Pinot Noir (without the basil) was the best pairing.  The main course was split in half for our favorite wine pairing:  Mom and I preferred the blend while my Dad and David liked the Pinot Noir.  We all liked the brownie with the Pinot Noir the best. My parents had never done something like this before, and they honestly did not know that different foods could change the flavors of the wine.  My Dad had so much fun that he wanted to do it again the next night and began experimenting with different foods he could find in the pantry and refridgerator.  So thank you, Boyer, for a fun family night!