Dinner and Wine Pairing

This is the third dinner my boyfriend and I have done for the class: The first time it was Valentine’s Day themed, the second dinner was for my Mom’s birthday, and so we wanted to do something a little different this time around; therefore, we decided to go with a fast, yet healthy-ish, three-course meal. We chose the following dishes to be served:

       

Appetizer: Rotini with steamed vegetables in a light garlic butter sauce (above, left)

Main Dish: Tilapia seasoned with rosemary garlic lemon butter (above center)

Dessert: Angel hair cake with strawberries and fat free whipped topping (above, right)

The wines for the evening

I let my boyfriend pick out all of the wines and gave him instructions to choose two whites and a red wine. He chose the wines solely based on price and what he thought I would like. Once he went to that particular wine section (and the middle- to bottom- shelf, he chose them due to the designs on the label. He came back with a Sauvignon Blanc, a Pinot Grigio, and a Merlot. Each wine is detailed below with Name, Variety, Year, Region, Country, Price, Wine Review, Personal Review, and how  each paired with the appetizer, main dish, and the dessert!

Wine 1: Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc

Monkey Bay Sav. Blanc

Name: Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Year: 2014

Region: Marlborough

Country: New Zealand

Price: $13.95

Wine Review: Monkey Bay Wine is distinctively new Zealand – clean, fresh and easy drinking. Lovely tropical fruit flavors make it a great wine with chicken and seafood dishes or just to drink on its own

Personal Review: It had a pear smell to it. It was very light and refreshing. I think it would be the perfect summer wine. It was absolutely delicious, and I will have this wine again.

With Appetizer: The appetizer brought out the citrus, which made it a little bit sour, but not bitter. It wasn't bad, but the wine was better without the pairing with the appetizer.

With Main Course: This was absolutely phenomenal. It took out some of the citrus flavors and tartness that may have existed. It was crisp and smooth, and it was delicious. This was the best pairing for this wine.

With Dessert: The wine did not mix with the different parts of the strawberry short cake, but it wasn't terrible. This dessert definitely made the wine more sour.

Wine 2: Chalkboard Pinot Grigio

Name: Chalkboard Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Gris

Year: 2013

Monkey Bay Pinot Grigio

Region: Fossalta Di Piave

Country: Italy

Price: $7.95

Wine Review: This classic, dry Italian Pinot Grigio has a fruity bouquet, with a soft, well-balanced sweetness. Piars beautifully with a fresh green salad topped with grilled shrimp and avocado.

Personal Review: I was unpleasantly surprised with this Pinot Grigio. It was lacking big flavors and was just an overall flat/weak wine. It wasn’t bad, and I would drink it again maybe, but I would not spend my money on it.

With Appetizer: The appetizer brought out some of the apple flavorings, but it wasn more of a sour apple. This was very gross and sour, and I would never pair these together again.

With Main Course: With the tilapia, it was amazing! It was so good, very refreshing, and light. The wine was a lot sweeter, too, when paired with the main course. This was the best pairing for this wine.

With Dessert: This was a weird combination of tastes. The initial taste was very, very sour and absolutely terrible; however the after-taste was good and sweet. It was an interesting pairing.

Wine 3: Two Vines Merlot

Two Vines Merlot

Name: Two Vines Merlot

Variety: Merlot

Year: 2012

Region: California

Country: United States

Price: $8.99

Wine Review: Two Vines Merlot features aromas of cola, cream soda and caramel leading into expressions of vanilla and strawberry jam on the smooth palate. Flavors of spice round out the silky finish.

Personal Review: This wine smelled of sugar and vanilla, and I was excited to try it. The taste left a great after-taste. Because of the smell, I was expecting it to possibly be overpowering, but it was the perfect blend of sweetness and spiciness. This is the best red wine I have ever had.

With Appetizer: This appetizer brought out the spicy side of the fine and gave a huge punch in the body of the taste. The after-taste took it back down to a leveled taste. It was a very complex taste, and I kind of liked it.

With Main Course: The fish made the wine a little drier and brought out some of the spices as well. It finished off with flavors of vanilla and made the after-taste smooth and good.

With Dessert: This was a mix of sweet and spicy. The initial taste was kind of weird and spicy from the strawberry I believe. However once it got that vanilla after-taste mixed with the dessert, it was very good and left me wanting more. Although it was a weird mix, I thought this was the best.

Overall, we liked the Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc the best, followed by the Two Vines Merlot, and the Chalkboard Pinot Grigio in last. The tilapia definitely paired pretty well with all three wines, which surprised me due to the seasoning on it. I will definitely be having the Two Vines Merlot and the Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc in the future, as they are two of my favorite wines I have ever tasted. Despite David really just focusing on the labels, this was by far our most successful pairing of foods across the board. Even if the class is over, David and I plan to have wine-dinner pairings again in the future!

Tasting: Rare Red Blend

Name – Rare Red

Variety – Blend: Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Petite Verdot, Merlot

Region – California

Country – United States

Year – The year was not specified.

Price - $9.95

Wine Review - A multi-vintage blend of Zinfandel, Petite Verdot, Petite Syrah, and Merlot that is full-bodied and fruit forward with a spicy and complex finish. This wine has been partially barrel aged for eight months in American and French oak.

Personal Review – It smelled of berries and had a wide range of flavors, including some that I couldn't pick out; however, I was able to taste a mix of cherry and spices.  I thought this wine was disgusting, and it lingered in my mouth for a while. I would not have this wine again.

Food - I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting: Jam Jar Sweet White

Name – Jam Jar Sweet White

Variety – 100% Muscat

Region – Western Cape

Country – South Africa

Year – 2014

Price - $8.95

Wine Review - This charming, easy-drinking Moscato offers flavors of peach, apricot, lychee and orange blossom. A lively jolt of acidity keeps it fresh and fruity. Fancy enough for a special occasion toast, yet sweet-natured enough to enjoy every day, our bright and cheerful sweet wines are sure to capture your heart.

Personal Review – I usually think Moscato is way too sweet, and this was no exception.  It had tropical fruity aromas that smelled promising, but as soon as it hit my taste buds, I knew it was too sweet.  I was able to taste a little peach in there, but I would not have this wine again. 

Food - I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Hahn Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling

Name – Hahn Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling

Variety – Riesling

Region – Piesporter

Country – Germany

Year – The year was not specified.

Price - $9.95

Wine Review - This wine’s light, airy mouthfeel belies its sweetness and intensity of flavor. Honeyed pineapple aromas; similar flavors on the palate, adding gentle citrus notes toward the long, sweet finish.

Personal Review – This wine had no carbonation.  It was sweet in the initial tasting but not overwhelming.  It was refreshing and sweet, and it was one of the better sweet wines that I have ever had.  I would have this again on a hot summer day if I wanted to have wine.

Food - I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Tres Ojos Garnacha Calatayud

Name – Tres Ojos Garnacha Calatayud

Variety – Blend: 15% Tempranillo, 85% Garnacha

Region – Calatayud

Country – Spain

Year – 2012

Price - $6.95

Wine Review - 88 points – Robert Parker; "The 2012 Tres Ojos Garnacha contains 15% Tempranillo (I wonder why), and unoaked cuvée of 200,000 bottles that matures in vat for at least seven months before bottling. What I tasted was a very honest, fresh and fruit-driven red with aromas of cherries, garrigue and thyme with a medium-bodied palate, some weight and tannins that would do better with food. This is a red that sells for a song.”

Personal Review –This wine smelled so good and of berries!  It had a bitter after taste and of peppers.  It did get better as a drink more, and I liked it.  Cherry stuck out to me in the taste.

Food - I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Torre Castillo Cosecha Monastrell

Name – Torre Castillo Cosecha Monastrell

Variety – Monastrell

Region – Jumilla

Country – Spain

Year – 2011

Price - $7.95

Wine Review - 89 points - Stephen Tanzer; 100% Monastrell, aged in American oak for four months. Bright ruby. Powerful, spicy aromas of dark berry preserves and lavender. Fleshy and round on the palate, offering spicy blackberry and blueberry flavors and gaining sweetness with air. Finishes smooth, long and slightly warm.

Personal Review – I found this wine to be medium-bodied, but good.  It was really dry but lacked bitterness, so it was enjoyable.  I tasted a great blend of spices and fruits.  I would have this wine again, but I would want to pair it with foods.

Food - I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Chateau Suau Bordeaux Rose

Name – Château Suau Bordeaux Rose

Variety – Cabernet Sauvignon

Region – Bordeaux

Country – France

Year – 2013

Price - $18; but it was on sale for $7.95 at the Vintage Cellar  

Wine Review - 88 points - Stephen Tanzer; 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Light, lurid pink.  Tangerine, raspberry and white pepper on the fragrant nose.  Juicy and focused in the mouth, offering zesty red berry flavors with a refreshingly bitter edge.  Closes clean and tight, with lingering spiciness and a touch of orange zest.

Personal Review – This wine had an absolutely amazing, fruity smell to it.  It was light and refreshing, and its color was light pinkish. I thoroughly enjoyed the light, fruity tastes and would have it again.

Food - I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Terre di Poggio Laude Pecorino

Name – Terre di Poggio Laude Pecorino

Variety – Pecorino

Region – Terre di Chieti

Country – Italy

Year – 2013

Price - $8.95  

Wine Review - Bright and savory, this floral scented Pecorino offers juicy tropical fruit and lemon drop sensations accented by notes of mint and thyme. The ripe fruit is balanced by brisk acidity that leaves the palate feeling cleansed and refreshed. 

Personal Review – This wine was herbaceous, and I was really excited when I was able to pick up the smell of mint.  It was a very light wine, and I absolutely loved it.  I would have this again.

Food - I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Peter Mertes Riesling Platinum

Name - Peter Mertes Riesling Platinum
Variety - Riesling
Region - Rheinhessen
Country - Germany
Year - 2013
Price - $8.95

Wine Review - This quality Riesling is crisp, clean and easy drinking. Floral and fruit aromas suggest sweet melon and honey with enough acidity to ensure a beautifully balanced and versatile wine.      

Personal Review - This wine was very sweet.  I twas overloaded with fruit and was syrup-like.  I didn't necessarily like the wine, but I didn't hate it either.  Overall, I would not have it again due to how sweet it was.

Food - I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone Blend

Name - Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone Blend
Variety - Blend: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre
Region - Rhone
Country - France
Year - 2013
Price - $8.95

Wine Review - 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre. 56 Ha grown organically since March 2009 (in conversion). Part of the vineyard is plowed with horses. Average age of the vines : 30 years old. Clear ruby wine with overtones of red berry fruits. Round and supple with smooth aftertaste. A good all round red wine for meat courses, poultry and light cheeses. Best drunk now while fresh with good keeping up to 4 years.    

Personal Review - I liked the body of the wine due to its berry flavors, but I did not like the after-taste.  I would be very interested in trying this wine with foods because it would definitely change the after-taste (hopefully).  I would have this wine again.

Food - I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Terre di Poggio Montepulicano d'Abuzzo Laude

Name - Terre di Poggio Montepulicano d'Abuzzo Laude
Variety - Montepulicano d'Abruzzo
Region - Abruzzo
Country - Italy
Year - 2012
Price - $8.95

Wine Review - This opens with dark aromas of leather, tobacco, cured meat, plum and prune. It shows soft tannins and loads of dark fruit on.     

Personal Review - I could not distinguish the smell in this wine, but in the taste it was very dry.  It had a beautiful color with some tannins throughout, but I simply did not like this wine at all.  I would not have it again, especially now that I have seen what it was supposed to taste like.

Food - I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Sean Minor Pinot Noir Rose Vin Gris

Name - Sean Minor Pinot Noir Rose Vin Gris 
Variety - Pinot Noir
Region - California
Country - United States
Year - 2013
Price - Regular Price: $20, Sale Price: $8.95

Wine Review - The Vin Gris is a bright and vibrant salmon color with cherry, strawberry, cranberry and ripe watermelon aromas on the nose.  On entry, the wine displays bright strawberry flavors. Throughout the mid-palate and finish, raspberry and cherry fruit characters are balanced with spicy and crisp acidity that linger creating a refreshing and lengthy finish. 

Personal Review - I did not like this wine at all.  It was very abundant of citrus aromas and tastes, but it was very acidic.  I actually had a hard time finishing it, and I would not have this wine again. 

Food - I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Grande Reserves des Bastides

Name - Grande Reserve des Bastides Gaillac
Variety - Blend: 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Loin de l'Oeil, 30% Mozac
Region - Gaillac
Country - France
Year - 2013
Price - $9.95

Wine Review - A crisp and fruity blend featuring 20% of the herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc, 50% creamy Loin de l’Oeil and notes of fresh apple and crisp pear, plus a touch of herb from the 30% Mauzac. It has a bright feel, with a hint of mineral on the finish.    

Personal Review - I tasted pear from this wine, and thought it was very good.  It was more citrusy, and had a great smell to it as well.  I would have this wine again

Food - I did not try this wine with food.