Dinner- Bonett-Endara Family Household (Italy)

This Easter weekend I thought it would be appropriate to share my love of wine with my family and gain some credit as well. I had been keeping my family in contact with how my wine course was going and I mentioned the dinner assignment and my mother was thrilled to help! So naturally I picked up all the wines and gave her some dish ideas to pair them with. The following is each pairing of wine and dish, followed by a review of each gathered from my entire family.

Valpolicella w/lamb and potatoes, tomato sauce and rice: The Valpolicella had a distinct cherry taste and light dry finish. Very smooth finish.
The lamb paired very well with this wine because of the spicy taste and the potatoes compliment the sweet taste of the wine. My family enjoyed this one perhaps the most because we like red meat in our household and the red wine paired perfectly with the dark lamb.

Model land ars vitis Riesling w/ sea bass, chicken, salad, vegetables: This was a heavy meal that even my dad could barely finish!  the nose is cidery, scent of sugars and fruits. The taste is crisp like a soda, it has a very sweet finish. The sea bass pairs with the Riesling very well, the salad dressing compliments the sweet taste of the Riesling. I think the fish preceding the chicken is a good combination. The fish is lighter and the wine is has a light taste. The chicken with the veggies is a great way to finish this meal. My brother and father did not enjoy the chicken and veggies portion as much and mentioned that perhaps they would have paired better with a Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay. Interesting to hear someone else's opinion from time to time, so I accepted their critique.

Sparkling Shiraz w/ strawberry shortcake: Blackberry and black cherry nose. I think the strawberry shortcake is the best pairing of the evening because the Shiraz alone tastes like strawberry shortcake! Vanilla finish and compliments the whipped cream on the shortcake. My entire family enjoyed this portion because how can you not enjoy strawberry shortcake and a dessert wine!?

All in all, it was a great experience and the bonding time I had with my family after not seeing them since winter break was valuable. It was a nice break from the craziness of school and work, and this dinner came at a perfect time. Nothing like being around loved ones for a holiday and sharing some wine amongst each other. I cannot wait to try this again.

As my nephew Mason would say, "Stay thirsty my friends".

(Disclaimer: No minors were served alcohol at this dinner)

Tasting- Montebuena

Name: Montebuena
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95
Shop review: Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja.
My review: Incredibly dry, distinct nose of blackberries and almost blueberries. I taste blueberries in the finish, but I did not enjoy this wine at all.

Tasted with food or not: None.

Tasting- Tres Ojos Garnacha

Name: Tres Ojos
Variety: Garnacha
Region: San Joaquin Valley
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Shop review: The wine has a brick red color with a bouquet of red raspberries, spice and white pepper. The palate is incredibly concentrated and rich. The modern styles of Garnacha in Spain are continuously being perceived worldwide as wines of extraordinarily good quality. This wine is fruity, juicy, and shows a great depth, ripe tannins, length but yet with wonderful elegance and lightness. Enjoy with sausages, roasted meats, aged cheeses, etc.
My review: Very sweet and medium dry finish. Delicious taste that could go well with a steak or heavy meal.

Tasted with food or not: None.

Tasting- Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence

Name: Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence
Variety: Grenacha, Syrah, Cinsault blend
Region: Provence
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Shop review: Bright salmon pink; typical of the fresh but warm Provence style. Refined and complex on the nose, with summer fruit and floral notes. Dry and crisp with a delicate flavor and full texture.
My review: Tart taste the nose smells almost like a beer. Full of cherry taste and berries, deceivingly good.

Tasted with food or not: None.

Tasting- Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz

Name: Emeri de Bortoli
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Rhone
Country: Australia
Year: NV
Price: $9.95
Shop review: A relatively light, fresh style of sparkling Shiraz, with berries and hints of chocolate picking up just a touch of sweet vanilla on the finish.
My review: Smells like strawberry cheesecake. The perfect dessert wine! It actually tastes like the scent, a strawberry cheesecake. Small hint of vanilla that complements the strawberry.

Tasted with food or not: None.

Tasting- Canyon Road Chardonnay

Name: Canyon Road
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Shop review: Medium-bodied wine with notes of crisp apple and ripe citrus fruit with a hint of cinnamon spice. Delicious complement to grilled chicken, lighter pasta dishes or mild cheeses.
My review: Citrus finish with a light hint of white grapes. Nose of apples

Tasted with food or not: None.

Tasting - Dr. Willkomm's Blue River Riesling

Name: Dr. Willkomm's Blue River Riesling 
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mosel
Country: Germany
Year: N.V.
Price: $10.95

Winery Review: Dr. Willkomm's Blue River Riesling has intensely refreshing pure fruit notes of apples, pears, and apricots with a slight touch of sweetness on the finish.
My Review: This was a great Riesling. I love Rieslings due to their sweet taste and mild acidity, and this wine did not disappoint. I could taste the cider in the wine and it had a fresh finish. Perfect Riesling.

Did not have with food.

Tasting - Snap Dragon Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Name:Snap Dragon Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 
Variety:Cabernet Sauvignon 
Region: California
Country: The United States of America
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Fruit forward with cherry, blackberry and spice with hints of currant and smooth tannins.  Enjoy with grilled steak or hearty roast beef.

My Review: I enjoyed this wine, it had a rich taste to it. Almost thick for a wine, the nose was filled with cherries. This was a dark wine but a great cab sav.

Did not eat with food.

Tasting - Hazlitt Vineyards Red Cat

Name: Hazlitt Vineyards Red Cat
Variety: Red Catawba and Baco Noir
Region: New York
Country: The United States of America
Year: N.V.
Price: $13.95

Winery Review: Red Catawba and Baco Noir make this semi-sweet red an irresistible complement to pizza, burgers, wings or a hot tub. This wine holds secrets; find out why.
My Review: This wine was different from most wine's, the alcohol content was low. This was evident by the fruity taste, which rivaled a sangria. I enjoyed it but it was almost like drinking minute-maid fruit juice.

Did not eat with food.

Tasting - Stone Cellars Merlot

Name: Stone Cellars Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: California
Country: The United States of America
Year: 2010
Price: $10.95

Winery Review: The rich fruit flavors in Stone Cellars Merlot are concentrated but wonderfully balanced. It is full of ripe cherry and black stone fruit on the nose, along with a hint of mint. The intense flavors of plum, blueberry and blackberry are all enhanced by warm, brown spices that linger on the finish. The Stone Cellars Merlot is perfect as a pre-dinner aperitif, as well as an ideal match for a variety of rich dishes such as chili con carne or pasta puttanesca.

My Review: I found this wine to have almost too strong of a blend of berries to the point it had no discernable taste. I did not enjoy this wine because it did not carry enough taste or scent that was pleasant.

Did not eat with food.

 

Tasting - Rex Goliath Pinot Noir

Name: Rex Goliath Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: The United States of America
Year: N.V.
Price: $8.95


Winery Review: With an intense American and French oak regime and careful maturation, this wine truly expresses Pinot Noir varietal character. Deep red color and pleasant aromas are offset by a dry, harmonic blend of black cherry with a touch of vanilla that stays on the tongue to produce a pleasant finish. With true varietal flavors and an easy drinking and fruit-forward profile, it reaches a fine balance between soft and subtle, and complex and BOLD.

My Review: Super oaky taste and finish. Felt like it came straight from the barrel. I could smell the berries and it had a medium dry fish. A good pinot noir. 

Did not eat with food.

Tasting- Monte Aman

Name: Monte Aman
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Arlanza
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95
Shop review: 00% Tempranillo.

Fermentation of selected grapes in stainless steel

tanks at controlled temperature. Aging in American oak casks for 5 months

followed by 3 months in the bottle before being released in the

market. Inky ruby. Ripe cherry and plum on the nose. Smooth and

fleshy, with deep dark fruit flavors complicated by bitter chocolate

and anise. A spicy quality adds lift and focus to the weighty fruit.

Offers an appealing mix of power and energy and drinks very well right now.

My review: Fruit-filled like the Sangria from last week. Strong fruity scent and taste. The finish has a taste of licorice somewhat and is medium-dry.

Tasted with food or not: None.

Tasting- Cortonova Montepulciano

Name: Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Variety: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Region:Abruzzo
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95
Shop review:

100% Montepulciano d' Abruzzo

Deep ruby red color with violet highlights and a pleasant and fruity

bouquet. Full bodied, soft tannins and good acidity. Excellent with pasta dishes and red meats.

My review: Tannins come out in the taste very well. The grape nose is distinct from the first whiff. Has a dry finish and leaves your mouth very parched.

Tasted with food or not: None.

Tasting- Maipe Chardonnay

Name: Maipe Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Shop review:

Made from 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier. 30% malolactic

fermentation, 30% was aged in French oak barrels. Brilliant yellow

golden color with green hints. The wine is crisp and filled with

white peach, pear, green apples flavors, toasty vanilla. Elegant and

luscious wine, well balanced. Crisp and long finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, pork, veal, vegetables

My review: Strong scent of oak and oaky taste. Hint of apple in the taste and the finish was not as long as advertised.

Tasted with food or not: None.

Tasting- Villa D'Orvieto

Name: Villa D'Orvieto
Variety: D'Orvieto
Region: Terni
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Shop review: It’s a blend of Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), and Malvasia. Fresh and crisp, it has a beautiful, floral bouquet. It is wonderful with appetizers, fish, chicken, and salads.
My review: Not very crisp and medium-dry to my taste. The blend is very distinct on the nose and body. Not very strong taste though.

Tasted with food or not: No.

Tasting- Dibon Cava Brut

Name: Dibon Cava Brut Reserve
Variety: Cava
Region: Penedes
Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $9.95
Shop review:5% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada

Light gold with plenty of bubbles, this wine has aromas of apples

and pears with pleasant floral notes. Crisp and light-bodied on the

palate, stone fruit flavors are accompanied by a mild minerality and

balanced acidity. A delicious sparkler for a great price

My review: Very bitter for a white. Sparkling right out of the glass. Cidery taste and strong finish that lasts long after you swallow.

Tasted with food or not: None