Tasting: McManis Petite Sirah

Name: McManis Petite Sirah
Variety: Petite Sirah
Region: Ripon, California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $11.95
Shop review: "Vivid purple in color, with aromas of full toned blackberry and boysenberry.  Caramel and toffee are evident in the bouquet, as well as a chocolate oak profile.  The wine is substantial, yet has a rich soft cream texture of mocha.  Very elegant and full of ripe black fruit flavors of blackberry and blueberry.  These fruit flavors are savored in the lingering mouthwatering finish." - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: McManis Petite Sirah poured a purple red color in the glass.  The nose had notes of blackberries with a caramel sweetness behind it.  My palate detected blackberries on the tongue with slight tannins and a very smooth, elegant finish.  I enjoyed this red a lot.  For the price, it is such a bargain for its quality.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting: A. Brunell Les Cailloux Chateneuf

Name: A. Brunell Les Cailloux Chateneuf
Variety: 65% Old Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 12% Syrah, and 3% Cinsault
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $56.95
Shop review: "94 Points. Robert Parker.  While there was no Cuvee Centenaire produced, Brunel's 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape is certainly one of the stars of the vintage.  A blend of 70% Grenache, 17% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, and 3% Cinsault, with a Syrah aged in older barrel and everything else in tank, it offers a gorgeously youthful profile with notions of sweet kirsch, sweated, licorice and hints of truffle all soaring from the glass.  Fresh and vibrant, with a core of sweet fruit that's balanced by building richness and ample structure, it is medium to full-bodied, layered and has a great finish.  Drinking nicely now, it can be consumed anytime over the coming 5-7 years." - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: A. Brunell Les Cailloux Chateneuf poured a red apple hue in the glass.  On the nose, I sensed notes of strawberry, dark fruits, sushi, seaweed, and licorice.  The mouth feel was very smooth with light tannins and a subtly sweet, fresh, and smooth finish.  It had a great body.  I really enjoyed this red blend.  
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting: Casarena Synergy Reserva 2011

Name: Casarena Synergy Reserva
Variety: Blend of 70% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $20.95
Shop review: "91 Points.  Stephen Tanzer.  Juicy, spicy, and quite suave, with a restrained sweetness and silky texture to the understated flavors of black fruits, spices, and moa" - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Casarena Synergy Reserva poured a deep blood red in the glass.  The nose gave a juicy, jammy aroma of black fruits, especially blackberries and plum.  This Petit Verdot was too hot for me and not my favorite.  I detected notes of mocha on the tongue.  The punch of tannins at the end combined with the woody, oaky flavors made this wine a little too unpleasant for my palate.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting: Pali Riviera 2010

Name: Pali Riviera 
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Sonoma Coast, California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $18.95
Shop review: "Intense, with roasted herb, cola, dried berry and wet rock flavors, full-bodied and gaining on the finish.  Drink now through 2018.  Pali Wine Company's Riviera represents an excellent value in Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir that stood out as a region in 2010.  From select vineyard sources, the wine spent 10 months in 30% new French Oak before bottling. 'The 2010 'Riviera' Pinot is light ruby in color, with a lovely nose of cherry, cranberry, blackberry, Asian spice, and gunpowder.  The palate is rich and layered, with  powerful flavors of black cherry, blackberry, sassafras, and spice.  The finish turns lighter with raspberry flavors lingering overtop of earthy, rustic tannins that lighter with raspberry flavors lingering overtop of earthy, rustic tannins that will lengthen with time." - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Pali Riviera poured a candy apple red in the glass.  This pinot noir possessed an interesting aroma of cherry coke, dried strawberries, gummy bears, and rocks.  Strawberry jam stood out on the tongue with a tannic, smooth finish.  One of the more interesting Pinot Noir's that I've ever tried.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting: Crater Rim Riesling Kabinett 2012

Name: Crater Rim Riesling Kabinett 2012
Variety: Riesling
Region: North Canterbury
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2012
Price: $18.95
Shop review: "From a single, low cropping vineyard in the Waipara valley.  This has produced an approachable wine with complex citrus, spice and apple characters.  Aromas of braeburn apples, citrus and spice with a hint of rose water are immediately apparent.  On the palate the ripe citrus attack combines with a thread of mineral acidity.  This balanced by residual sweetness to create a redressing off dry wine." - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Crater Rim Riesling poured a clear to off-yellow color in the glass.  On the nose, I noted citrus and fresh apples.  The taste was subtle sweet, with oranges, mandarines, and apples on the tongue.  I really enjoyed this riesling!  It may have been one of my favorites that I've ever tried.  Very refreshing.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Wine and Cheese Pairing

On Thursday, April 10th, 2014, I gathered with a close group of friends to try out some wine and cheese pairings.  This was the first time I had ever really thought about how flavors in a wine may compliment or clash with cheese, so it definitely made it an interesting experience.

For our wine and cheese pairing, we enjoyed three different wines: Toasted Head Untamed Red, Hacienda de Luna Moscatel Rosado, and Dibon Cava Brut Reserve.

From left to right: Toasted Head, Hacienda de Luna
Moscatel Rosado, and Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

We also experimented with six different cheeses: Manchego, Morbier, Parmesan, Brie, Feta, and Sharp Cheddar.

Large blocks from left to right: Manchego, Morbier,
Parmesan, and Brie.  Sharp cheddar stick in the middle.
Feta crumbles at the bottom of the plate.

Can't forget the Triscuits!

Yay Triscuits!

Before we got started with the pairing, we tasted each wine individually, starting from the white Dibon Cava Brut Reserve, to Hacienda de Luna Moscatel Rosado, and finishing with Toasted Head Untamed Red.

Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Variety: Cava

Region: Penedes

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Wine Notes

Dibon Cava Brut Reserve poured an off white color in the glass. I noticed that it was carbonated with bubbles that were noticeable upon pour.  Aromas of granny smith apples and pears filled the nose.  The wine was very bubbly on the tongue with distinct granny smith apple flavors and an acidic finish.

Cheese Notes

Dibon Cava Brut Reserve was paired with Manchego and Parmesan.

Pictured Above: Manchego

Pictured Above: Parmesean

Manchego is a compact and firm cheese with a yellow/brown rind and a creamy white center. The cheese is not strong of flavor, but rather it has a buttery, creamy texture.

Parmesan is a hard, dry cheese with a pale yellow color.  It is more sharp in flavor and savory on the tongue.

Paired Notes

I first paired Dibon Cava Brut Reserve with the Manchego cheese.  I was incredibly impressed with this pairing.  Together, they went down smoothly, as if the acidity and bubbles in the Cava Brut were broken down by the creamy, butter texture and flavor of the Manchego.  This pairing was damn good and I really loved how it complimented each other in beautiful harmony.

I then paired the Dibon Cava Brut Reserve with Parmesan cheese.  I wasn't too fond of this pairing. I found that the sharp savory flavor in the Parmesan was very overbearing until the very end.  My mouth experienced intense acidity with the Cava in the beginning with an extreme, sharp punch from the Parmesan at the end and I wasn't particularly fond of it.  I didn't think that it complimented very well whatsoever.

Hacienda de Luna Moscatel Rosado

Variety: Moscatel Rosado

Region: Valencia

Country: Spain

Year: 2012

Wine Notes

Hacienda de Luna Moscatel Rosado poured a light pink/salmon color in the glass with bubbling fizz.  This wine was also carbonated.  The wine was distinctly similar to cherry 7up in aroma, with other pleasant notes of peaches and fresh flowers in the nose.  Sweet strawberries, peaches, and apples created a beautiful tropical medley on the palate and the wine was fizzy and bubbly on the tongue upon finish.

Cheese Notes

Hacienda de Luna Moscatel Rosado was paired with Feta cheese and Brie.

Pictured above: Feta cheese

Pictured above: Brie

Feta cheese is a soft, rich cheese of Greece with a tangy, funky, and salty flavor.  It is creamy white in appearance and easily crumbles when eating.

Brie is a soft, creamy cheese with a white/light yellow color. It is easy to spread because of its buttery creaminess.  The white rind on brie is edible.  Brie is very mellow in flavor and has a melt-in-your-mouth texture on the tongue.

Paired Notes

I first paired Hacienda de Luna Moscatel Rosado with feta cheese.  The Moscatel Rosado balanced out the funk in the feta cheese, which was a pleasant surprise.  The spritziness in the wine was enough to break up the funky cheese flavor and texture, making for a smooth finish. This pair was excellent and a pleasant compliment of each other.  Who knew sweet and floral notes would be great for a tangy cheese? It created a harmonious relationship that was also seen in the Cava Brut and Manchego pairing.

Hacienda de Luna Moscatel Rosado was then paired with brie.  When tasting both at once, the combined flavors didn't really do it for me.  The flavor in the brie was too mellow and they seemed to cancel each other out.  The smooth sweetness of the Moscatel Rosado seemed to be dulled and lost in the mellow creaminess of the brie.  I also noticed that the fizz on the tongue also seemed dulled with the pairing.  I wasn't too keen on this combination. 

Based on the two cheeses paired with the Hacienda de Luna Moscatel Rosado, I would predict that goat cheese would make an excellent pairing with the rose wine as well. The funkiness in goat cheese may be the perfect compliment for a soft and sweet rose wine, just as the feta cheese was a great compliment for this Moscatel Rosado.

Toasted Head Untamed Red

Variety: 45% Syrah, 28% Petite Sirah, 14% Zinfandel, 9% Merlot, 3% Tannat, 1% Tempranillo

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2010

Wine Notes

Toasted Head Untamed Red poured a blood red in this glass.  This blend produced an aroma filled with notes of tobacco, cherries, and blackberries.  I was particularly keen to this blend although my friends did not enjoy it as much as I did.  The wine had very minute tannins and was easy to drink.  It was light on the tongue with flavors of cherries.

Cheese Notes

Toasted Head Untamed Red was paired with Morbier and Sharp Cheddar cheese.

Pictured above: Morbier

Pictured above: Sharp cheddar cheese

Morbier is a semi-soft cheese with an ivory color and black coloring that forms a line inside the cheese.  The flavor is not sharp nor strong, but rather soft, rich, and creamy.  

Sharp cheddar is a hard, yellow/orange cheese. "Sharp" denotes that the cheese is acidic. The cheese is compact and firm, rich in mouthfeel and flavor, and tends to melt in the mouth.

Paired Notes

I first paired Toasted Head Untamed Red with Morbier cheese.  Unfortunately, this combination didn't really work for me.  I really enjoyed both wine and cheese separately, but when paired together, the cheese flavor became overwhelming upon finish.  This combination was so gross that I coughed upon swallowing.  I did not expect this unsuccessful pairing because Morbier was more of a mild cheese and the Toasted Head Untamed Red was more of a mild wine.  However, both wine and cheese together did not work.  There was too much power in the mouth at the end that was not pleasant in any way.

I also paired the Toasted Head Untamed Red with Sharp Cheddar cheese.  This pairing worked a lot better than with the Morbier.  The red wine chopped through the cheddar and the finish was smooth, making it more pleasant and bearable to drink.  I enjoyed this pairing. I felt like this wine would be excellent with a pizza as it does really well with cheddar.

Overall, this wine and cheese pairing experience really opened my eyes to the beauty of finding flavors that compliment one another.  Hope to do it again soon!

Viola! Wine and cheese pairing FTW

Aww...wine, cheese, and besties

Tasting: Don Ramon Tinto Barrica

Name: Don Ramon Tinto Barrica
Variety: Grenache/Tempranillo
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $8.95
Shop review: "Now you can't always say that just because a wine is good or expensive it is good or bad.  In fact, in my last decade+ of wine drinking I have had to learn my lessons the hard way.  Because I am not rich I am typically forced to drink bottles that are in the $12-22 dollar range.  This is perfect for me though as sitting on the couch staring at the fire and television really isn't worthy of $25 dollars a glass.  Having said this, from time to time I have found greatness in the under $12 range.  Though rare, it happens.  When it does, it's a love affair in the making!" - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Don Ramon Tinto Barrica poured a purple-red in the glass.  I smelled notes of wood and oak instantly, which only made sense because it was aged in oak barrels.  My palate appreciated flavors of fruit with an earthy, herbal finish that made it a pleasant drink.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting: Chateau Mattes-Sabran Corbieres

Name: Chateau Mattes-Sabran Corbieres
Variety: Syrah 
Region: Languedoc/Roussillon
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $15.95
Shop review: "Blackberry and licorice combine with touches of Asian five-spice on the rich, penetrating nose.  The mouth delivers a never-ending wave of ripe and powerful black fruits and structured yet supple tannins, with a mineral spark that runs from bow to stern with impressive electricity.  Concentrated yet balanced through the through; one of our top southern values and favorites this year in and year out" - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Chateau Mattes-Sabran Corbieres poured a deep red/black hue in the glass. Scents of peppers and cloves came to mind upon sniffing.  I tasted notes of currant with intense jammy fruit flavors and a strong tannin bite.  This wine was okay, but I have tasted better Syrah's.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting: Le Petit Balthazar Rose Cinsault Languedoc

Name: Le Petit Balthazar Rose Cinsault Languedoc
Variety: Cinsaut
Region: Languedoc
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Shop review: "Pierrick Harang comes from a line of 5 generations of winemakers and has brought scientific techniques along with winemaking mastery to create these unique wines.  These wines are naturally low in alcohol (at only 11%) and have about 87 calories per 12cl glass. Juicy flavours of strawberries and blueberries, with a fresh and mouth watering finish." - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Le Petit Balthazar Rose Cinsault Languedoc poured a light salmon color in the glass.  The scent was slightly fruity on the note with earthy notes.  The palate detected cherry notes with soft tannins and an acidic finish.  This wine was not my favorite.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting: La Noche de San Juan Malbec

Name: La Noche de San Juan Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: San Juan
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $11.95
Shop review: "Deep red with violet tones.  High intensity.  Very aromatic wine with a good balance of depth and strength.  Notes of dark fruits like black cherry, blackberry, and plums, with an elegant hint of smoke, vanilla, and chocolate.  This is a full bodied wine with very pleasant dark fruit flavors of black cherries and berries.  On the palate it is ample, rich with a long finish and delicate soft tannins that keep it interesting.  The finish is soft and elegant." - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: La Noche de San Juan Malbec poured a beautiful purple in the glass.  Aromas of wood and herbs with hints of leather filled the nose.  The palate discerned notes of blackberry, tobacco, leather, and smoke.  I really enjoyed this wine and wished I had taken it home with me.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting: Santola Vinho Verde

Name: Santola Vinho Verde
Variety: Loureiro/Pederna 
Region: Minho
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95
Shop review: "Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors.  Off dry and very fresh." - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Santola Vinho Verde poured a pale white in the glass.  Aromas of grass and floral notes filled the nose upon sniffing.  The palate detected flavors of lemon, with a tangy/sweet acidic finish which was very pleasant. I enjoyed this wine.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting: Decoy Napa Red

Name: Decoy Napa Red
Variety: Blend of 47% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $20.95 on sale from $33
Shop review: "Abundant layers of dark fruit and well-developed tannins.  On the nose, layers of blackberry and blueberry mingle with hints of herbs and black olives.  The rich fruit notes continue on the palate, and lead to a long, structured finish." - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Decoy Napa Red poured a deep, blood red hue in the glass. Scents of cherries, oak, and blueberry filled the nose.  The blackberries stood out on the tongue with a very astringent finish.  Overall, this was a pleasant red wine to drink.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting: Decoy Pinot Noir

Name: Decoy Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $20.95 on sale from $33
Shop review: "Lovely aromas of ripe strawberry and raspberry, as well as subtle notes of sandalwood and spice.  On the palate, it is elegantly structured with abundant red fruit, excellent mid-palate and weight and a lingering finish with a hint of fresh earth." - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Decoy Pinot Noir poured a candy apple red in the glass.  Notes of sweet cherries, strawberries, and watermelon jolly ranchers filled the nose.  The palate detected hints of raspberries on a rich profile of cherries and delicate tannins.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting: Decoy Chardonnay

Name: Decoy Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $16.95 on sale from $28
Shop review: "Enticing citrus zest, orange blossom and guava aromas with hints of banana cream pie and spicy oak.  The palate is soft and velvety offering vibrant citrus flavors intermingled with rich tropical fruit.  Excellent acidity adds length and brightness to a satisfying finish." - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Decoy Chardonnay poured a clear to pale yellow in the glass.  The nose brought scents of apple pie crust - definitely very buttery.  The palate was surprisingly tropical and citrusy, which was completely unexpected based on the notes I detected upon smelling the wine. Overall, I enjoyed this Chardonnay.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting: Decoy Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Decoy Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $16.95 on sale from $28
Shop review: "Vibrant and fruit-forward expression of Sauvignon Blanc with abundant aromas of pineapple, honeydew, lime leaves, and lemon zest.  The fruit continues on the palate which is full and round with ripe melon flavors and bright refreshing acidity.  It lingers in your mouth before ending with a hint of citrus zest." - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Decoy Sauvignon poured a pale yellow in the glass.  Notes of pineapple, granny smith apples and butter came to the nose.  The palate was bubbly with notes of lemons and citrus on the palate and a smooth finish. I enjoyed this Sauvignon very much and found it to be a favorite in the tasting.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting: Plungerhead Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Plungerhead Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot/Merlot
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $14.95
Shop review: "We made a very refined Cabernet Sauvignon with great fruit, tannin, and acid balance.  Not one element dominates the rest as this wine truly shows harmony  To the blend, we added Merlot for softness and finesse and a little Petit Verdot for color and round tannins.  The result is a classic glass of Lodi Cab that will pair well with foods on a white tablecloth setting of a dining room or on a blanket in a park toasting in the sunset." -Winemaker
My review: Plungerhead Cabernet Sauvignon poured a gorgeous blood red in the glass.  Aromas of blackberries, oak, plum, and red pepper filled the nose.  Cranberries, raspberries, and chocolate formed a beautiful and pleasant palate with soft tannins and a smooth finish.  This cabernet was by far my favorite red wine in the tasting and a pleasure to drink.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.