Dinner - 500 Sunridge Drive (Night in Italy)

Earlier this week, on Monday, seven great friends assembled at an apartment in Village Phase 2 to not only enjoy wonderful food/wine but also to share an experience that transcends the boundaries of taste.

Our wines:

Pinot Grigio Cavit Collection - delle Venerie

Cab Sauv - CV Mondavi

Belmont Moscato Puglia

Luckily, these friends are skillful when it comes to cooking. Here's a list of goodies they brought to the table (literally): 

1. Pasta (oil based, little sauce)

2, Bruschetta

3. Chicken

4. Catfish (bonus, wasn't used in the blog)

Pinot Grigio Cavit Collection with Pasta:

Blended with the pasta very well. Didn't make the pasta shine but the pasta helped the wine shine. The oily base seemed to supplement the fruitiness of the wine very well.

with bruschetta:

It shines with the bruschetta. There was a very tangy taste to the tomato element of the bruschetta that was not only reduced but refined by the wine.

with chicken: 

I did not like this combination. The alcoholic taste of the wine seemed to bite a lot harder when combined. Strong aftertaste.

Cab Sauv - CV MONDAVI

-       With brushcetta: clashes, doesnt taste good, made the wine too strong

-       With pasta: neutral taste, nothing special

-       With chicken: spicy tatse, slight cheesy taste

Belmont Moscato Puglia

-       Apple taste, very sweet, carbonated

-       With brushetta- neutralizes taste of the wine

-       With pasta-not a good pairing

-       With chicken- good pairing

By the end of the night, we were full and full-spirited. It was a great time and we look forward to doing it again (thanks for giving us an excuse to do this).

Tasting | Baci Dolci Marzemino Merlot

Name: Baci Dolci

Variety: Mosto Di Uve Parzialmente

Region: Marzemino Merlot

Country: Colli Euganei

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: A blend of 50% Marzemino 50% Merlot.  A delicate, slightly frizzante wine with an intense,

ruby red color. Fresh strawberry & black cherry

aromas with hints of roses. Cherry pie flavors,

medium-full bodied with refreshing sparkle to balance the semi- sweet finish.

My Review: I did not have this with food. Very interesting combination of Merlot and Marzemino. I cannot tell how this is much different from previous Merlots I have tasted. It is not as spicy and smoky. A little fruitier, maybe? This wine has me wanting to try more to fully analyze. I may have to buy the bottle.

Tasting | Oasis del Cuyo Malbec

Name: Oasis del Cuyo

Variety: Malbec

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Deep ruby color. Appealing red fruit nose with hints of tobacco. Medium bodied with a smooth and lush mouth-feel. Finishes dry with lasting flavors. Excellent choice for a young and fruity everyday wine. Enjoy as an aperitif or with meats and pasta dishes.

My Review: I did not have this with food. What a full-flavored wine. It seems to completely engulf the tongue and leave a thick coat in the mouth. Slightly floral aroma and medium-sweet on the palate.

Tasting | Terranoble Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Terranoble

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Year: 2013

Region: Central Valley

Country: Chile

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: This Cabernet Sauvignon offers an intense and deep color and lovely aromas of red fruit, pepper and tobacco. It has smooth tannins, very freshness and rich fruit, which gives the wine a good balance. Pair with barbecued beef ribs, grilled sea bass, or spaghetti alla Bolognese.

My Review: I did not have this with food. This tastes spicy and smoky. It does also taste of fresh strawberry and bell peppers. Great wine overall. I'd love to enjoy this at dinner.

Tasting | Terranoble Chardonnay

Name: Terranoble

Variety: Chardonnay

Year: 2015

Region: Central Valley

Country: Chile

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: This Chardonnay offers a wine with an attractive color and lovely aromas, such as ripe pear and pineapple, mixed with butter and vanilla notes. It is a fresh style of white wine, with medium persistence in mouth. Ideal as an aperitif.

My Review: I did not have this with food. This tastes like kiwi and watermelon. I also get hints of honeydew. No citrus on this but it slightly tart. Good balance of tart/sweet/dryness.

Tasting | Santola Vinho Verde

Name: Santola

Variety: Vinho Verde

Region: Vinho Verde

Country: Portugal

Price: $7.95

Winery 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.

My Review: I did not have this with food. One of the few Vinho Verde wines I have tried. Previously, I haven't been able to specify what about Vinho Verde makes them Vinho Verdes. However, this has a very crispy, sweet, asian pear aroma/taste about it. Tastes like fresh, light, fruit.

Tasting | Lost Vineyards

Name: Lost Vineyards

Variety: Moscato

Region: Piedmont

Country: Italy

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Pale color. Confected, fruity aromas of yellow apple, honeysuckle, pear tartlet, and honeydew melon with a satiny, shy, spritzy, moderately sweet light-to-medium body and a sleek, fast yellow apple, candied pear, honeycomb, and sweet papaya finish with no tannins and no oak. Simple and approachable with sweet apple, melon and candied pear on a framework of gentle, delightful bubbles.

 

My Review: I did not have this with food. What an aromatic, sugary wine! Pure sweetness and bubbly bliss. Light-colored fruits like pear, I wish there was more oak to balance.