Wine Dinner!

The Dishes

Wild blueberry lemon and thyme goat cheese with rosemary flatbread crackers

Tomato, spinach and feta sauce on cauliflower gnocchi 

Cheesecake

Overall, I really enjoyed this meal! The cheese was my favorite part of the meal as the goat cheese itself was sweet with a tart taste due to the lemon and blueberries. The pasta was also something I have made before and it is a rich sauce, but the gnocchi was new for me. The gnocchi was very soft which was good, but I am unsure if I liked the taste of it. Finally, you can never go wrong with a plain cheesecake!

Name: 19 Crimes

Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Southeastern Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2022

Price: $13.00

Winery review: Firm and full with a rich mouthfeel. Aromatics of dark berries, violets and vanilla. (19 Crimes)

Wine Folly: Based on page 88 of Wine Folly, cabernet sauvignon is rich in flavor and is a perfect partner with meats and peppery sauces. Something that I found interesting was that specifically in Napa Valley, the wine typically tends to offer more black cherry, but overall cabernet sauvignon does have hints of baking spices and graphite as well.

My review: This wine was not for me. It had a tart taste to it which was not pleasant to drink. It was awful with the pasta, tart with the cheese and ok with the dessert but still tart. I think the wine was at fault in this equation which made my meal unenjoyable when pairing it to 19 Crimes. Needless to say, I will not be buying this wine again and will not be pairing it with anything in the near future.

Name: Barefoot Merlot

Variety: 100% Merlot

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: No Vintage

Price: $10.95

Winery review: A luscious wine with alluring flavors of boysenberry and split cherries followed by hints of silky chocolate for a decadent finish. (Barefoot)

Wine Folly: Merlot (131) pairs well with cherry, plum, chocolate, dried fruit, and vanilla. It even has a smoky finish to it and tastes great with fruit notes.

My review: OThe wine itself was one I unexpectedly liked. It was a smooth dark red wine and did not have as bold of a flavor that I typically look for, but I did not mind it. This wine paired best with the cheese and dessert. For the dessert it was smooth and neither pairing overpowered the other one and it complemented very well. For the cheese, it was a sweeter pairing that I enjoyed, and I think that was due to the cheese itself and the blueberries on it. However, this wine did not pair well with my pasta, and I did not like it as it made for a sour taste.

Name: Oak Leaf Vineyards

Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2008

Price: $7.99

Winery review: This medium-bodied, smooth Cabernet Sauvignon has vibrant notes of blackberry fruit, a hint of toasty oak, and a lingering finish. Pair with Rib Eye Roast. (Oak Leaf)

Wine Folly: Based on page 88 of Wine Folly, cabernet sauvignon is rich in flavor and is a perfect partner with meats and peppery sauces. Something that I found interesting was that specifically in Napa Valley, the wine typically tends to offer more black cherry, but overall cabernet sauvignon does have hints of baking spices and graphite as well.

My review: To me, this wine had more of a cherry taste. It was a good bold wine, but still not my favorite as I think it could've had a strong taste on the tongue which is what I like. With all the food, it paired the best with the cheese, but not at the first bite. At first it created a weird flavor but when I tried it more, it was smooth and enjoyable. It was pretty good with the pasta, however still not ideal but when compared to all the wines it paired the best with this dish. For my dessert, it gave the wine a tart taste and was not my favorite. Overall, the wine was fine, but I feel is better by itself.

Barefoot Wine - Pinot Grigio

Name: Barefoot Pinot Grigio

Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2021

Price: $5.99

Winery review: A light-bodied classic with a crisp, bright finish, Barefoot Pinot Grigio offers all the flavors of tart green apples with fresh white peaches. (From Barefoot)

Wine Folly: Pinot Grigio (Gris) on page 149 is a pink grape mutation of Pinot Noir that's known for its zesty white wines that range in style from dry to just plain sweet. It pairs well with white meats and seafood.

My review: This white wine was a tad better, but I think if I have white wine it will have to be with food. Luckily for me, I am a seafood lover and when I get home to the beach this summer, I would like to have a try. I understand how this wine is crisper and is good cold, it just still does not compare to a good red wine. I would be willing to have this wine again, it is sadly just not something I would grab off the shelf when it is sitting next to a bottle of red wine.

Longevity - Chardonnay

Name: Longevity

Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Region: Livermore Valley, California

Country: USA

Year: 2019

Price: $11.99

Winery review: Forward fruit and crisp acidity, paired with aging in French oak barrels provide the richness and complexity that round out this distinctive Chardonnay. (From Total Wine)

Wine Folly: Chardonnay on page 96, it is one of the world's most popular grapes. It pairs best with subtle spices and flavors. It is also made in a wide range of styles from sparkling Blanc de Blancs.

My review: I fear this wine proved why I am a red wine lover. While I know many people who love this wine, this wine was not for me. It has a strong smell that is similar to red wine, but it's a harsher bold taste. Sipping this wine was also harsh in that it had an acidity taste to it and almost vanilla tone which I did not like. Maybe there will be a different white wine that I will like.

Afton Mountain Bacco

Name: Afton Mountain Bacco

Variety: 50% Petit Verdot, 25% Sangiovese, 25% Tannat

Region: Virginia (Afton)

Country: USA

Year: 2021

Price: $45

Winery review: A robust red, with bright acidity and nice spice. (From Afton)

Wine Folly: Petit Verdot on page 146 is a minor blending grade in Bordeaux. It has shown promise as a single-varietal wine in warmer climates where it makes smooth full-bodied reds. It can be more of black cherry, plum, violet, lilac, or sage. When looking at page 162, Sangiovese specifically is high in acidity and matches well with well-spiced foods. It consists of cherry, roasted tomato, sweet balsamic, oregano, and espresso. What is really unique about this wine is it is Italy's most planted grape. Tannat on page 174 has some of the highest polyphenols of all red wines. It can be very tannic and astringent, making you want to pair it with rick, barbequed grilled meats or fatty dishes. It can consist of black currant, plum, licorice, smoke and cardamon.

My review: And Afton Mountain never fails! This was one of my FAVORITE wines that I tried, and I am very upset that I did not buy a bottle of it, but luckily living so close to the winery, I will be going back soon to enjoy the view and buy one. It had a very sweet smell with oak and had a sweet yet tart flavor to it. I loved this wine by itself, and I could see it being good with food, but honestly, I don't know if I want to try it because I do not want it to ruin the wine. Bacco is the way to go!

Barefoot - Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Barefoot - Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2017

Price: $6.99

Winery review: "One of our boldest red wines, bursting with big berry flavors of raspberry and blackberry jam." Barefoot

Wine Folly: Based on page 88 of Wine Folly, cabernet sauvignon is rich in flavor and is a perfect partner with meats and peppery sauces. Something that I found interesting was that specifically in Napa Valley, the wine typically tends to offer more black cherry, but overall cabernet sauvignon does have hints of baking spices and graphite as well.

My review: This is my go-to cheap bottle of wine. It has a bold flavor that I really enjoy and is easy to drink as a stand alone or with food. It has a dark berry flavor with a strong smell of purple fruit. I especially like this wine when it is cold and had alone.