First Wine and Food Matching Event

This was my first annual wine and food matching event. It was a lot of fun. Everyone pitched in and made all the dishes. Doing all of the prep work had the desired effect of helping me commit some of the food matching guidelines to memory. Great to see everyone.

• NV Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Champagne Blue Top Brut

  France, Champagne

  Nice, a bit sweeter than I remember from Jan 2008. I paid $27 and it was worth it. Fresh and citrus flavors with some yeast and a bit of honeyed(?) sweetness. Yes.

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• NV Mionetto Prosecco di Treviso Brut

  Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Treviso

  No. Pale, pale yellow color with a hint of green. This was like orange scented beer due to the heavy, yeasty scent. No pleasure here whatsoever.

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• 2006 Lingenfelder Gewürztraminer Hare Label

  Germany, Pfalz

  This was unpleasant to me. There was not enough sweetness to balance out the exorbitant minerality here. No.

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• 2008 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva

  Chile, Casablanca Valley

  This is a straightforward and tasty SB. Grassy and lemony with a bit of grapefruit on the nose. A ton of acid and a great match for some of the cheesy and salty appetizers. For $10, a great deal.

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• 2004 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  This was really good. I haven't had an Outpost Zin and expected it to be bigger than it was. This was pleasant before any food was paired with it. Bright raspberries and cheeries. Great balance between red and dark fruits and spice and acidity. Nice.

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• 2007 Rudera Chenin Blanc

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  Nice, didn't spend a lot of time with it, but would love to try it again with more time.

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• 2007 Hexamer Meddersheimer Rheingrafenberg Riesling Quarzit

  Germany, Nahe

  Okay. A bit sweet with not enough acidity to balance it out. Simple. Not unpleasant but nothing to write home about.

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• 2004 Ilatium Morini Valpolicella Superiore Campo Prognài

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Superiore

  Didn't get to taste.

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• 2005 DuMOL Syrah Russian River Valley

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  I liked this. I had this after it had been opened about an hour. It was bright and fresh with sweet dark fruits and some pepper. Full-bodied. I saved more than half the bottle and can't wait to finish the rest soon.

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• 2007 Adega de Monção Vinho Verde Fuzelo Flawed

  Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde

  This was too old. I shouldn't have purchased it.

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