Wine-Cheese Blog

Today, along with my friends from the class, I tried three different wines with three different types of cheeses. We met up in our friend's apartment to do this. The wines I drank today were the Gallo Family Moscato, and White Zinfindel, along with Giles Mountain Tango. The small Gallo family bottles were just a few dollars each, while The Giles Mountain Tango was 15 dollars. The three cheeses these wines were paired with were Marry Dutch Gouda, Widmer Colby, and Black Creek Cheddar(aged nine months). Each cheese block was only couple dollars. As appropriate with the wine tasting methodology, we drank the white wines and made our way to the dark red wine. 

The first wine consumed was The Gallo Family from California, USA. The vintage was not specified on the bottle. The variety of the grape in the wine is Moscato. The wine itself had aromas of  unripened pear and apricot. The wine is light bodied, and high in acidity. The wine had tree fruit flavors, such as apple and pear. The wine also had a lot of residual sugar. After pairing it with Gouda cheese, the wine brought out the flavors of peach. The wine also became more acidic. Pairing it with Colby cheese, the flavors became creamier, and the wine became creamier. Pairing it with Cheddar cheese, the wine becomes more acidic and sour. It also brings out the green tart flavor.

The second wine drank by our group was The Gallo Family Rose from California, USA. The vintage for this wine was also not specified. The variety of grape is White Zinfindel. The wine itself had floral aromas, very similar to rose petals. The wine had very strong flavors of cherry that is put on top of an ice cream. Pairing it with Gouda, the wine becomes more acidic, and has flavors of honey. Pairing it with Colby cheese, the wine becomes creamier and brings out the flavor of plum fruit. Pairing it with Cheddar cheese, the wine becomes overpowering. The flavor is similar to the original wine, just a little fainter.

The third wine drank tonight, which is a red wine, was Giles Mountain Tango from Virginia, USA. The vintage on the bottle is 2015, and the variety is Cabernet Franc. The wine has aromas of spice and dirt. The wine has the flavors of ginger and black pepper. It is almost certain that this wine aws aged in oak barrels. The wine is medium bodied, and has an average amount of tannins. With Gouda cheese, the becomes spicier and brings out a barbecue flavor. With Colby cheese, the wine becomes creamy, but still hangs on to the spiciness. It even taste a little rocky. With the cheddar cheese, the spiciness subsides and the flavors of black berry and dark berries comes out. 

Overall, this was an amazing experience. This was a great way to bond with my friends, and express each individual's opinions. The wine and cheese pairing is an amazing way of bringing out different flavors from the wines. This proves that wine is a beverage to be consumed with food, and it expresses itself even more around cheeses, almost uncovering the hidden flavors that are unreachable if consumed just on its own.

Tasting - Ca' Bea

Name: Ca' Bea
Variety: 45% Uva Rara, 10% Barbera, 25% Croatina
Region: Oltrepo Pavese
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2014
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: This is a rare, sweet red wine with an intense fruity bouquet. It is a wonderful wine with desserts such as dry pastries, cookies and cakes.

My Review: This wine is medium to heavy bodied, and it has beautiful deep violet to purple colors. The wine itself has jammy aromas, and once tasted it is super sweet. It doesn't attack the palate with too much residual sugar. It would taste great with dessert items.

I did not consume any food with this wine.

Tasting - Alvarez de Toledo

Name: Alvarez de Toledo
Variety: Mencia Roble
Region: Bierzo
Country: Spain
Vintage: 2009
Price: $14

Winery Review: The 2009 Alvarez de Toledo was bottled just a week before the wine was presented but seems to be showing no symptoms of distress. Balsamic, leather, and black fruits are the principal notes struck by this suave effort that over-delivers in a big way. Like its older sibling, it can be enjoyed now but will have more to say in 2-3 years.

My Review: This wine is absolutely delicious. It is bitter in comparison with the rest of the wine tasted today. The wine is flavorful with its herbal and earthy ingredients. This wine has medium to strong tannins.

I did not consume any food with this wine.

Tasting - Codirosso

Name: Codirosso
Variety: 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, 3% Colorino
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2015
Price: $13

Winery Review: Dusty garnet color. Earthy aromas and flavors of dried sour cherry and sundried tomato, honey roasted mushrooms, chocolate yogurt, and hint of barnyard with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length nuts, cranberry compote, and earth finish with a suggestion of oak. A nice combination of bright fruit and rusticity will bode well for the hunter’s table.

My Review: This wine is medium to light bodied, and has fresh floral aromas of rose petals. There are also aromas of dark berry fruits. The taste itself becomes distinct with its cherry and cinnamon flavor.

I did not consume any food with this wine.

Tasting - The Royal

Name: The Royal
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Vintage: 2015
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: As the unofficial drink of the Riebeek Valley, Chenin Blanc is the perfect every day wine that offers uncomplicated quality for the novice and connoisseur alike. Packed with upfront melon fruit, the nose charms with an abundance of guava and gooseberries as well as the signature hint of honey. The palate follows through with fruit flavors balanced by a crisp acid to ensure a fresh and fruity style of wine.

My Review: The wine is light bodied, and has aromas of honey suckle. The wine is gentle, and pleasing to the palate. The wine has some slight floral background, matched with some spiciness.

I did not consume any food with this wine.

Tasting - Barao de Figueira

Name: Barao de Figueira
Variety: Siria
Region: Beira
Country: Portugal
Year: 2014
Price: 12

Winery Review: This wine is soft and rounded. It has lemon and light spiciness along with cool acidity. It is an easy wine that is ripe with apple and fresh lemon juice. Good with seafood, grilled fresh fish, white meats and as an aperitif.

My Review: This wine has slight aromas of herbal and vegetation. Once tasted, the green apple and crisp lemon taste stand out. The wine is light bodied, and is slightly acidic. Overall, the wine is very tasty and refreshing.

I did not consume any food with this wine.

Tasting - Crane Lake

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Country: USA
Vintage: NA
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Pale Golden Color. Ripe and dried peaches on the nose. Mineral and dried peach flavors. Nicely balanced, leaning towards lime acidity.

My Review: Personally, I am not that much interested in sweet wines. However, this wine is very balanced, and it is pleasingly sweet. The aromas are of honey suckle, and flowers. The main flavors are figs and peaches. This wine is not very acidic, but is is refreshing.

I did not consume any food with this wine.