Wine Dinner - Boudreaux's and Home cooked

Pedro and I had a somewhat scattered wine dinner experience, but a great one nonetheless! Our first wine with dinner was at Boudreaux's on a Wednesday, so it was wine night. We didn't even know it was wine night until we got there and realized everyone- and I mean everyone- had a bottle of wine at their table. We just happened to get there right before 9 as well, so the special was still going on. 

Being broke college students, we ordered the cheapest wine on the menu: a Beringer White Zinfandel. Because the Beringer was very sweet, it did not pair well with any of the food we actually had, so maybe that was a bad decision... although maybe Pedro will say otherwise. On the nose there was rose petals, strawberries and cream, sugar, and honeysuckle. I was getting these same notes on the palate with added peach and a smooth, mineral component. For dinner, we ordered a shrimp dip as an appetizer. It was a spicy and very flavorful dip but clashed with the sweetness of the White Zinfandel. I personally ordered the Gumbo Ya Ya, a delicious cup of soup filled with chicken, green pepper, sausage, celery, and rice. I loved this soup, as it was creamy with a bold variety of flavors that boasted of Chipotle seasoning, beef stew, and garlic and herbs. As much as I enjoyed the soup and the wine separately, I did not enjoy them together. Again, the spicy classic taste of Cajun spices clashed with the fruity and floral bouquet of the wine. It should be paired with desserts such as pastries, fresh fruits, and cake. We only had a small glass each, so we corked the wine and took it home with us for another time!

Name: Beringer White Zinfandel

Variety: White Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: U.S.A

Year: 2012

Price: ~$9 because it was half off for wine night

The second wine we had with dinner was on a separate occasion; we made homemade marinated chicken and macaroni and cheese (a college delicacy, of course!). The chicken was marinated with lemon pepper and korean barbeque sauce and was quite savory. This wine paired very well with the chicken. On the nose there was bell peppers, beans, and some plum notes. This was a well-bodied wine with supple tannins driving a long finish. There were tones of jam, red apple, and oak with a distinct spicy component. It paired very well with the korean barbeque, notably because of the peppery spicy flavors of the wine that complemented the sauce. It did not, in my opinion, pair as well with the macaroni and cheese. Although savory, the macaroni fell flat compared to the very flavorful chicken wings, so the wine and pasta pairing also did not impress. However, it was not horrible, and this was a very versatile wine that I think could go with many other different foods; most notably spicy asian food like pad thai or drunken noodles. Overall, a great wine and dine experience!

Name: Schmitt Sohne Liebfraumilch

Variety: Blend of Riesling, Silvaner, Muller-Thurgau, and Kerner

Region: Rhine

Country: Germany

Year: 2012

Price: ~$9.99

The last wine-food pairing was done with a Choya plum wine. We ate this with pan-fried sardines, and although this was primarily a dessert wine, I was surprised at how well this paired with the salty sardine flavor. There was prunes, pear, and red apple on the nose. The palate boasted of these same tones, with an added sweetness factor and I could tell why this was a dessert wine. Primarily it should be paired with pastries, cakes, or fruit, but honestly I thought it went great with our sardines! There was an interesting complement of sweet and sour tones due to the way the fish was marinated that really worked. It was my first plum wine, and I will definitely be seeking this one out again for later food pairings.

Tasting - Rosemount Estate

Name: Rosemount Estate Moscato

Variety: Moscato

Region: not provided

Country: Australia

Year: 2012

Price: Sale $3.95

Winery Review: " Clear, medium-lemon yellow in appearance; lovely citrus and honeysuckle aromas with lemon, honeysuckle, apple and ripe yellow plum flavours.  Serve chilled with angel food cake or fresh fruit and mild cheeses."

My Review: A very sweet Moscato overall on the nose as well as on the palate. The nose had aromas of soda- mostly sprite- and there were hints of lemon juice, citrus fruits, and Asian pear. On the palate, there was fresh strawberries, green apple, and peaches. It was not paired with food, but it would go well with pastries, light appetizers, and a fruit salad. Although it was a little sweet for my palate, I bought a bottle because it was honestly too cheap to turn down!

Tasting - Garnacha de Fuego

Name: Garnacha de Fuego

Variety: Old Vine Grenache

Region: Aragon

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: "The Garnacha de Fuego, a 100% Grenache cuvee, was aged in both stainless steel and neutral French oak. There are 10,000 cases for the United States. This amazing wine boasts a dark ruby/purple color along with a sweet kiss of jammy black cherries intertwined with crushed rock notes that give the wine an undeniable minerality. As it hits the palate, a full-bodied, voluptuous texture takes hold and the flavor profile moves towards blacker fruits (ripe raspberries and black currants) intermixed with camphor and forest floor. This full-bodied, rich, glycerin-filled effort should drink well for 4-5 years, perhaps longer."

My Review: On the nose there was blackberry and plum with hits of pepper. The tannins were smooth on the palate, with a predominant and interesting flavor of tequila. There was that salty, lime component that a tequila has that I was definitely getting from this wine. The finish was long and filled with bitter raspberries and again, that tequila component. It was certainly an interesting spin on this Grenache variety. I thoroughly enjoyed the Garnacha de Fuego, and it should be paired with spicy Asian food and spices.

Tasting - Librandi Ciro

Name: Librandi Ciro Rosso

Variety: Ciro Rosso Still Wine

Region: not provided

Country: Italy

Year: 2009

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: "Don’t let the pale garnet color fool you:  this is a substantial wine.  Aromas of red fruits and spice complement undertones of cranberries, wild berries, and plums.  On the palate, ripe tannins and good body make for an incredibly rich, yet easygoing red wine.  Pair this wine with sausage, spicy curry sauces, hot soppressata, and tandoori chicken."

My Review: This was a dull brown-red color that made me skeptical about this Librandi. There was strawberry jam, pomegranates and black peppercorn on the nose> I was also getting the wine's tannic character on the nose as well. Again, strong tannins on the palate and very dominant notes of soy sauce. There was a smooth surface texture with a little spice coming out on the finish. This should be paired with spicy Asian food- maybe drunken noodles or pad thai- or dumplings.  

Tasting - Angove Viognier

Name: Angove Viognier

Variety: Still Wine

Region: South Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2009

Price: $5.95

Winery Review: "Bright light straw in colour with some green hues, this wine has a lush ripe tropical fruit aroma. This is a fuller bodied white which fills the mouth with heady flavours of apricot, peach and citrus.  Angove Nine Vines Viognier is perfect for today's relaxed life-style and is the ideal accompaniment to grilled prawns with chilli and garlic or roast pork."

My Review: The nose was filled with citrus, pineapple, salt and vinegar with a distrinct mineral component. The acidity was quite distinct and a little overpowering, but I still got notes of tangerine, garlic, and vinaigrette dressing. As previously mentioned, the malic acid came a little strong and was enough to deem this less enjoyable than the previous white. Maybe it would be better paired with food, and I'd be willing to try this with an eggplant salad or anything with zucchini.

Tasting - Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Seaview Vineyard

Country: New Zealand

Year: 2008

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: "This aromatic wine shows lifted flavours of blackcurrant with underlying notes of wet stone and thyme. The palate is elegant yet full with sufficient weight and texture, balanced by a flinty minerality. This wine is a fantastic match with foods such as cheese salad, poultry dishes and a wide range of seafood dishes including freshly shucked natural oysters, prawns, green lip mussels and creamy scallops."

My Review: On the nose there was a distinct seafood, fishy aroma mixed in with green peppers. The palate was medium-bodied with a gritty, sandy surface texture. The palate revealed notes of lime, garlic and herb, and creamy mushroom soup. I was a little disappointed with the finish, and as well-balanced as all the flavors were I think there could have been a longer finish to conclude the tasting. I would pair this with salmon, cod, or shrimp to complement the seafood, fishy nose.

Tasting - Heinz Eifel Shine

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine

Variety: Riesling

Region: Pfalz

Country: Germany

Year: 2011

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: "This drier-styled Riesling is bright, fruity and floral with crisp acidity and clean flavors of apple, pear and peach that compliment its stony minerality and earthy complexity. It serves well as an aperitif and matches a wide variety of foods, like lighter salad dishes, shellfish, cream sauces and also anything with a touch of spice."

My Review: A delightful Riesling! Refreshing and young, this would pair very well with seafood or salad. On the nose there was freshly cut grass, hay, and cold tangerines. The palate had green apple, green grapes, and strawberry banana. There was a mineral component, that gave this tones of cold and steely metal. The surface texture was smooth and cool, with a medium-long finish. I will keep a look out for this Riesling, because I did enjoy it.