Tuesday, December 29, 2009

lynn in love with wine and cheese

Now I don't know much about wine, all the different nuances and tones and tastes and such... I just know that I either like it or I don't!

So it was great when my good friend Mandy threw a holiday wine and cheese party! Mandy is our friendly expert in all things wine and usually makes our dinner wine choices. I have no idea what I'm going to do when she goes off to Colorado next year to start her pulmonary fellowship! I guess go back to drinking bad wine! ha!

She gave us little cards to take notes on her pairings, and since I remember things better when I write things down, I'll tell you my recs!

Mandy's spread was A-mazing!
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Our lovely host.
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And the guests enjoying their libations!
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----ok, so here are my notes on the pairings!----
1. Domaine Sainte Claire - Saint-Bris Sauvignon Blanc - 2007 - France
paired with French Chevre (Goat Cheese)

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-the wine was very good, had a nice crisp peppery taste
-Mandy says it goes well with lots of food including sushi and mexican.

2. Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay - 2007 - South Africa
paired with Camembert from Nomandy France

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-wine was buttery, with an oaky taste
-much smoother than the Sauvignon Blanc
-everybody kept saying it was a "manly" wine

3. Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot - 2006 - Napa Valley
paired with Aged Cheddar

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- I don't like many red wines, but this was so good!
- the cheese was quite mild, probably too mild for most people's taste, but I loved it, and it paired really well with the wine.

4. Syrah by Rudi Schultz - 2006 - South Africa
paired with 5 year old aged Gouda

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-this was liked by many people, but I really didn't enjoy this wine.
-the Gouda however, was very good!

4. Warre's Optima 10 Port - Portugal
Imagery Petite Sirah Port - Paso Robles
paired with Roquefort blue cheese
and El Rey Milk Chocolate and Dagoba Milk Chocolate

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-Optima 10 port - it was very sweet, very raison type taste
-I preferred the Imagery's port better
-The Roquefort was amazing! I could eat the cheese forever!
-The El Rey was quite mild, but I loved the Dagoba chocolate.
-Did you know that the fungus in the Roquefort is penicillium roqueforti? That is my little bit of nerd fact for you!

7 comments:

  1. I'm the same.. I can't go very far beyond whether the cheese tastes good or not. But this looks so good.. all of it does. It makes me want my 21st birthday to be here so I can go wine and cheese tasting!

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  2. What an awesome party idea! I love wine tastings and learning what pairs well with certain wine.

    Those all sound so yummy, I will have to give them a try :)

    In case you were looking for some tasty wine, my absolute favorite is Reisling. It is typically a sweet wine that I would drink with everything ha!

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  3. How pretty! I am in love with this party idea!

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  4. The hostess is lovely indeed...lol

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  5. Your posts are always so pleasing to look at. Seriously...your pictures are beautiful! Looks like a fun evening!

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  6. I love these! I know for a fact that cheese is amazing.. wine, I don't know yet! I'll tell you when I'm legal! :D

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  7. I not a wine tasting person(i'm not old enough)but the cheese looks so tasty!!! I wish I was there but for the cheese of course :)

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