I have said once before that I have a beautiful friend who is a certified sommelier by the International Sommelier
Guild. Brooke has impeccable taste, and she has graciously chosen some great party wines for us today. We have two whites and two reds that are fairly easy to find, along with some detailed tasting notes and food pairings. Enjoy!
Santa Ema Sauvignon BlancSanta Ema Wines was started by an Italian winemaker from the
Piedmont region. Pedro Pavone Voglino recognized
the huge potential in the lovely Maipo Valley, Chile and began producing wines
in the 1930s. The Voglino family is
still very involved in their growing family business. Composed of 100% Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
grapes, the Santa Ema Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect summer wine for the extreme
Texas heat. The wine has the trademark
“grassy” smell synonymous with new world Sauvignon Blancs.
Flavors you may taste/smell: Citrus, Grass, Gooseberry, Minerals/Steel, Green Chilies
Food Pairings: Pick lighter seafood-based dishes with citrus elements.
– Green salad with shrimp and citrus and goat cheese
– Green salad with shrimp and citrus and goat cheese
– Ceviche
– Seafood risotto
– Prosciutto-wrapped melon balls
Sonoma-Cutrer was one of the first vineyards to harvest
grapes from the Sonoma Coast Appellation.
The Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a gorgeous wine, the
perfect balance of French Oak and stainless steel. It has a delicious vanilla characteristic so
recognized in California Chardonnays but maintains a crisp and light texture
that keeps the oak from overwhelming the fruit.
grapes from the Sonoma Coast Appellation.
The Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a gorgeous wine, the
perfect balance of French Oak and stainless steel. It has a delicious vanilla characteristic so
recognized in California Chardonnays but maintains a crisp and light texture
that keeps the oak from overwhelming the fruit.
Flavors you may taste/smell:
Stone fruit (pears, red apples, apricots), Cream, Butter, Slight floral
notes
Stone fruit (pears, red apples, apricots), Cream, Butter, Slight floral
notes
Food Pairings:
– Shrimp pasta with white wine and butter sauce
– Corn chowder
– Scallops and/or Lobster poached in butter
– Chicken Paillard
– Chicken Paillard
DeLoach Vineyards was founded by a San Francisco fire
fighter who loved wine. Now owned by an
esteemed winemaking family from Burgundy, the winery crafts beautiful wines
from the Russian River and Sonoma areas.
DeLoach Pinot Noir is a great entry wine into the pricier Pinot Noir
world. Pinot Noirs tend to have a higher
price point than its bigger cousins, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, due to
the fragile nature of the grape that leads to a more time and labor intensive
growing season.
fighter who loved wine. Now owned by an
esteemed winemaking family from Burgundy, the winery crafts beautiful wines
from the Russian River and Sonoma areas.
DeLoach Pinot Noir is a great entry wine into the pricier Pinot Noir
world. Pinot Noirs tend to have a higher
price point than its bigger cousins, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, due to
the fragile nature of the grape that leads to a more time and labor intensive
growing season.
Flavors you may
taste/smell: Cherries, Strawberries, Raisin, Wood, Dirt/Earth, White Pepper
taste/smell: Cherries, Strawberries, Raisin, Wood, Dirt/Earth, White Pepper
Food Pairings:
– Any holiday food!
This wine is the perfect Thanksgiving vino!
This wine is the perfect Thanksgiving vino!
– Pork tenderloin with berry sauce
– Green salad with strawberries and blue cheese
– Mushroom tart
Rodney Strong is a consistent value in California Cabernet
Sauvignon. The winery is located in the
lively town of Healdsburg and focuses most of its efforts on big and
fruit-forward Cabs. Rodney Strong is a
certified sustainable vineyard that utilizes solar energy to power its
winery.
Sauvignon. The winery is located in the
lively town of Healdsburg and focuses most of its efforts on big and
fruit-forward Cabs. Rodney Strong is a
certified sustainable vineyard that utilizes solar energy to power its
winery.
Flavors you may taste/smell:
Deep red fruit, Black pepper, Green pepper, Menthol, Cocoa
Deep red fruit, Black pepper, Green pepper, Menthol, Cocoa
Food Pairings:
– Pick heavier, fattier foods to compliment the high tannic
structure.
structure.
– Grilled lamb with blackberry sauce
– Braised short ribs
– Filet Mignon with mashed potatoes made with butter and
cream
cream
– Burger with bacon and heirloom tomatoes
Please send use the comments section for this post for any questions about the wines featured here today. If you are in Austin and would like to see about Brooke creating a tasting for you, click here!
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