Another from the unusual grape files: Mourvedre

Part of the fun in wine tasting is discovering the unique taste of different grapes.  There are about 4,000 distinct grape varieties produced around the world, but majority of the grapes consumed are from about 36 varietals.  Some on this list of 36 are more popular, like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, and others are less notable.  One of these lesser known grapes, at least in the US, is Mourvedre [more-VAY-druh].

Mourvedre is native of Spain, was eventually brought to France, and has since made its way to Australia and the US.  Today, it is a popular varietal in many wines throughout the world.  It is used in blends, as well as on its own.  It’s probably best known as part of Rhone blend – GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre).  It is not as often bottled as a single variety.  However, we discovered one on our first trip to Paso Robles at Anglim winery. 

The ’07 Mourvedre is the first produced for Anglim.  It is 100% Mourvedre from a small planting in the Adelaida region of Paso Robles.  We quickly detected notes of white pepper on the nose.  The taste was earthy, with cherry and red plum.  The finish had the same spice detected on the nose and rich tannins.  We enjoyed our bottle while dining at our favorite local Italian restaurant, Antica Trattoria.  It held up to our rich meaty dishes.  Although, I did find it more enjoyable on its own where I was able to truly enjoy the full variety of flavors the wine had to offer.  I wouldn’t call it an everyday red, but if looking for something a little out of the ordinary, give this wine a go.  It certainly opened my mind (and taste buds!) to trying other 100% Mourvedre wines.

Only 233 cases were produced.  You can purchase direct from the winery for $34. 

Arthur - a Chardonnay for Everyone

Chardonnay can be a polarizing varietal. Some want big and buttery. Others prefer crisp citrus flavors with high acidity. A few shun it altogether because they heard somewhere on the internet that Chardonnay is no longer cool.

Enter the 2008 Domaine Drouhin "Arthur" Chardonnay. This wonderfully balanced Chardonnay should appeal to anyone who appreciates good wine. It's an ingredients to dessert wine, meaning you can open it while cooking, enjoy it with an appetizer, pair it with your meal, and keep drinking it with dessert.

Sally and I recently enjoyed a bottle of Arthur paired with chicken pot pie and oatmeal and flaxseed chocolate chip cookies for dessert. It had very consistent flavors of straw, apricot, and apple. The acidity was very light but strong enough to go well with our meal. We were both savoring our last few sips as we finished the wine.

Sean Minor – Pinot Noir

It’s no secret we enjoy discovering new wines with friends at our favorite local wine bars.  Once again, thanks to Trisler’s, we found another delightful, well priced wine ~ Sean Minor Carneros Pinot Noir (2009). 

This 100% pinot noir is sourced from the Carneros wine region, an appellation bridging the Napa and Sonoma valleys.  Because of the proximity to the cool fog and breezes from the San Pablo Bay, the climate in Carneros is moderate and cool, making it an ideal region to grow pinot noir and chardonnay grapes.

Typical for California Pinot Noir, this is a fruiter wine.  There is not a lot of earthiness on the nose or palate.  It has tastes of cherry and plum that are well balanced with a light spice and silky vanilla finish. It is a versatile wine that would pair well with a variety of meals.  We enjoyed our bottle with slow roasted pork chops seasoned with a spicy peach chutney and butternut squash. 

The wine retails for about $22.  Distribution is limited, so keep an eye out for it in your local wine shops and wine bars.  You can purchase the 2010 Carneros Pinot Noir through the winery direct.

Best dinner ever?

This past Christmas, Sally's Mom gave us a wonderfully unique gift. She financed a chef's dinner for the two of us plus Sally's brother, Greg, and his wife, Jennifer. Oh wow, it was amazing.

Our dinner was at a private table in the wine room at Le Mistral, a French bistro in Houston, Texas. Chef David Denis chatted with us for a few minutes to learn about our food preferences shortly after we arrived. He then created a five course dinner menu especially for us. 

I got so caught up enjoying the incredible food and some outstanding wine that I neglected to take pictures of each dish or keep copious notes on the wine. It makes for a less interesting blog, but I know I'll remember every taste each time I read this. 

Here was our menu:

1st course: Mushroom and parmesan risotto
Wine Pairing: 2008 Barattaro Venetia Pinot Nero

2nd course: Hand-made goat cheese ravioli with tarragon olive oil zucchini soup velouté
Wine Pairing: 2005 Chateau des Roques Vacqueyras

3rd course: Braised veal osso bucco
Wine Pairing: 2005 E. Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape

4th course: Rack of lamb
Wine Pairing: 2005 E. Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape

5th course: Chocolate dessert trio
Wine Pairing: Coffee

The very best way to enjoy wine is by sharing it with family over a special meal.  

Good Food, Good Wine, and Good Fortune in 2012

Good wine deserves good food.  We partnered with our friend, and food blogger, AGirlInTheSouth, to create a perfect pairing for New Year’s Day.

According to tradition, New Year’s Day supper will bring you good fortune in the year to come.  There are a variety of foods that are believed to be lucky and improve the odds that next year will be a great one ~ including grapes!

AGirlInTheSouth put together a tasty New Year’s Day menu that is sure to bring luck your way.  We selected some of our favorite grapes to pair with it to make a very fortunate feast!

Menu

 Pork with Apple and Onion Confit

 Shaved roasted brussel sprouts

 Latkes (sour cream on the side)

 Dessert ~ chocolate cupcakes

A nice white wine pairs best with this lineup.  We recommended going with a Gewurztraminer, Riesling, or Viognier.  Here are a few of our favorites, all of which can be found at larger wine shops, such as BevMo and Specs:

Gewurztraminer:  Handley Cellars ($18) - Dry wine with flavors of grapefruit, vanilla, and lychee  

Riesling: Chateau Ste Michelle ($10) - Off-dry, sweet lime and peach character with subtle mineral notes  

Viognier: Anglim ($25) - Fruit-forward, with fragrant ripe melon and white peach

If white wine really isn’t your thing, or you want to offer a red option for your guests, with this meal we suggested a fruitier pinot noir.  Wild Horse makes a very food friendly pinot noir ($20).  It is a fruitier, California style pinot that has flavors of cherry, pomegranate, and cola.   

Pair a port or a muscat (especially black/orange) to wash down the chocolate cupcakes.  One of my favorite ports is Heitz Cellars Ink Grade Port ($35 for 750ml bottle).  This is a traditional Portuguese style port, and is simply delicious! 

Wishing you all good food, good wine, and good fortune in 2012!