Dinner- Zeppolis

Zeppoli's Wine Dinner Pairing #2

After attending my first Zeppoli's wine pairing dinner 3 weeks ago, I was dying to go back. This past Sunday, March 18th, me, my boyfriend, my friends Sarah and Brelyn, and Brelyn's boyfriend all attended the blind tasting pairing. We were once again given multiple plates of Zeppoli's homemade dishes to pair with the different wines we were about to taste. There were a total of 9 wines, each wrapped in a brown paper bag in order not to give away the variety of the wine being tasted. We each filled out our tables, including varietal type, price, year, and alcohol content. We were all so sure we could pick most, boy were we wrong. The most anyone guessed right was 4!

Sarah and I waiting for our first glass to be poured. 

Bre and her boyfriend!

Eric and I

All the wines we sampled

White Wines:

The first wines were whites, so luckily were were able to eliminate 5 varietals right off the bat. The first was a Sierra Cruz Sauvignon Blanc 2010.This Chilean Sauvignon Blanc features a bright citrus flavor and a nose of herbs and grass. It is a cross between the herbal, grassy wines so prevalent in Sonoma County and the riper, and the more fruit forward products of New Zealand. Match it with pasta sauced with pine nuts, mushrooms and Parmesan. $7.99

The next wine was a Lison Pramaggior Pinot Grigio 2010. With original vines from burgundy, this wine is grown in clay, loam and slightly alkaline. The color is yellow when young and has a pleasant fruity aroma, but with the passage of time tame a characteristic bouquet of hay, walnut, and toasted almonds. It is a wine to be consumed early. Perfect for lighter meals including salads, light pasta, and seafood. $7.99

The third wine was a Leese-Fitch Chardonnay from California 2009. This Chardonnay is bursting with aromas of ripe tropical melon, and crisp Anjou Pear. After the blast of fruit your senses will be bathed with aromas of roasted chestnut, vanilla caramel apple, and an ample dose of rich French Oak. The palate is full-bodied with a fresh entry, medium weight mid palate and a creamy, lingering finish that just won't quit! This is a very versatile wine that has great balance of fruit notes with rich and memorable creaminess. $11.99

The final white wine was an Opera Prima Moscato from Spain with no vintage. A great value and a crowd-pleasing pour, Opera Prima Moscato presents and intense aroma of fresh grapes, fruit syrup and hints of white flower petals. Delicate bubbles caress the palate offering a silky and pleasant sweetness, balanced crisp, refreshing finish. Ideal on its own or with all types of sweets and desserts. $5.99

Food Tasting Intermission!

Yummy!

Trying to decide which wine we are tasting.


Red Wines:
The first red wine we sampled was a Kenwood Yulupa Pinot Noir 2010. 2010 is the first vintage of our Yulupa Pinot Noir. The grapes are sources from select coastal vineyards that have excellent varietal character that are fermented separately in stainless steel tanks. Fruity aromas of boysenberry, strawberry, and cherry are joined by notes of vanilla and spice smooth tannins with a hint of sweetness make for a well balanced wine with exceptional finish. 99% Pinot Noir, 1% Syrah, 11 months aged in French and European Oak. $14.99

The sixth overall wine we tasted was a Poggio Vipere Chianti DOCG 2009. Ruby red color, it has a good body and persistent aroma with hints of cherry spice. In the mouth, it reveals itself as soft, fresh, and pleasantly balanced. $11.99

The next wine was Hope Merlot Hunter Valley 2009 from Australia. Aroma is of dark plums and vibrant fruit. A dense, well rounded palate of cherry, chocolate richness with some spicy, integrated oak characters. This is a full bodied, richer style of Merlot. $11.99

The 8th wine tasted was Cholila Ranch Malbec Fatagonia from Argentina 2010. Named for the former Ranch owned by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Tasting Notes deep purple color, aromas of ripe plum, mulberry with violet hints, ripe black fruits and fig on th palate, and touches of smoke and vanilla. $10.99

The final wine in this pairing was the Chasing Lions Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from the North Coast of California. The 2008 Chasing Lions shows wonderful scents of blackberry, cassis, tobacco, leather and plums on the nose followed by a deep and concentrated roundness on the palate with lovely textures and pure flavors of dark fruits, black licorice and toasty oak. $13.99