Tasting- Nathanson Creek Merlot

Name: Nathanson Creek Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: California
Country:  United States
Year: Not Vintage
Price: $8.99


Bottler Review: Nathanson Creek Merlot, garnet in color and medium-bodied, shows aromas of olives and herbs with a hint of oak and berry-like flavors. It pairs nicely with red meats, hearty vegetable dishes and pasta with tomato-based sauces.

My Review: This was a very light bodied Merlot for me. It had major hints of blackberries and ripe cherries that helped disguise the tannins. This wine would pair well with any pasta or meat dinner I happen to make. A great choice for the price.

I did not taste this wine with food. 

Tasting- Gabbiano Chianti

Name: Gabbiano Chianti
Variety: Chianti
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $10.49

Bottler Review:  In 1124, Castello di Gabbino was established in the heart of the renowned Chianti Classico region. During the Middle Ages, a courageous Italian knight, Il Cavaliere, dedicated himself to protecting our castle and vineyards. His code of honor came to embody our philosophy that the finest things in life deserve our fiercest commitment-estate vineyards, Old World traditions, and the enjoyment of robust wines. Salute.

My Review: This was a deep and rich red wine that embodies all that you imagine when tasting a Chianti. This was, hands down, the best Chianti I have yet to taste. However, it was very dry and needed a sweet and juicy steak or meat to pair with it.

I didn't taste this wine with food.

Tasting- Bixler Union Island Red

Name: Bixler Union Island Red
Variety: Merlot, Petite Shirah, Syrah, and Temranillo
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: $26.00

Bottler Review: David Bixler came to the California Delta after realizing prosperity during the Nevada Silver Rush of the 1860's. He then acquired virgin farmland on Union Island near Stockton and in 1875 would marry the love of his life, Augusta Hyde. Together, these agricultural pioneers established a diverse and very successful farm raising fruits, vegetables, and grains. Our Bixler Union Island Red is a masterful blend of California's finest red wines providing rich, ripe fruit flavors, full body, with supple tannins and a lingering finish. Enjoy with grilled meats, pizza and pasta or by the fireplace!

My Review: This was my favorite wine out of the bunch. There was a dominate aroma of blackberries and cranberries with a strong tannic palate that leaves you wanting another sip. This would be a wine I could pair with about any type of meal and I would enjoy the different flavors present.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting- Linen Chardonnay

Name: Linen Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Walla Walla Washington

Country: United States

Year: 2009

Price: $10.95

Bottler Review: Linen is an elegant wine layered with notes of ripe pear, golden apple, and hints of honey. It's been crafted into a mouthwatering and delicious wine and is an excellent choice to pair with seafood, grilled chicken, or any day that ends in "Y". Cheers!

My Review: This wine had a taste of tropical fruits and vanilla flavoring with a hint of sweet honey. It was very crisp and light on the palate with mild tannins that made this wine very refreshing. This wine would pair nicely with an afternoon lunch of shrimp and crabs.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting- Willunga Chardonnay

Name: Willunga Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: South East Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $10.99

Bottler Review: Our Willunga Chardonnay shows the true style of early harvested grapes. This combination of fermentation in stainless steel tanks along with maturation for six months in French and American oak barrels allows the wine to stay fresh and vibrant while adding complexity with buttery characteristics to enhance its richness. Enjoy served chilled on its own or try it with a bowl of fresh steamed mussels in garlic broth.

My Review:  Willunga Chardonnay was a very light and crisp wine and was a very enjoyable white. This wine would pair nicely with salmon or any type of seafood. It had a pretty strong aftertaste with higher tannins than expected, but overall was a delicious white wine.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting- Col di Sotto

Name: Col di Sotto
Variety: Montepulciano
Region: Abruzzi
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.33

Bottler Review: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo used to be off the radar as far as any wine collectors were concerned, but the smaller producers have slowly beaten down and educated the former wine snobs that have formerly miscast this Abruzzo wine as simple peasant wine. Col di Sotto's 2010 vintage is made from 100% Montepulciano grown in selected cinyards in the L'Aquila province of Abruzzo, central Italy. For Barrel-Aging, 50% of the wine is aged in oak barriques for 6 moths and 50% for the same period in stainless steel. This results creates a wine that is deep plum colored with intense spice and cherry aromas, a luchious, fruity, medium-bodied palate and smooth tannins. Serve at room temperature with pasta, pizza, red meat, game or cheese.

My Review: This wine was very strong for me, however, it had a soft aftertaste that made you want to take another sip. There was an intense aroma and palate of cherries and blackberries along with the ever present oaky flavor. This wine would pair very nicely with a big steak and potatoes.

I did not have this wine with food.

Dinner- Fireside Pies and Bernardo's

Dinner- Fireside Pies, Fort Worth, TX and Bernardo's, Galveston TX


While on Spring Break, My boyfriend Eric, his brother Andy, and Andy's fiance Sara attended two different wine paring dinners while traveling. The first was at Fireside Pies, who is dedicated to serving outstanding artisan pizzas made in wood-fired ovens. They also specialize in homemade, hand-cut pastas and wine.We all ordered their famous pies to pair with a deep and rice wine that the waiter recommended.  We ordered two Triple 'Roni pies and one Light n' Crispy. The Triple 'Roni included pepperonis, fresh mozzarella, hand-torn basil, and their famous truffle oil. The Light n' Crispy contained fresh tomato ragu, Paula's mozzarella, marinated tomatoes, good sea salt, and hand torn basil. (My favorite was the Light n' Crispy).

Of course we had already started digging in before I could snap a picture of the pizza pies...

Eric scarfing down his Triple 'Roni

The wine that was paired with this scrumptious meal was a 2007 Castellani Campomaggio Toscana from Tuscany, Italy. This is a superTuscan blend containing 85% Sangiovese accompanied by Cabernet and Merlot. This wine had an overwhelming oak tone with a fairly light body that complimented the pies very nicely. This specific variety was aged in oak for 6 months before bottling that helps give that oaky aftertaste that paired well with the Light n' Crispy Pie. 

Sara and I enjoying our Castellani wine.

The second pairing we attended was at Bernardo's at the Hotel Galvez in Galveston, Texas. The Galvez Hotel was built in 1911 honoring Bernardo de Galvez y Madrid. There are many significant aspects about this hotel that are equally hard to overpass, such as the haunting of the ghost bride of room 501, the use by President Roosevelt as a temporary White House, and Bernardo's restaurant. The elegant dining room accompanies the 5 star dining experience wonderfully.

Bernardo's Restaurant

We chose the restaurant classic, the Galvez Pasta. This dish includes penne pasta tossed with a Cajun cream andouille, mushrooms, shrimp and sausage, finished with goat cheese. This was a definite classic Cajun sauce right from the gulf of mexico. This dish was paired with the 2007 Esser Vineyards Merlot. This wine has a deep garnet color and a delicious array of aromatics. There were flavors of cherries, cranberries, cocoa, and toffee. This wine was light in texture but higher in tannins which paired nicely with the punch of Cajun cream sauce covering the penne pasta.

My Delicious Galvez Pasta 

If ever visiting the area of Galveston, Tx, even if you are not staying at the Hotel Galvez, Bernardo's is a definite must on the list of restaurants to try. And if ever in Fort Worth, TX, Fireside Pies is a definite win of a restaurant to experience.