Tasting Wine Pairing October

Question 1

Hors d’Oeuvres pairing

Answer 1

Varietal: sparkling
Type of sparkling: Brut Rosé
Producer: Schramsberg
: Sh-rams-burg
Country: United States of America
Region: Northern California Coast
Appellation: North Coast
County Composition: 67% Sonoma, 14% Mendocino, 12% Marin, 7% Napa
Vintage: 2020
Grape: 72% Pinot Noir, 28% Chardonnay
ABV: 13.0%
Glass: Tulip

   Tasting notes: This Brut Rosé opens with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and Bing cherry; which interweave with hints of golden apple and pear; and are brightened by notes of rangpur lime and mandarin orange. The palate bursts with juicy red berry, summer stone fruit, pineapple, and tangerine, complemented by candied apple and creamy vanilla. This is all supported and balanced by refreshing acidity and a lingering finish.

Question 2

First Course Pairing

Answer 2

Varietal: Verdicchio
Pronunciation: Vair-dee-kee-yoh
Producer: Pievalta
Pronunciation: Pee-valt-tuh
Name of wine: Tre ripe
Tre Ripe in local language means “side”, the side of a hill.
Country: Italy
Region: Le Marche
Pronunciation: Mar-kay
DOC: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi
Pronunciation: Vair-dee-kee-yo
Day Cast-el-ee Dee Yay-zee
Vintage: 2020
Grape: 100% Verdicchio
Fermentation container: 6 months in stainless steel tanks and concrete
ABV: 13%
Glass: AP

     Tasting notes: The aromas are of fresh almond, white flowers and aromatic herbs such as oregano, capers and mint. The taste is soft, fresh and with a long savory trail.

Question 3

Second Course Pairing

Answer 3

Varietal: Chardonnay
Producer: Domaine Vocoret & Fils
Pronunciation: Voh-co-ray Fees
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Subregion: Chablis
Pronunciation: Shab-lee
Appellation: Vaillons 1er Cru
Pronunciation: V-eye-Yon
Vintage: 2022
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
ABV: 13%
Glass: Burgundy

  Tasting notes: Clean, lemony acidity keeps the palate refreshed, with a chalky feel in the end.

Question 4

Third Course Pairing

Answer 4

Varietal: Sangiovese
Producer: Bucciarelli of Castellina
Pronunciation: Boo-chuh-rell-ee
Cast-ell-ee-nuh
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
DOCG: Chianti
Vintage: 2016
Grape: 100% Sangiovese
ABV: 14.5%
Glass: Bordeaux

  Tasting notes: earthy aromas of cedar, violet and scorched earth. The taut palate offers ripe blackberry, tangerine zest and sage alongside tightly knit tannins.

Question 5

Fourth Course Pairing

Answer 5

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Producer: Shafer
Name of wine: TD-9 (named after John Shafer’s first tractor)
Country: USA
State: California
Region: Napa Valley
AVA: Stags Leap
Vintage: 2022
Grape: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot
ABV: 15.3%
Glass: Bordeaux

Question 6

Dessert Pairing

Answer 6

Varietal: Cream Sherry
Type of Sherry: Matusalem 3Oyr VORS
- Matusalem is made by enrichment of a dry Oloroso sherry with 25% Pedro Ximenez ( a sweet grape varietal), followed by additional ageing in its own solera. Rich and opulent in feel.
- VORS : Very Old Rare Sherry
Pronunciation: Mah-too-sah-lem
Producer: González Byass
Pronunciation: Gun-zal-ez Bee-ahs
Country: Spain
Region: Jerez de la Frontera
Pronunciation: Heh-rehth De la
Fron-tear-ruh
Vintage: NV
Grape: 75% Palomino, 25% Pedro Ximenez
Pronunciation: Pal-loh-meen-noh
Ped-roh Hee-men-nehz
ABV: 20.5%
Glass: Nick & Nora