DTN: Lesson #1

Drink This Now Lessons

DTN Lesson 1: Why We Drink Wine with Meals and How Food Alters the Taste Perception of Wine

This first lesson is supposed to show the changes in the taste of the wine when paired with a fatty food like cheese or a spicy food like pepperoni. For this lesson I used a 2015 Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes Du Rhone that I picked up from the Vintage Cellar.

Step 1: Open the wine and do a regular wine tasting without food.

Name: 2015 Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes Du Rhone
Variety: Grenache
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2015

Shop Review: The color is purple-tinged garnet.The aromatic range of the nose goes from fresh berries (wild raspberry, blackcurrant, blackberry) to spices.The palate is big and full-flavoured, with silky-smooth tannins and aromas of the fruit already mentioned. The finish introduces touches of liquorice and pepper. A Côtes du Rhône with great complexity for an every day drinking.

My Review: This wine was dark purple, maroon color. In this wine I smelled pepper spice, dark cherry, and vanilla. On the palate this wine was hot, tannic, and dry with notes of spice and dark cherry.

Step 2: After letting the wine sit open for at least two hours try the wine again.
After trying this wine again I the smell of the wine remained the same for me. The taste however was more open in the sense that I could really taste more of the fruit components of this wine.

Step 3: Try the wine with cheese.
For this step I used a sharp cheddar cheese. When tasting the wine with cheese it absolutely had more flavor and came off much smoother and almost heavier than when I originally tasted the wine. I enjoyed the more pronounced berry flavors from the wine.

Step 4: Try the wine with food.
For this step I used pepperoni slices. When tasting the wine with the pepperoni the wine tasted lighter and somewhat more crisp. It felt as thought the spice took away the fruity components of the wine and made it more peppery and dry.

Step 5: Let the wine sit open for a few more hours and taste again without food.
After smelling and tasting the wine after a few more hours of oxygen exposure I really didn't sense any differences from step 2 of this lesson. It was still more open with the smells and flavors I described previously.

Conclusion: This lesson was very beneficial as I was really shocked at the difference the food made to the taste of the wine.

Tasting: Thistle Gate Tartan

Name: Thistle Gate Tartan
Variety: Chambourcin Port
Region: Scottsville, Virginia
Country: USA
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $7.95 at Vintage Cellar, Regular $9.95

Shop Review: This Port-style wine is made from late harvest Chambourcin grapes and fortified with brandy that was distilled from estate grown Chambourcin wine. Tartan embodies cherry flavors, smokey essence and subtle vanilla notes. Tartan is aged in whiskey barrels for 3 years. 18% alcohol. Governor Cup winner.

My Review: This port was fabulous! Being the first port I've tasted I don't have a whole lot to compare to, however, the flavors and balance of this wine were great. On the nose this wine is smells of sweet, fruity berries. This wine tastes of berries and sweet candy, like Twizzlers.
This wine was not tasted with food. 

Tasting: Carini Alicante Bouschet

Name: Carini Alicante Bouschet
Variety: Alicante Bouschet
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95 at Vintage Cellar, Regular $25

Shop Review: Opaque ruby in color, once in the glass the nose explodes right away. Delightfully intoxicating aromas of black and blue berry fruit leap forward first, followed by notes of cherry hard candy, crushed violets, caramel, allspice, cloves, and cigar box. In your mouth, more persistent and chewy berry fruit: blue and black + lots of sour cherry and tart blackberry.

My Review: This wine smelled very strongly of berries with a lingering lighter smell of salt water. This is another wine that I feel could be done more justice when tasted with food. On the palate I only got berries and not a whole lot more.

This wine was not tasted with wine.

Tasting: WildLife Shiraz

Name: WildLife Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2013
Price: $4.95 at Vintage Cellar, Regular $12

Shop Review: Often referred to as Shiraz Country, the Riebeek Valley is renowned for exceptional Shiraz wines. WildLife Shiraz is a lively rich wine; full-bodied with a subdued smokiness on the nose and a palate of ripe fruit and interesting spice. Well-balanced and smooth, the aftertaste lingers with the exciting flavors of chocolate and spice.

My Review: On the nose this wine smelled of dark red berries with Oak and Vanilla. This wine tasted of dark cherry and vanilla. I believe this wine would have been better with food as it would allow more flavors to to present on the palate.
                                                               This wine was not tasted with food.

Tasting: Reichsrat Von Buhl

Name: Reichsrat Von Buhl
Variety: Spatburguner Trocken (Pinot Noir)
Region: Pfalz
Country: Germany
Year: 2016
Price: $7.95 at Vintage Cellar, Regular $22

Shop Review: Made from Pinot Noir saignée—has an salmon-pink dress and opens with a clear, pure and very delicate bouquet of ripe red berries (raspberries) and sweet cherries, floral aromas (rose petals) but also fresh elements. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, round and pretty rich but pure, fresh and finessed wine with intense fruit, fine tannins and a very persistent, well-structured taste. The finish is stunningly powerful, intense and aromatic but also fresh and mineral, with nice grip and even salinity notes.

My Review: This wine smelled of light red berries, cherry, and floral aromas. On the palate this wine has a fresh cherry flavor with a mineral finish. I enjoyed this wine as it was had such refreshing flavors that melded well together.
This wine was not tasted with food.

Tasting: Skyfall Chardonnay

Name: Skyfall Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Price: $9.95 at Vintage Cellar, Regular $20

Shop Review: Toasted hazelnuts and Asian pear on the nose. Rich and creamy on the palate with apple, toasted almond and lingering notes of Meyer lemon and creme brulee.

My Review: I was really surprised by this wine. I haven't generally been a fan of chardonnay but I did like this quite a lot. On the nose this wine smelled of citrus apple, peach, and butter. On the palate this wine lightly tart like a green apple and buttery making it relatively smooth.

This wine was not tasted with food

Tasting: Casa del Maia White Zinfandel

Name: Casa del Maia White Zinfandel
Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: Non-Vintage
Price: $6.95 at Vintage Cellar, Regular $10

Shop Review: With pretty aromas of wild berries and honeydew melon this sophisticated blush Primativo Bianco offers delicately sweet flavors of ripe strawberries, juicy peaches and watermelon, balanced by bright, refreshing acidity.

My Review: This wine was AWESOME! On the nose this wine smells like a bright strawberry-banana smoothie. On the palate this wine is sweet with flavors of strawberry and maraschino cherries.
This wine was not tasted with food.