Over the course of a week, my wife and I drink a bunch o’wine – almost always with food. Since I’ve always been fascinated by wine at the table with food, I thought it would be fun to recap not only the wines we’ve been drinking, but also how they pair (or don’t pair) with the foods at our table. Includes my picks for Wine of the Week; and Food and Wine Pairing of the Week for the week ended March 22, 2015.
2010 Kenneth Volk Touriga Nacional Pomar Junction Vineyard – Retail $36
Consistent with prior review – Violet color with plum, blueberry, violet and lavender aromas. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied with prominent acidity and a soft texture with soft well-integrated tannins. It shows plum, ripe mixed black and red currant, vanilla and sweet spice flavors. Med long finish. 13.6% alcohol Very Good to Outstanding; 89-91 pts
N.V. Bedrock Wine Co. Sherman & Hooker’s Shebang! Eighth Cuvée – Retail $11.99
Low key red fruit and spice aromas. On the palate its medium bodies and fresh and with fresh black cherry, plum, and black raspberry flavors and soft sweet tannins. It’s a blend of 46% Zinfandel (from 100+ y.o. Bedrock Vineyard), 40%Grenache, 5% Alicante, 5% Petite Sirah, and 4% Sangiovese. sourced from several old vine vineyards throughout Sonoma County. Very good; 86-88 pts
N.V. Ariston Aspasie Champagne Brut Rosé – Retail $34.99
Coral pink color with plentiful tiny bubbles and a fine bead with almond, cherry, candied strawberry, and hints of anise and dried rose aromas. On the palate, it approaches full-bodied, and is elegant, energetic, and dry with enticing cherry, strawberry, and hints of mandarin orange, and cranberry flavors. Lingering mineral accented finish. Outstanding; 92-95 pts
2011 Copain P2 – Retail $25
Medium Ruby color with pleasing fresh red fruit, peach skin and low-key, damp earth and spice aromas. On the palate it’s light-bodied, fresh, fruity, with a hint of effervescence, dusty tannins, and tart cherry,cranberry, and spice flavors. Medium finish. A unique blend of 50/50 Pinot Noir/Gris. A wonderful chillable red that’s very food and budget friendly! Very good; 86-88 pts
Wine of the Week 
You know what’s more exciting than finding a bottle of wine you love that offers great value?
Yup! Finding two!
Of course, value is relative. My deathbed wine would be Rosé Champagne. But man are they expensive!. I’ve had a few under $40, but I’ve not been overly impressed. It’s a challenge because I’ve also had a few of those more expensive ones…and well..I’ve been spoiled.
Then while doing some research for a Rosé Champagne, for an Easter Wine Pairing I’m collaborating on with Michelle of Rocking Red Blog, I came across My Wine of Week, the Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé. It’s a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, and 50% Pinot Meunier made from estate grown fruit in Brouillet. The wine’s pretty color comes from the addition of 15% an old vine still Pinot Meunier. It drinks above it’s $35 price point; especially for a Champagne that has been aged 5 years! By the way, I’ve had a few bottles of Ariston Aspasie – definitely an under the radar Champagne producer to keep an eye on.
My other killer QPR wine this week was the Bedrock Wine Co. Sherman & Hooker’s Shebang! Eighth Cuvée. It’s definitely a great everyday bottle of wine, and it’s food friendly too. It, along with a plate of spaghetti, is my Food and Wine pairing of the week.
What was your Wine of the Week? Any killer Food and Wine pairings?
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Martin Redmond is a Financial Executive by day, and a certified wine geek with latent foodie tendencies the rest of the time. In addition to the wine lifestyle and food he enjoys family, fitness and traveling. He likes to get thoughts of wine off his mind by sharing experiences on his ENOFYLZ Wine blog, which features wine reviews, wine country travel, and wine and food pairings.
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