Great Tips on Great wines.

Burgess Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, California 1994

Cabernet Sauvignon is the longest-lived of all grape varieties, capable of producing wines that last for decades. Since 1972, Burgess Cellars has been making world class Cabernet from the slopes of Napa Valley’s Howell Mountain. In only the best vintages a small percentage of Cabernet is held back and cellared until it is at least 10 years old before being released to the market. This allows the wine to develop layers of complexity under perfect conditions without ever leaving the winery’s cellars. During this time the fresh, fruity flavors associated with young wines gradually mature into complex compounds of cedar, leather, orange peel and chocolate. So sit back and enjoy the delicacy and elegance of a great wine from one of the best vintages Napa Valley has even seen.

 

Hall Napa River Ranch Merlot Napa Valley 2005

Hall’s single-vineyard wines like this are small-production wines, rarely seen outside the winery’s own tasting room; they offer a great chance to sample the character of an individual vineyard. The Napa River Ranch vineyard lies on the eastern edge of Napa Valley, just north of the town of Napa itself. The soils are quite gravelly, befitting its location alongside the Napa River and Dry Creek. That makes for great drainage and therefore, concentrated wine.

The 2005 shows lots of rich fruity notes of raspberry, cherry and plum, along with a light touch of vanilla. It’s full-bodied, but not heavy, with a smooth texture and light tannins on the finish.

 

 

 

 

 

Wine and Cheese Pairing

When setting up a tasty wine and cheese pairing, the only thing you have to know is: If it tastes good, do it!

I’m sure you’ve heard all the fancy chefs giving their two cents about what cheese works with which wine; however, when it comes down to it, it’s all about personal taste.

When paired up, wine and cheese do their part to bring out the best in each other, and even the experts can’t agree on any absolutes in the wine and cheese pairing match game.

Now obviously, if you’re reading this, you’re a snob like the rest of us, and with snobs, there’s no worry about faux pas wine and cheese pairings — say like nibbling Velveeta while sipping boxed Franzia.

Instead, it’s understood that we’re talking about delectable wine and cheese pairings — a delectable wine and a delectable cheese, together!

 

Some Accepted “Truths” About Wine and Cheese Pairing:

Even though it comes down to personal taste, certain guidelines have been proven favorable by a majority of enthusiasts. Here are some of those basic truths:

• White wines match best with soft cheeses and stronger flavors.
• Red wines match best with hard cheeses and milder flavors.
• Fruity and sweet white wines (not dry) and dessert wines work best with a wider range of cheeses. 
• The more pungent the cheese you choose, the sweeter the wine should be.

When offering several cheese choices in a wine and cheese pairing spread, white wines fair better than reds. That’s because several cheeses, particularly soft and creamy ones, leave a layer of fat on the palate that interferes with the flavor in reds, rendering them monotonous and bland.

Quite the opposite, most of those sweeter whites nicely complement a full range of cheeses. Additionally, the “sparkle” in a sparkling wine or champagne can help break through the fat in heavier cheeses.Therefore, the spicy zing of a Gewürztraminer or the peachy zip of a Riesling is ideal if you’re going for wide-reaching appeal.

If you’re a cheese adventurist, meaning you go for the stinkiest of cheeses, pick a big wine to back it up. Try a French Bordeaux or a buxom California Cab. Ports and dessert wines are your best choice if you like mold-donned or blue-veined cheeses.

For a safer bet when serving several wines, choose Parmigiano or Romano cheeses. They go with most wines.

A Few Common Wine and Cheese Pairings

White Wines	Recommended Cheeses
Champagne or sparkling	Brie, Camembert
Chardonnay	Mild Cheddar, Gruyere, Provolone
Gewurztraminer	Swiss, most German cheeses
Loire Valley wines	Goat Cheese
Riesling	Gouda
Sauternes	Roquefort, Blue
Sauvignon Blanc	Goat Cheese

 

Red Wines	Recommended Cheeses
Amarone	Gorgonzola, Parmigiano-Reggiano , Asiago
Cabernet Sauvignon	Camembert, Sharp Cheddar, Blue
Port	Stilton, Gorgonzola
Shiraz	Sharp Cheddar