 AMERICAN WINE SOCIETYa non-profit corporation | |
| May 2003 ROCHESTER CHAPTER NEWSLETTER Volume 29, No. 4 | |
2003 Officers (till February 2004) Librarian: Tim Jacobs (585) 425-3279 | |
MAY TASTING: Mountain Rise Church was appropriately the venue For the May tasting, which celebrated the union of several Food and Wine pairings in joyous harmony. Guests were greeted with Chevre, Pine Nut and Olive Crostini partnered by 2002 Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand ($11), highlighting the classic match of this varietal with goat cheese. At the sit-down reception, guests were presented with a copy of recipes for all the food items to be served that evening together with the names of the associated wines. To celebrate our French union, a delectable Quiche featuring Walnuts, Scallions, and Gruyere cheese was tasted with two Pinot Gris wines from Alsace, a 1998 vintage from the small Mader estate ($12), and a 2000 vintage reserve from the Trimbach winery ($13). A perfect match in both cases, with the nuts in the quiche finding harmony with the similar elements in the wines. German Gemuetlichkeit (comfort) was much in evidence in the next pairings demonstrating the unusual combination of red meat with white wine. Beef Sauerbraten recipes from two regions of Germany were compared, one with gingersnap gravy, the other with sour cream and raisins. Red cabbage, egg noodles and Wegmans Sourdough Miche Bread completed this delicious savory dish. The combination was tasted with two German whites from the 2000 vintage, a Pfeffingen Dry Riesling from the Pfalz area ($13), and a Wirsching Dry Rivaner (a.k.a. Muller-Thurgau, a Riesling-Sylvaner crossing, but recent research suggests a Riesling-Chasselas crossing) from the Franken region ($13). The juicy acidity in both these wines completed the sweet-sour flavor components in the partnered dish wonderfully. Not to be left out a third wine, this time a German red from the Dornfelder grape, a 2001 Peter Mertes wine ($6), was tasted with this food combination. The almost-Beaujolais style fresh fruit in this wine provided another classic match. Dornfelder is regarded as the most successful red-grape crossing in Germany. A zingy Riesling Sorbet refreshed our palates for the next main course, a Grilled Leg of Lamb served with Paprika-Spiced Mushrooms and an Aioli-Bread Sauce. This gourmet's delight was superbly matched up with two Zinfandels, 2000 Cline Ancient Vines ($15) and 2001 Seghesio ($16). The sorbet did the trick, as the lamb was consumed with great relish, and was the favorite marriage of the evening! Those looking for sweet unions were well rewarded with the next combinations that matched a Trio of Custards (Valencia Orange, Walnut-Raisin, and Mocha) with two hefty reds, NV Montevina Zinfandel Port from Amador County ($14.50) and 1999 Cline Late Harvest Mourvedre ($19/375mls). The three custards enhanced different aspects of the wines' composition. No food and wine union is complete without at least one sweet white wine match-up Our event concluded with the sublime pairing of Apple Tarte Tartin (an upside down apple tart) with the Sauternes, 1998 Chateau de Malle ($29). All these pairings were well received. The Food and Wine Committee: Holly Howell (Chair) UPCOMING TASTINGS SEPTEMBER 20TH RHONE WINES OCTOBER 18TH A STUDY IN TANNINS IN THE NEWS " Wine Spectator reports data from a medical conference; consuming one to two alcoholic drinks per day reduces the chances of developing colon polyps by 80% compared to non-drinkers (polyps can become cancerous over time). Drinking more than this, however, eliminates the benefit and increases the chances above what non-drinkers could expect. For non-drinkers, there was a 38% chance of developing polyps. It is important to note that the colonoscopy screening procedure can detect and remove polyps at early stage before they become cancerous; this procedure is recommended starting at age 50. " The NY Times wine editor, Frank Prial, was doing some spring-cleaning in his wine cellar recently and came across a bottle of 1985 Dr Frank Rkatsiteli (pronounced er-kotz-uh-TEL-ee). He found it "more fun to drink than many an expensive chardonnay that would be hard-put to last half as long". Dr Frank introduced this grape to the Finger Lakes from Eastern Europe. It is still grown and sold at the winery. " In contrast to the long cold Winter we experienced in NY, vine growers in Burgundy and other parts of France are celebrating the fact that flowering is taking place three weeks earlier than normal. This will result in an early harvest, hopefully avoiding the September rains which have plagued some recent vintages. | |