third 3 course meal

Yellowtail Pinot Noir

On its own: The Pinot Noir is a deep red color with hints of pink. This wine smells fruity like cherry. It also has a cherry taste. It is very sweet but also tannic, it leaves my mouth feeling really dry. I am not usually a fan of red wines, but I did enjoy this one and would get it again. 

Paired with broccoli tots: I think this wine pairs well with the broccoli tots. It makes the broccoli flavor stand out even more above the cheese and decreases the tannic elements of the wine, which I enjoy because I am not a big fan of tannins. Overall, this was a pretty good pairing. 

Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc

On its own: This wine is a very pale yellow color that is bordering on green. It smells really fruity and refreshing, like pear. The wine tastes really refreshing as well. The alcohol flavor is strong but the wine stays tasting really sweet and there are hints of pear and also it is a bit sour like lemon. I enjoyed this wine and would get it again. 

Paired with peas: I do not like this pairing together at all. The peas make the flavor of the alcohol stand out even more, making it way too strong. The flavor of the alcohol covers up any other flavors present and completely ruins the pairing. I would not do this one again. 

F.J. Serra Chardonnay

On its own: This Chardonnay is a deep yellow color. It smells kind of woody with a hint of honey suckle. This wine is really strong which takes away from the flavors but it tastes kind of grassy. I do not enjoy this wine on its own. 

Paired with Chicken Nuggets: I do not really like this pairing, but the wine does taste better with the chicken nuggets. The nuggets take away from the alcohol flavors present, and the wine brings out the breddiness of the chicken nuggets. Despite not enjoying the wine on its own, I did really enjoy it when paired with the chicken nuggets. 

OGIO

Name: OGIO

Variety: Prosecco

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: N/A

Price: $5.99

My Review: This wine is yellow with a hint of green. It smells kind of bready and grassy like foliage. When I tasted it, at first it came across as sweet, but after a second it starts to taste bitter and dry. despite being a light white wine, this wine was not refreshing and overall I did not enjoy it. 

Another Review: This Italian sparkling white wine presents delicate aromas of pear and melon and crisp flavors of pear, peach, apple, and citrus. It is crisp, clean, and a lovely fountain of bubbles. It’s the perfect wine for any and all celebrations, big or small. Pairs perfectly with sushi or a seafood feast.https://www.kroger.com/p/ogio-prosecco-sparkling-white-wine/0083972800847

Wine Folly: Dry and zesty wines are made with non-aromatic grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They also typically come from the coolest climate wine regions. https://winefolly.com/tips/sparkling-wine-explained-dry-to-sweet/

Cupcake Prosecco

Name: Cupcake

Variety: Prosecco

Region: N/A

Country: Italy

Year: N/A

Price: $3.99

My Review: This wine is a pale yellow color with small bubbles. It smells kind of floral but also like chlorine for some reason. The wine tastes very sweet and is also refreshing and has fruity notes of orange and peach. Overall, I really enjoyed this wine and would purchase it again. 

Another Review: A lovely, mouth-watering Italian sparkling wine, at a great price! Aromas of apricot and peach. This Prosecco is perfect as an aperitif or companion to seafood. https://www.nataliemaclean.com/wine-reviews/cupcake-vineyards-prosecco/147871 

Wine Folly: Prosecco is a super food-friendly sparkling wine that goes fantastically as an aperitivo with antipasto, cured meats, and almonds. Still, you can enjoy Prosecco alongside the main course. Fresh Asian fare such as shrimp fresh rolls, sushi, Pad Thai, and curries are perfect with Prosecco’s bubbles and acidity. Consider an extra dry or dry style with spicy Asian or Indian cuisine. https://winefolly.com/wines/prosecco/ 

wine and cheese pairing

 Yellow Tail Pure Bright Sauvignon Blanc: 

On its own: This wine is a deep yellow, it smells kind of grassy and floral. It is very dry but not very tannic, despite how dry it is it leaves me feeling refreshed after drinking it. Overall I enjoy this wine on its own. 

Paired with the Fromager D'Affinois: This wine and cheese do pair well together. The wine brings out the cheesy flavors of the Fromager and the texture of the cheese brings pairs well with the refreshing-ness of the wine. The cheese also brigs out some more fruity and citrusy flavors in the wine like orange and makes it a bit sour like lemon. 

Fetzer Riesling: 

On its Own: This wine is yellow but bordering on green. It smells fruity like pear but also has notes of honey. This resiling is really sweet but slightly tannic and sour tasting at the end which I enjoyed. Overall. I really enjoyed this wine on its own. 

Paired with Smoked Gouda: This wine does not pair well with the smoked gouda. The sourness of the wine makes the cheese taste bad and the smokiness of the cheese brings out the alcohol flavors in the wine which I do not particularly enjoy. Overall, I do not like this pairing I think the cheese would go better with a much sweeter resiling. 

Dark Horse Chardonnay: 

On its Own: This Chardonay is a pale yellowish-green color. It smells kind of oakey and carmely, but tastes kind of grassy. I do not enjoy this wine on its own and would not purchase again. 

Paired with Herbed Gouda: I enjoyed this pairing, the gouda really overpowered the wine which I did not like so I liked that aspect of it, and also the wine brought the flavor of the herbs out of the cheese which you do not really get when eating the cheese on its own. Overall, I enjoyed this paring despite not liking the wine itself. 

Washington Hills

 Name: Washington Hills

Variety: Riesling

Region: Washington

Country: United States

Year: 2021

Price: $10.00

My Review: This wine is a yellow, almost greenish color. It smells kind of like bread, specifically challah, and a bit grassy. The bready notes carry over into the flavor. This wine is very dry but doesn't leave my mouth feeling dry. The after-mouth feel kind of reminds me of taking a bite of some fluffy bread. I am usually not a fan of dry wines but this wine really surprised me as to how much I enjoyed it. I would definitely buy again. 

Another Review: "Pear, green apple, citrus, honey light minerals aftertaste, but refreshing & crisp. Slight throat warmth/burn.. would buy again." https://www.vivino.com/users/becky.elli/reviews/169417700 

Wine Folly: " It’s true that Riesling is often vinified to leave residual sugar. This practice is integral to balancing the high acid of the grape, especially when grown in cooler climates. However, there are many examples of dry Riesling wines that may just change your mind about the grape." https://winefolly.com/tips/bring-on-the-dry-riesling/ 

Broadbent

Name: Broadbent

Variety: Loureira Arinto, Azal Branco, Caino Trajadura, Espadeiro Vinhão

Region: Vinho Verde

Country: Portugal

Year: N/A

Price: $12:00

My Review: This wine has some bubbles to it, the color is a pale yellow bordering on greenish. This wine smells floral but also like orange and melon. This wine is pretty sweet for a vinho verde and it tastes really fruity and refreshing. I'm getting lemon but also a honey flavor and some melon. This wine is not tannic at all and the bubbles make it even more refreshing. Overall I really enjoyed this wine and would buy it again. 

Another Review: "Vinho Verde, the most popular white wine from Portugal, is a deliciously refressing, light wine. "Verde", meaning "Green" refers to the hints of lime color. It is an ideal warm weather wine, excellent for lunch and picnics, or an evening apertif. It makes a brilliant pairing with any fish, shellfish and poultry." https://drizly.com/wine/white-wine/arinto/broadbent-vinho-verde/p1952 

Wine Folly: Vinho Verde comes from a small region in Northern Portugal known for its super-value whites, reds, and rosés. These wines are loved for mouth-zapping acidity, subtle carbonation, and lower alcohol – making them a great choice for summer. https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/vinho-verde-the-perfect-poolside-wine-from-portugal/ 

Pinette

Name: Pinetti

Variety: Indicazione, Geografica, Tipica

Region: Cermenate

Country: Italy 

Year: 2020

Price: $6.00

My Review: This wine is a dark pink color, almost orange. It smells pretty woody, with a hint of berry, like strawberry. There's a lot of sediment in the bottle that got into the glass. The wine isn't very flavorful. It is really tannic and has a slight strawberry flavor. The alcohol really shines through as well, I can feel it when I swallow it which is a sensation I do not particularly enjoy. Overall I did not really enjoy this wine and I would not get it again. 

Another Review: I taste citrus, cut grass, and raspberries. 12% alc. 3.0 Has some nice strawberry notes but would not buy again. Has a vegetal taste but not as dry as most Provence roses. https://www.vivino.com/US/en/it-pinetti-notte-rose/w/1734147#:~:text=I%20taste%20citrus%2C%20cut%20grass,12%25%20alc.&text=3.0Has%20some%20nice%20strawberry,dry%20as%20most%20provence%20roses.  

Wine Folly: The primary flavors of rosé wine are red fruit, flowers, citrus, and melon, with a pleasant crunchy green flavor on the finish similar to celery or rhubarb. Of course, depending on the type of grape the rosé wine is made with will greatly vary the flavor. https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/what-is-rose-wine/