Wine and Dineee

 

Wine and Dine Dinner 3:

After a long week of classes my friends and I all decided to go all out for the wine dinner to enjoy our Sunday! We went online and found recipe's we never tried and whipped it up in the kitchen! Watch as your Hokie wine connoisseurs whip up the PERFECT wine dinner.  

Appetizer: 

Caprese Salad! It is the perfect recipe to start off the wine dinner. It is layered with juicy red tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fresh crisp basil. You finish it off with fresh dressings. It is drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, and a tangy balsamic reduction. Below is information about the wine we tried!

Wine Name: CK Monday

Varietal: Pinot Gris

State: California 

Year: 2017 

Price: $6.49

Product Description: "Our Pinot Grigio is a medium- bodied wine filled with aromas of wildflowers, peaches and pears. Fresh, tropical flavors combined with a touch of spice lead to a delightfully crisp finish. This food-friendly wine pairs well with summer picnics and is delicious as a "cocktail wine" 

https://www.empirewine.com/wine/ck-mondavi-pinot-grigio-15l-i4624/

First, we had the appetizer which was the Caprese Salad! This appetizer was a great way to start off the meal and paired well with the wine. Before trying the appetizer I tried to compare the difference in taste when it was alone versus when it was paired with the food. Before having the appetizer I smelled the wine, it smelled very lemony and the taste was very fresh and fruity and was super easy to finish. With the appetizer it paired well. The acidic taste with the tomatoes and with the fruity taste of the wine paired well with the sweetness in the balsamic dressing. 

Dinner:

Sun- Dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Skillet Chicken. My friend had goat cheese in her fridge so we were inspired to make a dish with goat cheese in it. This recipe is big in flavor and super delicious. The tomatoes add an unexpected twist and punch to the dish and it works well with the protein which was the chicken. Below is information about the wine we tried!

Wine Name: Artie

Varietal: Chardonnay

State/ Place: South Africa

Year: 2018

Price: $3.33

Product Description: "Artie wines, an easy-to-drink, affordable and lighthearted line. These wines are a great way to explore different wine varietals and pair with various favorite foods and family and friends." 

https://storebrands.com/giant-debuts-artie-private-label-wine-virginia

All I got to say was wow, this meal turned out way better than I even expected. This was a great treat and is something I want to make for my family when I get home. Every bite had a rich taste of the goat cheese and tomatoes and it was a perfect combination. Before trying my dinner when I smelled the wine, it didn't smell very strong and bold. As I tasted the wine though it was sweeter than I thought it was going to be but, it didn't have a very bold flavor. 

As I tried it though with my meal, it paired perfectly with the meal. I didn't have very high expectations since the bottle of wine isn't as expensive so I didn't think it would taste good at all especially with the meal. But the nodes from the wine paired nicely with the poultry and toppings on it. The sauce went nicely too with the wine. 

Dessert: 

Chocolate Mousse with chocolate shavings topping. Lastly, we got this dessert and wow it was delicious! We got a chocolate mousse and shaved chocolate on the top. 

Wine Name: Gallo Family

State: California

Year: 2018

Body: light

Price: $8

Product Description: Gallo Family Vineyards Sweet Peach Wine is slightly fizzy with fruity notes of fresh peaches and tropical fruits. With a light body, this deliciously sweet wine is best served chilled. This peach flavored wine is made with natural flavors and should be served ice cold or over ice. 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Gallo-Family-Vineyards-Sweet-Peach-Wine-1-5-L/518929548

Last but not least... DESSERT! This dessert was the perfect way to end the dinner. Before tasting the dessert, I smelled the wine and tasted it. As I smelled the wine I off the bat smelled how sweet it was and the punch of peach. Then as I tasted it, it did taste as sweet as it smelled and was very peachy, light bodied, and crisp. With the mousse though the pairing in my opinion wasn't the best. Alone, the wine was one of my favorites, but with the mousse it did taste a bit bitter.