Dinner - "Palisides (Oregon)"

This past Wednesday, I took my boyfriend Josh with me to Palisades in Eggleston, VA to experience the Wines Around The World special. The Oregon-themed dinner included bacon-wrapped and roasted Quail Leg, Smoked Pacific Salmon in a blackberry gastrique, and Oregon Forage Pizza with mushrooms, hazelnuts, and Havarti cheese.

Josh and I were seated near the entrance of Palisades.

The Quail Leg in bacon was incredibly savory and juicy. The quail leg itself was very tasty, and the bacon added a saltiness that was quite welcome. The Smoked Pacific Salmon with blackberry gastrique was both sweet and smoky. I haven't had salmon cooked this way before; it tasted like it was artificially salmon flavored and sweetened. The thick toasted bread/cracker it was on had an odd texture. I unfortunately didn't like this dish as a result, which I think affected my wine pairing results for this one as a result. The Oregon Forage Pizza was absolutely delicious. I even contemplated getting a whole pizza to eat all by myself. The combination of mushroom and Havarti cheese complimented each other, and the pizza was well balanced--not too greasy or overwhelming at all.

From left to right: Quail Leg, Smoked Pacific Salmon, and Oregon Forage Pizza.

Wildewood Pinot Noir 2013

Wildewood Pinot Noir 2013 image from http://tinyurl.com/osshw8d.

The first wine of the pairings was Wildewood Pinot Noir 2013 from Willamette Valley, Oregon. This red wine is 100% pinot noir and has a nose of dark berries that also comes in subtly on the tongue. It was dry with medium body and a short finish. This wine was a little drier than I usually prefer.

The Wildewood Pinot Noir in the tasting glass.

The pinot noir was originally paired with the Quail Leg. The savory, juicy quail brought out the dry, dark berry taste of the pinot noir. I quite liked this effect, although the two different flavors (savory vs. fruity) were in danger of clashing. The dryness helped it stay at bay. The salmon, on the other hand, brought out a bitterness in the wine as well as the dark berry taste. This clashed and I didn't like this pairing at all. As for the pizza, it brought out the dark berry taste and a sweet, mushroom-y taste not from the pizza itself. The sweetness it brought out was too much for my liking as it clashed with the cheesy pizza. 

A to Z Rosé

A to Z Rosé 2014 image from http://tinyurl.com/ozjemrq.

The second wine of the pairings was A to Z Rosé 2014 from Oregon and is 100% sangiovese. It had a very prominent strawberry nose and a tongue of fresh strawberry with a slight bite and a long, fresh, and warm finish. 

The A to Z Rosé in the tasting glass. 

The rosé was originally paired with the salmon. The combination of the sweet dish and the wine brought out even more sweetness in the wine that I didn't favor. With the quail leg, the strawberry and alcohol taste was brought out much more. Although the fruitiness didn't quite match with the savory quail, the taste of the wine was so delicious as a result that I actually liked it. With the pizza, the sweetness was brought out just a touch so that it was not overwhelming, and I could taste more of the strawberry. I definitely liked this pairing as well.

Wildewood Pinot Gris 2013

Wildewood Pinot Gris 2013 image from http://tinyurl.com/okwyqsj.

The final wine of the pairings was also a Wildewood wine, Wildewood Pinot Gris 2013 from Willamette Valley, Oregon that is 100% pinot gris. This white wine had a fresh pear nose, a dry tongue, and a long, warm finish with a nice hint of acidity. 

The Wildewood Pinot Gris in the tasting glass.

The pinot gris was originally paired with the pizza. The pizza brought out a sweetness in the wine, which I actually did not favor. With the salmon, the acidity came out and clashed with the sweetness, which I also did not like. The quail, on the other hand, brought out a freshness in the wine which was very refreshing, and the tongue of the wine was also more prominent. 

Thoughts

The wines for the pairings came in little tasting glasses. While they were perfectly portioned for the activity, they made it impossible to swirl and very difficult to sniff (I put my nose right in the first one by accident). Nevertheless, the flavors of the wines still came out when paired with the food. 

The little tasting glasses the wines were served in. While the portions were favorable, they made it impossible to swirl and sniff.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed my experience at Palisades. While the original pairings were not always to my favor, there was another wine in the pairing that went well with the food. I also liked the portion sizes of both the food and the wine. I look forward to my next experience at Palisades for Wines Around the World.

Tasting - "Bolla Moscato"

Name: Bolla Moscato
Variety: Muscat
Region: Pavia
Country: Italy
Year: Unknown
Price: $9.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Loaded with juicy exotic fruit, mature apricot, yellow peach and tangerine flavors, this sweet and delightful wine is perfect for Sunday brunch or picnics.
My Review: Thank goodness this wine did not taste like it smelled! It had a nose of skunk, like when you're driving down the highway and the aroma wafts through your car. The tongue was sweet, like pineapple juice. I liked the taste but probably would not drink it because of the nose. 
With Food: No

Tasting - "Monte Degli Angeli Sangiovese 2013"

Name: Monte Degli Angeli Sangiovese
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): The aromas are rich and dark, with lots of black cherry and a hint of balsamic. In the mouth the wine is round and energetic, with cherry and black raspberry fruit complemented by hints of damp earth. If you like Sangiovese-based wines like Chianti or our best-selling Colsanto from Umbria, you'll love this! The wine is ripe, fresh, and fruit-driven with a wonderful dash of earthy complexity at the end. Buy it by the case and drink with pizza, grilled poultry, and pasta.
My Review: I had trouble placing the nose on this one, although it was pleasant and smelled like some sort of sweet berry. This red wine was dry and I could tell there were tannins present, giving it a slight bite. I also didn't mind this wine and would have it with food. 
With Food: No

Tasting - "Oracle Pinotage 2013"

Name: Oracle Pinotage
Variety: Pinotage
Region: Unknown
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price: $7.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): An unusual style of Pinotage with complex aromas of black pepper, smoke, tomato, and dark fruit. The palate is packed with ripe mixed berry flavors, making this unoaked red wine a real crowd-pleaser.
My Review: The nose was interesting and bold on this wine, reminding me of dark berries, blackberries, black pepper, and dark chocolate. The tongue was on the bitter side in the mid palate and had a short finish. I didn't mind this wine and would drink it with something savory.  
With Food: No

Tasting - "Alvarez de Toledo Godello 2013"

Name: Alvarez de Toledo Godello
Variety: Verdelho/Godello
Region: Bierzo
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Clean pale yellow color. Nose fruity, persistent and elegant aromas. Good backbone on the palate.
My Review: The nose reminded me of fresh pineapple. This white wine was refreshing and nicely balanced with a dry mid palate all the way to the finish. I enjoyed this wine and would have it with creamy dishes or by itself.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Villa Jolanda Brut"

Name: Villa Jolanda Brut
Variety: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Gris
Region: Unknown
Country: Italy
Year: Unknown
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste.
My Review: The nose on this sparking white wine reminded me of fresh pears, and the tongue was dry and carbonated. It had a long finish. I prefer sweeter white wines, so I would give this wine a pass.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Villa Pozzi Moscato"

Name: Villa Pozzi Moscato
Variety: Muscat
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: Unknown
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Loaded with juicy exotic fruit, mature apricot, yellow peach and tangerine flavors, this sweet and delightful wine is perfect for Sunday brunch or picnics.
My Review: The nose was pleasantly floral and rich. The tongue was sweet and had a slight bite from the carbonation. It had a short finish. I quite enjoyed this wine and would drink it again by itself.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Cortenova Pinot Grigio 2013"

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste.
My Review: This wine had a nose of fresh pear and pineapple. The tongue was lemon-y with good body and there was a long finish. I didn't like the bite from the acidity, however. 
With Food: No

Tasting - "Mars and Venus Chardonnay 2013"

Name: Mars and Venus Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag. No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple.  Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping.
My Review: This wine had a floral and pineapple nose. The tongue was bitter and had a short finish. I would give this wine a pass.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Paul Laureano Tinto Classico 2013"

Name: Paul Laureano Tinto Classico
Variety: 40% Trincadeira, 40% Aragonez, 20% Alfrocheiro
Region: Alentejano
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): This is a full bodied red that reveals all that the terroir of Portugal has to offer. Light cigar tobacco and soft leather present beautifully on the nose. Dark, black fruits fill the mouth, but the wine flows smoothly over the palate, with a good bit of spice on the finish. Pair with spicy, cured meats and hard cheeses.
My Review: This wine had a nose of dark berries, blackberries, and alcohol. The tongue was very bitter and dry with a short finish. I would give this wine a pass because it didn't taste like much and it had no body. 
With Food: No

Tasting - "Bodegas Atalaya Laya 2013"

Name: Bodegas Atalaya Laya
Variety: 70% Garnacha Tintorera/Alicante Bouschet, 30% Monastrell
Region: Almansa
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Fermented in stainless steel, followed by four months in French oak.  Bright purple.  Cassis, blueberry, pungent herbs and mocha on the nose.  Smooth and open-knit on the palate, displaying fresh cherry and dark berry qualities and a hint of black pepper.  Finishes with gripping tannins and good length, leaving a subtle floral note behind.
My Review: This wine had an alcohol, dark chocolate nose. The tongue had hints of dark chocolate and had a bite at the end. This wine was decent; I didn't dislike it and would drink it again.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Jam Jar Sweet White 2014"

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White
Variety: Muscat
Region: Western Cape 
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): This charming, easy-drinking Moscato offers flavors of peach, apricot, lychee and orange blossom. A lively jolt of acidity keeps it fresh and fruity. Fancy enough for a special occasion toast, yet sweet-natured enough to enjoy every day, our bright and cheerful sweet wines are sure to capture your heart.
My Review: Bright, floral nose with hints of peaches. The tongue was sweet and floral with a slight bite at the end. I enjoyed this wine, but would give it a pass as the balance was a bit off for me.
With Food: No

Tasting - "La Fiera Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2013"

Name: La Fiera Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 

Variety: Montepulciano

Region: Abruzzo
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Lots of leather and dried fruit on this, but immensely enjoyable and held up well over the course of three days. A terrific find.

My Review: Dark berry, blackberry nose with a bitter, oaky taste. I would let this wine age a lot more before drinking it.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Pirovano Sangiovese Romagna 2012"

Name: La Famiglia Pirovano Sangiovese Romagna 

Variety: Sangiovese

Region: Romagna
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Aromas of bright berry fruit and violets merge with zesty spice and intense juicy flavors of ripe raspberry, plum and black cherry in this medium-bodied, food-friendly wine.  Pairs perfectly with a variety of foods such as spicy pastas, red meats and poultry, as well as aged cheeses.

My Review: Dark chocolate, dark berry nose with a smooth mid palate and bitter finish. I would prefer a more balanced wine but I didn't dislike this one.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Entrada Chardonnay 2013"

Name: Entrada Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay 

Region: Nancagua 
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Fruity and floral on the nose and rich but not heavy on the palate.  Wonderful tropical fruit flavors are balanced by just a touch of French oak to round out the finish.
My Review: The scent was fresh fruit. It tasted like grapefruit and was slightly bitter with a short finish. As I am not fond of grapefruit, I did not particularly like this wine.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Protocolo White 2013"

Name: Protocolo White Wine

Variety: 50% Macabeo, 50% Airen

Region: Castilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Pale yellow.  High-pitched aromas of lemon zest and white flowers, with a piquant mineral overtone.  Dry, racy and focused, offering tangy lemon zest and green apple flavors and a touch of bitter herbs.  Closes with good clarity and cut, leaving a tart citrus fruit note behind.  This is pretty grown-up for the price, not to mention a superb value.
My Review: This wine smelled like fresh fruit that I couldn't quite place. It didn't taste like anything specific, but it was dry and had a nice warm finish, albeit short. I really liked this wine and would drink it again with or without food.
With Food: No