Wine Dinner - Italian Meatballs with Homemade Sauce

Wine Dinner

Hello fans!  Thanks for reading my blog.  This past weekend I had a delicious meal with my friends Erin and Adam.  We made Italian meatballs with homemade sauce (we bought the pasta).  

looks pretty good in the recipe book!

I made the meatballs and Erin made the sauce.  Adam started to cork the wines.

Preparing the sauce

Half way through the food prep we took our first wine break.  We start with a box wine.

Corbett Canyon was a steal.  It was a 3L box (4 bottles) for only $10.00 a Kroger.  It wasn't bad.  the reason I picked it up was because I was getting tired of my wines going bad if I didn't drink the whole bottle in two days.  It was a pretty good Pinto Noir.  The color was typical and the smell was full of red berries.  This was not an old world wine, there were not earthy aromas.  It was a nice easy to drink wine.  I had had a glass as a cooked and then a second with dinner.

Proof wine was consumed!  Looks like I need to do a better job staying still.

Dinner turned out great and the sauce really complemented the wine.  It reduced the tannic feel of the wine and made the wine seem more flavorful.

Pretty nice spread.

Once we were tired of the box wine was started to go with some more sophisticated wines for the half of dinner.  We chose a Robert Mondavi Meritage (seen in the picture above).  This was an excellent wine!  It was a blend of grapes that matched the Bordeaux style. This one in particular was 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot.  I thought this wine was great on its own but did help to make the meal more complete.  The herbs and spices in the meatballs were the prefect match for the wine.

Once dinner was done the Wine and Cheese party began!  Several other friends joined for some fancy snacks including: mozzarella and white cheddar cheese, cheese spread,  and homemade french onion dip.

Cheese and Bread

These foods were all tasted was a plethora of wines of which I will discuss my favorites below.

Another Robert Mondai!  This one was a Cabernet Sauvignon.  We liked the first one of his wines so much we figured we should crack open another!  This a good a cab.  It had a strong nose and taste.  Tannic and very full bodied.  This was typical but nothing special or flawed with the wine.  I would drink it again.  I thought this wine went well with the white cheddar cheese.

This was the most exciting wine to try for me.  This Cotes-du-Rhone was the first wine I had tasted from the Rhone Valley.  It was different from other wines I have tried before.  Most of the wines I consume are inexpensive American or Australian wines.  I am used to an explosion of flavor, but this one was crafted very differently and was much more complex.  I am going to be sure to try more wines from Rhone.  I enjoyed this wine with the bread dipped in the french onion dip.

Unfortunately someone did bring some white wine to the party.  Actually I was glad they did.  I have favored red wine but since taking geography of wine I am trying to get back into whites and find what types I like.  This did not seem to be that type.  I tried this wine after a few cabs and pinot noirs so my pallet was not as ready for a white.  I still didn't feel like they was much flavor in the wine.  It seemed more like I was drinking some water than wine.  I would be curious to try this wine again on its own and before I have tasted a red.  

I look forward to the next wine dinner and wine and cheese party.  If this party seemed fun to any of my dedicated fans I will invite you to the next one.

Tasting - Morada

Name: Morada
Variety: Sangria
Region: 
Country: Spain
Year:
Price: $4.95

Winery Review:  A traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts. Garnet color and fresh on the palate. Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana or apple. 

My review:  The first impression I had of this wine was not very good.  In my opinion this wine comes in one of the most ugly bottles I have ever seen.  They would have been better off using a box.  The smell of this wine was over whelming.  It was way too much citrus.  I could not even sense the aromas of peach, banana, or apple.  The taste was good.  It was a cross between a flat Fresca and leamonade.  It was good but I would rather just buy a bottle of red wine and make my own sangria.


I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Cortenova

Name: Cortenova
Variety: Primitivo
Region: 
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95

Winery Review:  Dark, ruby-red color with violet highlights. Intense and fragrant bouquet with a rich array of red and
black fruit aromas and flavors. Harmonious and
velvety on the palate. Great balance and structure.
Excellent with grilled or roasted meats, game and
cheeses.

My review:  This was a very dark wine.  On the nose their were aromas of earth, dirt and plum.  This wine was extremely tannic and was more a feeling experience than one of taste.  I could not register any tastes of the tannins.  Perhaps a big steak would compliment this wine.


I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Canyon Road

Name: Canyon Road
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Winery Review:  This Pinot Noir expresses tantalizing flavors of ripe cherry and wild raspberry, and finishes with brown, vanilla spices and a smooth finish.

My review:  It was clear from the start that this was a Pinot Noir due to the light color.  The wine smelled like old leaves, smoke and dirt.  It is autumn.  Earthy tastes dominated this wine.  It was full bodied.  I enjoyed this wine but it was not my favorite.  This was not a wine that was designed to be consumed without food.


I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Oak Vineyards

Name: Oak Vineyards
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95

Winery Review:  This light straw-colored Oak Vineyards 2010
Chardonnay expresses smokey aromatics with nuances of apple and lemon zest that continue onto the palate where they flourish into citrus, orange blossom, and smoked oak flavors until meeting a crisp, medium finish. 

My review:  This wine was light, pale yellow color.  Scents of rubber and creme hit the nose first.  They were the most apparent smells but were not very strong. This wine had clearly been oaked but it was no overwhelming.  It had a very smooth feel with just a hint of acidity.  This was a great full bodied wine.  One of the better Chardonnay's that I have tasted at the Vintage Cellar.


I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Saurussel

Name: Poysdorfer Saurussel
Variety: Gruner Veltliner
Region: 
Country: Austria
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95

Winery Review:  Crisp lime flavors, white pepper and lentils, followedby a mouthful of mineral notes and gooseberry. A long lingering finish. A great accompaniment to any Asian or fresh seafood dishes. 

My review:  This wine was almost completely clear.  The wine had a strong pear smell.  Alcohol also came through in the "sniffy sniff."  The wine was light bodied.  It was oaky and creamy.  It was a pleasant wine. This wine would be great with some asiago cheese.


I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Opera Prima

Name: Opera Prima
Variety: Sweet White
Region: 
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95

Winery Review:  Flowery and sweet smelling, then round and fairly smooth in the mouth. The flavor package of tropical fruits galore is pleasant and shouldn’t offend anyone. Finishes clean and easy. A mango boat of flavor.

My review:  This wine holds up to its name.  It was very sweet.  The wine had a golden yellow color as can been seen in the picture. I did not get to see how the wine looked in my glass because it was turned pink because of some red wine that was still in the glass.  The smell was like walking into a room full of hard candy.  The wine was very sweet almost just like sugar water.  The texture was very smooth and thicker than most wines.  This wine was OK.  At least  this wine tells you exactly what to expect.


I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Senda 66

Name: Senda 66
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: 
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $8.95

Winery Review:  90 Points, Robert Parker

“The 2008 Senda 66 spent 8 months in new French oak. Purple/black in color, it sports a fragrant nose of spice box, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry. Smooth-textured, layered, and remarkably rich on the palate for its humble price, this lengthy effort will drink nicely over the next 5-6 years.”

My review:  This wine was very dark and had a violet hue.  The smell was very sweet again: full of strawberries, raspberries, sugar, and Twizzlers.  The texture was super smooth almost like silk.  That feeling quickly disapated and the wine became very tannic and acidic.  The wine was more of a textural experience than one of taste.  This wine was OK but not my favorite.


I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Sierra Cruz Carmenere

Name: Sierra Cruz
Variety: Camenere
Region: 
Country: Chile
Year: 2009
Price: $6.95

Winery Review:  As a member of the cabernet sauvignon family, carmenere (pronounced car-men-yare) originated in

Bordeaux as one of the grapes permitted for use in the red blends of that storied region. Chilean winemakers have embraced it and several wineries in that country produce it as a single varietal. The ’09 Sierra Cruz is a very pleasant, soft,  ediumbodied wine that has fresh cabernet-like aromas and

flavors of spice, dark fruit and black pepper. It is a great value and also would be a nice match with marinated and grilled skirt or flank steak.

My review:  Another weird wine.  This wine was not flawed but was not my type.  The color was almost black.  The nose was just like I walked into the veggie section of the grocery store.  All I could smell was leaf lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots.  The taste was very vinegar like so it seems the salad was completed with a vinegar based dressing.  I like to eat my salad, not drink it.


I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Lost Vineyards

Name: Lost Vineyards
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: 
Country: Argentina
Year: 
Price: $3.95

Winery Review:  Pale golden color. Perfumed peach, pineapple, and nougat aromas. Round and soft with a fruity-yet-dry medium body. Tangy apple skin and lemon zest notes lift the fruit nicely on the finish. 

My review:  This was the worst wine I have ever tasted.  This wine was severly flawed.  The wine had a pale yellow color.  On the nose the wine had a slight sugar/sweet smell but it was subdued by a strong chemical smell that resembled spray paint.  The wine tasted horrible.  The taste of spray paint was not very appealing to me.  There was also alot of heat comming through on the wine.  This was terrible and I would not recommend this wine.  There is a reason it is so cheap.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Sierra Cruz

Name: Sierra Cruz
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: 
Country: Chile
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

Winery Review:  This Chilean Sauvignon Blanc just oozes with bright citrus flavors and a nose of herbs and grass. Stylistically, it is a cross between the herbal, grassy wines so prevalent in Sonoma County and the riper, more fruit forward products of New Zealand. Match it with pasta sauced with arugula, pine nuts,

mushrooms and parmesan.

My review:  This was a fun Sauvignon Blanc.  It had a pale yellow color and there were no fingers when it was swirled.  The nose was incredible.  It was full was a full bouquet with smells of peach, melon and fresh cut tree.  The taste was full of grapes.  It was tart at first and then had a very strong after taste of strawberries.


I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Cantina di Casteggio

Name: Cantina di Casteggio
Variety: Mostcato
Region: 
Country: Italy
Year: 
Price: $7.95

Winery Review:  Bright, light golden color. Very aromatic nose of ripe apricots, sage, honey and a slight minerality.

Medium bodied, sweet and fruity with flavors of

apricots and tangerine. Well balanced acidity and

medium finish with layers of sweet and citrus fruit.

My review:  Just like most of the Vintage Cellar wine tastings they ended with a sweet white.  And like usual it was a sparkling Moscato.  This wine had a nice pale yellow color and plenty of bubbles.  The wine smelled like sugar and candy.  And it tasted like candy soda or carbonated grape juice.  It was really good and super easy to drink.

Tasting - Montebuena

Name: Primo Amore
Variety: Rioja Crianza
Region: 
Country: Spain
Year: 2007
Price: $6.95

Winery Review:  100% Tempranillo. Dark red. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with hints of cracked pepper and

dried rose. Crisp and dry on the palate, with spicy

redcurrant and cherry flavors, light tannins and a

fresh, energetic finish. An excellent value, and

surprisingly elegant for this price point.

My review:  This wine was very dark and had plenty of fingers when swirled.  On the nose the wine was full of fruit with smells of peaches, apples and jelly.  The taste was tannic and there was a bit of heat that came through in this wine.  It was very acidic and could be felt on the tongue.  This was not a good wine for my pallet.


I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Varas

Name: Varas
Variety: Vinho Tinto
Region: 
Country: Protugal
Year: 
Price: $21.95 ($5.49/bottle)

Winery Review:  This smooth Portuguese red is a blend of Castelão (45%), Tinta Roriz (25%), Tinta Barroca (20%) and

Pinot Noir (10%). The vineyards are located near

Lisbon, planted in sunny gentle slopes of clay and

limestone soils. The wine was aged in oak barrels.

My review:  At first glace this wine was not impressive.  An ugly wine box with a yellow label.  The wine was a brownish red, however, I did start to get excited about this wine when there were a lot of fingers in the wine when it was swirled.  The taste was great.  It was only slightly tannic and dry.  The wine was a fruit explosion and very smooth and easy to drink.  This was a great wine and good deal!

Tasting - Oveja Negra

Name: Oveja Negra
Variety: Syrah-Cab Rosé Reserva
Region: 
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Winery Review:   Oveja Negra Reserva Rosé is bright cherry-red in color and has an attractive nose with aromas of

raspberries and strawberries as well as plum and a

bit of green apple. Crisp and juicy on the palate with

a slight sweetness that accompanies the red

fruit flavors. Pleasing natural acidity with mediumhigh intensity, nice persistence, and

a fresh finish.

My review:  Oveja Negra did not have the color i was expecting for a Syrah-Cab blend.  It had a light pink color that had an orange tint.  The bouquet was full of dust and smokey smells.  The taste was very bitter.  There were some cream and milk flavors.  This wine felt very thick too.  This wine was OK.

Tasting - gPG Garganega

Name: Garganega

Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: 
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Winery Review:  gPG is from the delle Venezie regions of northeastern Italy. A clean and crisp palate with plenty of

texture and weight follows aromas of apples and

zesty lemons. It's perfect with grilled white fish or

light risotto.

My review: The color of this wine was a pale yellow.  The wine had an aroma of pear and plum.  The taste was very tart at first but was surprisingly smooth to drink.  This was a good wine!


I tasted this wine without food.