Good Wine, Good Food, Good Friends

We're baaaaack! It's been far too long and I've missed you all.

November's Wine Night didn't have a theme. We had one Roussanne and one ice wine so we decided to meet at The Greene Grape to select bottles to taste in between those. We ended up with a nice journey through white, rose, red and dessert.

Greene Grape was having a Port tasting so we sampled Quinta do Infantado Tawny and Ruby Ports. Both delicious with hints of chocolate, tobacco and plum.

Then it was on to dinner at Umi Nom where we ordered a bunch of small plates & one entree:
house pickles
asian market greens
sauteed sweet sausage
dai bao sliders
spring rolls
pork belly adobo
charred beef rice vermicelli

Since there weren't actual courses, we just ate, sipped wine and enjoyed ourselves. No specific wine pairings with the food.

Now to what we tasted:

Kelly was kind enough to share a bottle of her father's
Rockledge Roussanne Saralee's Vineyard Roussanne $35
2006 Russian River Valley
it was delicious and smooth and buttery, similar to a chardonnay. here's a quote i found: "Easily the best pure Roussanne made in America by the very talented Mike Hirby. Loads of complexity and a gorgeous, lengthy finish."

Michael Gassier Nostre Pais Blanc $15
2008 Rhone
90% Greanche blanc, 5% Roussanne, 5% Vionier
light and citrus, crisp. lemon, floral, soft finish, mineral

Laurent Miquel Rose - $9.50
2009 Languedoc
Cinsault 70% Syrah 30%
this one didn't wow me so i can't remember! here's what greene grape says "This lively rose has a big funky nose that leads to pleasing soft red fruit. Its refreshing acidity binds it all into an easy drinking gulper "

Rondan Crianza $14.50
2007 Rioja
90% Tempranillo 10% Grenache
cherries, blackberries, pepper, smooth, well balanced, oaky hints

Then we headed for Brandi's for a tour of the new home with Umi Nom's warm thai chili chocolate cake to go and cold Ice Wine.

Peller Estates Vidal Blanc $79.00
2005 Canada
smooth, honey, floral, delicious and rich.

This is a brief slide show of Brandi's home - i didn't get a shot of the living room but you'll appreciate the space and all the work that's gone into it so far!