Wine & Cheese Tasting

On a warm Thursday night, six wine enthusiasts gathered to taste delectable wines and cheeses. These are the notes of one particularly beautiful wine enthusiast. 

The wines and cheeses are mentioned from left to right across the picture.

Name: Nora

Variety: Albraino

Region: Galice

Country: Spain

Year: 2013

Price: $14.99

Cheese Paired: Drunken Goat Cheese

The wine had a strong lemon and floral aroma. The taste had notes of citrus, particularly lemon with hints of grapefruit. The wine was very smooth and was neither very sweet nor tart. 

The cheese brought out the sour, tart flavors in the wine. The cheese itself was very sour so it was not a surprise. The wine and cheese pair well together, the cheese adding an extra layer of smoothness to the wine.

Name: Santa Julia 

Variety: Torrontes 

Region: Mendoza 

Country: Argentina 

Year: --

Price: $8.95

Cheese Paired: Goat Brie

The wine had a light honeysuckle aroma. The taste was very light and, however it surprisingly finished with some heat and spice. My only complaint about this wine was that it was not very unique or memorable. 

Tasting the wine with the Goat Brie transformed the wine completely. The wine became heavier and the flavors of vanilla and oak became bolder. The two paired very well together. I enjoyed the wine much more when pairing it with the cheese.

Name: Joseph Carr 

Variety: Merlot

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2011

Price: $22.00

Cheese Paired: Gouda 

The wine had a very spicy aroma, with notes of cherry and blackberry. From the smell alone I could tell that the wine was going to be very bold. The taste was dry and spicy and finished with a sweet, berry note. It was extremely smooth and complex. 

This was my favorite cheese pairing of the whole night. The cheese and wine brought out the best features in one another. The Gouda cut the heavy spice of the wine and brought out much more of the berry notes, leaving the wine slightly sweeter.