11.14.2010

Holiday Pairing with ENSO


On the table at Enso Winery:

Resonate White (100% Reisling) paired with bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Manchego.

Zinfandel paired to ham tartlet with cranberry orange chutney.

Resonate Red (Malbec/Grenache) paired with turkey and dumplings.

Holiday Wine Pairing Party with winemakers Chris Wishart and Ryan Lee Sharp. Tasty delights provided by Chef Jenny Wishart of Screen Door.


11.02.2010

Brand Management

I can't think of a rainy evening better spent than wine tasting at an intimate warehouse artist space, and Monday gave me exactly that.

After anxiously awaiting a run in with Beaux Frères wines, we finally got to try their light, dusty mauve Pinot Noirs, which were described by our humorous taster as having great "Pinocity," meaning "the typicity of Pinot." Though most Beaux Freres wines (co-owned by celebrity reviewer Robert Parker) are a bit above the invisible line of affordability, their lower end "preview" wine, Les Cousins 2009 ($24), has solid spunk.


I was really in the mood for white (in contrast to the stormy weather) and a particularly light and tropical Viognier by J Scott caressed my imagination with soft pastels. I imagined it to be something Marie Antionette might have enjoyed on warm evenings at her summer estate.

We adored wines by Francis Tannahill (esp the 2007 'Dragonfly' Gewurzt) and highly recommend the under $20 Pinot selections by Redman.


Besides there being superlative local vinos, the quaint kitchen produced fantastic snacks: salted marcona almonds lightly toasted in sunflower oil, the best tapenade I have ever popped in my mouth, creamy pâté, salami, and a selection of cheeses to pair.