Ah, a lovely evening of wine and tapas. Motivated by our love of non-in-your-face-oaky "varietally correct" wines, we themed our gathering according to producers who, as Brent passionately explained, "are not only preserving history but also inspiring us with their dedication to classical flavors and textures.... basically wine that tastes like what it's supposed to taste like." Everyone brought an appropriately expressive wine for blind tasting, and a creative dish to pair!
Finding "Varietally Correct" Wines
How can you impress all your wino friends with your impeccable taste if you don't have the opportunity to try new wines all the time? Your safest bet will be to stick with the old world. Find a regionally, village or vineyard specific French wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley, Chardonnay from the Macôn-Villages or Chablis, a Côtes du Rhône (blend, but primarily Syrah), a Cru Beaujolais (2009s are especially awesome), or for a splurge pick up a red Burgundy (Pinot Noir). Italian Sangiovese has a very distinct nose to it that could only be Italian (that iron, rubbery, cooked, almost bret-spoiled earthy smell... yummy!). Look for a wine from the Chianti Classico region. New world classics such as New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, or German Riesling may also earn you extra cool points in the "wow, (s)he knows his/her wine" category.
Small Plates of the Evening
cheese + charcuterie
bacon wrapped scallops
empanadillas de carne with refreshing Greek dipping sauce
tortilla española
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