Wine Pairing Wednesday: Pinot Gris and Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos

Food and Wine Pairing

• Wine: 99 West Pinot Gris, 2018, Williamette Valley, Oregon
• Pairing: Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos on top a Broccoli Slaw and a Fruit Salad.
• Tasting Notes: I have noticed that when tasting Pinot Gris’/Pinot Grigio’s, most of the time the notes I pick up are crisp, clean, refreshing and citrus. I don’t always pick- up additional notes; despite Vinter, location and year.  Through research, I found that this is common for this grape varietal. Here I pick up hints of pear and peach and because the wine is so clean, I get some mineral notes. The clarity reminds me of a shiny 24 karat gold and the wine is very clear. My cheeks are nice and moist; showcasing the beautiful acidity in the wine. The wine is perfect for a nice Spring or Summer day and paired well with this grilled fish dinner. The lemon and lime seasonings in the fish paired nicely with the citrus notes in the wine. Also, the green apples in my fruit salad paired nicely with the wine as well. Pinot Gris’ are known to be fruit forward wines.

Pinot Gris and Oregon

Pinot Gris is the second most planted grape varietal in Oregon. The grape varietal does very well in this area due to the climate and the location. Furthermore, Oregon has similar geographical characteristics as the Burgundy and Alsatian regions of France; where the grape originated. Oregon is a cooled climate, moderate temperatured area with long hours of sunshine. These consistent weather conditions allow the grape varietal to ripen slowly; which is ideal for the grape.

Pinot Gris: The Grape Varietal

Pinot Gris’ are usually picked early. This is why the wine tends to be light and fruity. The wine is best consumed within five to six years of bottling. The grape varietal thrives in cooler climates because this allows the grape to fully ripen. Oregon Pinot Gris’ are usually Medium bodied, have a balanced acidity and pair wonderfully with food. The skin of the grape ranges from blue-gray to pinkish-brown and if you hold the wine up to the light, you can see hues of pink flowing your glass.

I hope that you enjoyed learning a little bit more about the Pinot Gris grape varietal and that you enjoyed this tasting. Leave a comment below of the different notes that you tasted in the wine.

Until next time,

Salu’d, XOXO, Smiling Danny

 

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Sweet Wines with Your Sweetheart Series: Dr. Loosen Riesling Kabinett

Happy Valentine’s Day Smileys and Wine Enthusiasts!
Thank you so much for joining me in this Series. I truly enjoyed tasting all of these sweet wines with you and for you. And thank you to all of you who have reached out and asked me for Sweet Wine recommendations. I appreciate all of your support and encouragement in this blogging journey.
I wanted to end this Series by sharing with you the wine that I will be serving this evening and the meal that I am pairing alongside it.

Tasting Notes:

• Wine: Dr. Loosen Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett
• Vintage: 2017
• Region: Blue Slate Vineyards located in the middle of Mosel, Germany
• Sight/Clarity: Clear with a hint of effervescence.
• Bouquet: Minerals in the Ocean, Oyster, Salt Water
• Taste: A light Moscato with notes of mineral and hints of fuzzy peach. There is a nice acidity in the wine that creates this soft, glossy, refreshing feel on the sides of my cheeks.
• Overall: This wine reminds me of Pier 39 in San Francisco.  Drinking this wine floods my memory with the wonderful times that I spent there with My Forever Valentine. How exciting that we will get to enjoy this wine together this evening and reminiscence on shared memories.
• Pairing: This wine you can enjoy as an aperitif (on it’s own) or serve with spicy dishes. Asian and Seafood dishes would also pair nicely with this wine.

Dinner:

I will be pairing this Riesling with Quail stuffed with Jalapeno and wrapped in Bacon, Sauteed Potatoes and Peppers; and an Oven Roasted Squash Medley.  For dessert, we will be having cocoa cinnamon rolls with a marshmallow creme glaze.

I hope this weekend is filled with loving memories with friends, families and cherished ones. Enjoy your time with yourself and with others.

XOXO, Smiling Danny

Salu’d

 

 

 

Wine Tasting: Riesling

Wine: Dr. Loosen Bros Riesling, 2018

Tasting Notes:

Bouquet: Peach, Green Apple, & Hint of Pear

Taste: I truly enjoyed this one over the Dry Riesling. For those of you who prefer sweet wines this wine is sweet but not overbearing. The wine reminds me of a delicate flower finishing off with a hint of effervescence. My palate was left with crisp notes of apple and pear.

Region: Mosel, Germany. Mosel is located in the Far Western region of Germany. This area is known to provide perfect weather conditions for Riesling grapes because the vines are exposed to the sun, the soil contains a good amount of minerals and the cool climate allows the grapes to ripen slowly. This slow ripening process allows the grapes to fully develop it’s flavor and keep it’s levels of acidity.

Pairing Suggestions: I have had this wine in the past with Clam Chowder. It was DELICIOUS! I would also pair this wine with fruit, delicate seafood dishes, mild and creamy cheeses, and maybe a slice of cheesecake.

Salu’d, Smiling Danny