Saturday night – Just grin and Beer it – Part 2

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For the second course Mick did honey and chipotle bacon wrapped scallops grilled on the barbeque. We paired this with a 2010 Chateau d’Aqueria Tavel Rosé. I bought this wine as a pairing as this was the comparison bottle for Wine Club when we looked at Rosés. As we really enjoy the Wine Club take home bottle at last Saturday’s dinner and at Wine Club the Tavel was the favourite hands down over that bottle, I wanted Mick, Amy and Kathy to try it as well.

The nose on the Tavel was faint with sour cherry and a slight soapy aroma in the background. Tasting the wine, sour cherry and lime were the dominate flavours. The structure on the wine was good though it did have a bit of a sharp finish to it. With the food the sharp finish was more muted but I did find it got a bit funky with the food at times. I would guess the sweetness of the honey would be what caused the funkiness with the dry Rosé.

Here is the group rating for the wine – Mick - 86, Mark - 86, Kathy – 86, Amy – 83, Overall – 85.25.

Here is the LCBO Information on the wine -

CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL ROSÉ 2010

VINTAGES 319368
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 18.95
Wine, Rosé Wine
12.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : XD
Made in: Rhône, France
By: Jean Olivier, Prod.
Release Date: May 14, 2011

Tasting Note - Tavel, an AC located across the Rhône River from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, uniquely makes rosé wines its exclusive focus. This version offers up fresh strawberry, sweet cherry, rosehips, and spring flowers in abundance. Dry, light bodied, fresh and tangy on the palate with waves of vivacious acidity. The lingering finish sports a strawberry-rhubarb character embroidered by herbal and floral notes. Enjoy with salmon-and-cream-cheese appetizers, or turkey breast with paprika. (VINTAGES panel, March 2011)

For the final course Mick did pulled pork quesadillas and paired them with a 2006 Seghesio Zinfandel. We have reviewed the 2006 Seghesio before so I won’t be reviewing it again today. I will add that both the wine and the quesadillas were excellent.

For dessert Amy picked up a Milky Way cake that was very good.

Thanks to Mick and Amy for hosting and to Mick for making three new exciting dishes for us to try.

Cheers! (or maybe for this article “Beers!” would be a better ending)

Mark