Rodney Strong 'Charlotte's Home' Sauvignon Blanc

Attributes:

Producer:

Rodney Strong Vineyards

Region:

Sonoma County, United States

Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc

Bottle Size:

750 ML

2006: CGCW Rating: 85

Acidity:

snappy

Complexity:

rich

2006: Tastings Rating: 87

Acidity:

bright, clean, crisp

Body:

medium-bodied

Flavors:

gooseberry

Fruit:

fruity, ripe

2006: Tastings Rating: 86

Acidity:

soft

Body:

medium body

Flavors:

citrus, earthy, gooseberry, herb, honey, mineral, mint, stone

Fruit:

ripe

2005: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85

Acidity:

crisp

2005: Tastings Rating: 88

Acidity:

tangy, tart

Complexity:

supple

Flavors:

citrus, spice

Fruit:

sweet

2004: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85

Acidity:

clean, tart

Complexity:

simple

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84

Acidity:

clean, crisp

2003: Tastings Rating: 88

Acidity:

bright, clean, tart

Body:

medium-bodied

Fruit:

fruity, ripe, sweet

Food Matches:

Cheese: Feta, Fondue, Goat Cheese, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Ricotta, Swiss
Fish or Shellfish: Ceviche, Salmon with Lemon
Fruits & Nuts: Citrus Fruits, Mango Salsa
Herbs & Spices: Anise, Fennel Seed, Tarragon, Basil, Cilantro, Coriander, Curry, Dill, Thyme
Pasta & Grains: Pasta with Pesto
Poultry & Eggs: Chicken Stir Fry, Chicken w/Lemon
Red Meat: Liver, Pate or Liver, Pork Chops
Sauces: Vinaigrette, White Wine Sauce
Spicy Food: Yakisoba
Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus Quiche, Roasted Asparagus, Roasted Sweet Peppers, Salad, Spinach, Tomato

Sauvignon Blanc:

Comes mostly from California, France, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its highly acidic wines are often suggestive of herbs or grass. Light to medium bodied and usually dry, European versions are generally not oaky while California Sauvignon Blanc can take on many of the qualities of Chardonnay. France has two classic wine regions for the Sauvignon Blanc gape: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley The Bordeaux wine is called Bordeaux Blanc and the two best known of the Loire wines are called Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes blended with Sémillon.


Sonoma:

Like its neighbor Napa, Sonoma is a small area filled with independent wineries and characterized by microclimates that vary according to the topography. The coolest parts of Sonoma are the fog-filled south, where the grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Northwards up the valley the climate warms and provides a good base for Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. In general Sonoma wines are less dramatically flavorful than those of Napa. Cabernet Sauvignon is relatively soft, with blackcurrant fruit, minty and eucalyptus perfume, and some soft buttery oak. Zinfandel ranges from soft and gulpable to massive bramble and pepper styles. Chardonnay is rich and juicy, especially from the Russian River, and Sauvignon Blanc can be zingy and grassy. Most Sonoma wines have a freshness and a soft edge which makes them very suitable for drinking on their own, however they partner well with strongly flavored fish and meat dishes. The old-style Zinfandels are delicious with spicy cuisine.

Folonari Pink Pinot Grigio

Attributes:

Producer:

Folonari

Region:

Veneto, Italy

Varietal:

Rose

Bottle Size:

750 ML

Food Matches:

Cheese: Blue Cheese, Dry Jack Cheese, Mozzarella, Sharp Cheddar
Fish or Shellfish: Grilled Salmon, Shellfish (scallops, clams, crab, lobster, shrimp, etc...), Tuna Nicoise Salad
Herbs & Spices: Anise, Fennel Seed, Tarragon, Ginger
Pasta & Grains: (Grilled) Tofu, Pasta with Creamy Mushroom Sauces, Pasta with Pesto, Pasta with Truffles
Poultry & Eggs: Duck Confit, Game Birds, Roast Chicken with Herbs, Roast Turkey
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Curried Beef, Curried Lamb, Curried Pork, Ham, Hamburgers, Pork w/Fruit Sauce
Sauces: Oil-based Sauce
Vegetables: Avocado, Bruschetta, Caesar Salad, Leafy Greens, Lentil Salad, Nicoise Salad, Roasted Sweet Peppers, Root Vegetables, Salad, Vegetable Gratin or Stew

Veneto:

The home of some of Italy’s most famous wines, this area in the Northeastern quadrant of Italy produces Soave, Valpolicella and Prosecco.

Morgadio Albarino Rias Baixas

Attributes:

Producer:

Morgadio

Region:

Rías Baixas, Spain

Varietal:

Albarino

Bottle Size:

750 ML

2006: Tanzer Rating: 90

Acidity:

bright

2005: Tanzer Rating: 90

Acidity:

fresh

Compliments:

mouthwatering, racy

2004: WineSpectator Rating: 89

Acidity:

soft

Flavors:

coconut, melon, tangerine

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 87

Acidity:

lively

Complexity:

opulent, rich

Flavors:

coconut, pear, pineapple

2003: Tanzer Rating: 87

Acidity:

bright

Complexity:

rich

Flavors:

banana, ginger, pear, pepper

Fruit:

juicy

Texture:

round

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 87

Acidity:

crisp

Aromas:

floral

Compliments:

classic

Flavors:

mineral

2002: Tanzer Rating: 85

Body:

lean

Flavors:

bitter, grapefruit, lime

Fruit:

austere

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 85

Acidity:

lively, tart

Flavors:

almond, citrus

Food Matches:

Cheese: Goat Cheese
Fish or Shellfish: Catfish, Dover Sole, Red Snapper, Tilapia, Walleye, Clam Chowder, Sardines, Sea Bass, Shellfish (scallops, clams, crab, lobster, shrimp, etc...), Stews and Soups, Sushi Rolls
Fruits & Nuts: Almonds, Quince
Herbs & Spices: Ginger, Pepper (black, white, green)
Red Meat: Proscuitto & Serrano Ham
Sauces: Lemon Sauce, White Wine Sauce
Spicy Food: Empanadas, Mexican & South American, Serrano ham stuffed w/creamy spinach & shrimp
Vegetables: Greek Salad, Tomato

Albariño:

This thick-skinned aromatic white grape is grown in the Rias Baixas region in the northwestern corner of Spain and in the Vinho Verde region in Portugal. Its wine is medium bodied, crisp, and creamy, often tasting of apples, apricots, peaches, and citrus.

Gorgonzola Garden Salad

Rated

Ingredients

8 cups mixed salad greens or torn butter crunch or romaine lettuce
10 oz mandarin orange
1/2 cup diagonally sliced celery
4 slice (thin) red onion
¼ cup gorgonzola cheese, or blue cheese, crumbled
¼ cup seedless dark raisin
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup bottled nonfat or low-fat raspberry or balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing

Preparation

Arrange 2 cups of the salad greens over the bottom of each of 4 salad plates. Top the lettuce on each plate with a quarter of the mandarin oranges, 2 tablespoons of celery, and a quarter of the onion rings. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp each of cheese, raisins, and, if desired, walnuts.

Serve immediately, topping each salad with 2 tablespoons of the dressing.

Yield

Serves 4

Cook Time

Prep Time: 10 mins.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition information is provided as a resource. Values will vary depending on specific ingredients used.
Serving Size: 1
Number of Servings: Serves 4
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 187 Calories from Fat: 135

Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Total Fat 15g
23%  
Carbohydrates 31g
10%  
Dietary Fiber 7g
28%  
Saturated Fat 9g
45%  
Calories 187kcal
9%  
Cholesterol 8mg
2%  
Protein 10g
16%  
Sodium 482mg
20%  
Calcium
2%  
Iron
13%  
Vitamin A
122%  
Vitamin C
73%  
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.