EASTER FOOD & WINE PAIRING

Michelle writes:

With our parents away, the kids decided to play by throwing an intimate Easter lunch with our friends. We brought two bottles and our guests brought two more. The day was spent cooking, eating, karaoking/napping, eating again, wine tasting w/food pairing.

On the food menu:
pancit - carrots, rice and egg noodles, Chinese sausage
roast lamb - with garlic and mint inserted lemon chicken
tossed salad - with dressing (soy sauce, scallions, ginger, garlic, sesame seed oil, honey, vegetable oil)
lemon chiffon cake - with mango puree and mango pieces with whipped topping
grilled squid - marinated in mountain dew, soy sauce and lemon Girl Scout Thin Mints


On the wine list:
2000 Chardonnay, Santa Cruz - Silver Mountain Vineyard
tangy, oaky, apple, hint of white peach

The Chardonnay went really well with the lemon chiffon, minus the cream, as well as the pancit, so long as you didn't eat the Chinese sausages (which from what we had couldn't find a good pairing for). It overpowered the chicken and made it taste bland.

1998 Pinot Noir, Russian River, Nicole's Vineyard - J Vineyard
fruity, oaky, jammy, late raspberry, black pepper starts light, ends strong

An excellent pair with the lamb as it allowed you to get the full flavor of the lamb before kicking in. Also a delicious pair with the lemon chiffon with the cream topping.

2002 Merlot Vintner's Blend - Ravenswood
oaky, tangy white pepper

not really a good pair with any of the food as it tended to overwhelm the lamb. It went well with the salad, but then again the salad and dressing went with everything. So, if you're looking for a salad dressing that is quite complimentary to a wide variety of wine, I'd recommend mixing up a batch.

2002 Petite Syrah, Inheritance, Lodi - Lone Dove Vineyards
french oak, pepper, dark chocolate, a really nice surprise from Lodi more known for table grapes than table wines. ($11.99 bottle at Trader Joe's)

Most excellent with the Girls Scout Thin Mints. As one of our guests mentioned, when it's a good pairing it makes your mouth salivate more, makes you want to eat and drink more.