Finding Vino Toastmasters

Name of Winery –  Bodegas Pedro Regalado Winery
San Pedro Regalado is a wine co-operative founded in 1958 in the Ribera del Duero region. Combined efforts reap greater rewards than what each winemaker would if working individually. All of the grapes are sourced from the small co-operatively owned vineyards around the village of La Aguilera and many of the vines are 100 years old.

Name of Wine –  Embocadero.

Region – Spain.

Grapes – Tempranillo.

Characteristics – This incredibly powerful Tempranillo spent 14 months aging in new French oak.

Look – Dark burgundy.

Smell – Amazing aromas of wood smoke, mineral, spice box, incense and blackberry make up the nose.
Taste -Similarly dense and plush flavours of dark fruit and spice are present on the palate.

Food Pairing – To go with the red wine: an apple base appetizer using ginger gold apples (an ambrosia or other hard apple would work). Core and cut into slices. Placed in a lemon bath. Extra lemon shaken off to prevent the apple slices from turning brown before serving. Appetizer was prepared by placing apple slices on the bottom of a tooth pick, topped by a half slice of black forest ham and a sizeable piece of bacon cheddar.

Name of Winery – Rebel Wine

Name of Wine – Three Thieves – see website http://www.threethieves.com/

Region produced in – California – Napa Valley and Sonoma County

Types of grapes in wine – blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah, 2% Zinfandel

Characteristics of the wine – LST

Look – displaying characteristic green flavors like bell pepper, eucalyptus and mint

Smell – spicy fruit

Taste  and Finiish– ends to be more fruit-forward and more mellow, with rich dark fruit notes of blueberry and blackberry as well as earth, dust, mocha and cedar.

Food Pairing – It’s superb with porterhouse steak, braised pork belly, hearty lamb stews, portobello mushrooms, grilled burgers and hard strong cheeses.