Skip the Valentine’s Day rush and treat your sweetheart to a relaxed wine tasting at The Brown Pelican on Feb. 13. We’ll be pouring four cozy wines paired with perfectly matched cheeses, guaranteed to get your evening off to the perfect start. This tasting is $20 per person.
1. Cantina di Carpi - NotteRosa
Vino Spumante Brut Emilia IGP
This is a sparkling rosé from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, an area famous for Lambrusco. Unlike the sweet red Lambrusco many are familiar with, this is a dry ("Brut"), crisp sparkling wine.
Origin: Emilia-Romagna, Italy (specifically Modena).
Grapes: A blend of Lambrusco varietals, typically Lambrusco Salamino (for body and color) and Lambrusco di Sorbara (for acidity and floral aromatics).
Flavor Profile:
Visual: Light, delicate pink (reminiscent of rose petals).
Nose: Aromatic with notes of wild strawberries, red cherries, and distinctive floral hints (violet and rose).
Palate: Crisp and dry. The bubbles (perlage) are usually fine and persistent. You will taste tart red berries (cranberry, strawberry) with a refreshing acidity that cleanses the palate.
Food Pairing: Excellent as an aperitif (starter drink). It pairs beautifully with cured meats (prosciutto, salami), fried appetizers, or lighter seafood dishes.
2. Medilune - Viognier
Pays d'Oc IGP
Medilune creates wines in the Languedoc region of southern France. Viognier is a white grape known for being highly aromatic and textured, often described as the "red drinker's white wine" because of its weight.
Origin: Pays d'Oc (Southern France).
Grapes: 100% Viognier.
Flavor Profile:
Nose: Very perfumed. Expect luscious scents of stone fruits (apricot, peach), honeysuckle, and sometimes a touch of tropical fruit or beeswax.
Palate: Viognier is known for having an oily or creamy texture (mouthfeel) while remaining dry. You will likely taste ripe peaches, pears, and tangerine. It usually has lower acidity than a Sauvignon Blanc, making it feel smoother and rounder.
Food Pairing: Because of its aromatic intensity and body, it pairs well with spicy food (Thai or Indian curries), roasted chicken, or rich shellfish like scallops and lobster.
3. Criss Cross - Old Vine Zinfandel
Lodi, California
Lodi is the "Zinfandel Capital of the World," known for its sandy soils and warm climate that produce big, jammy reds. "Old Vine" usually implies the vines are over 50 years old, which produce fewer grapes but with much more concentrated flavor.
Origin: Lodi, Central Valley, California.
Grapes: Zinfandel (often blended with small amounts of Petite Sirah or Tannat for structure).
Flavor Profile:
Nose: Intense aromas of blackberry jam, baked raspberries, and bramble.
Palate: Full-bodied and bold. Expect flavors of stewed dark fruits (plum, boysenberry), vanilla, and toasted oak. Lodi Zinfandels often have a signature "spice" note—think black pepper, cinnamon, or clove—and a slightly sweet, jammy finish due to the ripe fruit.
Food Pairing: The ultimate BBQ wine. Drink this with ribs, pulled pork, cheeseburgers, or heavy tomato-based pasta dishes.
4. Lamadrid - Malbec
Agrelo, Mendoza
Lamadrid is a respected estate in Mendoza, Argentina. The "Agrelo" district is considered one of the premier growing zones (terroirs) for Malbec, located at a high altitude which helps the grapes maintain freshness despite the heat.
Origin: Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo), Mendoza, Argentina.
Grapes: 100% Malbec.
Flavor Profile:
Nose: Deep and complex with aromas of ripe plums, violets (a classic Malbec trait), and earth.
Palate: This will likely be a "Reserva" style or single vineyard quality. Expect a rich, velvety texture with flavors of black cherry, blueberry, and cocoa/dark chocolate. It will likely have a savory, spicy edge (tobacco or leather) from aging in French oak barrels.
Food Pairing: Designed for red meat. It is perfect with grilled steak (chimichurri sauce is a bonus), lamb chops, or hard, aged cheeses like Gouda.
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