Wine & Cheese pairing #2

 Wine and Cheese Pairing attempt #2

3 wines:

Sparkling White (Portugal): Caves Raposeira Bruto Reserva

Provence Rosé (France): Chateau La Gordonne

Full-bodied Red (Argentina): Alamos Malbec 

3 cheeses:

- Marieke Gouda (ages 2-4 months)

- Wisconsin Sharp White Cheddar

- Stella Romano

Let's get started!

First on the docket - the sparkling Bruto

• Initial impressions (pre-cheese): Unfortunately, I had an injury inside my cheek (chomped on it a couple days ago) - so the bubbles really made the sore painful.  However, I detected scents of lemon and citrus.  The taste was tart and very bubbly.  I didn't taste any spice and the Brut was very dry.
• With Gouda: The cheese drowned out most the flavor of the wine.  However, I could still taste the some citrus and the tartness was softened.  
• With Sharp White Cheddar: Yikes... Uh oh - this pairing didn't work.  The taste was an overwhelming sour flavor.  I couldn't taste the sparkling wine over the sharp cheddar.
• With Romano: The was an interesting pairing.  It brought out many floral notes in the sparkling wine, however the overall balance of the drink cancelled out the flavors of the cheese, and (while not unpleasant) it did not complement one another at all.

• Next up - the Chateau La Gordonnen Rosé from Provence: 
• Initial impressions (pre-cheese):  The smell was much more floral.  Upon tasting, I imagined drinking a pink gummy bear - not too sweet, but soft and mild with a subtle sweetness.
• With Gouda: This combination was rather boring.  Again, the cheese overpowered the wine flavors and, while I liked the gouda flavor, I could no longer taste the wine.
• With Sharp White Cheddar: This brought out a shot of sweetness that I couldn't detect before.  In the previous wine & cheese pairing, I remember noting a taste of Reese's Pieces, and I think I was sensing that again with this pairing.  I could taste a sweet candy, but the mouthfeel was soft and enjoyable.
• With Romano: This pairing was an amplified version of the Cheddar - with the sharpness of the cheese working well with the more mild wine.  However, the Romano cheese kind of overpowered the wine.

• Finally - the Argentinian Malbec:
• Initial impressions (pre-cheese):  This was a super-smooth red with earthy tones (mushroom and dirt), but very pleasant - and a sudden shift from the previous wines.  I immediately was impressed though.
• With Gouda: The soft cheese and warm wine created a sweet chocolatey mixture, with hints of nuts, mushroom, and moss.  A complex flavor that was interesting to interpret.  
• With Sharp White Cheddar: Nailed it!  This combo was perfect.  Sweet but slightly acidic (or at least a little painful on my cheek), but also woodsy, smooth, and a creamy lingering aftertaste that was very enjoyable.  This is the pairing I was hoping for!
• With Romano: Nice, but tangy-er and sharper than the cheddar.  I could detect a smokiness as well - maybe even a smoked meat flavor.  It was nice, but the Cheddar combo was better.  Overall - a great success!!!