ALL THIS WHILE BLUEEGRASS BLASTED IN THE NEXT ROOM >>>
Thursday, the Weekly Volcano Nosh Leaguers descended upon the Mandolin Café with one mission: Drink all the wine. Oh, and in our newly enlightened state, to learn a few things.
Owner Tom Montante and his wife, Kathleen, graciously hosted a tasting of Silver Lake Winery wines paired with Chef Emily's delectable appetizers.
We drank. We listened. We feasted. There were prizes. We drank some more.
Tom, a board member at Silver Lake Winery, schooled us on the basics of wine tasting. I have to admit, I needed that. I know food, but wine is another story.
Luckily for me and the other Nosh Leaguers, Tom is a wealth of knowledge on food and wine pairings. "You want your wine to complement your food, not overwhelm it," he said.
First, a light and fruity pinot gris with ham, pineapple and marinated asparagus. Next, a buttery 2009 Silver Lake Chardonnay served with brie and apple-pear.
Then, the group's favorite wine of the night, a 2008 Glen Fiona Syrah, paired with capicola-wrapped goat cheese. A match made in heaven, I'd say. The rich, tangy cheese and salty, fatty charcuterie went perfectly with the syrah.
A light bulb went on in my head. So this is what it's supposed to taste like. Like peanut butter and jelly, the wine and food pairing just went together, easily, with no doubt.
Then, a heavier 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon that stood up well to the strong flavors of smoked Gouda and salami.
Kathleen Montante delivered the goods.
Nosh League members Ston and Jennifer Nguyen
Gen Obata ran a bluegrass jam next to the Nosh League wine tasting.
When I almost stopped counting, we ended with a spicy surprise: an Italian wine called Nero d'Avola, with a spot-on pairing of new-to-me Kasseri cheese and Kalamata olives. I made a mental note to search out this wine and creamy cheese of perfection to serve to all my friends.
After all was said and done, Tom's words were still in my mind. "There's only two kinds of wine: Good wine and bad. If you like it, it's good wine."
After all that amazing wine and food, it's all good, Tom. It's all good.
[Mandolin Café, 3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma. 253.761.3482]
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