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Cheese, Wine, More Cheese and More Wines – A Fabulous Event
| Never was the saying by Andre Simon more evident than at a food and wine pairing “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners”. I attended the Wood Family Vineyards wine & cheese pairings yesterday in Livermore. They featured four cheeses and six wines during the event. At the door each participant was greeted with a glass of Pink Pearl, a Rosé of Grenache. Then off to the winery where various stations of cheese and the featured wines were being offered. |
Photo ©Michael Kelly
| All the pairings were very good with some unique cheeses, but the first one was spectacular and my favorite, being the 2024 Sauvignon Blanc paired with Cottonwood River Cheese. A two-year-old raw cow milk Cheddar from Jason Weibe in Kansas. A Fun nutty and sharp Cheddar boasting notes of browned pineapple with a long finish with a crunchy quality! |
Photo ©Michael Kelly
| Next up was the 2023 Grenache paired with Smoking Goat cheese. This was a pasteurized goat’s milk cheese from Spain that is softly smoked. Pure cream with a nice salt line and a smooth smokey note that compliments and does not overpower. We also had a long and delightful chat with the owner and winemaker, Rhonda Wood while sipping on the wine. |
Photo ©Michael Kelly
| This was followed by the 2022 Merlot paired with Ewenique cheese. This is a pasteurized sheep’s milk Gouda style cheese made by Central Coast Creamery in Paso Robles, Ca. Texture that turns to a soft brown buttered cream, with touches of crystals and fun. |
Photo ©Michael Kelly
| The last paring was the 2022 “Woody’s” Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Brabander cheese. This is a pasteurized goats milk Gouda from L’Amuse in Holland. Thick Cream on the pallet, with a fudgy consistency. Notes of Citrus and salt that accent the cream of the cheese the soft goats milk pops, but extremely approachable and smooth. Additionally, one of their Zinfandel’s was also tasted. A fun afternoon tasting some cheeses not normally available locally but are from the Cheese Parlor in Livermore. For each of the in-depth wine descriptions you can read at the following links: 2024 Wood Family Sauvignon Blanc https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/02/07/2024-wood-family-vineyards-sauvignon-blanc-stainless-steel-lively-zesty-and-bright/ 2023 Wood Family Grenache https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/01/31/2023-wood-family-vineyards-grenache-a-spicy-wine-with-pizza/ 2022 Wood Family Merlot https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/01/26/2022-wood-family-vineyards-one-oak-vineyard-merlot/ 2022 Wood Family “Woody’s” Cabernet Sauvignon https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2024/12/27/2022-wood-family-vineyards-woodys-cabernet-sauvignon-and-chateaubriand-steak/ Wood Family Vineyards has the tag line “It’s all good at the Wood’s” I think it could easily be “If it has required driving miles, you will leave with smiles”! From the hospitality folks to all the people attending smiles galore! |
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
| 250 folks attended the four-hour event and not a single unhappy face was spotted!! A testament to the food, wines and staff. |
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
2023 Girasole Vineyards Rosé – Fresh, Crisp and Flavorful
Photo from Girasole Vineyards
The Winery
I have written a couple of stories on BARRA of Mendocino and their wines. The winery also has another label, being Girasole Vineyards. All their wines are California Certified Organically Farmed (CCOF) and have been for 20 years. Even before certification, Charlie Barra had been doing this twenty plus years before “being certified”. You can read the history, the vision, the family and vineyards at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2022/03/30/barra-of-mendocino-winery-2019-petite-sirah/
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Admittedly not being a big fan of Rosé, I did try this wine on a solid recommendation. As it turns out it was a “delightful and airy wine” and very enjoyable. The grapes were a combination of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Zinfandel from the family’s home ranch in Redwood Valley, Calif. The winery sits at 820 feet in elevation. The grapes were gently pressed and extracted for their juice and color. After being clarified, the lees separated, a slow fermentation was done to secure the fresh aromatic fruit flavors.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The wine greets one on the eyes with a color of richness being copper with hints of gold and peach all in one unique tone. On the nose this wine held court demanding attention and respect with garden fragrances of strawberries and plum aromas. On the palate, it was crisp and clean with the two varietals presenting themselves individually and together. From the Pinot Noir, the elegant presence of strawberries and from the Zinfandel the forwardness of blackberry and plums. Secondary flavors of just a tinge of cinnamon and clove spice provide another layer of the wine. On the finish, balanced acidity and a modicum of citrus made for a savory conclusion.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This is a wine for the summer while on the lake or simply as a refreshing “patio pounder” on a warm day! At $16/bottle and 13% alcohol this is a wine to be added to your summer shopping. I know it will be for me.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening with a salsa chicken breast. Accompanied by a Yukon Gold potato and a fresh garden salad. The honey slices of almonds made the salad and wine strikingly tasteful. The Pinot Noir contribution did well with the chicken and the Zinfandel portion was sufficient to handle the tomato from the salsa. The overall taste of the Rosé contributed a refreshing comfort to the spiciness of the meal.
Slainte,
Michael