Ruwer , Germany [ 2006 ]
• Marimar Estate Pinot Noir ‘ La Masia ’ Don Miguel Vineyard , Russian River Valley , USA [ 2014 ]
• E . Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde , Northern Rhone Valley , France [ 1990 ]
• M Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac , Southern Rhone Valley , France [ 2004 ]
• Quinta de Soalheiro Alvarinho Soalheiro , Vinho Verde , Portugal [ 2012 ]
• Catena Zapata ‘ White Stone ’ s Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay , Mendoza , Argentina [ 2011 ]
• E . Guigal Condrieu ‘ La Doriane ’, Nothern Rhone Valley , France [ 2010 ]
• Alphonse Mellot Sancerre ‘ Edmond ’, Loire Valley , France [ 2014 ]
• Tua Rita ‘ Redigaffi ’ IGT , Toscana , Italy [ 2007 ]
• Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Chiniera , Piedmont , Italy [ 2008 ]
• Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Tinto Pesquera Reserva , Ribera del Duero , Spain [ 2004 ]
• David & Nadia Grenache , Swartland , South Africa [ 2016 ]
• Chambers Rosewood Grand Rutherglen Muscat , Victoria , Australia [ N / V ]
• Baumard ‘ Quarts de Chaume ’, Loire Valley , France [ 2007 ].
Each attendee was asked to name their top three wines and to choose their favourite food and wine match . In relation to the wines tasted : ( i ) nobody chose the same top three wines ; ( ii ) every one of the 17 wines tasted featured somewhere in one or more of everyone ’ s top three wines ; ( iii ) 10 of the 17 wines came in number one spot on the 12 lists ( i . e . out of 12 people there were 10 favourite wines ).
When it came to food and wine pairing each attendee had one vote ( i . e . to name the best food and wine match ). In relation to the nine food and wine pairings , seven of the food courses resulted in a favourite pairing with one or more of the wines chosen to go with it ( i . e . only two courses did not get a vote for a favourite pairing ). The favourite pairings were : ( i ) either the Ice Cuvée Rosé or Bergstrom ‘ Old Vine ’ Chardonnay with a cajun prawn cocktail ( both easily cutting through the spice ); ( ii ) The Marimar Pinot
Noir with clementine and gin cured salmon ; ( iii ) either the Guigal Côte-Rôtie or the Chapoutier Châteauneuf with pork belly ; ( iv ) the Soalheiro Alvarinho with crab cakes ; ( v ) the Guigal Condrieu with pan roasted halibut ; ( vi ) the Tua Rita Redigaffi with tagliata of filet steak ; ( vii ) the David & Nadia Grenache with lamb loin .
At the end of the day wine is , by its very nature a subjective matter . It is all down to personal experience . This is what that makes wine so special . Wine is best summed up by the words of one commentator : “ It is a deeply personal experience . And when those personal experiences align (‘ I love that wine too ’) a wine becomes a catalyst in human interaction ”.
At the end of the day , whilst we shouldn ’ t ignore the experts and the critics scores for a particular wine , and their informed guidance when it comes to purchase of the same , it is perhaps our own views , our own scores and our own personal experience that matters more . Perhaps a combination of both ? At the end of the day wine is all about us , as the person drinking the final product – not just about someone else who may have drunk the same wine , from a different glass , somewhere else in the world , on a different date , in a different year . As importantly drinking wine is also about human interaction . Share , discuss and love your wine with others .
As to democracy ? Well , this month , the proof is well and truly in ‘ the pudding ’ ( so to speak – and not literally )! The photographs , in this article , this month , are of those who participated in my little ‘ democratic event ’. The test , to name each person ’ s favourite three wines and their best food and wine match , and the results from the test , reveal that personal experience , personal likes , and dislikes , is what wine tasting is all about . Democracy is truly alive and kicking ! But , perhaps more than anything , the photographs show that wine is both to be enjoyed and loved with others and that it always brings a smile to your face when you do .
Be guided by the experts , the critics , but drink what you like ( not just what they like and rate ). More than anything – drink wine with your friends and have fun ! wirrallife . com 31