Taste of Germany at the Shetler's

The Shetlers decided to produce a German feast and requested Zinfandel for the competing wine.
It was cool how they made a menu with German on one side and English on the other. I ate as little as possible that day because I knew I was in for a gastronomical event. I wanted to be prepared!

I started by combining the bratwurst with the German mushroom brie. I’m a mustard lover so I indulged in the homemade pretzels with several mustards to choose from.

The decanted wine was brought in at the same time as the fresh green pea soup with a little mound of crunchy bacon on top. I made my wine decision immediately.

Then came the beef pot roast and cheese spatzel with green beans. I changed my wine decision.

Dinner was followed by a four layer Black Forest cake. My wine decision wavered like a child who wants three toys at once.

The Shetlers had a 2012 Brandlin Zin, the Wades had a 2012 Rombauer Zin, and we ironically had the 2011 Fiddletown Rombauer Zin (mainly because we’d already brought the regular Rombauer Zin in the past and won). So true to history the Napa Rombauer won!

Italian Comfort Food and Chianti Classico

Wine Tribe feast at the Wade's house!

Primo Piatti:

Antipasto Platter (salami, cappacola, mortadella, assorted cheeses and olives, and Sardinian crackers) with Apple & Brie Croissants. Note that little cluster of Syrah wine grapes with the cheese.

Cortorno:

Constructed Grilled Vegetable Caprese Salad. I loved this little concoction.

Secondo:

Sicilian Meatballs and Creamy Polenta with Fontina Cheese. I don't know what was on that bread, but it definitely wasn't diet food!  

Dolce:

Cannoli with Chocolate chips and Pistachios with a Zinfandel Chocolate Sauce (Denise made a couple of extra ones with Nutella for the lactose intolerant guests).

Wine selection: The Wades requested a Chianti Classico. I don't know about you, but I don't know my Chiantis. I had to turn to the professional . . . Sean at Il Forno Classico. He sold me a bottle of 2011 Peppoli. The Wades brought 2009 Viticcio Riserva, and the Shetlers brought 2009 La Castellina.

Typical of any wine tasting, the flavors change so much as the meal progresses. The air with the delicate wine and the robust flavors of the ingredients make it harder than you'd guess. All this to say . . . we won!! Thanks Sean :)