ForestVille Merlot

Attributes:

Producer:

ForestVille

Region:

California, United States

Varietal:

Merlot

Bottle Size:

750 ML

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84

Acidity:

clean, fresh

Flavors:

blackberry, cherry

2000: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84

Compliments:

racy

Flavors:

oak, tobacco

2000: WineNews Rating: 89

Flavors:

berry, blackberry, cedar, cherry, chocolate, citrus, coffee, plum, red cherry, spicy

Fruit:

juicy, ripe

1997: Tastings Rating: 88

Acidity:

bright

Body:

medium-bodied

Complexity:

rich

Flavors:

cedar, dark fruit, oak, spices

1997: Tastings Rating: 86

Acidity:

bright, clean

Body:

medium-bodied

Texture:

chunky, thick, velvety

1996: Tastings Rating: 80

Acidity:

bright, crisp, tart

Body:

light-bodied

Complexity:

straightforward

Flavors:

cherries, vanilla

Fruit:

juicy

1992: WineSpectator Rating: 79

Complexity:

simple

Flavors:

berry, cherry, spice

Food Matches:

Pasta & Grains: Lasagna
Poultry & Eggs: Roast Chicken with Herbs
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Casseroles / Hot Dish, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce
Vegetables: Beans, White, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Tomato

Merlot:

(mer loh) Deep in color, high in alcohol and low in tannins, this grape is grown mostly in California, France, Washington, New York and Chile. The aromas and flavors can be plummy, chocolaty, and even redolent of tea leaves. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon although it is the most prevalent grape variety in Bordeaux.


California:

California produces the majority of wine made in the United States. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir dominate the wine production in California, but many other varietials thrive in the California climate. Many fine wines are produced in California using Mediterranean grapes.

Saint Clair 'Vicar's Choice' Sauvignon Blanc

Attributes:

Producer:

Saint Clair

Region:

Marlborough, Australia/New Zealand

Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc

Bottle Size:

750 ML

2006: WineSpectator Rating: 90

Flavors:

grapefruit, grass, mineral

2006: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87

Complexity:

rich

Texture:

fleshy

2006: WineAndSpirits Rating: 86

Flavors:

grapefruit, peach

2005: WineSpectator Rating: 87

Acidity:

bright

Flavors:

grapefruit, lime

2005: CGCW Rating: 84

Fruit:

juicy

2004: WineSpectator Rating: 91

Acidity:

bright, lively

Complexity:

focused

Flavors:

lime, mineral

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 88

Acidity:

bright

Flavors:

lime, peach

Food Matches:

Cheese: Feta, Goat Cheese, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Swiss
Fish or Shellfish: Catfish, Dover Sole, Red Snapper, Tilapia, Walleye, Ceviche, Grouper / Swordfish, Monkfish, Ligurian Fish Soup, Pan-fried Trout, Salmon with Lemon, Sea Bass, Shellfish (scallops, clams, crab, lobster, shrimp, etc...), Soft-shelled Crab
Fruits & Nuts: Citrus Fruits, Mango Salsa
Herbs & Spices: Anise, Fennel Seed, Tarragon, Basil, Cilantro, Coriander, Curry, Dill, Thyme
Poultry & Eggs: Chicken or Turkey, Chinese Chicken Salad, Roast Game Hen
Sauces: Vinaigrette
Vegetables: Asparagus, Asparagus Quiche, Greek Salad, Nicoise Salad, Salad, Tomato

Sauvignon Blanc:

Comes mostly from California, France, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its highly acidic wines are often suggestive of herbs or grass. Light to medium bodied and usually dry, European versions are generally not oaky while California Sauvignon Blanc can take on many of the qualities of Chardonnay. France has two classic wine regions for the Sauvignon Blanc gape: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley The Bordeaux wine is called Bordeaux Blanc and the two best known of the Loire wines are called Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes blended with Sémillon.


Marlborough:

When the first growers planted grapes in Marlborough in the 1970s (there is evidence of plantings as early as 1870s), it is unlikely they would have foreseen the extent of the growth and fame that the region’s wine industry would achieve, based upon a single varietal called Sauvignon Blanc. The distinctive pungency and zest fruit flavours of the first Marlborough wines, in particular Sauvignon Blanc, captured the imagination of the country's winemakers as well as international wine commentators and consumers and sparked an unparalleled boom in vineyard development. Worldwide interest in Marlborough wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, has continued to fuel that regional wine boom.

Kendall-Jackson 'Vintner's Reserve' Sauvignon Blanc

Attributes:

Producer:

Kendall-Jackson Vineyards & Winery

Region:

California, United States

Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc

Bottle Size:

750 ML

2005: CGCW Rating: 85

Compliments:

pleasant

2005: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84

Acidity:

clean

Flavors:

citrus, lemon, vanilla

2004: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85

Acidity:

clean, tart, zesty

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84

Flavors:

lemon, lime, spicy

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 83

Acidity:

tangy

2002: WineAdvocate Rating: 87

Acidity:

crisp, fresh

Body:

light-bodied

Compliments:

classic, delicious, elegant

Flavors:

apple, citrus, vanilla

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84

Complexity:

simple

Compliments:

drinkable

Flavors:

herbs

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 83

Acidity:

tart

Food Matches:

Cheese: Feta, Fondue, Goat Cheese, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Ricotta, Swiss
Fish or Shellfish: Ceviche, Salmon with Lemon
Fruits & Nuts: Citrus Fruits, Mango Salsa
Herbs & Spices: Anise, Fennel Seed, Tarragon, Basil, Cilantro, Coriander, Curry, Dill, Thyme
Pasta & Grains: Pasta with Pesto
Poultry & Eggs: Chicken Stir Fry, Chicken w/Lemon
Red Meat: Liver, Pate or Liver, Pork Chops
Sauces: Vinaigrette, White Wine Sauce
Spicy Food: Yakisoba
Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus Quiche, Roasted Asparagus, Roasted Sweet Peppers, Salad, Spinach, Tomato

Sauvignon Blanc:

Comes mostly from California, France, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its highly acidic wines are often suggestive of herbs or grass. Light to medium bodied and usually dry, European versions are generally not oaky while California Sauvignon Blanc can take on many of the qualities of Chardonnay. France has two classic wine regions for the Sauvignon Blanc gape: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley The Bordeaux wine is called Bordeaux Blanc and the two best known of the Loire wines are called Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes blended with Sémillon.


California:

California produces the majority of wine made in the United States. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir dominate the wine production in California, but many other varietials thrive in the California climate. Many fine wines are produced in California using Mediterranean grapes.

Pesto Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Rated

Ingredients

1/2 of a 16-ounce (454 g) package pasta
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp water
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes

Preparation

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until tender, about 8 - 10 minutes. Drain.

2. While the pasta is cooking, combine the oil, water, basil, garlic, pine nuts, and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese in a blender and puree.

3. Toss the pesto with the pasta, tomatoes, and remaining cheese. Serve hot.

Yield

Makes 4 servings

Cook Time

Prep Time: 5 mins.
Cook Time: 15 mins.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition information is provided as a resource. Values will vary depending on specific ingredients used.
Serving Size: 1
Number of Servings: Makes 4 servings
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 409 Calories from Fat: 213

Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Total Fat 23.63g
36%  
Carbohydrates 38.36g
12%  
Dietary Fiber 3.45g
13%  
Saturated Fat 4.43g
22%  
Calories 408.72kcal
20%  
Cholesterol 8.5mg
2%  
Protein 12.54g
20%  
Sodium 344.29mg
14%  
Calcium
3%  
Iron
5%  
Vitamin A
24%  
Vitamin C
10%  
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.