Dinner - Homemade Seafood

Friday dinner during the Lenten season is always a challenge since as a practicing Catholic, I'm supposed to abstain from eating meat. Except this past Friday, I thought, "Why not have a seafood dinner with a couple of sides and better yet, find some white wines that pair well?" After all, Jesus did make wine from water. So I decided to have my boyfriend over for a shrimp scampi dinner. The sides included macaroni & cheese with a Colby Jack and Mild Cheddar homemade cheese sauce and oven roasted summer and zucchini squash.

Josh and I wishing we had a selfie stick to take this picture.

The first step was making the macaroni & cheese. Growing up, this was and is still hands down my favorite comfort food. I also thought it would go well with the shrimp since restaurants serve shrimp with pasta all the time. I also thought since chefs make lobster mac & cheese, shrimp mac & cheese should be no different. For the cheese sauce, I just mixed in some butter, milk, salt, pepper, a pinch of flour and about 1/2 cup of Colby Jack and Mild Cheddar cheese. 

The finished macaroni & cheese.

While I had been waiting for the macaroni elbows to boil, I had started to chop up my zucchini and summer squash. It's pretty important to have a well balanced meal, so I had to include these veggies with our dish. I sprinkled them with a little bit of salt, pepper, and olive oil and put them in the oven for about ten minutes. 

Oven baked mixed squash vegetables.

Earlier in the day, I had gone to buy some shrimp from the local Kroger and of course found a great, simple marinade recipe on none other than Pinterest! The marinade consisted of honey, lime juice, salt and pepper, and of course seasoned shrimp with Old Bay. I couldn't pass up the Old Bay (I'm a Maryland Girl). So I had mixed all of these ingredients in a plastic bag and let the shrimp set in the fridge for about 4 hours. Here's the recipe in case you'd like to try it out! http://damndelicious.net/2014/02/22/sweet-lemon-shrimp/ 

Just pulling the marinated shrimp out of the fridge! Ready for the pan.

To actually cook the shrimp, I just tossed them into a pan and stirred them around, cooking them until they were nice and pink.

Me in cooking action.

It looks even yummier than on Pinterest!

The shrimp was the last component to complete the dinner - food wise that is!

A quick snap of my dinner plate. 

Now for the wines that I had chosen. I chose all white wines which were recommended to go well with either white fish, shrimp, or shellfish. I did not focus on any particular region. What follows are my tasting notes for each. 

Tasting - Crane Lake White Zinfandel

Name: Crane Lake White Zinfandel 2013
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Shop Review: Light pink wine with floral and tropical aromas: flavors or strawberry, peach and raspberry with a touch of sweetness. This wine is an easy sipping wine that also pairs well with a wide variety of foods ranging from crab cakes or pâté to spicy Asian dishes, glazed ham, and grilled sea bass.

My Review: This wine had a very pleasant, rose pink color. It was sweet and light. I thought it tasted like a watermelon or strawberry jolly rancher. There was also a sweetness in the aroma that felt like peach and more red berries. It was very refreshing with the fruit flavors throughout the palate. I enjoyed this wine very much. It was tasted without food.

Tasting - Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet

Name: Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet 2012

Variety: Alicante Bouchet

Region: Spain

Country: Spain

Year: 2012

Price: $15.00

Shop Review: From the rare Alicante Bouchet, one of the few grapes in the world with red flesh, this wine has a plush texture carrying flavors of brandied cherry and chocolate ganache in this round red. Light tannins and gentle acidity impart a lovely, balanced structure. 

My Review: This wine was a dark, rich red color with a definite cherry aroma right from the start. I felt that the wine also tasted like wood or sawdust. I thought the mouthfeel was slightly over powering and even gave a feeling of smoke or ash at the finish which I did not enjoy. This was had without food. 

Tasting - Tonnino Syrah

Name: Tonnino Syrah 2013
Variety: Syrah
Region: Sicily, Italy
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $14.00

Shop Review: An intense red color. Aromas of violet and black currant enriched by hints of liquorice and black pepper. In the mouth it is full, round, slightly tannic and with a spicy note on the finish.

My Review: This wine had an aroma of black jam, black pepper, and hints of licorice. I thought this was very bitter  with the tannins coming through on the mid palate, but somehow did not have a lasting finish. A black pepper taste came through on the finish as well. The mouthfeel seemed a little heavy which I did not like. This was tasted without food.

Tasting - Riebeek Cellars Viognier

Name: Riebeek Cellars Viognier 2015
Variety: Viognier
Region: Swartland, South Africa
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $12.00

Shop Review (From Washington Post Newspaper): This is a luscious viognier, featuring a deep yellow color, that explodes with juice peach and honeysuckle flavors. Viognier can easily become flabby, but this one manages to keep its figure within bounds. I recommend this for immediate, lip-smacking enjoyment.

My Review: The color of this was a light gold. In the bouquet, there were aromas of tartness followed by sweet. I thought the aromas were close to Granny Smith apples and pears followed by peaches. I thought the body was light and had a tart finish similar to grapefruit on the palate, but also did not linger at all. This was tried without food.

Tasting - Dom Michel Thomas Sancerre Rose

Name: Dom Michel Thomas Sancerre Rose 2013
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Loire Valley, France
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $32.00

Shop Review: Bright orange-pink. Lively, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh red berries, orange peel and honeysuckle, with a hint of anise building in the glass. Dry and nervy in the mouth, offering vibrant strawberry and orange pith flavors and a suggestion of rose pastille. The floral element comes back on the finish, which lingers with very good spicy persistence.

My Review: I thought the color on this wine was very interesting - a bright copper color. Strawberries came through right away in the bouquet, followed by some hints of citrus and orange. I thought this wine was very smooth and had notes of honey. I felt the finish was crisp and didn't last long. I did get a feeling of flowers at the end which I really enjoyed! I tasted this without food.

Tasting - Italo Cescon Pinot Noir

Name: Italo Cescon Pinot Noir Veneto
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Veneto, Italy
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $11.99

Shop Review: Elegant flavors of cherry, spice and rose petals. The long finish goes on and on!

My Review: Pepper was a dominant element on the nose for this wine. Behind the pepper, there was also nice aromas of cherry and cranberries. The finish was very smooth and had a feel that coated the entire mouth. It also lingered for about 15 seconds on the palate. This was had without food.

Tasting - Italo Cescon White Riesling

Name: Italo Cescon Veneto Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Veneto, Italy
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $11.99

Shop Review: Italo Cescon Riesling is fresh and fragrant with a delicate aroma. The elegant taste has a good structure balanced with good acidity and a full body. Pairs well with: seafood, chicken, veal and oysters.

My Review: The color of this wine was a light, golden color; almost like straw. I felt that there was a strong aroma of pear and a hint of floral elements. There was a dry, longer finish on the palate. This wine felt very light in body. I had this without food.

Tasting - Rosa Regale Sparkling Red

Name: Rosa Regale Sparking Red
Variety: Brachetto
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $17.99

Winemaker Review: Festive cranberry in color with an aromatic bouquet with hints of raspberries, strawberries and rose. A fresh raspberry taste with crisp acidity, enticing the palate with an initial softness, graduating to a round and luscious finish. (Source: http://www.wine.com/v6/Banfi-Rosa-Regale-Brachetto-2011/wine/115752/Detail.aspx)

My Review: This was a light red, bubbly wine. It had a light body with a very refreshing start on the palate. There was also a very fruity aroma to this consisting of what I thought were cherries and strawberries. There was a touch of sweetness and left a very satisfying finish on the palate. This was had without food and I would certainly drink this again.

Tasting - Apothic Crush

Name: Apothic Crush - Smooth Red Blend
Variety: Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2014
Price: $11.99

Winemaker Review: A decadent red blend that combines red fruit flavors with notes of caramel and a velvety smooth mouthfeel. (Source: http://www.apothic.com/wines/crush.html)

My Review: This wine was a deep red, burgundy color. There was a strong black pepper aroma with hints of red and black berries to follow. It had a medium body, and felt very smooth on the entire palate. The finish lasted for about 10 seconds. I tasted this wine without food and did not particularly enjoy it. I think it would definitely benefit from being served with a steak dinner.

Tasting - La Marca Prosecco

Name: La Marca Prosecco D.O.C. Sparkling Wine
Variety: Prosecco
Region: Veneto, Italy
Country: Italy
Year: Non-Vintage
Price: $13.99

Wine Critic Review: A delicate, well balancedProsecco showing a good blend of baked apple, sour lemon & grapefruit, with a light creamy mineral texture on the palate. (Wine Spectator, Source: http://www.bevmo.com/la-marca-prosecco--750-ml-.html)

My Review: This wine had an almost pale, gold, but almost clear color and was very bubbly, as expected from a sparkling wine. Aromas of pears and apples came through to me. This was light in body and had a crisp finish, but I did feel a little hotness on the mid-palate from the alcohol. I tried this wine with no food.

Tasting - Peter Mertes Platinum Riesling

Name: Peter Mertes Platinum Riesling 2014 Magnum
Variety: Riesling
Region: Germany
Country: Germany
Year: 2014
Price: $18.00

Shop Review: "Light-bodied slightly sweet white wine; medium pale slightly greenish yellow. Inviting fresh white peach aroma and flavors. Easy to drink and not complicated, but what's there is very pleasant, and flavors develop in the glass." ~Winery notes

My Review: The color of this wine had a yellow-green color and had a slightly acidic aroma. Upon tasting, the slight sweetness was apparent right away. The body was very light and had a crisp finish. Additional flavors I was able to find seemed to be close to pomegranate combined with peaches.  I felt this wine was very pleasant to taste by itself.

Tasting - Crane Lake Petite Sirah

Name: Crane Lake Petite Sirah 2013
Variety: Petite Sirah
Region: Lodi, California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Shop Review: This wine is ruby-purple colored; notes of blackberry, plums and spice predominate the nose and flavors. The tannins give a soft, full mouth feel.

My Review: The color of this wine was an inviting, rich red. An aroma of spiciness and pepper came through right away, but I was able to smell a hint of vanilla, followed by a tart fruit. The tannins in this wine left a finish on the palate that lasted about 10-15 seconds. However, it was also very smooth from the beginning to the end of taste. This was had without food.

Tasting - El Cortijillo Tempranillo

Name: El Cortijillo Tempranillo 2014
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha, Spain
Country: Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $9.00

Shop Review: Bright purple. High-pitched red berry and floral scents display good clarity and a hint of cracked pepper. Shows a touch of jamminess to it pliant black raspberry and cherry compote flavors, with a spicy quality adding vibrancy. Finishes with good focus and no obvious tannins, leaving a sweet berry note behind.

My Review: This wine had a very deep, red color: almost purple. There was a strong smell of black pepper that was almost overpowering. Behind the black pepper, there were aromas of cherries and other dark fruit. The pepper had a dominating presence throughout the palate which I think added a very bitter aspect to the wine and didn't leave room to taste other flavors that might have been going on in the background. However, the finish did not last very long which was good news for me! I did not enjoy this wine at all as it was tasted without food. I think a meaty dish would take a little edge off of the bitterness.

Tasting - Les Clos Francs Vouvrey

Name: Les Clous Francs Vouvrey Chenin Blanc 2013
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Loire Valley, France
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $21.00

Shop Review: The cool climate in the Vouvray appellation area insures good acidity, which is balanced by the distinctly fruity character of the Chenin Blanc and the mineral qualities imparted by the soil. Thanks to these natural elements this Vouvray combines elegance and vigor with honey dipped pears and an inherent freshness.

My Review: The color of this wine was a surprise: a very light shade of gold, so light that it was almost clear. A pleasant aroma of apples and pears was present. I also thought there was a faint smell of lavender. There was just a hint of heat coming through the mid palate where you could taste the alcohol as well as where there was taste of the tannins. The body was very light with a smooth finish. This was tasted without food.

Tasting - La Lejania Chardonnay

Name: La Lejania Chardonnay 2015
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Central Valley, Chile
Country: Chile
Year: 2015
Price: $10.00

Shop Review: A refined and suave style, with a rich array of white fruit and cream flavors, featuring a plush texture. Ripe citrus and pear notes fill the smooth finish.

My Review: This wine was a light yellow color and had a beautiful bouquet. It gave aromas of pears, flowers, and a hint of what I though was honeysuckle. There was a very fresh taste at the start with a little bitterness coming through in the mid palate. The bitterness turned into some heat towards the end that I was feeling from alcohol. This was had without food.

Tasting - Barbera

Name: Slack Maryland Barbera 2012
Variety: Barbera
Region: Maryland
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $27.99

Winery Review: Single varietals made from estate grapes, both classic of the Maryland terroir with high acidity and earthiness. Offers cherry fruit with a crisp finish.

My Review: This wine was a dark, bright red. The aroma gave off a wood smell mixed in with cherries. It had a medium body and easily had the highest tannins of the rest of the wines at this tasting. The taste stayed on the palate for a couple of minutes, but still provided a refreshing taste. This was also had without food.

Tasting - Black Drum Red

Name: Slack Black Drum Red
Variety: 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 20% Barbera
Region: Maryland
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $27.99

Winery Review: Jammy nose, ripe black cherry aromatics.

My Review: This wine seemed to taste similar to the Red Drum Red. I was able to get a cherry aroma right away. After tasting, I thought it had a medium body, but light tannins. There was just a small bite in the mid-palate. The aftertaste was smooth, soft, and did not stay very long on the palate. This was had without food.

Tasting - Red Drum Red

Name: Slack Red Drum Red
Variety: 85% Sangiovese, 15% Barbera
Region: Maryland
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $23.99

Winery Review: It's a dry, medium body wine that was lightly oak aged in French barrels for 10 months.

My Review: This wine was very interesting. The wine-maker himself told me this was made by mistake and here's why: right away, you can feel tingly bubbles on your tongue. For a red wine, apparently this is very uncommon. The wine had a strong aroma of spice and warmth. I could also smell cherries. This seemed to be a low-tannin wine given the taste did not linger very long on the palate. A cranberry flavor also came through about halfway through a sip. The effervescence of this wine with the cranberry flavor definitely made this my favorite of the tasting. I tried this without food and would definitely have again!

Tasting - Sangiovese

Name: Slack Maryland Sangiovese 2012
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Maryland
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $27.99

Winery Review: Single varietals made from estate grapes, both classic of the Maryland terroir with high acidity and earthiness. Barreled for 10 months and bottled last summer, these wines will peak over the next two years. Drink now or cellar.

My Review: The color of this wine was a ruby red and was also tasted at the same winery. The body was very light for a red wine and not very overpowering. It had an aroma of what I thought were black cherries and jam. The wine seemed to be light in tannins since it was very easy and clean on the mid-palate. I didn't get much of a "bite" coming through. This was had with no food.

Tasting - Ebb Tide Blanc

Name: Slack Ebb Tide Blanc
Variety: Chardonnel and Chardonnay
Region: Maryland
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $23.99

Winery Review: A lovely blend of Chardonnel and Chardonnay --- a bit of the New World blended with Old World.

My Review: This wine was tasted at a local winery near my hometown in Southern Maryland while I was home for the weekend. It had a pale, gold color and was a little dry. There was a strong aroma of grapefruit and hints of melon. There was a smooth start with a little bite in the mid palate. I did enjoy the fact that there was not a long lingering taste in the mouth. This wine was tasted without food.