It's so easy to let wines fall out of our interest as we discover new ones. We tasted this out during the Pairing 101 class (Pairing 201 coming next week!) and nearly was distracted by how much much I liked the wine and how long it had been since I last tasted it.
This week's pairing has some Spanish flair to it to compliment the Andalucian flavor of the last few in-store tastings we've done. We think this hearty pairing speaks to the spring's rainy nights.
If you ever wondered how Pastoral employees have come to learn so much about cheese, charcuterie, wine, beer, and more the answer may be surprisingly simple: we try a lot of stuff!
So with that in mind, we as a staff try to focus on trying some of the same stuff at the same time so that we can all compare notes in a similar state of mind. Eating and drinking are sensory experiences and just like music, what you're in the mood for can be very dependent on things as fickle as the weather or even what happened to you just moments before.
This week, the wine we're super in love with is a malbec from McKinley Springs in Horse Heaven Hills, Washington. Even the non-Malbec drinkers among us were surprised by the complexity and deep plum and berry fruit flavors. Regular wine wall visitors may notice a new label/vintage making an appearance in the near future Malbec. This gives us a great opportunity to taste the same wine, same winemaker, same technique but different vintage. Come pick up the current bottle and then come back and pick up the alternate vintage, take home and have a tasting party with your friends! This gives you a great opportunity to really see for yourself how the climate in a given year affects the wine. If you actually do this, we'd love to hear from you. We might even treat you to something.
Back to the Malbec, though, which is stellar stuff. Last year's vintage showed deep purple in color, gentle tannins, rolling texture and robust dried dark berry and plum. There's an element of cedar and a tingly uplifting composed finish as well. Do you remember how last year's vintage tasted? How will the new bottle compare? What would you like to see? Have you already tasted both? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Just in time for the Exploring France class this weekend, Pastoral pairs an American cheese and French wine. Brigid's Abbey and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru create a pleasantly sweet and smooth pairing. The brininess of the cheese is toned down a bit with a wash of the Bordeaux. The finish is mouth-watering with a pleasant acidity.
In the spirit of the "Sneak Peek" of summer weather we are experiencing, Pastoral is showcasing some summer wine selections at our Lake Street store for our 3rd Tuesday tasting. Come by between 5-7pm Tuesday March 20th and get a head start familiarizing yourself with our summer wines selected with sunshine and grilling in mind.
Leave your preconceptions at home and let your senses do the judging at our walk-around blind tasting at Pastoral in the Loop. Try to decipher Mark's cloaked selections, but most importantly have fun and find a new wine in your life. We love this event for its casual nature. No snobbery here, just a great way to kick off a Saturday night. Take your newest discovery home or to your favorite BYOB after the tasting for 10% off! $15 online or at the door/Free to RSVP's Beverage Loyalty Club members.
Producer: LaClare Farm
Location: Chilton, WI
Cheesemaker: Katie Heidrich
Milk: Raw goat
Style: Pressed, natural rind
Rennet: Microbial (vegetarian)
Affinage (aging time): min. 70 days
Chilton, located about 75 miles north-northwest...
Join Pastoral's Wine Buyer Mark Hayes at our monthly in-store wine tastings. This month, Mark will have a selection of bottles tailored to pair well with the diverse offerings of Chicago's BYOB restaurants.
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Our mongers walk you through this week's pairing: a beautiful Cab Franc and a chevre log called St. Maure.
The credit should all go to the wine however, because it does a lot from the back seat to make this work. Texturally, there is a distinct juiciness with the Milano and Nebbiolo together.
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts: the key to any great song, any great painting and this spectacular pairing!
On the 9th day of gifting our Assistant Buyer Adrienne brought to you: Quince & Apples Apples in Sparkling wine preserves!
Our house sommelier shares a favorite cocktail recipe to help take the edge off the first half of the work week.
In today's installment of the Hot For The Holidays gift guide, Cheesemonger Bryan tells you about his favorite way to remember everything he's tasted.
