Sonoma Coast Archives - Time To Unwine-D

What to Pair With Mushroom Risotto?

What’s a great pairing with mushrooms? Well, there are actually quite a few. I like pairing mushrooms with an earthy red. Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir are great choices. White wines can work too, though. I especially like a Chardonnay with some age on it.

When I whipped up some mushroom risotto last night for dinner I headed to my cellar and grabbed a Pinot Noir! I wanted a wine with some earth on it and not too much fruit. I hesitantly chose a Pinot from the Sonoma Coast. I was hoping that I wouldn’t be too fruity, but had been curious to try it so I decided to give it a shot.

Success!!!!! I opened the 2016 Metzker Pinot Noir “Terra de Promissio”, which is the winery’s first reserve tier wine. Terra de Promissio translates to “Land of Promise” and is a widely respected vineyard on the Sonoma Coast.

The wine itself is lovely, and exactly what I was looking for to pair with my risotto. On the nose are beautiful floral and strawberry notes. The palate has a silky texture with a fabulous earthiness to compliment the mushrooms. The silky body feel worked with with the creaminess of the risotto. This Pinot also has some tart cherry, tea and cola. The tannins are light, and the finish is long and sensual.

The dinner and pairing was outstanding. Thankfully after cleaning up the kitchen, there was plenty of the wine to enjoy into the evening.

If you’re interested in trying the Metzker wines (and you should be!), here’s a link to their site: https://mfewines.com

Tasting at Failla

February 23, 2014
melissa
Napa, Sonoma Coast
0 Comments

Failla has got it going on!!!!! Not only do their wines rock, but they have an adorable tasting room in which to try them!

I was in Napa a couple of weeks ago, tasting my way around the valley. I’ve heard a lot about Failla’s wines (they’ve had top 100 wines in several recent years), but have never paid them a visit. I did just that on February 7^th!

The tasting room is located in a charming yellow house. One enters into a library type room which leads into a parlor and quaint sitting room, complete with a wood-burning stove. Two comfy chairs and a sofa invited us to sit, with wine glasses placed on a coffee table between! Who wouldn’t want to delve into their lovely wines???

Our tasting room attendant first brought us the 2011 Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay from Napa. Wow, did I love this wine!!! On the nose is passion fruit galore! This is a rich Chardonnay with lots of lush tropical fruit, but it’s beautifully balanced with bright acidity. I’m kicking myself for not buying a case of this!

Next up was the 2012 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. This is an outstanding wine for a great value! On the nose is plum and some herbs, perhaps oregano or sage. There is also a hint of watermelon! Loaded with cherry and a lovely old-world style earthiness, this wine rocks for $34. Finding a well-made Pinot at this price is a definite treat! In fact, I cracked open a bottle of this and am drinking a glass while I write this blog

The 2012 Keefer Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir from Russian River was the third wine we tried. Very different from the Sonoma Coast, this wine has some cherry cola and root beer on the nose, along with violet. Blackberry explodes on the palate, with some earthy mushrooms. This wine is another winner!

The 2012 Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley was the last wine we tasted. This is a bigger Pinot, with lots of dark fruit and vanilla, along with some spiciness. This is their inaugural vintage of wine sourced from the Savoy Vineyard

Failla is a joint effort, owned by Anne-Marie Failla and her husband Ehren Jordan, who is also the winemaker. Jordan’s resume is impressive indeed, having worked for Bruce Neyers at Neyers Vineyards, Helen Turley and her husband Jon Wetlaufer at Marcassin and Larry Turley at Turley Wine cellars. The San Francisco Chronicle named Jordan the Winemaker of the Year in 2008!

Being a Francophile since my youth, I’m very fond of Jordan’s winemaking. His Chardonnay and most of his Pinot Noir wines are done in a Burgundian style, and he also makes some lovely wines in the Northern Rhone style

If you haven’t tried Failla’s wines, do yourself a favor and seek them out. They are truly outstanding. The next time you get to Napa, be sure to call them to set up a tasting appointment. You won’t be disappointed!