Terlato Tasting

Last night the new Kellogg Cork and Screw team hosted their first event. They planned an excellent food and wine pairing event at the Allen Center hosted by the Terlator Wine Group (formelly Paterno -- I wonder why they renamed the company with the family's last name). Our master of ceremony was the third generation owner, John Terlato, a very dynamic speaker. His presentation included an overview of the trends that have shaped US wine consumption. He talked about the impact of WWII embargos, prohibition, the Judgement of Paris and the movie Sideways. It was a great presentation followed by a very informative wine tasting. We had the opportunity to taste from their portfolio of products:

• a Sauvignon Blanc: this was served with risotto prepared with goat cheese using a very interesting technique of freezing, frying, etc. -- all this effort to make sure that the cheese complimented (versus masked) the risotto. The pairing was very good. Grassy, fresh -- easy to drink! This is my favorite white wine of the night.
• a Sanford Chardonnay: my least favorite of the bunch -- this was served with shrimp and some other type of fish. We took a vote to see which compination people liked best and the room was split half and half.
• a Rossi del Mantalcino: this Tuscan wine is made from the Sangiovese varietal (which I can't for the life of me pronounce). This was served with BBQ pork -- fantastic. This was my favorite pairing of the night.
• a Rutherfold Merlot: this was actually served as the enigma of the night. Amongst the 6 of us at our table we guessed: Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon -- and we felt strongly that it could be a blend. My guess was a blend that included malbec. Come to find out that the wine was indeed a blend! (Mad skills I tell you!!) Between the two reds, this was my favorite.

Post tasting included a quick dinner at BK lounge. I'll post pictures from this event in the near future!

Here are some quick facts from last night's lecture: Pinot Noir is the hardest varietal to harvest, a luxury wine is a wine that costs more than $15 (according to current market segmentations), and people are really interested in Zinfandel's right now!