September Wine Tasting - Wine Reviews & Bruschetta Recipe

by Lydia Marshall & Wine Steward Jeanette

Cate ~ Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley $4.99

Full of melon and spice, accents of fresh cut grass blending perfectly with the juicy fruit.  

Spanish Demon ~ Rioja Tempranillo  ~ Spain $4.99 Aromas and flavors of juicy blackberry and black plum that gain surprising complexity from accents of smoke, bitter chocolate, and spice.  Round and smooth, a burst of blood-orange acidity comes up in the middle to add freshness and the wine finishes with light, fine, tannins that border on crisp. 

Mosiac ~ Zinfandel ~Alexander Valley $8.99

Favors of blackberry and black raspberry.  On the palate, the bell pepper was far in the background, but the smooth and supple fruit itself — more of the blackberry, soft dark plum, black raspberry — also had a rather stewed quality, although balanced with a reasonable amount of acid.  I think this wine would be fine for $5 or maybe $6, but IMO even the sale price of $8 was too much.

Ashlyn’s ~Private Reserve Red Blend

70% Syrah 23% Cabernet Sauvignon 7% Merlot Rich, deep and full of spice and blackberry fruit.   Excels at the table.  A great food wine.

All of the wines above would be paired beautifully with this fresh and final summery appetizer. Use the last of the fresh harvested tomatoes mixed with some olives, basil and cheese...then pick your favorite vinaigrette and voila...easy and impressive! You can serve this on crusty bread, a crostini or a cracker. It also makes a unique type salsa, if you will, to put over fish or chicken.

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Tomato Olive Bruschetta

8 to 12 servings

1 loaf crusty whole grain bread

1 clove garlic

6 to 8 roma tomatoes

10 basil leaves - chopped

1/4 cup crumbled or shaved cheese of choice (Parmesan, feta, goat)

1/2 cup olives - sliced or chopped

2 to 4 tablespoons Italian type vinaigrette dressing

Salt and pepper to taste

Toast sliced bread in oven until golden on both sides and set aside. Next, mix all other ingredients in a bowl, and then top each piece of bread with a spoonful of this fresh goodness.