けいちろ〜ワイン好き〜
My wife took me out for a birthday dinner. We had a semi-private table for two at 7:30 PM. We ordered wine pairing and added some sake. We started with champagne, CAZALS, Blanc de Blancs made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. It had fine bubbles, a scent of green apple, strong acidity, and a refreshing taste that would go well with Japanese cuisine. We paired it with sea urchin, Shine Muscat, and mozzarella cheese with egg yolk vinegar dressing. The champagne's refreshing acidity paired well with the summer appetizer. Next was Macon Clo de la Maison 2022, a white wine made from 100% Chardonnay grapes from the Macon region in Burgundy. It had a grapefruit aroma, subtle oak notes, and a slightly thick texture with fruity flavors and a lingering mineral finish. We enjoyed it with steamed rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. The combination of Chardonnay white wine and steamed rice was delightful! Next, we tried an orange wine from Slovenia with aromas of honey, apricot, and spices, moderate acidity, and tannins. It paired perfectly with a soup of tomato and dried shrimp, Omi beef hamburger, and kudzu noodles. The rich hamburger and orange wine complemented each other well. The MVP of the night! We then had a red wine from Saint-Estephe with oak and blackcurrant aromas, firm tannins, and a fruity Bordeaux character. It paired excellently with Miyazaki beef roast beef. The thick roast beef with sautéed onion sauce was a match made in heaven. It felt like the roast beef was made specifically to pair with the Bordeaux wine, and it was delicious. We finished with Ballade pour Mistral IGP Pays d'Oc, a red wine blend of Syrah and Grenache from the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It had a light to medium body, aromas of red berry jam, and a firm tannin structure. It was an easy-drinking wine. After a palate-cleansing Chablis jelly, our main course arrived: Omi beef sirloin steak. The juicy meat called for a red wine, though I regret not taking a photo of the bottle. Nevertheless, the meat was truly delicious. For dessert, we had eel over rice. We chose medium and small portions, both of which were delicious with a hint of spicy sansho pepper. The broth was served upon request. Despite being full, we had room for dessert. I chose melon shaved ice, which was upgraded to a birthday plate, a luxurious finish. The wine served with dessert was Vieux Rivesaltes, a sweet red wine made from Pinot grapes in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It had a reddish-brown color, a raisin aroma, and a versatile sweetness that surprisingly paired well with meat. The course and wine pairings were meticulously thought out, creating a flawless balance. It was truly delicious. Thank you for the wonderful meal.