Tasti-Pairings visits The Taste of Napa Valley
This was an exciting day for Tasti-Pairings… We were brought in by shuttle bus (Pure Luxury Transportation) from parking in Yountville and despite a slightly overcast day with sprinkles of water at times, the big event was much fun with everyone in good spirits eating and drinking great wines of the Napa Valley. The grounds were inviting with a pavilions look, the classic red carpet entrance and live music by Wristpocket.
The mapping of the wineries pouring and food purveyors serving at the Taste of Napa Valley was in the Market Place of Rubicon Estates in Rutherford. The map of white wine pouring and food purveyor servings were outside and red wine barrel tastings, Artisanal Cheese, and Woodhouse Chocolate were served in the Chateau. We tasted a few Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, from Amici Cellars to ZD Wines and Sparkling Wines such as Schramsberg.
We both tried the Dungeness Crab Cakes made by Fish Story and it was delicious with the 2007 Amici Sauvignon Blanc, which was a crisp, dry white with flavors of guava and spice that will impress even the most discriminating of Sauvignon Blanc fans. Cole’s Chop House offered a tasty Baking Powder biscuit with smoked salmon, whipped cream cheese and baby celery. That particular appetizer paired well with Fontanella Family Winery’s 2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay, which was fruity, rich and vibrant. This Chardonnay had a pear, crisp citrus notes of the nose and peach, lemon, apricot, nectarine and well balanced acidity on the palate. Lisa had to have Martini House Restaurant’s (by Chef Todd Humphries) Cream of Mushroom Soup. This soup was paired with the 2008 Judd Hill Rose, which this wine’s aromas were vibrant of strawberries, raspberries and a hint of rose petals. On the palate were flavors of juicy plum, black cherries and tart black berries and the finish was of a smooth vanilla and caramel. Zinsvalley Restaurant offered a Prawn and Prosciutto combo (Patrick’s favorite) 
that was delectable and paired well with the 2006 Scharmsberg Blanc de Blanc, which also paired well with Hog Island Oysters served across the way. Zuzu Tapas Restaurant served a meaty Paella and Bardesseno’s mushroom appetizer paired well with Rubicon Estate’s barrel tasting of the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 29, Rutherford. Lisa wanted to satisfy her sweet tooth so she tried a Brownie cake pop with her choice of topping, which was toffee crunch made by Sweetie Pies Bakery. This dessert went well with the barrel tasting from Artesa’s 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Over all, the combination of a small sampling of some of the better wines and great food from the Napa Valley with the beautiful grounds of the Rubicon Estate made it a wonderful Friday. We left with ideas of restaurants to visit (hints above) and more wineries to put on our must visit list. Again, we want to throw out a thank you to Karen Fontanella for her wonderful hospitality and we wish they had been serving their tasty Cabernet as it would of gone nicely with the Ribs that Bounty Hunter was serving nearby.
Below are a few of the pictures we took while there.
