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Better Beckons with Beringer

February 25, 2017 Phantasm Darkstar 0 Comment(s)

I had the privilege to be invited to Beringer's Master Class with their chief winemaker, Mark Beringer, and attend their food and wine pairing event. 

Beringer is California's longest continuously operating winery. It has become one of the largest and most distributed American labels, and is known for its range of wines, from affordable table wines to fine single-vineyard cuvees and a private reserve label. 
Beringer Founders' Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2014. Has a wonderfully refreshing grapefruit flavor that is enhanced with intense citrus, ripe stone fruit and white fig. The wine finishes with a clean grassy note and crisp acidity making it a perfect match with grilled fish. 
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay 2013. Beringer's 2013 Chardonnay Private Reserve emerges from Gamle Ranch in Oakville. Classy, polished and restrained, the 2013 is absolutely superb. Above all else, the 2013 is a wine of finesse. Amazingly sophisticated, the 2013 Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay has all the tools to go the distance. Super rich, yet incredibly refined, the wine exhibits brilliant and alluring ripe core fruit and creamy flavors; layered lush and built on the palate. Lots to love now and more to love with bottle age.
Beringer Founders' Estate Pinot Noir 2014. Bright ruby in color and displays ripe currant flavors rounded out by aromas of cedar and spice. This wine has immediate fruit-forward flavors that blances well with the toasty smokiness of the oak. Pair this wine with a red wine risotto or grilled salmon.
Beringer Napa Valley Merlot 2014. The merlot has lush red and blue fruits highlighted by hints of toffee, dark cherry and chocolate mint. This fleshy wine offers dark plum, black currant and mocha notes accented by fine tannins.This is an aromatic, inviting wine. This wine is brimming with plum, blackberry and sweet vanilla aromas. The flavors are equally rich black cherry, bittersweet chocolate and a hint of smoke. The tannins are dense, and the finish is supple despite the heft and complexity of the wine overall.
Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013. For all its plumpness, this feels sophisticated, its sense of fatness coming from abundant, perfectly ripe tannins rather than jammy, overripe fruit. Its clean, dark berry flavors are harmonious and lasting, the structure seeming at one moment supple and easy, at the next more deep and stony. The 2013 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is opulent but structured, this versatile wine has supple blue and black fruit notes accented by  dark chocolate, roasted coffee and a silky, lingering finish. 
Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is built from completely different sources. Sixty-six percent came from the St. Helena Home Ranch, 18% from the Chabot Vineyard, and the rest from Beringer's estates in St. Helena, Rutherford and Coombsville. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that came in at 14.6% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.8. Perhaps the greatest Beringer Private Reserve since the 2007, 2005, 2002, and 2001, the 2010 offers up notes of lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, subtle smoke, wet rocks and background oak. Full-bodied rich and impressive, it can be drunk now or cellared for two decades.

The Food and Wine Pairing
Uni on Coconut Crispy Rice. Best with Beringer Sparkling White Zinfandel. 
Kilawin (Ceviche) Bar. These seafood is best with Beringer Founders' Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2014.

Spiced Davao-Style Lechon (Roast Pig) Belly. The roast pig, being a Filipino favorite is best paired with Beringer Quantum Red Blend 2013.
Duck Dinuguan (Stew) with Puto (Sticky Rice Cake). Best paired with Beringer Founder's Estate Piniot Noir 2014.
Kambing Kaldereta Foie Gras Pot Pie. This luxury dish is best paired with Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon 2014. 
Longganisa (Sausage) Skewers (Alaminos, Lucban, and Vigan). Best with Beringer Founder's Estate Zinfadel 2014.
Frog Sisig (Hash) with Sous Vide Quail Egg. This exotic dish is best with Beringer Founders' Estate Chardonnay 2014.
Grilled Bagaybay (Tuna Milt).  This luxury dish is actually tuna sperm and is best with Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay 2014. 
Bistek (Filipino Spice Marinated) Tenderloin. Best with Beringer Founders' Estate Merlot 2014 and Napa Valley Merlot 2014.

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