Mission Trail Valley

I really should post this here, but anyway...

It was our first time in Monterey in a long time for both of us, so the hubby and I spent the spare time in Monterey to do a bit of wine tasting. We went to Wine From the Heart which was right in old downtown Monterey. I really enjoyed this wine tasting which included some cheese pairings. I finally was able to taste how cheese enhances a wine that could use a bit longer in the bottle. Will post the wine listing later today.

The other day we hit Cannery Row and went to Taste of Monterey which sells only wines from Monterey county which has one of the gentlest and longest ripening seasons. Alot of the grapes near the coast are Chardonnay but the area has over 40 varieties. I did a reserve tasting and might go back later this evening and do a non-reserve tasting. I'd like to try how their $20 and under bottles are. I ended up buying Mission Trail Vineyard's Cabernet Franc which unlike the other wines that could have used a bit more time was a very good and drinkable wine right out of the bottle. A lovely rich red color that was really easy to sip with a touch of chocolate.

We tasted also a couple from Garys' Vineyard, a merlot and a pinot noir. The Pinot Noir had a very rich berry aftertaste. A kind of wine that seems to change flavors mid-taste, from a more vanilla, fruit forward initial taste, to a really broad and sweet berry taste. I would have bought a bottle but didn't have the budget for a $60 wine (only 600 case), plus the Merlot we ended up getting was a good taste at a good price.

At the opening networking reception, I drank a glass of Sutter Hill's White Zinfindel, which was sweet and tasted more like a wine cooler.