Dinner - V2 Wine Tasting Experience 

"Wine For The People" was a wine tasting held at V2 in Oklahoma City.  V2 is located in the Devon Tower on the 50th floor, just above Vast.  The wine tasting had 7 different wines, paired with a buffet of foods paired for the best tasting experience.  This was an evening to experience different wines from South America, specifically Argentina & Chile.  The event was sponsored by Broadway Wine Merchants and Vast (as stated in the announcement at the event).  I was able to enjoy an evening at the top of the city and experience a new side of wine.  This event would not fall under the traditional Wine Dinner blog, since there was not a formal setting for courses and there was a more "mingle" atmosphere.  But, I was able to pair all the wines with different foods at the event.  Here are a few of my favorite wines from the evening. (You can click the link above and "View Details" for more information about the event.) 

Favorite Wine #1 - 2013 Tikal 'Natural' Malbec/Syrah Blend

Name: Tikal 

Variety: 60% Malbec - 40% Syrah
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price (suggested): $18

Winery review (from the flier): "Full bodied, chewy and polished tannins and a long and flavorful finish.  Stylish intense wine.  A blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Syrah sourced from 12-year-old organically- and biodynamically-farmed vineyards.  The wine matured in a mixture of new and old French and American oak barrels for some eight months." 94 Points James Suckling

My review: A perfect balance between tannins and fruit flavors.  The hints of berry and spice made for a wonderful aroma.  This was a smooth and enjoyable wine.  When paired with spicy food (the spicy beef and corn salsa on a crispy tostada), it accentuated the spices and created a wonderful taste for both the food and the wine.  The wine had a long finish that made you want to drink more.  I would highly recommend this wine!

 

Favorite Wine #2 - Reginato Sparking Torrontes and Chardonnay

Name: Reginato
Variety: 20% Torrontes - 80% Chardonnay
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: Non-Vintage
Price (suggested): $16

Winery review (from the flier): "The palate is well-balanced, with attractive passion fruit and lime notes, crisp acidity and a nicely poised, peachy finish.  This is a great sparkling Argentinean wine." 90 Points Robert Parker

My review: This wine was very light and refreshing, great start to the evening.  Created a "cleanse" for the palate.  The lime notes were very pronounced and blended well with the high acidity of the wine.  This wine paired very well with the crab salad that was walked around the event.  The crab salad was light, almost bland, with a potato base.  The combination of lime from the wine and crab was quite enjoyable.  I would highly recommend this sparkling wine!

Favorite Wine #3 - 2015 La Posta Malbec, Fazzio Vineyard

Name: La Posta 

Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2015
Price (suggested): $18

Winery review (from the flier): "I love the perfume and freshness to this with flower and blackberry undertones.  Medium body, fine tannins and an underlying firmness and balance.  Drink it!" 92 Points James Suckling

My review: A thick wine with blackberry and soil flavors.  Originally, I felt the tannins were overpowering and too extreme.  But, after a few minutes my opinion changed...  I began to taste the terrior in the soil flavors and the tannins melted away.  This wine paired extremely well with the steak!  The event had a rib-eye cut over a potato pilaf that paired exceptionally well with the thick soil flavor of the wine.  I would drink this wine again!

 

 

Instead of reviewing a fourth wine, I'd like to share a few of the things I learned while at the event and at dinner after...

• Remember to drink your wines in order from White to Red!! 
• We went out of order, and I immediately realized this was a mistake when I tried to go from red to white. 
• Try to pair your food with your wine based on the flavor of the wine!
• Many of our pairings were wrong, and we immediately knew which wines went with which foods after we had eaten.  I suggest trying the wine first then picking your food.  
• Some wines can be deceiving, and tastes can change!
•  I generally drink white, fruity wines, however, I learned that many of my favorite wines of the night were reds.  I enjoyed the Malbec wines the most - still fruity, but with more tannins.
• Syrah is peppery!
• I had never experienced a 100% Syrah, so at dinner I decided to try a California Syrah. First, I thought this was a white wine - wrong! Second, I thought it might pair well with fish - double wrong!!  Fortunately, my husband switched meals with me so I could drink it with his steak...  Lesson learned! But, it was a wonderful lesson to learn!

My rankings, and pairings, for the night...

1. 2013 Tikal 'Natural' Malbec/Syrah Blend, Mendoza - beef and corn salsa tostada
2. Reginato Sparkling Torrontes and Chardonnay, Mendoza - crab salad with potato base
3. 2015 La Posta Malbec, Mendoza - rib-eye steak with potato pilaf
4. 2015 Casarena Cabernet Sauvignon, Lujan de Cuyo - mushroom quiche
5. 2016 Mayu Sauvignon Blanc, Chile - chicken arepas
6. 2015 Casa Silva Carmenero, Chile - both the rib-eye steak and the mushroom quiche
7. 2016 Boya Rose of Pinot Noir, Chile - rose infused melon

My rankings are circled, my husband's ranking are just numbered.  We thought it would be fun to compare our wine choices at the end of the evening.