Monday Night Wine
is a fabulous group of friends I have & we get together a couple Monday nights each month to taste wine. Each month we try a different varietal and I pair it with a dinner, as the wine will change once you introduce food to your palate.

January 2025 Cabernet Sauvignon So far, we have avoided the massive cold beginning to winter. Let us settle into January and see what we can drink to enjoy those evening dinners, game nights or time by the fire with friends. Cabernet Sauvignon is considered the Big Red Wine. Cabernet can be dry but they can also be smooth and easy to drink. It can pair well with a multitude of foods you will have to come see what is on the menu; however, it is known to pair great with beef!. So if you want to warm up and enjoy an evening with friends and family we look forward to seeing you soon. Served with Beef Pot Roast Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Carrots w/ Whipped Feta & Death by Chocolate Cake Bunt Cake
- 3rd Tie/3rd 2023 STEL + MAR Cabernet Sauvignon, CA (100% Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 3rd Tie/4th 2023 Ocnautic Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA (96% Cabernet, 4% Petite Sirah)
- 4th/2nd 2023 Ride Cabernet Sauvignon, CA (94 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petite Sirah)
- 2nd/1st 2022 Blazon Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi, CA (77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah)
- 1st/5th 2022 Canvasback Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, WA (86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5% Syrah, 3% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc)
- 5th/6th 2021 House of Smith REAL WINE Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, WA (100% Cabernet Sauvignon)

February 2026 Italian Red Wines I have wanted to do international tastings for a couple years. This highlighted 6 different wines from across Italy. I paired it with my Baked Chicken Parmesan, over a special white sauce pasta, asparagus and tiramisu.
- 2023 DaVinci Chianti, Tuscany, Italy (90% Sangiovese grapes, 10% Merlot)
- 2021 Viticcio Ferraio Toscana, Tuscany, Italy (50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 2022 Planeta Segreta Nero D’Avola, Sicily, Italy (100% Nero d’Avola)
- 2022 La Quercia Montepulciano D’Abbruzo, Abbruzo, Italy (100% Montepulciano)
- 2022 G. D. Vajra Barolo ALBE, Piedmont, Italy (100% Nebbiolo)
- 2022 Antiche Terre Amarone, Veneto, Italy (Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella)

February 2026 Merlot In February we are tasting Merlot. This is a wine that was climbing the ladder to greatness in the late 1990’s that was knocked off by a movie about Pinot Noir. Merlot however is a great red wine for those elegant dinners you have to celebrate events, like Birthdays or Anniversaries. It can be a little drier if it is drunk too young or without letting it breathe a little. It pairs well with a large group of foods especially Beef, Lasagna, something with a mushroom sauce. These are great wines that many are missing out on. Come see if you can find a couple that you like and can have for the next special occasion. I paired this with Salisbury Steak, Garlic Butter Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Green Beans & Tomatoes, Brownie over Raspberry POM coulis, with Marshmallow on top.
- 2nd 2020 Benton Hills Goose Gap Merlot, Columbia Valley, WA (79% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 5th 2022 Luke Wahluke Slope Merlot, Columbia Valley, WA (91% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc)
- 3rd 2021 Peirano Estate Vineyards “Six-Clones” Merlot, Lodi, CA (100% Merlot)
- 1st 2022 Donati Family Vineyard Merlot, Paso Robles, CA (99% Merlot, 1% Malbec)
- 4th 2023 Bread & Butter Merlot, CA
- 6th 2023 Benziger Family Vineyard Merlot, CA
April 2026 Red Blends
June 2026 Sauvignon Blanc
July 2026 Moscato & Rose
August 2026 Odd White Wines:
September 2026 Malbec & South American Reds
October 2026 Zinfandel
November 2026 Pinot Noir
December 2026 Dessert Wines
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