Shrimp and Wine at Sawtooth Winery

Had not really thought of this combination, but this was a real treat. Superb shrimp prepared by Reel Foods Fish Market here in Boise on Capital Blvd. And the wine selection, not all theirs, selected by Sawtooth Winery were a really good match for most, not all, of the shrimp dishes. But that is to be expected. Left Click any of these photographs to see them enlarged.
Out of 8 chardonnay wines presented, and it was a blind horizontal tasting, so far as I was concerned the best was the 2013 Sawtooth Reserve Chardonnay. OK. But what is a horizontal wine tasting, you ask. From Blue Sky Winery in Anna, ILL., here are the differences between a verticle tasting and a horizontal tasting.

In a verticle wine tasting, different vintages (years) of the same wine types from the same wine type from the same winery are tasted. This emphasizes the differences between various vintages.

In a horizontal wine tasting, the wines are all from the same vintage (year) but are from different wineries. When doing a horizontal tasting, keeping the same wine type and wine region will help to emphasize the differences in winery and vintner styles.

Some of the wines that were presented. The Sawtooth Winery Chardonnay was not available for purchase.

(L-R) Chef Marcus, Chef Mark and Chef Dave made this a delightful afternoon. Thank-You Reel Foods for sharing their talents!

Gourmet Shrimp Selections by Chef Mark Ballen — **Gourmet Shrimp Selections**
by
**Chef Mark Ballen**

Pacific Islanders Sugar Cane Shrimp A balance between sweet and spicy with a lemony finish. — **Pacific Islanders Sugar Cane Shrimp**
*a balance between sweet and spicy with a lemony finish*

Pacific Ilanders Sugar Cane Shrimp we liked these the best of all the shrimp, then you chew on the sugar cane — **Pacific Islanders Sugar Cane Shrimp**
*we liked these the best of all the shrimp; then you chew on the sugar cane*

**Pickled Vegetables**
*artichoke, broccoli, carrot, asparagus on lettuce leaf*

Honey Adobe Poppin’ Shrimp
a savory, smoky profile with a drizzle of key lime crème fraîche

Shrimp Campechana de Mariscoc the classic South American shrimp cocktail with an earthy and clean air finish — **Shrimp Campechana de Mariscos**
*the classic South American shrimp cocktail with an earthy and clean air finish*

Vertical Tasting at Sawtooth Winery

It was a balmy 72 degree day at the winery! Great vertical tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon at Sawtooth Winery in the Snake River AVA. They presented an array of wines ranging from 2008 – 2014 and all cabs. Some were absolutely wonderful, 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon- full of black cherry, smoke, cinnamon, cedar and cardamom, 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon – rich in dark fruit, blackberry and spice and may go well with BBQ’d chicken, 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon – clove, coriander and lingering fruit, and a 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon – floral, light and not big (it needs time), bing cherry and which needs some time. Actually there was a total of 7 wines presented. The ones I listed here are my favorites.
Enjoy these photos of the event. Look for Sawtooth Winery at your local wine store. Enjoy! Cheers! Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

Fresh cut flowers for the table decorations. Yup! It's Springtime in the Rockies! — Fresh cut flowers for the table decorations. Yup! It’s Springtime in the Rockies!

Justina explains to the group about the wines. Good job!

Good Event at “Tastings” in Boise

Good wine tasting last night, September 5, at Tastings Wine Bar in Boise with Winemakers Bill Murray from the Canoe Ridge Vineyard in Washington and Meredith Smith from Sawtooth Winery in Idaho.
So now, I guess, you’re going to ask which winery was better. Well, it’s like this. The 2012 Sawtooth Classic Fly Series Reserve Chardonnay, $19.25, scored a [19] , out of [20]. Really a wonderful brown sugar and buttery chardonnay. We bought a bottle. And Meredith brought a bottle of their soon be released maybe in December, 2012 Petit Syrah. There is nothing small about this one. Be sure to get some. Maybe a case. Put some down. It will keep. This wine easily rates a [19] or maybe even a [20].
On the other hand, the 2011 Canoe Ridge Horse Haven Cabernet, $19.50, also scored a [19] out of [20]. A great blend of Cab, Merlot and Malbec. Black cherry and floral flavors will go very well with lamb. Oh yum! Great to have these two wines, and Winemakers together. Great talking to them. That’s what makes these kind of events so much fun. But also, the food we had to go with the wines was good.