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| Inside Cossettas Italian Market |
Z and I did some late Christmas shopping today and ended up at
Cossetta Alimentari on West 7th Street in St. Paul, MN. This is a wonderful Italian Market and Pizzeria. I heard from one of the employees that they will be adding a Pasticceria bar which will offer Pastries and Gelatos. We shopped there for a few last-minute gifts and a treat for ourselves.
Being that Z is not totally crazy about Proscuitto, a well-aged salted ham that tastes best sliced
so thin that light can
be seen through it which flavors complement melons, I had to pass on getting that.
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Sliced Prosciutto that
I love served just like this. |
The small treat we purchased was some diced Parmesan cheese.
After we arrived home and put the groceries and other purchases away, Z opened the Parmesan. After having a couple of bites, I suggested a wine. Z agreed. After I consulted a Wine and Cheese paring website,
Gourmet Sleuth, I resolved that either a Chardonnay or a Riesling would be appropriate.
I chose a bottle of
2010 St Gabriel Riesling (link is to the Wine Expert rating) from Germany's Mosel region in Germany. The back label boasts that the Mosel region is known for it's steep slopes and mineral-rich soils, then add it to the area's climate, give this wine a deliciously light, aromatic tickle with flavors of green apple and hints of lime citrus notes. The label goes on to say that this wine should be served with light meals, salads, spicy Asian cuisine or on its own. The screw top cap didn't deter me from purchasing this, nor deter me from opening it for a taste. The percentage of alcohol by volume is listed at 9.5%. Though the retail on a bottle of this is around $9, I had noted when I purchased this that we paid $6.75 on sale...a bargain, indeed, for such a pleasant wine!
The reason that I had purchased a couple of Riesling wines from different vintners, and parts of the world was to compare them to the 5 gallons of Riesling wine that I made and is currently aging in my cellar.
I measured the Specific Gravity at 1.010. This would be a sweet Riesling. I hoped it wouldn't be too sweet for the cheese and occasion. The color is clear and pale pear in color. It has a light bouquet on the nose of lemons, pineapple, and a hint of earth. Though not unpleasant, my first observation on the tongue is that it felt of effervescence (small bubbles in the wine), as if not all of the gas was removed from this wine. There seems to be a good balance between the sweetness and the tannins. The taste brings out more of the pineapples than lemons, and leads one to taste a bit of pear, as well.
Overall this is a good wine that I would purchase again. I may even back-sweeten a gallon or two of the Riesling I made to imitate this style of Riesling.
If you have tasted this brand and year of wine please be a friend and comment below on your experience!!
