This evening was one for lovers of wine, food and amour. We were entertained by a very wonderful speaker, Ms. Daenna Van Mulligen, aka the Wine Diva. Daenna spoke to us about how wine is viewed as an aphrodisiac and then about some of the things that make particular foods aphrodisiacs, such as shape, colour, texture and aroma. Wine of course is one of the aphrodisiacs. With red wines representing masculinity. Scents of leather, tobacco and earthiness stimulate the senses.

Our reception wine was the Nepenthe Tryst . A fitting name for a wine for this evening. This wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, with a small amount of pinot gris. The wine had gooseberry aroma and some capsicum flavour. It was light to medium bodied.

In this tasting we brought out a particular appetizers and paired it with specific wines at our table. Our first appetizer was Fresh Oysters with Red Wine Shallot Mignonette. Oysters being the aphrodisiac, due to their shape similar to a woman's genitals, but also as they contain zinc which which promotes well being. We paired this appetizer with the Valdivieso Extra Brut NV and the Peter Lehmann Semillon. The Valdivieso bubbles were opened by sabering the bottle, leaving the cork intact with the lip of the bottle. Our expert cellar master, Paul Watkin demonstrated this technique without flaw. This wine had nice toast and citrus bouquet which continued on the palate. We then moved on to a young, Peter Lehman Semillon 2001.This wine showed typical bright cirtrus flavour with some tarriness on the bouquet. The wine had a very smooth mouthfeel with just the right amount of acidity.

Our next food and wine pairing was an Arugula, Pine Nut & Chevre Pizza matched with the Sherwood Estate Sauvignon Blanc, 2006. The pine nuts are a good source of zinc, for men. The chevre provides a sensual texture and aroma. The Sherwood Estate Sauvignon Blanc comes from the central region of the South Island. It had an asparagus bouquet with green and flowery aromas. A very nice pairing, with the citrus from the Sauv Blanc cutting through the creaminess of the chevre.

We then enjoyed a pairing of asparagus wrapped with smoked salmon & fresh basil, with the Miguel Torres Cabernet Sauvignon Rose 2006 and with the Cremaschi Furlotti Pinot Noir 2002. The asparagus of course visually is a phallic symbol. Basil is said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. The combination of the asparagus, basil and smoked salmon together were wonderful on their own, and only enhanced by the wine pairings. The Miguel Torres Cabernet Sauvignon Rose had a bouquet of cherries, which continued on the palate. The wine had some spiciness and a balance of acidity with sweetness. The Cremaschi Furlotti Pinot Noir had a wonderful bouquet of violets. It was light bodied with some acidity.

The next pairing was a cheese course, consisting of camembert, sbrinz and cacciocavallo, with the Morgenhof Chenin Blanc 2003 and the Zuccardi Tempranillo 2001. In European culture, cheese is said by some to resemble the scent of a woman. Italian culture views cheese as an aphrodisiac, much like chocolate. Camembert is a cow's milk cheese with a mushroomy flavour (mushrooms are an aphrodisiac as well). The Sbrinz is a Swiss cheese made from cow's milk. It has a nutty flavour. The Cacciocavallo is a semi soft cheese, similar to provelone. It is one of the oldest varieties of cheese in the world. The Morgenhof Chenin Blanc had a medium straw appearance. The bouquet was of oak and beeswax. Oak and spice followed on the palate. The Zuccardi Tempranillo still youthful has deep purple in colour. It was very aromatic with aromas of mocha and dark cherries. The flavour of cherries carried to the palate. It had medium tannins and length.

Our last pairing was for the sweet tooth. We had a variety of chocolates, some with nuts and chilie peppers. The chocolates were paired with the D'Arenberg Fortified Shiraz 2000. Chocolate contains both a sedative, which relaxes and lowers inhibitions, and a stimulant to increase activity and the desire for physical contact. Chilies get a person's blood rushing, heart pumping, face flushing and pores sweating, providing great phyiscal stimulation. Almonds are a symbol of fertility and the aroma is thought to induce passion in a female. The D'Arenberg Fortified Shiraz is non-vintage. It was deep purple in colour and had wonderful black cherry flavour, with sweetness and some warmth from the alcohol. A great pairing with the chocolate. The Zuccardi Tempranillo was also a nice match with the chocolates.

Tasting Selection
We forgot to vote on our favourite white and red wines this evening. I think our thoughts were elsewhere!

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