Sunday, February 26, 2017

Wine Dinner (homemade) - 2/23

A group of friends and I decided to have our first Geography of Wine dinner on Thursday night, 2/23. There were seven of us, total: myself, my roommates, Abby and Sydney, and our friends, Bryan, Austin, Rebecca, and Patrick.

My roommate Sydney and I picked out the first wine: a 2015 white blend of Chenin Blanc and Viognier by Pine Ridge from California for $10.99. This wine by itself had a light body, and smelled like green apples. It seemed almost bubbly when we first poured it. It was slightly acidic, but still smooth. Patrick described the taste as that of "fresh linen."
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier
This freshness of the wine paired well with the freshness of our first course, which Sydney made: a spinach/mixed greens salad with black olives, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and "citrusy" Greek dressing. This acidity of the dressing balanced out the acidity of the wine, and the saltiness of the feta paired well with the slight sweetness. The wine did not seem bubbly when we drank it with the salad. This was my favorite pairing of the night.
Spinach/mixed greens salad with black olives, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and Greek dressing
Sydney and Rebecca enjoying the first course
Patrick brought the wine for our second course, which was a 2016 The Little Sheep of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand for $9.50.  It had a slight ammonia/cat urine smell to it. I thought it tasted grassy, had a slight taste of cat urine, and was acidic.
2016 Sauvignon Blanc
Our second course was Montreal chicken made by Abby (chicken cooked with a blend of spices - garlic, salt, onion, black pepper, and paprika), and red potatoes cooked in the oven with olive oil and Italian seasonings by Bryan.  The Vintage Cellar recommended Sauvignon Blanc for this course since the most prevalent flavor was the Montreal seasoning. With the food, the cat urine flavor was less prevalent, and it was smoother and less acidic. It definitely tasted better with the chicken, and seemed more acidic when we drank it with just the potatoes.  The pairing was good, but we all liked the first better.
Montreal chicken and red potatoes
Myself and Patrick taking notes on our phone about the pairing
I brought the wine for dessert: 2014 Chateau St. Jean Merlot from California for $10.50. I wasn't a big fan of this wine by itself. It smelled a little like cherries, and had a slightly tannic, oaky taste. Some other descriptors from the group were mountain river and wet leaves.
2014 Merlot
Rebecca made brownies to go with the Merlot, and the pairing worked pretty well together. The chocolate of the brownies paired well with the oakiness from the Merlot. It still tasted sort of "woody" but the brownies cut some of the tannic flavor.
Brownies and Merlot

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Tasting - Coastal Vines White Zinfandel Magnum

Name: Coastal Vines White Zinfandel Magnum
Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: USA
Vintage: Unstated
Price: $15, sale $5.95


The wine shop's review: Coastal Vines White Zinfandel is a light and fruity salmon-pink wine. Sweet, floral aromas of jasmine and roses burst into bright flavors of apricots, cantaloupe, and orange blossoms.

My review: This was had a honey smell, and was very sweet. It almost tasted like candy, like a pink starburst in a glass. I did not have it with food.

Tasting - Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Name: Cortenova Montepulciano d' Abruzzo
Variety; Montepulciano d' Abruzzo
Region: Abruzzo
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2013
Price $7.95


The wine shop's review: "Wild berry, chopped mint, sun baked earth and violet aromas meld together on this solid savory red. The juicy straightforward palate doles out ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, anise and cinnamon alongside chewy tannins."

My review: This wine tasted sweet, light, and a little floral. I did not have it with food.

Tasting - Rosemount Diamond Label Pinot Noir

Name: Rosemount Diamond Label Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Southeastern
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2014
Price: $15, sale $7.95


The winery's review: "On the nose fragrant red berry  fruits; red cherries; raspberries; supported by sweet earthy spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. The palate is bright and lively with flavors of cherry and raspberry are supported by a soft creamy texture, providing a long and elegant finish."

My review: This wine had a sweet, berry smell. It did not have an overwhelming taste, it was a little acidic, sweet, and light. I did not have it with food.

Tasting - Valminor Albarino

Name: Valminor Albarino
Variety: Albarino
Region: Rias Baixas
Country: Spain
Vintage: 2015
Price: $19, sale $9.95


The winery's review: From 92- Decanter: "Gloriously aromatic with jasmine and flint notes; very scented .Full and fleshy palate, a mineral follow - through and intense, harmonious finish. A very lovely Albarino that is so pure."

My review: This wine had a citrus smell to me, and it tasted dry and acidic. It was very smooth on the palate. I did not have it with food.

Tasting - Yellowtail Unoaked Chardonnay

Name: Yellowtail Unoaked Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: New Zealand and Australia
Country: New Zealand and Australia
Vintage: Unstated
Price: $7, sale $4.95


The wine shop's review: Wow, who would ever call Yellow Tail understated? But here it is. Nice but light aromas of orange, grapefruit, apple, earth, and flowers. Lemon, grapefruit, apples, and a little lime on the light palate. Good acidity, pleasant finish, and decent minerality.

My review: This wine was crisp, acidic, and a floral smell. It tasted fruity, and I thought I tasted a little pear. I did not try it with food.

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Tasting - Crane Lake Gewurtztraminer

Name: Crane Lake Gewurtztraminer
Variety: Gewurtztraminer
Region: California
Country: USA
Vintage: 2015
Price: $5.95
The wine shop's review: This floral wine has notes of rose, peach, and apricot, with a smooth, lingering finish. This wine pairs well with both smoked Gouda and Munster cheeses. Also try it along with roast pork, turkey, red snapper or sautéed abalone.

My review: This was a sweet wine, it had a honey like smell. I tasted tropical type fruit flavors. I did not try it with food.

Tasting - El Ganador Malbec

Name: El Ganador Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Vintage: 2015
Price: $12, sale $7.95
The wine shop's review: 87 – Beverage Testing Institute
Garnet color. Aromas of black cherry, plum jam, rich dark soil, and violet honey with a lightly tannic, lively, dry medium-to-full body and a tingling, complex, medium-long black cherry, rich garden soil, crushed plum, and cinnamon toast finish with medium tannins and moderate oak. Dense, dark and chewy with earthy complexity, balancing the luscious jammy fruit qualities of new world with earthy qualities of old world wines

My review: This was a heavier red wine. It was a little acidic, tannic, and had a woody finish.

Tasting - Grand Cru Pinot Noir

Name: Grand Cru Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Variety: 2014
Price: $5.95
The wine shop's review: This ruby-colored wine has aromas of raspberry, cherry and a hint of vanilla. Flavors of cherry and plum lead to a soft velvety finish. This wine can be enjoyed by itself. It is also an excellent accompaniment with appetizers and main courses. This wine goes well with Brie, goat cheese and smoked salmon, lamb shanks and pork tenderloin.

My review: This was a lighter red wine with a little less body than the heavier red wines. It had a floral smell, and was slightly tannic. 

Tasting - Douglas Hill Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Douglas Hill Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California
Country: USA
Vintage: 2014
Price: $4.95
The wine shop's review: This light, crisp Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of grapefruit, bell pepper, and asparagus. On the palate, hints of floral and honey are revealed to yield a well-balanced, refreshing wine.

My review: This wine was light, smooth, and had less "bite" than the first. I tasted what I thought was a hint of apple. I did not try it with food.

Tasting - Prime Brume Soava Garganega

Name: Prime Brume Soava Garganega
Variety: Garganega
Region: Soava
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2015
Price: $10, sale $6.95

The wine shop's review: 91 - Beverage Testing Institute (August 31st 2016)
"Brilliant emerald straw color. Aromas and flavors of brazil nuts, creme fraiche, and kiwi and starfruit with a silky, lively, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and an effortless, engaging, medium-length watermelon, yellow apple, and clementine finish. A delicious, artfully balanced soave with a great range of fruit flavors."
My review: This wine was light and crisp. It had a fruity smell, and tasted a little acidic. I did not try it with food.