Monthly Archives: March 2013

Totally Random California ‘Peach’

21 Thursday Mar 2013

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Wine Club Notes:

A peach-like flavor shows up occasionally in certain varieties of white wine.

But Totally Random Peach takes no chances.  It’s a blend of various white varieties – some with peach flavors, some without – that is blended and infused with natural peach flavors.  You may also notice hints of citrus and tangerine, but this wine is all about…peach.

In case you didn’t know, the botanical name Prunus persica refers to Persia; the Persians introduced the fruit to the Western world, according to Wikipedia.  But peaches actually originated in Chine, where they’ve been cultivated since the early days of Chinese culture, circa 2000 B.C.  In the 10th century B.C., they were a favored fruit of kings and emperors.

Nothing can beat biting into a fresh, perfectly-ripened, juicy peach, but Totally Random Peach comes close.  For a delicious treat, try it with a peach chicken salad.  Or, for a totally decadent experience, serve Totally Random Peach with a peach cobbler.

Tasting Notes:

Grape Composition: Assorted Grape Varieties and Natural Peach Flavors

Grape Source: Select Vineyards in Various California Growing Regions

Aromas and Flavors: Tangerine, Citrus and (Of Course) Peach

Aging Vessels: Stainless Steel Tanks

When to Drink: Now through 2014

Food Pairing Suggestions: peach chicken salad, or a peach cobbler.

 

My Thoughts:

I decided to crack this one open in celebration of the first full day of Spring…despite the fact that we had snow showers earlier this afternoon.  I usually have low expectations for fruit wines.  Half the time they taste like Kool-Aid, which isn’t always bad, but sometimes you want something a little more out of a fruit wine.  This one has it.  Holy amazeballs.  This is as close as you can get to biting into a fresh peach without actually doing it.  Bonus points for not having peach juice run all down your chin in the process! It has the slightest bit of “spritz” making it almost taste like you’re drinking champagne with fresh peaches in it.  As long as I ignore how cold it actually is outside, this wine has turned my evening into a nice warm early summer evening.

Wait…peach chicken salad?  What is this peach chicken salad they speak of?  I must find a good recipe for this and test it out.  I will say that it did pair well with my pulled BBQ chicken and fresh steamed green beans.

On a scale of “this tastes like piss” to “oops, I just drank the whole bottle” I would give this a “I’m pretty sure there’s a hole in the bottle because it went awfully fast!”  Would I buy it again?  Oh honey, I’ve already made note of the re-order number.

Final Grade: A

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NV La Fiera Puglia, Italy Moscato

12 Tuesday Mar 2013

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Wine Club notes:

La Fiera translates to “the fair.”

So, what better image to include on the label of La Fiera wines than a carousel?  During Medieval times, riding fairs were all the rage in northern Italy.  Described as “equestrian ballets,” they took place in royal courts and featured lavishly decorated horses and highly skilled riders performing synchronized formations.

In more modern times, craftsmen replicated those decorated horses in wood sculptures, which were then attached to rotating platforms so children could “ride” them.  When the Botter family began producing wine in the early 20th century, they adopted the carousel as the focal point of their wine labels.

The fun of riding a carousel also is reflected in the wines themselves.  “Fun” is the perfect work to describe La Fiera’s Moscato, a sweet, nose-tickling wine that’s brimming with fruit flavors.  Try it with a summer salad or a peach tart, and toast your memories of childhood carousel rides.

Tasting Notes:

Grape Composition: 100% Moscato Bianco

Grape Source: Puglia Growing Area of Southeastern Italy

Aromas and Flavors:  Apricot and Peach, with a hint of Spritz

Aging Vessels: Stainless Steel Tanks

When to Drink: Now through 2014

Food Pairing Suggestions: a Summer Salad or a Peach Tart

My Thoughts:

Definitely a very light, crisp, fruity aroma.  I could detect hints of peach and possibly pear.  And the flavor explosion that came with the first sip was a pleasant surprise.  I was immediately greeted with the flavors of a ripe summer peach and perfectly ripened grapes straight off the vine.  I was instantly blasted back to summertime when I was about 5 or 6 years old. The grape flavor reminded me of how wonderful it would smell outside when my dad would run over the grape vines in the back yard with the lawn mower.  It might sound a little odd…but there are very few things I remember from my early childhood.  That is one of them.  It was the most amazing smell of fresh grapes.  I want Moscato grape jelly like right now…(I don’t even think that exists…but it needs to. *hint hint La Fiera!)  Then the wine finishes with the perfect amount of, to use their wording, “spritz.”  Just enough to give you that slight tingle reminiscent of a sparkling wine, but not overpowered with bubbles.

Now typically Moscatos are a little too sweet for my palate.  Let me rephrase that.  Usually I can drink a glass, maybe two at the most, before the sweetness gets to be too much.  This however, I could sip on all day.  It’s like drinking an early summer morning right out of a bottle.

On a scale of “this tastes like piss” to “oops, I just drank the whole bottle” I would give this a “It’s still winter?  It’s early June in my mouth right now.”  Would I buy it again?  I could definitely be ok with having a bottle or six of this on hand.  It’s like a quick escape from winter without even leaving the house.  Ok…now to find some CSI: Miami episodes to complete the experience.

Final Grade: A