Tag Archives: wine

Roscato – Rosso Dolce

24 Wednesday Dec 2014

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It’s Christmas Eve and I’m at my mom’s house.  Within 10 minutes of my arrival, I am handing her two cans of Underwood Pinot Noir.  Yes, I said cans.  I haven’t tried it yet, but on novelty alone I decided it was worth the purchase.  A short while later, she reaches into the fridge and pulls out an open bottle and proclaims, “I don’t like this, it’s weird.  It’s a little too sweet and it’s a little bubbly.  Try it!”  That’s the wine equivalent of saying to someone, “This smells awful!  Here!  Smell it!”  Game on.

From the bottle: Northern Italy provides a spectacular backdrop for Roscato, a violet-hued red with aromatic notes of cherry, blackberry and red raspberry.  A touch of sweetness and bright acidity underlies the appeal of this charming wine.  The traditional winemaking style for this fruit-forward red complements regional “heart and soul” cuisine such as bruschetta, calamari, pasta in red and cream sauces, breaded cutlets and spicier fair.  Enjoy chilled.

My thoughts:  Definitely an aromatic violet-hued red.  My initial sip just brought on confusion.  There’s way too much going on here.  There are a multitude of fruit flavors battling each other and then being drowned out by the bit of fizz happening.  It finishes much sweeter than I anticipate.  Not sickeningly sweet, but like a berry Moscato.  So a little too sweet for my personal preference.  I try another sip to try to figure out the fruit flavors that are coming through.  I get as far as, “Cherry and….  Cherry….and….?  Cherry…………and?  Blackberry?  Black raspberry?  Black cherry?  No, not black cherry.  Cherry and…..something.”

While contemplating (aka – finishing the first glass) I decide to make myself dinner.  Flatbread pizza with minced garlic, basil, fresh mozzarella and fresh Roma tomatoes and then sprinkled with crushed red pepper.  I pour myself a second glass just before I pull this out of the oven.  These two paired together actually worked.  The wine was still too sweet, but I understood what they were going with here when they listed off suggested food pairings.  The garlic and spice helped bring out more of the fruit flavor of the wine.

On a scale of “this tastes like piss” to “oops, I just drank the whole bottle” I would give this a “I’m drinking it because it’s here and it’s already open and I don’t completely hate it.” Would I buy it again?  No, definitely no.

Final Grade: C+  It has potential, but fell short for me.  If you’re into sweeter reds, go for it.  I’m not sure if the fizz is supposed to be happening either.

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2011 Bodega Elena de Mendoza Malbec

19 Wednesday Feb 2014

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From the bottle:

Bodega Elena de Mendoza is named after our family matriarch, Elena Napoli, whose parents emigrated from Italy to the heart of Argentina’s wine country in the nineteenth century.  Our bold, beautiful wines take full advantage of the altitude, eternally sunny skies, and mountain water unique to our home at the foot of the Andes.  This Malbec is full of the dark, intense, flavors and pairs perfectly with grilled steak.

My thoughts:

This poured heavily into the glass in a deep, dark red color and immediately greeted me with full fruity scents with an aroma that often accompanies wines with a high alcohol content.  This one is average at 13.5%.  I was expecting a very heavy tasting wine, but was pleasantly surprised by the relatively light, smooth drinkability that I love about a good Malbec.  This might not make sense but it was sweet at first and finished a bit dryer.

Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the exceptional company, but this particular Malbec is like a hug from the inside.  Smooth, subtle and gently warming.  A dear friend of mine and I gather most Wednesday evenings lately and crack open a bottle of wine and talk about life.  It doesn’t hurt that she also enjoys good wine and knows her stuff.  She described it as sweet, drinkable and only slightly dry.  I’d say that’s a pretty accurate description.

If you’re into the red meat thing, I’m sure this would pair well with a good steak.  I thought it worked out well with the asian sesame chicken and roasted asparagus that I made.

On a scale of “this tastes like piss” to “oops, I just drank the whole bottle” I would give this a “I’m glad I held onto this bottle and shared it with someone that would appreciate it.  It holds up well with solid conversation.” Would I buy it again?  I actually received this bottle as a gift, but plan on adding it to my would pick up again list.

Final Grade: A-  But with the right company, I’d give this a solid A.

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

2009 Accord Santa Maria Chardonnay

30 Sunday Dec 2012

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Notes provided by http://www.nakedwines.com:

  • Christina [Pallman] has made Chardonnay all around the world and even in Burgundy at the feet of the masters! She understands what this grape is really all about.
  • Grown in Santa Maria Valley which is known for its cooool nights, dry climate and exceptionally long growing season so it’s perfect for making this kind of wine with intensity and elegance.

My notes:

First I would like to say do not, and I really mean DO NOT, drink this wine at room temperature or even chilled to 63 degrees.  I almost had to spit it out.  For the love of your taste palate be sure to serve this wine WELL chilled.

Chilling mistakes aside now…  This wine has a very light, fruity and almost floral aroma to it.  Scents of citrus are detected after a solid second sniff.  The first thing I noticed when I tasted this wine was the way it felt on my tongue.  It was very acidic and caused a slight tingle.  I could definitely taste something citrusy with an apple blossomy after taste.  It’s not as oaky as I am used to with a fuller bodied chardonnay.

This did better with some garlic breadsticks.  This would probably be good with pasta tossed in a light garlic and olive oil sauce.  Actually, I will probably use the rest of this wine in a white wine garlic sauce and toss it with angel hair pasta.  Otherwise, it’s a little too acidic for my liking as far as a wine to drink.

On a scale of “this tastes like piss” to “oops, I just drank the whole bottle”  I would give this a “I struggled through the first glass and forced myself to drink a second in order to give a fair appraisal.”  Would I buy it again on purpose?  No.  Would I use it to cook with?  Sure.  I think it has potential as a cooking wine.  I probably wouldn’t go out and buy it just for this purpose though.

Final Grade:  C

2010 Argentine Revolution Malbec

22 Saturday Dec 2012

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Information provided by Revolution Wine Company:

Argentina is in the midst of a Revolution.  The same restless spirit which is the soul of the Argentine people has ignited a revolution in winemaking.  This revolution has hundreds of young winemakers bringing out the natural beauty the vineyards of Argentina have to offer.  Best reflected in it’s signature wines; Malbec and Torrontes.  These wine express both power and elegance, soulful yet unique.  A reflection of Argentina itself.  It is our passion to spread this spirit of rebellion and originality .  Viva la Revolucion!

Here are my notes:

First, I’d like to dedicate this entry to my new wine friend Lynn.  I was having dinner last night and happened to comment on the bottle of wine she was drinking stating that I’ve never  had a Malbec I really liked.  Her reply?  “Bartender!  Get us another bottle!  I promise you’ll like this one.”  The bartender, which calling him that is very generous, brings us another bottle…that’s it.  Doesn’t open it, doesn’t get us another glass.  Well nothing is going to stand between myself and a bottle of wine!  Being all of five feet tall, I ran around the corner of the bar, stealthily grabbed myself a proper wine glass and was back at my barstool having a glass poured for me before the bartender could even think about blinking.

Hesitantly, I took a giant sniff deep in my glass.  A very pleasant, fruity, berry filled aroma surprised me a bit.  The first sip, well, glass, was very easy to drink.  I could definitely pick up a solid black cherry taste with hints of blackberry and raspberry.  It held a very smooth aftertaste that didn’t have an abrupt end.  It lingered just long enough to make you want just a little more.

I hate to admit I was wrong, but dammit, this Argentine Revolution Malbec is good.  Damn good.  This is going to earn itself it’s own slot in my wine rack.  It paired wonderfully with good people and good conversation, but would be phenomenal with a big hunk of dark chocolate.

On a scale of “this tastes like piss” to “oops, I just drank the whole bottle”  I would give this a “Well we made short work of that bottle!”  Would I buy it again on purpose?  Absolutely.  Would I buy it out at a restaurant knowing the ridiculous markup they put on wine?  Damn right I would.

Final Grade:  A

*Mom – you wanted a good red to try.  This one.

2010 William Henry Sauvignon Blanc

14 Friday Dec 2012

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This wine came from Naked Wines wine club.  Here are the notes provided:

William Henry Sauvignon Blanc 2010 
by William HenryFlag of USAUSASauvignon Blanc 13.90% Alc

William Henry Sauvignon Blanc 2010

 
 
  • Considering Mendocino County’s more notorious crop, it’s no surprise that this Sauv Blanc is more than a bit grassy.
  • But jokes aside, even though Mendocino is creating fantastic wines at low prices, it hasn’t been recognized like neighboring Russian River and Anderson Valley. As a reward for being ahead of the curve, you save a lot of money.
  • So if you want a California Sauvignon with a hint of New Zealand grassiness, William Henry is your man.

Here are my notes:

This wine lacks aroma, so it was a bit hard to figure out what to expect.  It is extremely light in flavor.  Perfect for wine beginners because there is nothing overpowering anywhere at all with this wine.  Very subtle fruity/grassy flavors with a feeling that this was aged in possibly stainless steel tanks.  When served cold the flavors are very muted, but give a crisp, clean flavor that would pair well with any chicken, turkey, fish, or pasta dish.  When served at about room temperature or very slightly chilled the flavors become more robust and noticeable.  This would definitely be a good summer, backyard barbecue kind of wine.  I feel like barbecue sauce could really enhance the light fruity flavors and bring out more depth.  This might be a totally weird comparison, but if morning dew on the grass had a flavor it could very well taste like this wine.  Ideally, this wine is best paired with a sharp cheese.  Excellent with an aged sharp cheddar or a harder parmigiano reggiano.

On a scale of “this tastes like piss” to “oops, I just drank the whole bottle”  I would give this a “Oh darn, looks like I just might drink the whole bottle tonight.”  Would I buy it again on purpose?  Maybe.  Am I drinking the rest of the bottle as an excuse to eat good cheese/eating good cheese as an excuse to drink the rest of the bottle?  Absolutely.

Final Grade:  B/B+

Storage and Organization

09 Sunday Dec 2012

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So with joining these wine clubs and having a lack of storage space I had run into a dilemma.  Where the hell do I store all of this wine?  I’ve also had a stack of cinderblocks inhabiting my living room that were left over from a gardening project I finished over the summer.  Both of these issues were driving me nuts.  Then it hit me.  Cinderblock wine rack!  Both of my problems solved each other!  Behold…

winerack

I was pretty proud of myself for this one.

 

 

 

 

 

2011 El Guardian Valle Central, Merlot-Carmenere

07 Friday Dec 2012

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I’d like to start off that this is a 93% Merlot 7% Carmenere blend.

These are the notes and history provided by the wine club:

In Chile, it is known as Valle Central.  It is a vast stretch of land, spanning almost 250 miles from the Maipo Valley, just south of Santiago, to the southern end of the Maule Valley.  It has been home to vineyards for generations, and over the past two decades, it has become the wine growing capital of the country.

In terms of volume of wine produced, Valle Central is one of the largest growing regions in all of South America.  And because of its size, it’s home to numerous microclimates that accommodate the growing of many different varieties  – including what has become Chile’s signature red variety, Carmenere.

In decades past, Carmenere vines often were intermingled with Merlot plantings, and the farmers would simply create “field blends.”  Today, a much more scientific approach is taken both in the vineyards and the Valle Central cellars, resulting in sublime, beautifully balanced wines like the 2011 El Guardian Merlot-Carmenere.

Tasting Notes:

Grape Composition: Merlot and Carmenere

Grape Source: Central Valley Growing Region of Chile

Aromas and Flavors: Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Tobacco, Plum, Pepper and a Hint of Vanilla

Aging Vessels:  Assorted Oak Barrels

When to Drink: Now through 2014

Tasting Panel Score: 90 Points

Food Pairing Suggestions:  Pork loin, or pasta with a rich meat sauce.

My first impression?  Meh.  When you first take a good sniff of the wine you pick up subtle hints of oak and berries.  Then the aromas just stop abruptly.  That first sip feels much lighter than a typical red.  It starts off heavy on the blackberries, then fades into an oaky/peppery/old pipe tobacco taste.  It’s different.  I can’t honestly say I hate it.  I can’t honestly say I like it either.  I’m well into my second glass now.  Not because I’ve decided I like it, but because I can’t quite figure out what it is about it that makes me want to try just one more sip to try to figure it out.

Suggested food pairings included pork loin, pasta with meat sauce and roasted red meats.  You won’t catch me eating any of those.  You won’t catch me coming anywhere near those.  It paired decently with popcorn.  It wasn’t terrible with peanut butter cookies.  I think I may enjoy this more if for one, I enjoyed meat, and secondly, if I thoroughly enjoyed red wines.  I’m very picky with my reds.  I love a good Cabernet or Pinot Noir, and I can appreciate a good Merlot.

On a scale of “this tastes like piss” to “oops, I just drank the whole bottle”  I would give this a “I’m only working through my second glass because I can’t quite figure it out.”  Would I buy it again on purpose?  No.  Would I drink it if I was at a dinner party and it was being served?  More than likely, unless a good Riesling or Chardonnay was being passed around.

Final Grade:  C/C+

2011 Old School Lane Cellars California Sauvignon Blanc

04 Tuesday Dec 2012

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First, a quick history lesson, compliments of Old School Lane Cellars.

The first vine cuttings of Sauvignon Blanc were brought to California during the 1880s by Charles Wetmore, founder of Cresta Blanca Winery.  Some of those cuttings came from France’s legendary Chateau Y’Quem, where the variety was used to make a world-famous dessert wine known as Sauternes.

Most California wineries embraced that sweet style during Sauvignon Blanc’s early years in the state.  Before long, the variety was among the favorites of all American wines.  It wasn’t until well into the 20th century that significant numbers of vintners began making California Sauvignon Blanc in a dry style.

That proved to be a wonderful decision, as the variety’s popularity skyrocketed during the last decades of the century.  As Wine Spectator put it, “The wines just keep getting better and better.”

Tasting Notes (provided by the wine club):

Grape Composition:  Sauvignon Blanc and Other White Varieties

Grape Source:  Select Vineyards in Various California Growing Regions (Only mildly vague…)

Aromas and Flavors:  Tropical Fruit, Citrus, Hay and a Hint of Minerals

Aging Vessels:  Stainless Steel Tanks

When to Drink:  Now Through 2014

Tasting Panel Score:  89 Points

“This refreshing wine offers impressions of tropical fruit, citrus, hay and minerals.           Food pairing suggestions:  garlic shrimp or artichoke dip

Alright, if I was at the store and read “hay and minerals” as aromas and flavors in this wine I would have had to pass.  I mean, I’m not trying to drink the essence of barnyard and cheap bottled water.  The aroma definitely has an almost woodsy tone to it and definitely hints of citrus.  Initially it is sweet but not overbearingly sweet.  It finishes off dryer, crisp and clean.  I was definitely able to detect that steel tanks were used in the aging process.  Not necessarily a bad thing.  It adds to the mineraly (I know, it’s not a word, work with me here) and clean taste.

On a scale of “this tastes like piss” to “oops, I just drank the whole bottle”  I would give this an “I think I need a second glass, just to make sure I like it.  Ok maybe a third…”  I would personally suggest pairing it with some good garlicky chinese food like garlic chicken, or some pizza rolls.

Final Grade:  B+

Intro

04 Tuesday Dec 2012

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Greetings!  I recently joined a wine club and had also purchased a Groupon for a case of wine.  Little did I know they would arrive on the same day.  Did I mention I get everything delivered to work?  So I’m sitting at my desk surrounded by a case and a half of wine looking like a complete alcoholic.  So I figured if I’m going to be getting boat loads of booze delivered to my desk every month I may as well give it some academic merit.  Yes, I’m justifying my wine consumption by turning it into education and research.  Humor me.

My newest blogging adventure will bring to you descriptions, tasting notes and my personal opinions/grades/suggestions/etc on selected wines.  Enjoy!