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Made Of WIN(E)
Jan. 28th, 2011 05:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
devilc
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Reminds me of how the journals Pain and Blood are shelved next to each other where I work.
devilcsee more funny videos
Reminds me of how the journals Pain and Blood are shelved next to each other where I work.
devilcThis isn't going to be my usual write up wherein I type up my notes. This is a bottle of wine I pulled off the wine rack and poured because when my dinner guest arrived she'd had a horrible no good very bad day and forgotten to bring the bottle of wine she said she was bringing.
Fortunately, the rustic potato and vegetable casserole I made pairs with both whites and reds, and since I didn't have any whites in the fridge, I hunted through the rack for something I knew would be an easy drinking red and found this bottle from the La Mejanelle region of the Coteaux Du Languedoc.
This is a bottle of wine I picked up at my local Fresh and Easy. It's 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 20% Mourvedre. Most of the French wine I've seen (and drunk) is Vin de Pays, so I was pleasantly surprised to see an Appellation on the bottle. (Which is what made feel confident that this was something I could serve to a guest.) But then again, the wines of southern France are so much less famous than Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Loire, that there are some real bargains to be found.
The color is a nice garnet.
The nose has a definite smoky cherry and raspberries.
The taste is cherries up front, but it's not a fruit bomb. The tart raspberries come in on the mid palate. The finish is nice and clean with some vanilla and a little spice. The mouthfeel is nice and silky. There are tannins but they don't overwhelm.
It tastes good and drinks easy. We finished this bottle and would've happily drunk another.
And at $8-10 it's a solid deal; I was shocked when I found out how inexpensive this wine is. It tastes like something in the $15 dollar range, which is what I thought I must have paid for it when I pulled it from the rack, based on the way it tastes and the fact that's it's an AOC wine, because at the $10 price point, you typically get a Vin De Pays.
Fortunately, the rustic potato and vegetable casserole I made pairs with both whites and reds, and since I didn't have any whites in the fridge, I hunted through the rack for something I knew would be an easy drinking red and found this bottle from the La Mejanelle region of the Coteaux Du Languedoc.
This is a bottle of wine I picked up at my local Fresh and Easy. It's 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 20% Mourvedre. Most of the French wine I've seen (and drunk) is Vin de Pays, so I was pleasantly surprised to see an Appellation on the bottle. (Which is what made feel confident that this was something I could serve to a guest.) But then again, the wines of southern France are so much less famous than Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Loire, that there are some real bargains to be found.
The color is a nice garnet.
The nose has a definite smoky cherry and raspberries.
The taste is cherries up front, but it's not a fruit bomb. The tart raspberries come in on the mid palate. The finish is nice and clean with some vanilla and a little spice. The mouthfeel is nice and silky. There are tannins but they don't overwhelm.
It tastes good and drinks easy. We finished this bottle and would've happily drunk another.
And at $8-10 it's a solid deal; I was shocked when I found out how inexpensive this wine is. It tastes like something in the $15 dollar range, which is what I thought I must have paid for it when I pulled it from the rack, based on the way it tastes and the fact that's it's an AOC wine, because at the $10 price point, you typically get a Vin De Pays.
Falesco Vitiano Umbria 2001
Jan. 4th, 2011 07:31 pmdevilcThis is a bottle of red wine from the Umbria region of Italy given to me by a friend. It's got an IGT classification which means it's a Super Tuscan.
It was given to me as a gift by a friend about a year ago, and I re-discovered it today and decided I'd best drink it before it got too old.
I saw no grape varietals listed, but based on what I can see for other years of this brand, it's probably 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1/3 Merlot, and 1/3 Sangiovese.
Color: Very deep garnet red, going brickish at the edges.
Nose: Sharp and faintly musty (but not corked!), smoky, tarry.
First Impression: Either this wine is past its prime or it's going to need a long breathing. Sharp tasting cedar smoke and tar. A hint of cherry.
Breathing Room: Past its prime, but still a pleasant enough drink if paired with hearty, garlicy Italian food. Body is medium (surprising for such a dark wine), and the mouthfeel is silky and smooth, but it still hits you with very sharp smoke and cedar up front, becoming cherry-coughsyrup in the middle, and then turning to tarry plums and mushrooms with a little licorice at the back.
I'm kicking myself for not having drunk it sooner. It probably would've been a bit fruiter and less biting.
It was given to me as a gift by a friend about a year ago, and I re-discovered it today and decided I'd best drink it before it got too old.
I saw no grape varietals listed, but based on what I can see for other years of this brand, it's probably 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1/3 Merlot, and 1/3 Sangiovese.
Color: Very deep garnet red, going brickish at the edges.
Nose: Sharp and faintly musty (but not corked!), smoky, tarry.
First Impression: Either this wine is past its prime or it's going to need a long breathing. Sharp tasting cedar smoke and tar. A hint of cherry.
Breathing Room: Past its prime, but still a pleasant enough drink if paired with hearty, garlicy Italian food. Body is medium (surprising for such a dark wine), and the mouthfeel is silky and smooth, but it still hits you with very sharp smoke and cedar up front, becoming cherry-coughsyrup in the middle, and then turning to tarry plums and mushrooms with a little licorice at the back.
I'm kicking myself for not having drunk it sooner. It probably would've been a bit fruiter and less biting.
Hermes Naoussa 2006 Sour Red Wine
Dec. 16th, 2010 07:05 amdevilcI love to try out wines made with the less famous grapes. This is a red wine from the Naoussa region of Greece made from the Xinomavro grape. After I removed the covering over the cork, I discovered a paper tape seal over the cork, reminiscent of the US government seals that I remember being over the tops of hard liquor bottles in my childhood. It might just be standard packaging for wine made in Greece, or it might indicate that the wine was guaranteed from the Naoussa Appellation, and thus an OPE or OPAP. (The label on the bottle says "Appellation: Naoussa", and "high quality" but gives no other details.)
Color: Light bright red, almost the color of a Pinot Noir.
Nose: Sharp -- you can smell right away that this is a tart wine, but there are definitely cherries and strawberries in there.
First Impression: This is the lightest bodied red wine I've ever had. The first impression is of tartness and then, as it hits the back of the mouth, a delicate taste of tomatoes hits the palate. The finish is short. It's a little rough around the edges.
Breathing room: The nose wakes up and becomes more fruity, but after that first tart bite (pleasant), the middle is full of green notes, like bell pepper, parsley, and a really green leaf of romaine lettuce before the tomato tastes come in. The finish is short, but there's a subtle taste of cherry. The rough edges are gone. The wine is as light as silk gauze.
Verdict: I was very sad I didn't have some falafel or gyros to eat with this wine. As it was, it paired very nicely with the Andouille sausage I had -- the pairing made the wine have a smoky cherry note up front, and those soft green and tomato flavors really complimented it, too.
I think this wine would pair well with most Mediterranean faire as long as it's not too heavy. My husband ate it with his pasta marinara and said it went well.
Color: Light bright red, almost the color of a Pinot Noir.
Nose: Sharp -- you can smell right away that this is a tart wine, but there are definitely cherries and strawberries in there.
First Impression: This is the lightest bodied red wine I've ever had. The first impression is of tartness and then, as it hits the back of the mouth, a delicate taste of tomatoes hits the palate. The finish is short. It's a little rough around the edges.
Breathing room: The nose wakes up and becomes more fruity, but after that first tart bite (pleasant), the middle is full of green notes, like bell pepper, parsley, and a really green leaf of romaine lettuce before the tomato tastes come in. The finish is short, but there's a subtle taste of cherry. The rough edges are gone. The wine is as light as silk gauze.
Verdict: I was very sad I didn't have some falafel or gyros to eat with this wine. As it was, it paired very nicely with the Andouille sausage I had -- the pairing made the wine have a smoky cherry note up front, and those soft green and tomato flavors really complimented it, too.
I think this wine would pair well with most Mediterranean faire as long as it's not too heavy. My husband ate it with his pasta marinara and said it went well.
Mercotti's Milieu, Pinot Noir
Oct. 18th, 2010 07:08 pmdevilcThis is a bottle of Pinot Noir given me by my friend Killa.
Mercotti's Milieu, 2006 Pinot Noir, Durant Vineyard Dundee Hills, Oregon
Color: This is the palest Pinot I've ever encountered. A light, bright red Any lighter and it would've been a very dark Rose. ;)
Sniff Test: The initial sniff was a little angry, but I caught a wiff of cherry. When this wine breathes, the nose becomes very lovely, nuanced cherries and subtle spice.
First Impression: Tart cherries up front, smooth in the mouth, a nice bright green middle, short finish. This is also the lightest bodied Pinot Noir I've ever had.
Breathing Room: This is a very delicate, subtle wine, and it's crying out for tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. Upfront there are delicate cherry and cranberry notes, the mouthfeel is silky smooth. The finish is cherries, but not smoky cherries.
It went well with the chicken I had for dinner and the square of chocolate I had for dessert.
Mercotti's Milieu, 2006 Pinot Noir, Durant Vineyard Dundee Hills, Oregon
Color: This is the palest Pinot I've ever encountered. A light, bright red Any lighter and it would've been a very dark Rose. ;)
Sniff Test: The initial sniff was a little angry, but I caught a wiff of cherry. When this wine breathes, the nose becomes very lovely, nuanced cherries and subtle spice.
First Impression: Tart cherries up front, smooth in the mouth, a nice bright green middle, short finish. This is also the lightest bodied Pinot Noir I've ever had.
Breathing Room: This is a very delicate, subtle wine, and it's crying out for tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. Upfront there are delicate cherry and cranberry notes, the mouthfeel is silky smooth. The finish is cherries, but not smoky cherries.
It went well with the chicken I had for dinner and the square of chocolate I had for dessert.
A pair of 2009 Mosel rieslings
Oct. 13th, 2010 05:41 pmsidI had friends over last week for a "Shrimp Cocktail Hour" (patent pending), and served two different rieslings in the hopes that one of them would prove appealing to a man who seldom drinks wine and a woman who almost exclusively drinks red wine. I had their favorite booze on stand-by in the kitchen in case both wines failed to please, but they found the one they preferred and stuck with it until the bottle was empty.
The wine they liked best was Relax, which I had had before and enjoyed. 'Slightly dry with a wonderful fruity bouquet and intense flavors of apples and peaches with just a hint of citrus... refreshingly crisp and leaves your mouth watering.'
The second choice was Blüfeld, medium-sweet with 'citrus, peach and floral aromas, a juicy mid-palate and a crisp refreshing finish.' I actually thought this wine, which was a bit less sweet and danced a little on the tongue as though very slightly carbonated, went better with the shrimp cocktails. Looking back, the difference in preference might come down to the fact that my friends were stirring extra horseradish into their cocktail sauce, and the sweeter wine may have offset that additional "bite" better.
Both wines were in the US$10 range and I would definitely buy either one again when I need something crisp and refreshing.
*recycles empties*
The wine they liked best was Relax, which I had had before and enjoyed. 'Slightly dry with a wonderful fruity bouquet and intense flavors of apples and peaches with just a hint of citrus... refreshingly crisp and leaves your mouth watering.'
The second choice was Blüfeld, medium-sweet with 'citrus, peach and floral aromas, a juicy mid-palate and a crisp refreshing finish.' I actually thought this wine, which was a bit less sweet and danced a little on the tongue as though very slightly carbonated, went better with the shrimp cocktails. Looking back, the difference in preference might come down to the fact that my friends were stirring extra horseradish into their cocktail sauce, and the sweeter wine may have offset that additional "bite" better.
Both wines were in the US$10 range and I would definitely buy either one again when I need something crisp and refreshing.
*recycles empties*
Opera Prima Merlot, 2008
Oct. 2nd, 2010 10:02 pmdevilcMy friends Kyle and Man bought me this bottle as a gift 2 years ago. I decided to let it age a little, and since I was in the mood for a Merlot recently, I uncorked it.
It's a Spanish Merlot from the La Mancha DO.
Color: This wine is dark like a Zin. Deep purple red. Any darker and I'd think there was some Petite Sirah in there.
Sniff Test: Earthy and "bricky" with a razzleberry undernote. This is a substantial Merlot. (The nose reminded me of South Coast Winery's 2003 Wild Horse Peak Merlot.)
First Impression: This is not a fruit forward wine, but neither is it closed and "subtle" to the point of blandness. Up front it's blackberries and raspberries, but eaten on a day where there's a eucalyptus tree burning somewhere in the neighborhood and it's set a rosemary bush on fire, too. The middle's a little blank, but the tannins start to come in, the mouth feel is lush and velvety, and the finish is tart without being sour.
Breathing Room: The front is still the softly smoky dark berries, the middle has that green note, but not bright, muted and soft, and the tannins are even softer and more velvety. Dark chocolate notes come in towards the end. The finish is long and cherry vanilla, and some dried rose petal aromas sneak into your nose from the back. A veil of spicy herbal smoke overlays it all. There is quite a bit going on in this wine.
This wine reminded me a lot of the 2003 Wild Horse Peak Merlot mentioned above. That was a very intense, very lush, powerful and nuanced wine, wonderful in every way. This wine isn't quite that calibre, but a lot of the same taste and "design" elements are there. It's "Wild Pony Hill", if you will. ;)
Verdict: Drink it while unwinding with a good book, pair it with roast chicken or red meat, or let the bottle sit for a few more years, because I think it's got potential for at least 5-7 years in the bottle.
It's a Spanish Merlot from the La Mancha DO.
Color: This wine is dark like a Zin. Deep purple red. Any darker and I'd think there was some Petite Sirah in there.
Sniff Test: Earthy and "bricky" with a razzleberry undernote. This is a substantial Merlot. (The nose reminded me of South Coast Winery's 2003 Wild Horse Peak Merlot.)
First Impression: This is not a fruit forward wine, but neither is it closed and "subtle" to the point of blandness. Up front it's blackberries and raspberries, but eaten on a day where there's a eucalyptus tree burning somewhere in the neighborhood and it's set a rosemary bush on fire, too. The middle's a little blank, but the tannins start to come in, the mouth feel is lush and velvety, and the finish is tart without being sour.
Breathing Room: The front is still the softly smoky dark berries, the middle has that green note, but not bright, muted and soft, and the tannins are even softer and more velvety. Dark chocolate notes come in towards the end. The finish is long and cherry vanilla, and some dried rose petal aromas sneak into your nose from the back. A veil of spicy herbal smoke overlays it all. There is quite a bit going on in this wine.
This wine reminded me a lot of the 2003 Wild Horse Peak Merlot mentioned above. That was a very intense, very lush, powerful and nuanced wine, wonderful in every way. This wine isn't quite that calibre, but a lot of the same taste and "design" elements are there. It's "Wild Pony Hill", if you will. ;)
Verdict: Drink it while unwinding with a good book, pair it with roast chicken or red meat, or let the bottle sit for a few more years, because I think it's got potential for at least 5-7 years in the bottle.
Corbett Canyon Charddonay
Sep. 14th, 2010 08:12 pmdevilcIt's summertime, and Ralph prefers whites to reds. We drank several bottles of $7 to $10 Chardonnay (sorry, I was too busy to write about them, most were "meh"), this $10 3L box of Corbett Canyon outstrips them all.
Nose: Classic chard nose. Some apples, a citrusy note. It smells pleasantly tart and crisp.
Color: Nice middle of the road gold.
Taste: Tart apples and citrus up front, the tannins come in on the middle, as does a hint of a green olive taste, and the finish is short and crisp. It's a lightly oaked wine -- just enough to keep it from being really fruity, but not enough to make it have a toasty vanilla finish.
Body is medium.
It's not an interesting or nuanced wine, but it has no major faults. It goes down easy and is great with light fare.
Verdict: If you're going to buy an inexpensive chard for a casual table wine, it might as well be this. It's not going to wow you, but you won't feel disappointed, either.
Nose: Classic chard nose. Some apples, a citrusy note. It smells pleasantly tart and crisp.
Color: Nice middle of the road gold.
Taste: Tart apples and citrus up front, the tannins come in on the middle, as does a hint of a green olive taste, and the finish is short and crisp. It's a lightly oaked wine -- just enough to keep it from being really fruity, but not enough to make it have a toasty vanilla finish.
Body is medium.
It's not an interesting or nuanced wine, but it has no major faults. It goes down easy and is great with light fare.
Verdict: If you're going to buy an inexpensive chard for a casual table wine, it might as well be this. It's not going to wow you, but you won't feel disappointed, either.
2009 Domaine du Clos du Bourg, Loire (FRA)
Aug. 6th, 2010 12:30 ammonanotlisaLeute, falls Ihr Lust auf einen leichten, frischen Sommerwein hat - äh, vielleicht kommt der ja wieder? - dieser französische 2009er Sauvignon Blanc (Wirtschaftswoche, rechte Spalte) ist preiswert bei Jacques' zu haben. (Ich bekomme keine Provision; ich trinke ihn nur gerade... :)
For English-speaking peeps: I'm drinking and quite recommending this wine; I just think the price won't be too attractive.
For English-speaking peeps: I'm drinking and quite recommending this wine; I just think the price won't be too attractive.
monanotlisaOkay, I thought, I'm simply imagining the very particular fruit flavours of this wine - but I didn't! Turns out other folks totally agree that oh yeah, Stefan Winter's Riesling tastes like peach & passionfruit(others mentioned citrus, of course; also apple and apricot). Amazing.
Who'd have thought this particular summer would make me a white wine lover? (For those of you inclined to try: the 2009 vintage of this one has the same taste and can be obtained for under EUR 7 hereabouts. Think global, drink local! ;)
[Hi guys!devilc pointed me here. :)]
Who'd have thought this particular summer would make me a white wine lover? (For those of you inclined to try: the 2009 vintage of this one has the same taste and can be obtained for under EUR 7 hereabouts. Think global, drink local! ;)
[Hi guys!
devilc pointed me here. :)]Le Campuget 2008 Syrah Viognier
Jun. 26th, 2010 08:10 amgattagrigiaOn Thursday we finally hit the Wine Outlet, a local store that tends to get odd cases of interesting wines, many of which are relatively inexpensive. Like this one, a French (Vin de pays du Gard) blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Viognier - not two grapes I would ever think to combine. The wine seller compared it to a robust rose. It certainly makes an odd wine - not quite a rose in lightness, but not quite a syrah in redness. Enjoyable, but odd. I love syrah and viognier, which is usually a complex and fruity white. Characteristic elements of both were there, almost like they didn't quite blend into something new, but each stayed separate but complimentary? I don't know what I'd pair the wine with, because it's too big to be a sipping on the summer porch with cheese and crackers wine. An interesting experiment.
My new favorite summer wine
Jun. 15th, 2010 12:22 pmbrynwulfI love my local wine shop. Chris knows me and knows I know there is NO REASON to ever spend more than $15 for a really good bottle of wine. I actually try to keep it below $12. When I go in there, I tell him to pick for me, then I add a few of my favorites and I'm all set. Last week I told him it was summer, so I needed to stock up on whites. I was only half paying attention to the ones he was pulling off the shelf, but I do remember he pulled two bottles of this one out and told me I had to have it.
Re Teodorico Pinto Grigio is my perfect summer wine, I think. I'm a dry wine girl, especially in warm weather, and this one is so delicate and light, I literally drank down a glass yesterday like water. The nose is fresh and clean with just the slightest hint of pear, IMO. It wouldn't be suitable for anything heavier than a broiled fish fillet or chicken breast, but I do mostly salads in summer anyway.
I'll be going back to get a case.
Re Teodorico Pinto Grigio is my perfect summer wine, I think. I'm a dry wine girl, especially in warm weather, and this one is so delicate and light, I literally drank down a glass yesterday like water. The nose is fresh and clean with just the slightest hint of pear, IMO. It wouldn't be suitable for anything heavier than a broiled fish fillet or chicken breast, but I do mostly salads in summer anyway.
I'll be going back to get a case.
Yellow + Blue Wine
Jun. 8th, 2010 10:13 pmbrynwulfHeard about this on NPR today. Personally, I love the screw top bottles, but even I have doubts about a screw top box. Now I just need to go find some so I can try it and report back here.
http://www.ybwines.com/
http://www.ybwines.com/
Pahrump Valley Winery, Pahrump Nevada
Jun. 7th, 2010 11:14 amdevilcA few weekends ago, the Dear Husband (DH) and our friends Rob and Drea paid a visit to Nevada's oldest winery, Pahrump Valley Winery, founded in 1990. (As an aside, one of the peculiarities of Nevada State Law is that while grapes can be grown in any county, only counties with less than 100,000 people can have wineries.)
For many years, PVW was something of a big joke. The first vines planted around the winery? Destroyed in 1993 when a herd of wild Mustangs trampled them. (The vines were replanted, but mostly just kept for decoration. They weren't actually harvested until 2005, but more about that below the cut.) The wine? Made 100% with grapes and juice imported from California? Eh, at best and bleargh! at the worst.
In 2003 as part of helping out a family member with a real estate deal, the current owners, Bill and Gretchen Loken (who had zero previous winemaking experience) took over and discovered that they liked running the winery and making wine. So much so that they bought it outright in 2005.
And Gretchen turned out to be pretty damn good at making wine, but more about that below the cut.
( Wine tasting notes and several pictures. )
For many years, PVW was something of a big joke. The first vines planted around the winery? Destroyed in 1993 when a herd of wild Mustangs trampled them. (The vines were replanted, but mostly just kept for decoration. They weren't actually harvested until 2005, but more about that below the cut.) The wine? Made 100% with grapes and juice imported from California? Eh, at best and bleargh! at the worst.
In 2003 as part of helping out a family member with a real estate deal, the current owners, Bill and Gretchen Loken (who had zero previous winemaking experience) took over and discovered that they liked running the winery and making wine. So much so that they bought it outright in 2005.
And Gretchen turned out to be pretty damn good at making wine, but more about that below the cut.
( Wine tasting notes and several pictures. )
devilcOne of the things I did at UNLVino this year was seek out wines from varietals I'd never tasted before. I discovered that Chenin Blanc is the wine I've always wanted Sauvignon Blanc to be.
I picked this bottle up at my local Fresh and Easy for about $10.
Color: pale gold
Sniff test: Minerally and citrusy, this wine made my mouth water.
Straight out of the fridge: it's a bit closed, but it's tart and limey.
10 Minutes Later: OMG! So delicious and refreshing. There's a hint of peach and nectarine upfront, but then it's tart pear and lime. The finish is crisp and minerally with a bit of a grapefruit.
According to the website this wine actually has fair amount of residual sugar in it, but even after warming up to room temp (82f in my house) it's still crisp and tart.
Chenin Blanc: It's citrusy, it's minerally, and it doesn't taste like grass or smell like cat pee.
I picked this bottle up at my local Fresh and Easy for about $10.
Color: pale gold
Sniff test: Minerally and citrusy, this wine made my mouth water.
Straight out of the fridge: it's a bit closed, but it's tart and limey.
10 Minutes Later: OMG! So delicious and refreshing. There's a hint of peach and nectarine upfront, but then it's tart pear and lime. The finish is crisp and minerally with a bit of a grapefruit.
According to the website this wine actually has fair amount of residual sugar in it, but even after warming up to room temp (82f in my house) it's still crisp and tart.
Chenin Blanc: It's citrusy, it's minerally, and it doesn't taste like grass or smell like cat pee.
devilcHere's the full 411 on the bottle: Masterpeace by Andrew Peace, 2004 Southeast Australia, Murray River, 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot
Color: Still a deep garnet, but starting to go brick-red around the edges.
Sniff Test: The first sniff made me think of ruby port. It's very fruity, full of plums, currants, and black raspberries.
First Impression: Bracingly tart without being sour or tasting astringent. Up front it's a mouth of plum-preserves and then smoky cherry, with a long (but subtle) smoky cherry finish.
Breathing Room: The same plums and cherries, and then, odd as it sounds, it tasted like blood, was still mouthwateringly tart and "cat tongue" tannic without being bitter. The finish was shorter and still full of smoky cherries and black currants.
I drank this wine over the course of a week and it got better and smoother every day. There was a lot of sediment at the bottom of the bottle -- the last 2 inches were undrinkable.
Verdict: Needs a big steak or hearty game. Quite flavorful.
----
As an aside, my brother told me he wants to learn more about wines, has said he prefers whites, so as a gift for his B-Day, I've gotten him a bottle of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, and a Tempranillo rosé.
Color: Still a deep garnet, but starting to go brick-red around the edges.
Sniff Test: The first sniff made me think of ruby port. It's very fruity, full of plums, currants, and black raspberries.
First Impression: Bracingly tart without being sour or tasting astringent. Up front it's a mouth of plum-preserves and then smoky cherry, with a long (but subtle) smoky cherry finish.
Breathing Room: The same plums and cherries, and then, odd as it sounds, it tasted like blood, was still mouthwateringly tart and "cat tongue" tannic without being bitter. The finish was shorter and still full of smoky cherries and black currants.
I drank this wine over the course of a week and it got better and smoother every day. There was a lot of sediment at the bottom of the bottle -- the last 2 inches were undrinkable.
Verdict: Needs a big steak or hearty game. Quite flavorful.
----
As an aside, my brother told me he wants to learn more about wines, has said he prefers whites, so as a gift for his B-Day, I've gotten him a bottle of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, and a Tempranillo rosé.
Marquis Philips Sarah's Blend
Jun. 3rd, 2010 07:58 pmgattagrigiaMmm... just got handed a glass of this wine, and as usual, it just makes me happier than most of the wines we drink. It's a red blend from Austrailia, found at Costco. Fruity, rich, big mouth feel, not particularly tannic, all taste sections of my tongue are stimulated - just a happy making red that is currently my favorite.
'Essence' Riesling
May. 19th, 2010 06:25 pmsidI had better post about this wine so that the empty bottle can go out with the recyling tonight!
This is a 2005 S.A. Prüm riesling called 'Essence', from the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer area. I believe I paid somewhere around US$10-13 for it. I bought it specifically to go with shrimp cocktail - riesling was recommended and I hoped this choice would succeed.
Did it? Well, it wasn't bad! The wine and the shrimp were happy together, but no marriage took place.
My uneducated palate thought it was fruity and a little sour at first taste, and it didn't seem to alter character much when paired with my plate of food. Along with the shrimp cocktail I had red grapes, parmesan cheese, club crackers and raw broccoli with a little sour cream/mayonnaise dip. I'd have to call this wine food-friendly, since it tasted fine with all of the above. (Except possibly the broccoli, but I didn't like the broccoli much myself, so it's hard to say for sure. I wish I'd blanched it first.)
The label says: Its fragrant aroma and fresh fruit flavor is perfectly balanced by a racy mineral character.
I don't think I would buy this again, in the hopes of finding something else that I enjoyed a little more. Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that it was a screw cap, and I had a very hard time getting it open!
This is a 2005 S.A. Prüm riesling called 'Essence', from the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer area. I believe I paid somewhere around US$10-13 for it. I bought it specifically to go with shrimp cocktail - riesling was recommended and I hoped this choice would succeed.
Did it? Well, it wasn't bad! The wine and the shrimp were happy together, but no marriage took place.
My uneducated palate thought it was fruity and a little sour at first taste, and it didn't seem to alter character much when paired with my plate of food. Along with the shrimp cocktail I had red grapes, parmesan cheese, club crackers and raw broccoli with a little sour cream/mayonnaise dip. I'd have to call this wine food-friendly, since it tasted fine with all of the above. (Except possibly the broccoli, but I didn't like the broccoli much myself, so it's hard to say for sure. I wish I'd blanched it first.)
The label says: Its fragrant aroma and fresh fruit flavor is perfectly balanced by a racy mineral character.
I don't think I would buy this again, in the hopes of finding something else that I enjoyed a little more. Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that it was a screw cap, and I had a very hard time getting it open!
Saludas White, 2009, Castille, Spain
May. 15th, 2010 10:04 amdevilcThis is a table wine I picked up for $3 at my local Fresh and Easy. No grape variety is listed, but this reviewer thinks that a leading variety may be Viura.
The bottle has a screw top -- always a plus for me.
Color: Palest gold, almost as light as a vino verde..
Sniff Test: Faint lemon-lime, green apples, and a weird mineraly note.
Taste Test: This is a very tart wine, and it becomes just plain sour if you let it warm up. The primary taste notes are green apple and tart peach. The finish is flinty and minerally.
It's certainly priced right.
However, it makes a perfect base for White Sangria. :) (I suggest a nice orangeade.)
The bottle has a screw top -- always a plus for me.
Color: Palest gold, almost as light as a vino verde..
Sniff Test: Faint lemon-lime, green apples, and a weird mineraly note.
Taste Test: This is a very tart wine, and it becomes just plain sour if you let it warm up. The primary taste notes are green apple and tart peach. The finish is flinty and minerally.
It's certainly priced right.
However, it makes a perfect base for White Sangria. :) (I suggest a nice orangeade.)
