Geography of Wine Course Complete

Big thanks to John, Katie, and Danielle for an awesome class. I am going to continue drinking wine and posting about it here but now it's just for fun, not for grade.

Dinner - 622 North (European Whites - Argentinian Reds)

From Left: Gouguenheim Malbec, Caligiore Reserve Malbec, Hugel Pinot Gris, Gabbiano Pinot Grigio

What better place to experience a wine - food pairing dinner than at a restaurant that specializes in wine? Our server Eric was incredibly helpful and, after understanding my assignment, recommended that I purchase a flight of wine. This way, he reasoned, I would save a little money and have an extra wine to pair or compare. 622 North is on Main Street in Blacksburg and in June when the majority of students are home for the summer, traffic, parking, and getting a table are a breeze.

We ordered the bruschetta as our appetizer and I decided to begin with the Gabbiano Pinot Grigio to pair with it. Once I saw the wines in the glasses I finalized my plan of action for pairing. In my limited experience I've yet to enjoy a wine that looks like this Pinot Grigio and so I wanted to get it out of the way early. I determined to save the Pinot Gris with its much more appealing golden color for the dessert round and pair one or both of the Malbecs with my entree.

Bruschetta

Eric thought it would be a good idea to have whites from the same grapes and reds from the same grapes, just so I have another point of comparison to make. He was right. I'll explain that as I go but for now, back to the appetizer round.

Pinot Grigio and Bruschetta

Gabbiano Pinot Grigio

As expected, and perhaps due to the bias of my earlier experiences with pale white wines from Italy, I found the rather chemical-smelling 2015 Gabbiano Pinot Grigio to be overly acidic and frankly kind of gross. The bruschetta helped it quite a bit, making it drinkable. I really liked the look of my other white, the Hugel Pinot Gris, and I confess that I took a sniff and sip of it at the end of the appetizer round just so I could have something I like before the main course arrived.



For my entree, I ordered the pork chop. I wanted to experience how the wine paired with the meat so I asked that the sauce and toppings be placed on the side. As you can see below, the chop was served with zucchini and yellow summer squash in a butter sauce.

Pork Chop Entree'

Gouguenheim

Entree' with Wine

The Malbec I chose to pair with the pork chop first was the 2014 Gouguenheim. This was only my second Malbec ever, and I enjoyed it as well as my first. The dark, fruity aromas reflected in the flavor and were appetizing and delicious when paired with the pork chop. There was a little bit of a tannic bite that lingered with the finish but I'm not complaining. It was a pleasure to drink with my meal.

The wine was so good, in fact, that it was gone before the pork chop, so there was nothing else I could do but start in on the second Malbec. The Calgiore Reserve from 2011 was even better than the younger Gouguenheim. Similar dark fruits on the nose and palate but milder tannins and a smoother finish. Paired just as well with the pork chop but could very easily stand on its own without food.

I think Ferris sums up the Calgiore Reserve Malbec best:

Calgiore Reserve

Wonderful meal with two awesome friends and two really good wines so far (and one 'meh' wine). Below is a picture of me with the two Malbecs, comparing aromas before finishing up the first one.

Jim Double-fisting Malbec

Creme Brulee

2011 Hugel Pinot Gris and Creme Brulee

For dessert we were all pretty full so we decided to share one. We ordered a cherry creme brulee, and I had one wine left to pair it with. The 2011 Hugel Pinot Gris from France was a night and day difference compared to the Pinot Grigio I had with the bruschetta. It paired well and, being smoother and creamier, was much more drinkable on its own than the earlier white. It went better with the creme sauce of the dessert than the cherries themselves, but overall, still a winning
combination. Appley-citrus or citrusy-apple? However you describe it, this is a well-balanced white that I would happily order and drink again.

Thank you to my friends Caroline and Marilyn for accompanying me on this wine dinner adventure and for helping take some of the pictures, as well.

Do You Come From A Land Down Under?

Name: Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz

Region: South Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2012

Price: $11.95

Critic Review: Sugar and spice, and everything nice. I know that describes ye ole Hemipsycho, but it applies to ye ole Shiraz from the Wolfe Blass Yellow line of label color.
Maybe leave the sugar part out.
Dry and spice and everything nice. That's better.
~https://www.vivino.com/wineries/wolf-blass/wines/yellow-label-shiraz-2012#user-reviews (several other brief consumer reviews, also)

From the Winemaker: Selected batches of fruit from premium South Australian Shiraz vineyards are brought together in a well-structured wine displaying attractive berry and spice characters supported by subtle creamy oak and finishing with fine, velvety tannins. ~https://www.wolfblass.com/en-au/wines/yellow-label/shiraz

They even have a PDF with a lot more detail about this wine:
~https://www.wolfblass.com/~/media/Files/WolfBlass/Tasting-Notes/Yellow-Label/Shiraz/Wolf-Blass-Yellow-Label-Shiraz-2012-Tasting-Notes.pdf

My Review: I've decided that I love wines from the southern hemisphere. The previous Malbec has nearly been topped by this delicious Shiraz from Australia. Aromas of plum and cherry with no real surprises in the flavor. As a novice wine drinker, I actually like when what I smell is what I taste, though I'm sure I'll appreciate the discovery of nuances in due time. Smooth-drinking with relatively mild tannic structure, this wine was good on its own and with my cheesesteak sandwich.

Argentina, Where Have You Been All My Life?

Name: Oasis del Cuyo Malbec

Variety: Malbec

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2012

Price: $6.95

Critic Review:

Dark fruit, plum, jam, vanilla, black pepper, medium body, velvety and lingering finish with cocoa background at the end. Love this Malbec, pay for $10 and taste like $30.

Written by Andrew Lee 
~https://www.vivino.com/wineries/oasis-del-cuyo/wines/mendoza-malbec-2012

From Cannon Wines:
Deep ruby color. Appealing red fruit nose with hints of tobacco. Medium bodied with a smooth and lush mouth-feel. Finishes dry with lasting flavors. Excellent choice for a young and fruity everyday wine. Enjoy as an aperitif or with meats and pasta dishes.
~http://www.cannonwines.com/wines/view/118

From the Winemaker:
The word CUYO comes from the indigenous Mapuche language which means “country of deserts”. Its name is associated today with the wine region in Argentina. The word OASIS is used for the pristine water lakes created by the snowmelt of the Andes Mountains. OASIS del CUYO wines are handcrafted from vines grown in the deserts of Mendoza. (from the label)

My Review: When I saw the dark purple color I expected something powerful and heavy. The aroma was a pleasant surprise. Sweet scent of jam while somehow simultaneously a bit smokey. This wine smelled unlike any I have reviewed so far. The tannins, though obviously present, aren't overwhelming. There's a bit of a peppery feel and taste that lingers in the finish. I really enjoyed this both alone and with my spaghetti (yeah, I eat spaghetti kind of a lot). Not that it's very important but this was also the first wine I've had with a clearly obvious synthetic cork. Truly unique in my experience so far. Loved it!

Italy, What Were You Thinking?

Name: Le Borgate IGP Lazio Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Olevano Romano

Country: Italy

Year: 2014

Price: $6.95

Critic Review: "Apple juice for the alcoholic," and "Good cheese wine," are the extent of the reviews I could find on this specific Chardonnay. Therefore I'll post the winemaker's comments below, as well. ~https://www.vivino.com/wineries/borgate/wines/le-chardonnay-9999

Evidently this wine isn't very popular, even with the manufacturer. Their own website only has a placeholder with an "insert here" statement. No wonder. It's kind of gross. On to my review.
~http://www.vinicolaconsoli.it/product/chardonnay-igp-lazio

My Review: This is probably the worst wine I've had so far in this class. From the uninviting pale color to the first weak scent of peachy, grassy, nothingness, I had a feeling this would rival the earlier Pinot Grigio for worst wine award. Then I tasted it. A little citrus, maybe, to go with the peachy grass. Not too sweet. Not too acid. Not much of anything, honestly. Drinking it with my salad helped a little, but really this stuff just isn't very good. If you want a good Chardonnay, the Auspicion from California I reviewed a couple weeks ago was MUCH better.

World Tour Continues in France

Name: Thierry Delaunay "TYDY" Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc (Vin de Pays class)

Region: Loire Valley

Country: France

Year: 2014

Price: $11.95

Critic Review: Winemaker Thierry Delaunay exemplifies the best of the new generation of French wine makers and, while appreciating the traditional nuances of terroir and climate, Thierry has enthusiastically embraced modern winemaking techniques and styles. In other words, it’s right tidy. Tydy. In fact, if you were pressed into describing it in terms of home ware shops (this can happen), an accurate match would be Ikea. A slim little package that, when unpacked, creates a clean, refreshing ambience whatever the surroundings.

Thierry Delaunay is a fine example of the best of the new generation of French wine makers. Brought up by his father Joël to appreciate the traditional nuances of terroir and climate, Thierry has enthusiastically embraced modern winemaking techniques and styles. The diversity of different soils in the Domaine's vineyards explains the number of different red and white grape varieties: the clay and flint soils or ‘perruches’ give the red wines distinctive qualities, while the white and rosé wines, including Delaunay's award-winning Touraine Sauvignon, derive their style and delicacy from the finer, less stony soils.

Thierry is believes [sic] in making expressive fresh and racy wines that are a pleasure to drink and affordable for everyone.

The wine undergoes cool, temperature-controlled fermentation and short maturation in stainless steel.
It is crisp and fresh on the palate, with good balance and delicate fruit flavours.
~http://www.oddbins.com/tydy-sauvignon-blanc

My Review: This wine is a much lighter color than yesterday's big Texan white blend but color doesn't always indicate flavor. When I put my nose to the glass I could have sworn I smelled green apples, with perhaps some flowers in a delicate arrangement around them. The flavor seemed quite appley, as well, and for a moment I thought I might be drinking a classy cider from Foggy Ridge. I'm glad to have tried a French wine on this week's world tour. It's very drinkable on its own and didn't go badly with my baked chicken dinner. Had we done a less peppery chicken, it probably would have gone much better. Next time, perhaps a lemon chicken recipe to go with this good-value Sauvignon Blanc.

Purple Thunder from Down Under!

Name: Penfolds Thomas Hyland Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Adelaide

Country: Australia

Year: 2012

Price: $9.95 (on sale from $14.95)

1. Critic Reviews: m+ depth garnet. cassis, black currant, eucalyptus, typical CS flavours from South Australia. jammy, powdery tannins, m+ bodied, a little hot in finish. it a fine table wine, but simple, no interesting points if regarded as a boutique wine.

2. Dark Burgundy color. Nose plant, Woody aroma, smoky and ripe fruit. Good astringency has decanted at least 1 h. We find the same flavors in the mouth. Lack of finesse and complexity. Little taste of SOAP in the background.(translated from French with babelfish.com)

3. Nice value here. Generous fruit, body and weight, juicy acidity. This fits nicely in between the Koonunga Hill and the Bin 9 wines. Actually, very close to the Bin 9. I would buy again.
~ All three consumer reviews from cellartracker.com; couldn't find any pro reviews.
~http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1686300

My Review: I got six different bottles from the Vintage Cellar on Sunday, hoping to experience a bit of the world beyond what's generally considered typical wine territory. I followed up my white appetizer from Texas this evening with this Cabernet Sauvignon from down under. The deep purple color of this Australian Cab. is so dark that when I held it up in front of a window, I still couldn't see light through it. We're looking at DEEP purple. The aroma is what I have learned people call black currants (though I've never smelled or eaten black currants, personally). I thought there might be somewhat of a hint of licorice - not much - or something else in there, as well. The taste confirmed the black currants to me and the mouth feel was very tannic with additional flavors of black tea and lingering pepper on the tongue. I was hoping it would go well with the beef teriyaki but the pairing was only marginally ok. I'll probably drink what's left with some cheeses later in the week.

By the way, this week's world tour has France, Argentina, and Italy to come (Plus I have another bottle from Oz, as well - a Shiraz). Boyer has turned me into a nearly-daily wine consumer! :)

Texas, Y'all!

Name: McPherson Les Copains

Variety: White blend (45% Viognier, 35% Roussanne, 16% Grenache Blanc and 4% Marsanne)

Region: Lubbock, Texas

Country: United States

Year: 2012

Price: $16.95

Critic Review: Not much to say about the wine visually except that it is a bright canary color, has a medium depth and has moderate viscosity.

The wine is highly aromatic giving off honeyed stone fruit aromas of canned peaches and over ripe nectarines. There are also some pleasant non-fruit aromas of thai basil, lemongrass and assorted white flowers. The big, ripe and honeyed aromas are typical of the varietals and of the climate.

The primary structural component that jumps out on the palate is this borderline unctuous mouth feel that is not overly round or oily but lengthens the entire in mouth profile. The glycerol levels are perfectly matched with the full flavor of the wine and the moderate to high alcohol. The palate is more exotic in the way of Indian spices but also more savory with a Dijon mustard quality leading to a slightly briny finish. There are similar fruit flavors on the palate as on the nose with added citrus notes of Meyer lemon. The wine is medium-full in body, round, balanced and has medium plus alcohol levels.

The wine needs food and is more like a red wine disguised as a white wine in terms of its body and full flavor. The mouthfeel is something of note, which contributes to a long finish. The wine is highly aromatic with savory and tropical qualities. It is a lot of wine for the price making it a really great value and an everyday drinker if you like to have a glass of wine with your meals. ~Daniel Kelada, Texas Wine and Trail Magazine
~http://www.texaswineandtrail.com/texas-wine-review-mcpherson-cellars-texas-les-copains-viognierroussannegrenache-blanc-2012/

My Review: The deep golden color stood out and beckoned me, especially in comparison to the very pale Pinot Grigio I tried last week. I knew from the first fruity sniff of peachy-pineapple that this Texan was going to be a pleasure to drink. This is the type of wine you can drink too much of without noticing if you don't pay attention, because it is just sweet enough but has enough acid to be drinkable alone. Even better was how it paired with a sharp Welsh Cheddar cheese. After tasting it alone, I tried it with my go-to cheese, Fontina, but that cheese wasn't strong enough to hold up to this blend. The sharp cheddar, on the other hand, complemented it almost perfectly.

I feel like I'm slowly improving at this. I try not to read the critic review before trying the wine and writing my notes. I don't often get all the same aromas and flavors as the critics but I almost always get an "oh yeah, I got that, too, but couldn't place it" vibe after reading them. 

Supplemental Post - Leftovers

(not for grade)

This is a follow-up to the previous two wines I tasted: the Ca'Stella Friuli Latisana Pinot Grigio and Poggiotondo Chianti Superiore. Since this blog is going to live on beyond the end of class in a few weeks, I wanted to comment on how they tasted the next day. As we learned in class, modern wines tend to be just fine for a day or two after opening, as long as they don't sit and get air for too long. In fact, I didn't detect any difference in the Pinot Grigio at all. The Chianti, like the leftover spaghetti I drank it with, was as good or better the second day. So there's my first leftover wine experience for the blog. A year or two or more from now I wonder how these early reactions to wine will seem to me. Naive, perhaps, but what else should I expect from myself, being a novice?

No Liver, No Fava Beans, but a Nice Chianti Nevertheless

Name: Poggiotondo Chianti Superiore

Variety: Chianti
 
Region: Chianti Superiore, Tuscany
 
Country: Italy
 
Year: 2009
 
Price: $14.95 (on sale from $30)

Critic Reviews (all from wine.com)
http://www.wine.com/v6/Poggiotondo-Chianti-Superiore-2009/wine/118858/Detail.aspx

Winemaker's Notes: Select parcels of fruit from the low-yielding Poggiotondo estate vineyards render a ripe, complex Chianti. Extended time on skins and maturation in seasoned French oak delivers concentrated black fruits and elegant spices, velvet tannins, enviable balance and ample structure for aging.

Wine Spectator: "A polished, fruit-filled red, drenched in violet, blackberry, black cherry and sweet spice flavors. Balanced and intense, with a lively, firmly structured finish."

International Wine Cellar: "Deep ruby-red. Enticing nose offers dark berry syrup, sweet spices and minerals. Then fleshy and creamy in the mouth, with bright red and black cherry flavors accented by spices on the long, smooth finish. Rating 90+"


My Review: I could tell this imported red was going to taste good from the first sniff. The dark, blackberry and cherry aroma contribute to smooth flavors with a perfect balance between the light tannins and just-enough sweetness. I know I'm not drinking top-shelf stuff yet but this one is the best quality and price I've had since this class and blog started and it was well worth the price tag - even had I paid full price. By the way, this wine went GREAT with my spaghetti dinner, and as a bonus the cork has the winery's tree logo stamped into it. I will drink this again.

Exploring Italian Whites

Name: Ca'Stella Friuli Latisana Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Grigio
 
Region: Friuli Latisana
 
Country: Italy
 
Year: 2014
 
Price: $9.99

Critic Review: 
Appearance: Clear, Medium Lemon color
Nose: Clean Pronounced aromas of Green Apple, Lemon Juice, Lime, Spice, Maybe a bit of Lavendar[sic]
Palate: Dry sweetness, Low acid and No tannin with Light body and flavours of Green Apple, Grape, Lemon, Lime, Leafiness which last for Medium length on the finish. 
Acceptable quality ~http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?Label=2&iWine=2245799

(Note: Because the above was from an amateur with unknown credentials, I also include a somewhat more professional review below - though unfortunately from a different vintage...is this worse or better? I don't know.)

With today's winter solstice, the days start getting longer. But a better way to bring some springtime to our lives is with a fresh, energetic white wine like the 2013 'Ca'Stella' Friuli Latisana Pinot Grigio ($12). A beautiful floral-and-citrus nose and refreshing grapefruit flavors are hallmarks of this northern Italian white. Dryness and sweetness vie through the midpalate and finish. A crowd-pleaser for holiday gatherings, this wine also plays well with shrimp and calamari.
~http://www.startribune.com/ca-stella-friuli-latisana-pinot-grigio/286297971/

My Review: I decided to go with two wines in one day - a white for apertif and salad accompaniment, and a red with my main course. The meal being spaghetti with Italian sausage, I determined that both wines should be from Italy. This is my first Pinot Grigio. It proved to be light and floral from sniff to swallow. I thought there might be a bit of melon in the flavor and a hint of nut in the aftertaste. Overall, a really smooth drink with just enough acid to counter the sweetness. I think I'll have another for dessert.

Two Firsts - Washington State Red Blend

Name: 14 Hands 'Hot to Trot' Red Blend
 
Variety: Red Blend (Merlot & Syrah +others)
 
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
 
Country: United States
 
Year: 2013
 
Price: $12.49

Critic Review: This approachable and easy drinking red wine offers generous aromas of berries, cherries and currants. A plush framework of soft tannins supports the red and dark fruit flavors that leisurely give way to subtle notes of baking spice and mocha on the finish. ~http://www.totalwine.com/wine/red-wine/red-blend/14-hands-hot-to-trot-red/p/112430750

From the winemaker: This polished red wine offers aromas of cherry, red currant and tea. Flavors of cherries, ripe berries and plums, supported by a frame of refined tannins, give way to subtle notes of baking spice on a persistent finish. ~https://www.14hands.com/files/FileResource/19129/FTH_FS_2013_HTT_Red_Blend.pdf

My review: After a Riesling earlier in the week and a Zinfandel yesterday I was seeking something in-between, from a place I haven't experienced before. This red blend from Washington state is not only my first Washington wine, it is also my first blend, and it didn't disappoint. I got an outdoorsy, orchard-like aroma that I thought might be apple or something similarly tart. The taste was more sweet and plum-like than apple and compared to yesterday's fairly heavy Zinfandel, this is a much lighter blend. A little more acidic perhaps, but with lower tannin levels that combine to balance with the sweet fruit flavors.

It was good on its own and also paired well with my mushroom pizza. It actually improved a bit with some air and a bit of cheese later after supper.

Coolezt Label Zo Far - Wednezday's Wine Taztopolis

Name: Zinopolis Zinfandel

Variety: Zinfandel (red)

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2014

Price: $9.99 (on sale from $19.99)


Critic Review: Unfortunately the only 2014 vintage review I could find was a short, lame review that looked like it was from another student, so I'm posting thirstyGirl's review of the 2012 vintage followed by the label notes from the producer. Here's what thirstyGirl said about the 2012 version of Zinopolis Zinfandel:

I really enjoyed Zinopolis. It can have a really boozy taste if you don’t let the wine aerate long enough, but overall it tasted very delicious. We all have different palates, and I tend to enjoy a heavier, spicy and oaky wine, versus a sweeter milder one. In my opinion, Zinopolis falls more on the sweeter side, but it has such a nice balance of pepper and oak, that the sweeter parts make the wine very balanced. ~http://www.confessiongirl.com/thirstygirl-zinopolis-wine-review/#.V1iudyE5TIA

From the vintners: The vines have crept into the crevices of flavor and climbed their way to ambrosial heights, their chameleon-like character providing the perfect guide to conquer the ordinary world of wine with an extraordinary world of taste. Welcome to Zonopolis, a place where your palate reigns supreme and Zinfandel is always on the menu. Uncork the mystery of this exquisite wine beaming with peppery tones and underlying sweetness. Indulge in the aromas of sun-dried cherries and blackberry spice as each sip slowly mesmerizes your senses. Zinopolos, destination taste.

My review: I'm still learning the language and training my nose and brain, obviously, but here goes! Upon first scent I thought I noticed blackberries and perhaps something grassy - dry or fresh? Not certain. As usual, I tasted without food and tried to take my time more than I have in previous tastings. The astringent mouth feel was not quite unpleasant but gave me the impression that this wine was going to be better with food. The taste reinforced my berry impression, and, as I mentioned I'm still learning the language, the main thing I could think of was blackberries or perhaps some other wild berry with woody stems. This wine was clearly much fuller-bodied than the whites I tasted recently, but how it compares to other reds remains to be seen. I confess I didn't notice the pepper but when reading thirstyGirl's review and seeing the word, YES, the pepper stands out - I just couldn't place it.

After the solo tasting, I drank it with my supper, which was browned ground beef mixed with beef-flavored Rice-a-Roni. The pairing was actually very good. I enjoyed the wine much more with the food than without. Since there wasn't enough dinner left for a second helping, I ate some cheese with the wine as a follow-up. The medium cheddar didn't pair well and the fontina was ok. I'm thinking a sharper cheese would pair better. Perhaps for the next Zin I try.

First Import. . . With a Twist!

Name: Escher Haus Riesling

Variety: Riesling

Region: Rheinhessen

Country: Germany

Year: 2014

Price: $8.99 (on sale from $16.99)

Critic Review: Off-dry German riesling with a steely backbone to keep it from collapsing in on itself. It makes a valiant attempt to display enough acid to back up the sweetness. There is indeed good acidity here, and that gives it a nice mineral edge.

Alas, there is also a decent amount of sugar. To me the balance tilts just barely too much toward the sweet side, but this is not radically out of balance. It can scratch a sweet-ish riesling itch, drinks well with certain fish and poultry preparations, and won't leave you feeling like you didn't get your money's worth. Solid little wine. ~http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2178861

From the Maker: Aromas of peach, pear and ripe fruit, medium-bodied

and beautifully balanced, with an elegant and refined finish. Serve well chilled.
Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with spicy Asian dishes. Also perfect with sushi, poultry, pork or simply on its own. ~http://www.escherhaus.com/


My Review: As I've been doing with my home tastings, I tried this wine alone first, and then paired with my dinner. First scents were fruity citrus with perhaps a tropical hint. The grapefruit flavor came out with tasting, no doubt aided by the acid balancing the sweetness. Not as creamy/buttery as last week's Chardonnay but when paired with cheese, some of that same character came out, though to a weaker extent. Paired well with the camembert and fontina cheeses, as well as my salad with ranch dressing. Did not taste as great with the grilled sausage, onion, and pepper sandwich.

Now for the TWIST. This imported wine from Germany has a twist-off cap. This is not only my first imported wine, it's my first twist-off capped wine. A very enjoyable, light, sweet-ish drink to accompany snacks and salads but nothing too heavy or greasy.