Wine 101 Tasting Notes
- 1. 1/28/15 W i n e 101 Guees Who?’s What’s That Grape? - Tasting Notes Malvira: Roero Arneis Country Italy Region Roero Vintage 2012 ARNIES “Nebbiolo’s Other Half” Grape History Arneis (literally: little rascal, in Piemontese) is so called because it is regarded as a somewhat difficult variety to grow. It is a crisp and floral varietal, and has been grown for centuries in the region. For centuries the white Arneis grape was used to soften the tannins and harshness of Nebbiolo grape in the wines of the Barolo region, hence the common synonym of Niebblo bianco, Barolo bianco or “white Barolo”. Tasting Notes Apples and lemons. A bodied wine that is light, savory, and refreshing. Fresh fruits and citrus on the nose. Aged in stainless steel. Pairs With Seafood Chicken Young Cheese Light Pasta Domain Chandon: Pinot Meunier Country USA Region Carneros, CA Vintage 2012 Pinot Meunier “Champagne’s Black Sheep”” Grape History Pinot Meunier, like Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, is one of the many muta- tions of Pinot Noir. The home turf for meunier is the region of Champagne. Pinot meunier has slightly higher acidity than pinot noir. However it is lower in color and tannin than pinot noir. Its short longevity make blends not as long lived and this also keeps it from many appearances bottled as a stand-alone varietal red wine. Until recently, producers in Champagne generally did not acknowledge Pinot Meunier, preferring to emphasise the use of the other noble varieties (Chardonnay & Pinot Noir) Tasting Notes Ripe plum, cardamom and apple sauce spices lead to pomegranate and Bing cherry flavors. The body is round, with a supporting backbone of fine tannins. Pairs With Shellfish Pork Blue Cheese Roasted Veggies
- 2. 1/28/15 W i n e 101 Guees Who?’s What’s That Grape? - Tasting Notes Maipe: Bonarda Country Argentina Region Mendoza Vintage 2011 Bonarda “The Mistaken Identity Grape” Tasting Notes Enticing bouquet of smoke, mineral, and blueberry. Round and ripe on the palate, it has surprising depth and length for its humble price. Pairs With Lamb Light Pasta Barista: Pinotage Country South Africa Region Cape Winelands Vintage 2012 Pinotage “South Africa’s Signature Grape”” Grape History Pinotage is a grape variety that was created in South Africa in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch Uni- versity. Perold was attempting to combine the best qualities of the robust Cinsaut (Cinsaut was known as “Hermitage” in South Africa during that time) with Pinot noir, a grape that makes great wine but can be difficult to grow. The grape is naturally high in tannins which can be tamed with limited maceration time but reducing the skin contact can also reduce some fruit character that Pinotage can produce. Tasting Notes Intense on the nose, with a bouquet of coffee, chocolate and cherry, with meaty, savoury hints. The tannins are ripe, perfectly suiting the round and mouth-filling plum and mulberry fruit. Pairs With Meaty Pizza Beef Barbecue Venison Grape History With the Bonarda grape, DNA evidence disproved its Argentinian roots and linked its history back to France, however in France just 5 acres of this grape is planted annually. Bonarda wines can be lighter-bodied and fruity, full of cherry and plum flavours, with light tannins and moderate acidity. However with concentrated fruit from older vines, and especially when oak aged, Bonardas can also be big, fruity, dense and tannic wines with deep colour and fig and raisin characteristics. Traditionally bulk wine. Roasted Veggies Pork
- 3. 1/28/15 W i n e 101 Guees Who?’s What’s That Grape? - Tasting Notes Albenza: Barolo Country Italy Region Barola Vintage 2009 Nebbiolo “Big and Bold Grape of Piedmont” Grape History The Nebbiolo grape produces lightly-colored red wines which can be highly tannic in youth. Nebbiolo wines can require years of aging to bal- ance the tannins with other characteristics. Along with Cab Sauv, Syrah, and Tannat, the Nebbiolo is one of the most tannic grape varieties. Baro- los have the potential for a wide range of complex and exotic aromas with tar and roses being common notes. The tannins of the wine add texture and serve to balance Barolo’s moderate to high alcohol levels (Minimum 13% but most often above 15% ABV). Tasting Notes Barolos tend to be rich, deeply concentrated full bodied wines with pro- nounced tannins and acidity. Pairs With Beef Lamb Mature Cheese Heavy Pasta Marichal: Tannat Country Uruguay Region Canelones Vintage 2011 Tannat “Wine of Uruguay” Grape History Tannat is a red wine grape, historically grown in South West France in the Madiran AOC and is now one of the most prominent grapes in Uruguay, where it is considered the “national grape”. The wine is notable for its very high tannin levels and is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc and Fer to soften the astringency and make it more approachable. More often today it is often blended with Pinot noir and Merlot and is made in a variety of styles including those reminiscent of Port and Beaujolais. Tasting Notes The Tannat wines produced here are characterized by more elegant and softer tannins and blackberry fruit notes. A well balanced wine, of velvety tannins and with unique personality. This wine is full bodied and has a well rounded mouthfeel, intense expression of fruit and varietal character of Tannat. It is a perfect match for lamb or barbequed steaks. Pairs With Lamb Beef Barbecue