wine 101 tasting notes
TRANSCRIPT
1/28/15
Wine 10 1Guees Who?’s
What ’s That Grape? - Tast ing Notes
Malvira: Roero ArneisCountry
I ta ly
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”.
Tast ing NotesApples 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 YoungCheese
LightPasta
Domain Chandon: Pinot Meunier
Country
USA
Region
Carneros , CA
Vintage
2012
P inot 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)Tast ing NotesRipe 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
Shel l f i sh Pork BlueCheese
Roasted Veggies
1/28/15
Wine 10 1Guees Who?’s
What ’s That Grape? - Tast ing Notes
Maipe: BonardaCountry
Argent ina
Region
Mendoza
Vintage
2011
Bonarda“The Mistaken Ident i ty Grape”
Tast ing NotesEnticing 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 LightPasta
Bar ista : P inotageCountry
South Afr ica
Region
Cape Winelands
Vintage
2012
P inotage“South Afr ica ’s
S ignature 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.Tast ing NotesIntense on the nose, with a bouquet of coffee, chocolate andcherry, with meaty, savoury hints. The tannins are ripe, perfectly suiting the round and mouth-filling plum and mulberry fruit.Pairs With
MeatyP i zza
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
1/28/15
Wine 10 1Guees Who?’s
What ’s That Grape? - Tast ing Notes
Albenza: BaroloCountry
I ta ly
Region
Barola
Vintage
2009
Nebbiolo“Big and Bold
Grape of P iedmont”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).Tast ing NotesBarolos tend to be rich, deeply concentrated full bodied wines with pro-nounced tannins and acidity.
Pairs With
Beef Lamb MatureCheese
HeavyPasta
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. Tast ing NotesThe 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