January 28 - The tasting journey begins

My Spring 2012 Geography of Wine wine tasting journey began this afternoon at the Vintage Cellar and the Gourmet Pantry. As will be evident below, my taste buds are not exactly mature yet and my taste vocabulary is also lacking. Nevertheless, I already have a short list of wines to buy when I am faced with a few extra dollars to spend. 

The Vintage Cellar

Name: Casa Bianca - Spumante Rosato

Variety: Pino Nior
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year:
Price: $11.95


Prosecco is very popular in Italy. The wine is often served as a festive aperitif but mild dry Prosecco Spumante is also very suitable as a companion of appetizers and entrees... This rosato spumante is made from white grape pinot nero prosecco and red. Fermenting them together creates the pale pink color and a flavor that is more powerful than the white variety. Spicy rosato spumante with a fine, persistent mousse, juicy fresh red fruit in the aroma and a rich, smooth and lasting flavor.  

Light pink, chilled, bubbly wine. Very sweet in my mouth and warm in my chest. Crisp and tingly on my tongue. One of my favorites of the day. 

Rating: 7

Name: Nykteri - Santorini Yannis 

Variety: Assytriko, Athiri, Aidani
Region: Santorini
Country: Greece
Year: 2010
Price: $13.95

Characteristic crystal-clear, semi-yellow wine. Dominated by the aromas of jasmine, citrus fruits, flowers and pear, all these enhanced with a gentle vanilla sense. A strong body with warm personality and a long lasting taste. Serve with grilled anything as well as local Greek dishes such as tomato meatballs and fava dip. 

Described as dry white wine, however I found it to be sweet and smooth. Very easy and enjoyable to drink. Slightly bubbly, chilled, and yellow in color. My favorite of the day. 

Rating: 8

Name: Doural - Tinto 

Variety: Tinto Cao, Touriga Nacional
Region: Douro
Country: Portugal
Year: 2009
Price: $8.95

This Portuguese tinto (red) blend exhibits a deep red color with violet hues. The nose is vibrant and fruity. The palate offers notes of spice, cherry, and dark berry supported by a good structure. Pairs well with red or game meat, cheeses, and fish.

The Vintage Cellar host explained to us that tinto wines are usually heavy and full body, however this wine has the same varieties in different amounts making it lighter and atypical for the region. I found it to be tangy, tart, and tingly in my mouth. I began as a good taste, but it had an unusual aftertaste that I was not fond of. My least favorite of the day. 

Rating: 4

Name: Beauvert - Cotes du Rhone 

Variety: 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2009
Price: $11.95

A beautiful ruby red wine. Very fragrant, with aromas of red fruit (currant, strawberry, and cherry) with hints of black pepper and cinnamon. Medium-bodied and silky in the mouth with mature, round tannins. Enjoy with meats, grilled vegetables, or cheese. 

Described by the Vintage Cellar host as an earthy, lighter bodied classic. I thought it was smooth, but also a bit tangy. Seemed to stick to the back of my tongue leaving a slightly hot sensation. Not my favorite, but not my least favorite either.

Rating: 5

Name: Boas Vinhas - Tinto 

Variety: Touriga Nacional
Region: Dao
Country: Portugal
Year: 2009
Price: $9.95


Deep bright violet and red color. Rich in aromas of red fruits such as plums and strawberries. Its intense yet docile and fleshy taste fills the palate without roughness, leaving a pleasant sensation.

Sweet flowery wine. Tart in my mouth, tangy at the back of my throat. I agreed with the "intense yet docile fleshy taste fills the palate" description, however not the "roughness". My favorite red wine of the day.

Rating: 6

Name: Paulo Laureano Classico - Alentejano Tinto

Variety: Palomino
Region: Alentejo
Country: Portugal
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95


Intense ruby color. Clearly favors the component of primary aromas where notes of plum, blackberries, spice and ripe red peppers... shows a nice fresh, soft, and silky tannins and an elegant long finish. 

This wine was at first sweet in my mouth, then it was tangy as it went down my throat, and it left me with a warm after taste. I could not really identify any of the flavors that the description says. 

Rating: 5

The Gourmet Pantry

Name: Altas Cumbras - Torrontes 

Variety: Torrontes
Region: Cafayate, Salta
Country: Argentina
Year: 2009
Price: $7.99

Yellow color with greenish nuances. Very intense aroma of fresh grapes, flower perfume and mature peaches. Fresh in mouth. Light and easy to drink.

This wine had an intense perfume aroma. It also had a very flowery taste. It was tangy in my mouth and burned my throat a little bit. 

Rating: 5

Name: Palo Negra - Malbec 

Variety: Malbec
Region: Maipu
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $11.99

Intense color within the range of cells. Very expressive aromas, red fruits like raspberries with spicy notes. His mouth is structured fruity with sweet, ripe tannins that give a very sleek profile. Ideal to accompany red meats and soft cheeses. 

This wine was smooth and easy to drink with rich flavors (that I of course cannot identify). It left me with a warm after feeling.

Rating: 6

Name: Villa Pozzi - Nero d'Avola 

Variety: Nero d'Avola
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2007
Price: $9.99

Seductively reveals a perfume of blackberry liquor, white flowers, vanilla, and a hint of figs.
Very dark purple, with a reddish-violet edge, typical of this grape. Black plums, a hint of licorice and subtle spice, not overly complex but appealing. A big mouth full of juicy black fruit is well structured by tart acidity and soft but distinct tannins.

This wine had a sharp initial taste of berries. It was smooth at first and then tangy in the back of my mouth as it went down my throat. 

Rating: 6

Wine 10: Opera Prima - Sparkling Moscato 

Variety: Moscato Bianco
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year:
Price: $7.99 (found for $5.29 at Kroger)


Intense aroma of fresh grapes, fruit syrup, and hints of white flower petals... delicate bubbles caress the palate. 

My favorite wine of the day, potentially tied with the Nykteri Santorini Yannis. It was a flowery, bubbly, delicious wine. Sweet and enjoyable to drink. Purchased later at Kroger (not because of the price, simply because I decided later I could not live without a bottle of my own). 

Rating: 8