Wine Tasting from the Vintage Cellar 4/5

Tasting- gPG Garganega

Name: gPG Garganega

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Prodotto

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

Critic Review: gPG is from the dell Venezie regions of north-eastern Italy.  A clean and crisp palate with plenty of texture and weight follows aromas of apples and zesty lemons.  It's perfect with grilled white fish and light risotto.

My Review: I thought this wine was very refreshing.  It smelled like lemons.  It was very light and fruity.  I liked this wine.

I did not have any food with this wine.

Tasting- Oveja Negra

Name: Oveja Negra

Variety: Syrah- Cab Rose

Region: Maule Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2010

Price: $6.95

Critic Review:Oveja Negra Reserva Rose is bright cherry-red in color and has an attractive nose with aromas of raspberries and strawberries as well as plum and a bit of green apple.  Crisp and juicy on the palate with a slight sweetness that accompanies the red fruit flavors.  Pleasing natural acidity with medium fruit flavors.  Pleasing natural acidity with medium-high intensity, nice persistence, and a fresh finish.

My Review: I did not like this wine.  I found it very bitter.  It smelled very fruity like strawberries.  I couldn't really taste anything except the bitterness of the wine.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting- Varas

Name: Varas

Variety: Vinho Tinto

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

Year: Non- Vintage

Price: $21.95 for a 3 Liter Box ($5.49/bottle)

Critic Review: This smooth portuguese red is a blend of Castelo (45%), Tinta Roriz (25%), Tinta Barroca (20%), and Pinot Noir (10%).  The vineyards are located near Lisbon, planted in sunny gentle slopes of clay and limestone soils.  The wine was aged in oak barrels.

My Review: I really liked  this wine.  It was my favorite of the group.  It was medium-bodied and very light tasting.  It smelled fruity of berries.  It also tasted very fruity like blackberries and a bit of spice.

Tasting- Montebuena

Name: Montebuena

Variety: Rioja

Region: Crianza

Country: Spain

Year: 2007

Price: $6.95

Critic Review: 100% Tempranillo.  Dark red. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with hints of cracked pepper and dried rose.  Crisp and dry on the palate, with spicy redcurrant and cherry flavors, light tannins and a fresh, energetic finish.  An excellent value, and surprisingly elegant for this price point.  

My Review: I did not like this wine.  I thought this tasted very strongly of spices.  I smelled pepper right away.  

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting- Cantina di Casteggio

Name: Cantina di Casteggio

Variety: Mascato di Pavia

Region: Provencia de Pavi

Country: Italy

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $7.95

Critic Review: Bright, light golden color.  Very aromatic nose of ripe apricots, sage, honey, and a slight minerallity.  Medium bodied, sweet and fruity with flavors of apricots and tangerine.  Well balanced acidity and medium finish with layers of sweet and citrus fruit.  

My Review: This wine was very fruity smelling like apricots.  I liked this a lot.  It was very light and almost tasted like apple juice.

I did not have food with this wine.

Dinner Pairing- Zeppoli's (Italy)

On Sunday April 1, 2012 my friends Abby, Katelyn, Matt, and I attended the Zeppoli's wine pairing dinner.  The wines that were featured were all from Italy.  We tried 4 white wines and 5 red wines.  The atmosphere of the restaurant was very relaxed and everyone was very friendly.  The area we sat in was very cozy.  The wait staff was very knowledgable about wines and knew the ones we tried very well.

The front of the restaurant

The food was served in a buffet style.  We ate Mediterranean pasta which consisted of pasta, olives, onions, tomatoes and feta cheese.  This was my favorite dish by far.  I also had pasta shells with marinara sauce, brie and crackers, salad with chicken, pizza bread, and bread with olive oil baked on it.  The food was all very good and paired well with the wine.

Abby and I at dinner.

For some of the wines, we did a blind taste test where the waiter would pour one one and have us compare it with the second wine that he poured.  We would then have to guess which wine was which.  I really enjoyed this because we go into trying the wines without knowing the price or alcohol content so we see which ones we really liked without judging them first.  

wines we tasted

Here are the wines we tasted:

Fossi Bianco Table Wine: Alcohol content: 11.5%; This was good.  It had a lemon nose and was very citrusy.  It was a little bitter but overall had a very smooth finish.  I had this wine with the salad with chicken.  The chicken made it taste a little less bitter and smoother.  It was a very light and refreshing wine.  $6.99

La Fiera Pinot Grigio, 2010:  Alcohol content: 12%; This had a very floral nose with a hint of pears.  It was a little bitter also and citrusy.  I had this with the mediterranean pasta which made it taste smooth and less bitter.  It was also a very dry wine. $7.99

Nals Margried Pinot Grigio, 2010: Alcohol Content: 14% This wine had a very fruity nose that smelled like apples.  It was medium bodied but really refreshing.  It had a little bit of a "hot" finish.  I tried this with the mediterranean pasta.  $14.00

Lodali Moscato D'Asti 2011: Alcohol Content: 5.5% This had a very intensely fruity nose.  It was very fruity tasting as well and had hints of apple on the nose and taste.  I liked this wine.  I tried it with the salad with chicken. $12.99

Luca Primitivo del Salento Puglia: Alcohol Content: 13% This wine was very smooth.  It had a very heavy and musty nose.  It tasted like berries.  I couldn't really pick up what it smelled like because the mustiness overpowered my nose.  I tried this with the pasta with marinara sauce. $8.99

SUD Primitivo Pulgia, 2010: Alcohol Content: 13.5% This had an extremely vanilla nose.  It was a little hot on the finish.  It also tasted a lithe like berries and spices.  I also tasted this with the pasta with marinara sauce.  $11.99

Morli Neri Chiante DOCG, 2009: Alcohol Content: 12.5% This was a very smooth wine.  It was a little chalky tasting.  I detected hints of blackberries in this.  I liked this wine.  It is a medium-bodied wine.  I tried this with the pizza bread.  $9.99

Bibi Graetz Casamata Toscana 2010: Alcohol Content: 12%  This had a very berry nose.  It was very smooth and medium bodied.  It was a little spicy.  It was also very earthy tasting.  I had this with the pizza bread.  $12.99

Lodali Nebbiolo D'Alba Sant Ambrogio, 2009: Alcohol Content: 13.5% This wine was described to us as a Borolo wine but it could not be called this because it did not follow the laws that are placed for Borolo wines.  I thought this wine was ok.  It had a weird aftertaste to me.  It was very fruity and smooth with a hint of sweetness. $17.99