Wine & Cheese Tasting
December 29th & 31st
Thursday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Saturday 12 PM – 4:00 PM
Gazela
Vinho Verde 2011
Origin: Vinho Verde , Portugal
Varietal: Gazela is a blended wine made from selected grapes from the traditional Vinho Verde varieties. The predominant variety is Loureiro, with Pedernã, Trajadura and Azal being used in smaller amounts.
Tasting Notes: Gazela is a soft, light and refreshing Vinho Verde that goes well with life. It is an uncompromising wine, a renewed classic that confirms all the region’s potential to create light and engaging wines, ideal for everyday drinking. Gazela has a very light yellow citrine color, with a slight fizz that enhances its bouquet, flavors and freshness. Aromatic and engaging, Gazela adds to its citrine and tropical fruit notes a lively and stimulating acidity, very well balanced by a slight touch of sweetness. The end product is a simple, versatile and very attractive wine. Given its freshness, Gazela is a wine that is best drunk young.
Food Pairing:
Gazela is ideal with salads, light fish
or seafood dishes, or just as an aperitif. Gazela should be served well
chilled.
Vinedo de los Vientos Estival 2008
Origin:
The Vinedo de
los Vientos property has been in the Fallabrino family since 1947. The
vineyards are located where the River Plate Estuary and the Atlantic
Ocean meet. This provides clean cool ocean breezes and ideal
climate for the maturation of fine grapevines. For the last 17 years, the old
vines have been replaced with virus free plants imported from France and South Africa. In 1998 new winery
was built with state of the art facilities and a new vision. Viñedo de
los Vientos offers low sulfite products, free of pesticides. Atlantida,
Canelones, Uruguay
Varietal: 60% Gewurztraminer,
30% Chardonnay, 10% Moscato Bianco
Tasting Notes: This
obscure Uruguayan blend with an added Alsacian flair denotes Uruguay’s
traditional winemaking style and the quality of its white wines. Its silky
white tones are accentuated by tart passion fruit wrapped in pineapple
skins. The floral notes continue to flourish with zucchini flowers
sautéed in citrus oils, amplified with an almond finish that matures in one’s
taste.
Food Pairing:
This is a great food pairing
wine. It pairs well with fruits, soft cheeses, chicken and turkey dishes,
but is also an outstanding pairing with sauerkraut, sausages, barbecue and
other spicy meals.
Flaco Tempranillo 2010
Origin: It is produced and bottled by Bodegas Flaco in the Demoninacion de Origen (DO) of Vinos de Madrid, Spain. Madrid is not only the capital of Spain but one of the most interesting wine growing regions of Spain. The outskirts of this great royal city are full of old Tempranillo vines. Madrid is the great unknown. Most Spaniards do not know that Madrid makes wine, thus the incredible values that Madrid showcases at the present time.
Varietal: 100% Tempranillo
Tasting Notes: Its moderate ruby color is accompanied by a sweet nose of strawberries, cherries, spice box, and dried herbs. On the palate it displays lush texture and red berry flavors.
Food Pairing:
This wine will pair
well with just about any meat, more flavorful fish, or poultry dish; including
venison and tuna steaks. It also pairs well with traditional Italian
foods such as Lasagna and Antipasti.
Clos LaChance Merlot Hummingbird Series 2007
Origin: Clos LaChance is a family-owned winery located in San Martin, 45 minutes north of the Monterey Peninsula. Its owners are Bill and Brenda Murphy of Windham, NH. THE HUMMINGBIRD MANTRA: Hummingbirds have been a part of Clos LaChance lore since the first vintage in 1992. Vintner’s Bill and Brenda Murphy chose the hummingbird as the symbol for Clos LaChance Winery due to its territorial nature and ability to chase away the grape-eating birds from the vineyards. Each wine in the Hummingbird Series is named for a true species of Hummingbird—a species that we feel has similar characteristics to the varietal. Violet-Crowned Hummingbirds are restricted to Southern Arizona and New Mexico.
Varietal: 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc
Tasting Notes: This wine has an intense fruit-forward nose of blackberries and dried cherries with a slight herbal characteristic of oregano and thyme. On the palate, the fruit is again in the forefront. Fruits are concurrent with the nose; Blackberries and dried cherries, and some strawberry as well. Aged for 14 months in 5% new French oak and 10% new American oak.
Food Pairing: Solid acids and tannins create a very balanced Merlot that will pair well with prime rib and lamb chops and most other red meats.
The Wolftrap 2008
Origin: Cape of Good Hope , South Africa.
Varietal: Syrah 68 %, Mourvèdre 30 % and Viognier 2 %. Both the Syrah and Mourvèdre components come from a Malmesbury vineyard with the Viognier sourced on Boekenhoutskloof.
Tasting Notes: “The easy one” - Full of black fruits, red and black berries with some violet flavors. Smooth on the palate with some fresh aromas of wild strawberries and cherries. French oak matured with Viognier blended prior to bottling. 14.5% Alcohol
Food Pairing: This wine is perfect for today's relaxed modern lifestyle and for sharing with friends and family. It is the perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes from grilled or roasted white meats to pan fried, roasted or barbecued red meats, pasta dishes and cheeses.
Fritz
Blauer Zweigelt 2007
Origin: Wagram , Donauland, Austria. The Joseph Fritz Winery is a family-owned winery that has been in the Fritz family for five generations; their philosophy is to combine the traditional, established values of a family winery with a modern understanding of wine. They are located on the northern bank of the Danube River, in the Wagram sub-region, which has established itself as a premier growing area.
Varietal: Blauer Zweigelt (aka Zweigelt) is a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent.
Tasting Notes: The wine tends to be big and rich, redolent of cherries and displaying a spiciness that sometimes evokes Syrah/Shiraz. Intense ruby-garnet color, delicate aromas of plum and cherry, poised and balanced on the palate, framed with pleasant tannins and a lingering finish.
Food Pairing: Beef dishes, including spicy beef dishes, BBQ, and cheeses such as Cheddar and aged Gouda.