Wine & Cheese Tasting at The Wine Steward
Thursday, June 14th and Saturday, June 16th, 2007
Caposaldo Pinot Grigio 2006
Origin: Veneto, Italy (from the hills northeast of Verona)
Varietal: 100% Pinot Grigio
Tasting Notes: Delicate white fruit and apple aromas, offset by notes of acacia blossoms and almonds. The texture is crisp and vibrant with a well-balanced, bright acidity and a clean, fresh finish. This is an easy drinking crisp white wine for the summer or anytime.
Food Pairing: Pairs well with pork, chicken, light pasta dishes, seafood and cheese. $10.99
Annie’s Lane Riesling 2004
Origin: Clare Valley, Australia. Annie' s Lane is one of the finest wineries in Australia's renowned Clare Valley and represents the finest vineyards in one of South Australia's great regions.
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Tasting Notes: ‘A terrific wine from the third stunning Riesling vintage in a row. The smells and palate both show strong lime zest with underlying lemon character. The palate has a lovely fine acid that balances some deep and penetrating fruit flavours.’ (Ray Jordan, West Australian, 29/01/05) Pure and intense, this has apple, lime and spicy aromas with clean, harmonious flavour, good depth and a real tang. It’s age-worthy, too – up to 10 years. (Sunday Age, 17/10/04)
Food Pairing: Try it with sushi, shellfish, fresh summer salads or just drink it alone. $14.59
Sonoma Cutrer Sonoma Coast 2005
Origin: Sonoma Coast, California
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: Distinct aromas of ginger and lemon zest are joined by toasty coconut, melon and caramel alongside a mineral, flinty cedar chest oakiness overlaid by notes of honeysuckle. Flavors of lemon, apple, pear, pineapple and cantaloupe — the full array of Sonoma’s cornucopia of fruit, joins a nutty, spicy, lightly oaky profile that stakes out a unique territory sure to please those who love Chardonnay. Sonoma-Cutrer, Sonoma Coast Vintage 2005 90 Points, Wine & Spirits 17th Annual Restaurant Poll #1 Most Popular Chardonnay, #2 Top Restaurant Sellers, #2 Most Popular Wine by the Glass
Food Pairing: Shrimp, lobster, crab, scallops, red snapper, striped bass, other whitefish, tuna, oysters (raw), pasta with shellfish, pasta with clam sauce, crudité, chicken, turkey, veal. $27.99
Chivite Gran Fuedo 2002
Origin: Navarra, Spain. Situated in a privileged geographical area, between Bordeaux and Rioja, its climate and soils are especially suited for cultivating grapevines. The Gran Feudo line from Spain's Navarra region in the north is just another example of the good quality and good prices coming out of Spain. Julian Chivite dates from the 1600s, and the 11th generation is running the winery today.
Varietal: 70% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacha, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is simply called a "Red Wine," but the fine type on the front label reveals the blend of mostly Tempranillo with Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. The back label tells you it's a "Crianza," or aged two years by law in barrels and/or tanks.
Tasting Notes: This is an old-world style red, with big, brawny, spicy flavors and a burnt toast character from the wood.
Food Pairing: It calls for big-flavored foods such as grilled meats cooked with lots of garlic and spice. $13.49
Tenute Silvio Nardi Rosso Di Montalcino 2004
Origin: The village of Montalcino lies in the southernmost part of the Chianti Colli Senese zone in Italy’s Tuscany region.
Varietal: 100% sangiovese grapes
Tasting Notes: The wine's intense cherry red color and ripe, well-extracted wild cherry fruit aromas are offset by suggestions of leather and spice, confirmed on the palate in a chewy, forward wine of medium full body and velvety tannic structure. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate - A plump, tasty effort offering sweet ripe fruit, toasted oak and spice notes on a medium-bodied frame with excellent length and fine tannins. Anticipated maturity: now 2009. Decanter Magazine, Sept 2006 – 4 Stars, Intense Sangiovese nose with delicate fruit but lots of nuance, fine tannins and good length on the palate with lovely berry fruit finish.
Food Pairing: Well-matched for the flavors of chicken, red meat, fish, lamb, pork, pastas, stews or well-aged cheeses. Classic pairing with Osso Buco. $22.99
Houghton Shiraz
Origin: Western Australia, Australia
Varietal: 100% Shiraz
Tasting Notes: Unlike some New World Shiraz/Syrah that subordinate varietal distinctiveness to over-the-top ripeness, Houghton’s rendition offers clearly etched red berry, plum and black pepper aromas, with complementary notes of violets, smoke and mint. Fresh and superbly structured on the palate, its savory berry, cocoa and spice flavors are both delicious and complex and will reward an additional 3-5 years’ bottle aging. Wine News (October, 2006) 90 Points, Wine Enthusiast (August, 2006) 89 Points, Wine Spectator Smart Buy (May, 2006) - 89 Points,
Food Pairing: Shiraz is great for grilled meats or veggies, wild game, richly flavored red meats, beef stew and lamb. $16.79