Tasting Notes for November 7, 2007 Wine Tasting

City Wine Sellar Wine Tasting – November 7, 2007

Oh, the possibilities!!! With all of the aromas, flavors, textures (and personalities!) combined during holiday dinners, it is the perfect opportunity to be creative with your wine service. You can choose one wine that will take you through your entire dinner, from appetizer to dessert, or you can pair a different wine with each course. At first glance, our November tasting seems to be a hodgepodge of wines. Fear not! There is rhyme to our reason…reason to our rhyme…theme to our season.

Three reds, three whites, and a sparkler are on our tasting menu for tonight. For holiday pairings, reds should be big and earthy so as to pair well with turkey, as well as boldly flavored side dishes. Whites should be lighter, more crisp, and less complex.

Whites: Sauvignon Blanc is usually crisp, bloomy, and a good match for salads, turkey and herb dressings. Viognier (one of my favorite whites) is a bit dry, light and flowery, usually with soft hints of pears, peaches, apricots or mangos. Viognier goes great with an oyster dressing or a butternut squash risotto and fruity dishes (from fruit salads to cobblers and pumpkin pie). Riesling is usually sweet (though a few can be dry) and pairs well with turkey and dressing, as well as those dishes made with holiday spice.

Reds: If there was ever a perfect Thanksgiving wine, the Pinot Noir would be it. It is one of the most popular wines in the world, described by Master Sommolier Madeline Triffon as “sex in a glass.” Traditionally, medium-bodied with a broad range of bouquets, flavors, and textures, it pairs well with almost any flavor. Zinfandel is a bit more intense than a Pinot, yet still provides a balance, especially well-paired with side dishes. Syrah/Shiraz is perfect for those of you who like something a little peppery. This wine complements turkey (both white and dark meat) and stuffing. Although a brut sparkler or a sparkling rosé can take you through your entire dinner, our sparking red is recommended as an aperitif, a complement to lighter salads/appetizers or dessert (most especially chocolate).

Robertson Sauvignon Blanc, 2007 (South Africa) – “Full bodied wine with powerful varietal flavours of pineapple, granadilla, melon & green apple. Good structure with lovely balancing acidity.” This white could easily take you through the entire dinner.
Regular Price: $ 10.99 Tasting Price: $ 9.99

Smoking Loon Viognier, 2005 (CA) – “Medium straw color with seductive floral aromas of narcissus and jasmine. The palate is ripe with apricot, white peach and guava nectar, while the honeyed finish includes a kiss of clove spice.” Nicely complements vegetable side dishes, especially sweet potatoes!
Regular Price: $ 11.79 Tasting Price: $ 10.79

Shelton Riesling, 2006 (NC) – Slightly dry, this wine “shows hints of peach, honey, and apricot and finishes with a crisp hint of Granny Smith apple.” Pairs well with turkey, potato salad, ham, glazed carrots, squash.
Regular Price: $ 13.99 Tasting Price: $ 12.99

Beaulieu Vineyard Coastal Estates Pinot Noir, 2006 (CA) – Youthful and aromatic, “this vintage showcases black cherry, anise, and dried herb aromas reflecting its cool-climate origins and outstanding fruit maturity. On the palate, it is already quite rich in fruit, with medium body, a round velvety texture meshed with balanced acidity and lots of spicy-cherry, cocoa and mineral flavors.” Another wine that will take you from start to finish!
Regular Price: $ 14.99 Tasting Price: $ 13.99

Peter Lehman Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre, 2003 (Australia) – “This exciting, richly-flavoured wine is made from a blend of the three oldest and most established red grape varieties grown in the Barossa Valley.” It is both soft and sweet on the palate with superb richness and structure. The Mourvèdre grape adds a spicy, peppery wildness. A great main course wine.
Regular Price: $ 16.49 Tasting Price: $ 15.49

Fetzer Zinfandel, 2005 (CA) -- A deep ruby color with concentrated aromas of black pepper and spice; balanced with an intensity that fills your mouth with wonderful dark berry flavors. It’s a rich, soft wine when you drink it. Great with meatballs, bread pudding, veggies/side dishes.
Regular Price: $ 11.98 Tasting Price: $ 10.98

Banfi Rosa Regale Sparkling Dolce Red Wine, 2006 (Italy) -- “A soft and deliciously luscious Red Sparking Wine with charming hints of rose petals and raspberries. Ideal as an aperitif or elegant dessert wine.”
Regular Price: $ 19.99 Tasting Price: $ 18.99