Wine Tasting Notes -- April 2, 2008

Let it be known that I’m horrible at keeping secrets. I wanted to keep these wines under wraps, so to speak, until the end of the tasting, and do a great “voila” to reveal their identities. While putting together the tasting notes, I got too excited about the variety of wines we’ll be tasting that I decided to save the “brown bag” theme for another time. I hope you will be as excited tasting the super group of Argentine wines selected.
Argentine wines could very well be the next phenomenon wines to hit the U.S. market. They’re being regarded as some of the best wine values, balancing quality and value quite nicely. Argentina is the worlds 5th largest wine producing country, and 6th largest wine consuming country. Once difficult to find in the United States, you will surely be seeing more and more of these wines in your favorite restaurants and wine shops in the years to come. –Debbie
Special thanks to Ann Hoffman, Publisher of The Daily Advance, our Guest Pourer for this evening, and to Lisa Van Curen of Empire Distributing. “Connected” is back with us for another great evening of jazz and wine. Be sure to get their contact information and book them for your next big event!
--Trivento Chardonnay – “Combines distinctive varietal character with judicious oak aging to deliver rich banana and crisp apple flavors complemented by toast notes. After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak for two months. Well suited for seafood and white meats.”
Regular Price: $ 12.36 Tasting Price: $ 11.36
--Pannotia Torrontes – “Pannotia Torrontes has floral notes of iris and hibiscus, two plants growing along the Cafayate plateau. Pannotia’s riper style of Torrontes offers light notes of orange zest, green apple, lemon, and peach. With this wine, Pannotia has created a wine that juggles lightness and intensity.”
Regular Price: $ 14.68 Tasting Price: $ 13.68
--Duo Sauvignon Blanc – “The nose is fragrant with cantaloupe melon and lemon blossom. The taste carries a vivacious freshness with rich, chewy flavors of grapefuit, tropical fruit and mineral. Plump mouthfeel followed by a flinty note on the finish.”
Regular Price: $ 13.18 Tasting Price $ 12.18
--MontGras Carmenere – “Powerful aromas of spices, wild herbs and vanilla. It has a well-rounded taste with subtle fruit flavors and soft tannins leading to a velvety finish.”
Regular Price: $ 15.58 Tasting Price $ 14.58
--Trivento Syrah – “An alluring nose of violets and cassis. Intense red in color, the wine is smooth and velvety on the palate with supple tannins. It offers rich fruit flavors complemented by spice notes. Aged in American and French oak for 5 to 7 months, it is perfect for braised beef or lamb as well as for Mediterranean fare.”
Regular Price: $ 12.36 Tasting Price $ 11.36
--Pannotia Malbec – “Pannotia Malbec is created from grapes grown in one of the most distinctive areas of Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo. The dusty, even fluffy, soils of that great old vineyard bring out another side of the grape: black and red cherries, blueberries, and hints of chocolate.”
Regular Price: $ 14.68 Tasting Price $ 12.68