Wine & Cheese Tasting
May 26th & May 28 th
Thursday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Saturday 12 PM – 5:00 PM
Hopler Gruner Veltliner 2009
Origin: The Höpler winery is located in Breitenbrunn on the western banks of Lake Neusiedl, in the Austrian province of Burgenland.
Varietal: 100% Gruner Veltliner
Tasting Notes: The Austrian national grape variety is marked by its primary rock character, a light green tinge, yellow apple scents, and spicy hay flavors supported by minerals
Food Pairing: Grüner
Veltliner pair well with cold hors d´oeuvres, pasta dishes, delicate salads or
as special aperitif. A favorite with
fried Calamari.
Alta Vista Torrontes Salta 2009
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina . There is nothing superior to Torrontés from the region of Salta, in which the grapes are cultivated 1700 to 2400 meters above sea level.
Varietal: 100% Torrontes
Tasting Notes: Vinification : in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature, without malolactic fermentation. Ageing : In stainless steel tanks at a low temperature to preserve the fruit. Tasting Notes : With a bright yellow color and delicate floral aromas, this wine excites the senses with its freshness and liveliness. Intense and delicate aromas reminiscent of white roses, grapefruit and pears. It is fresh with a flinty character accompanying a balanced acidity. We suggest serving it between 44ºF and 46ºF.
Food Pairing: This wine pairs well with smoked meats, mild to medium-strong cheeses,
white meats, seafood and spicy foods such as Thai. It also drinks well on its own.
Domaine du Pegau Plum Bleue 2007
Origin: Fruit is sourced from vineyards in the Costières de Nîmes, France
Varietal: 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah
Tasting Notes: This big fruity wine has lots of plum, cherry and dark berry flavors with just enough chewy tannin to balance it out. It has a mildly smoky flavor. 87 pts. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 6/09. – “…performing even better than when I reviewed it last summer. This cuvee offers plenty of sweet kirsch, earthy, peppery, spicy notes as well as an attractive round, expansive mouthfeel.”
Food Pairing: Perfect with hearty salads, pizza,
pasta, grilled meats or vegetables, or charcuterie or other cold meats.
Primaterra Primitivo 2009
Origin: Puglia, Italy.
Varietal: 100% Primitivo. Primitivo is the first red grape picked in Italy. Even by the standards in Puglia, Primaterra has their growers pick early in the morning and just when the grapes are ready.
Tasting Notes: The 2009 Primaterra Primitivo is 100% Primitivo, a clone of the California Zinfandel that has a nice spice from the Puglian heat, and a ripe dark fruit nose. The partial (40%) oak aging slightly softens the spice and helps smooth the finish. winemaker's notes: Ripe and fruity with notes of spice and a soft finish, this primitivo is a winner. Strong, vigorous, and full of personality it is a real king.
Food Pairing: Grilled,
flavorful dishes, spicier foods and tasty red tomato sauces of southern Italian
cooking match its dark berry and peppery attitude. In fact try it with anything you like with
zinfandel such as a wide variety of pasta, meat, barbecue and cheese
dishes.
Deep Sea Red 2008
Origin: Central Coast, California. Fruit for 2008 Deep Sea Red comes from Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo Counties in the Central Coast of California.
Varietal: Syrah 74.3%, Petite Sirah 13.5%, Lagrein 5.8%, Merlot 3.7%, Mourvèdre 2.6%
Tasting Notes: The 2008 Deep Sea Red shows incredibly dark purple hues reminiscent of pomegranate. The nose jumps at you with intense notes of dark red fruits including blackberry, plum, fresh bread, red meats, followed with hints of rose petal, thyme/oregano and lavender. The entry shows both its very nice acidity and youthful yet soft, sweet tannins. This wine unfolds into jam and cherry cola, supplemented with very nice oak integration. Gold Medal - 2010 Florida International Wine & Grape Juice Competition; Gold Medal - 2010 San Diego International Wine Competition; Silver Medal - 2010 Los Angeles International Wine Competition; Silver Medal - 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Food Pairing: Cream and hard cheeses, steak tartar, lamb, beef, duck, goose, venison, pork, spiced or smoked meats, barbeque sauces, roasted vegetables, dried fruits, pasta (cream & red sauces), Pan-Asian cuisine.
Fruit Wine – Saturday May 28th Only
Labelle Winery Corazon
Origin: Amherst, New Hampshire
Varietal: Seyval Blanc grape and Red Raspberries
Tasting Notes: Citrus, Fruity andVibrant! A beautiful marriage of our gold medal award winning wines Seyval Blanc & Red Raspberry, Corazon is a unique, blush wine that is versatile enough to enjoy on its own or with a meal.
Food Pairing: An off-dry wine, Corazon is excellent with poultry or seafood, and, of course, during all romantic occasions… “We recommend drinking this by candlelight !”
Labelle Winery Cranberry Wine
Origin: Amherst, New Hampshire
Varietal: Made from 100% New England cranberries.
Tasting Notes: Crisp, Sweet-Tart and Fresh. This refreshing wine is the perfect balance of light sweetness and tart cranberry. Made from 100% New England cranberries, the wine’s brilliant red color and bright flavor entice, while the flavor compliments a wide variety of food pairings.
Food Pairing: This easy to drink wine is wonderful at all friendly gatherings served by itself, slightly chilled or made into a delightful and refreshing Labelle Cranberry Cosmo martini.
Labelle Cranberry Wine Cosmopolitan
6 oz of Labelle
Winery Cranberry Wine
2 oz Triple Sec
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
1 tsp. Sugar (or more to taste)
3 – 4 Ice Cubes
Colored Sugar for rimming glasses
Put all ingredients into a shaker and mix vigorously. Pour into sugar-rimmed martini glasses and garnish with lime wedges, if desired. Sip with friends and enjoy! Makes 2 martinis.