Dinner Pairing - Zeppoli's (Italy)

A picture of the outside of Zeppoli's Italian Restaurant.

On April 1, 2012, I went with my friends Katelyn, Katy, and Matt to Zeppoli's for the wine dinner pairing.  We had attended one of these before so we knew to get there early to get our own table.  It was a full house that night so I'm glad that we did.  The night went just as it did the first time we participated, and we had a great time.

My friend Katy and I at the dinner waiting for our wine.

The dinner was buffet style with a plethora of different Italian dishes.  The food included garlic bread, cheese and crackers, chicken salad with balsamic dressing, a mediterranean pasta with feta cheese, pasta with meat sauce, and small pizza slices.  There was no dessert this time.  

A small sample of the food we ate at the dinner.

The vibe was very casual.  We all sat around and began eating our food while the guide of the tasting began describing the wines.  He was a great leader throughout the meal.  He would describe each wine, what we should smell and what we should taste, as well as what the best thing would be to pair it with.  It was especially helpful when he said what food on our plates we should eat with that particular wine.  It really enhanced the experience because we were able to correctly pair the wines and understand what a really good food pairing can do for the flavor of a wine.  Something that was a little bit different was that instead of giving us all of the information about each wine upfront, he left pairs of them a mystery to us and we had to guess which one was more expensive, which had more alcohol, and what time of grape we thought they were.  This made it interactive and fun.

All nine Italian wines we tasted at the dinner.

The ones we tasted that night were all awesome.  Here is my review of the nine Italian wines we tasted.

Fossi Bianco White Table Wine: $6.99, 11.5% alcohol; This wine was very subtle.  It had pear and apple flavors on the nose and the taste as well.  I tasted this with the mediterranean pasta which was the perfect pairing.  They were both very light and accompanied each other well.  The aftertaste of this wine dropped off quickly but it was delicious overall.  

La Fiera 2010 Pinot Grigio Veneto: $7.99, 12% alcohol; This wine was a little bit bitter on the nose, the taste, and the aftertaste.  However, it was smooth, refreshing, and it had hints of apple and pair.  

Nals Margried 2010 Pinot Grigio Alto Adige: $14.00, 14% alcohol; This had a very strong citrusy nose and had a stronger flavor than the first.  It was slightly heavier bodied than the Fossi Bianco however it was still very light and refreshing.  I tasted this with the mediterranean pasta as well. 

Lodali 2011 Moscato D'Asti: $12.99, 5.5% alcohol; This wine was very sweet and bubbly.  The bubbles made it more refreshing which was good because it helped cut the sweetness a little bit.  I would have liked to have tasted this wine at the end of my meal with dessert instead of in the middle of the meal.  However, I did enjoy this Moscato because it had hints of apples and peach and was deliciously sweet.

Luca Primativo del Salento Puglia: $8.99, 13% alcohol; This wine was very hot on the nose and I didn't like how it smelled.  However, I really liked the way that it tasted.  It had big fruit flavors but was also spicy, which created the perfect balance.  I tasted this with the pasta with meat sauce and after doing so, the fruit flavors became even more prominent.  

SUD 2010 Primativo Puglia: $11.99, 13.5 alcohol; This wine had big cherry flavors and unlike the one right before this, I loved the way it smelled as well as how it tasted.  It was fruity, smooth, and full-bodied.  I tasted it with the pasta with meat sauce.

Morli Neri 2009 Chianti DOCG: $9.99, 12.5 alcohol; This wine was slightly spicy and I could detect blackberry.  It was a medium-bodied wine, smooth, and slightly acidic.  It was a very good wine and I really enjoyed it.

Bibi Graetz 2010 Casamata Toscana: $12.99, 12% alcohol; This wine was extremely spicy on the nose and the taste.  It was not my favorite of the night, however the aftertaste did linger for a long time which was nice.  I tasted it with the pasta with red sauce which was the perfect pairing and it cut down some of the spiciness.

Locali 2009 Nebbiolo D'Alba Sant Ambrogrio: $17.99, 13.5% alcohol; This wine was by far my favorite of the night!  At first, I didn't really like the nose of the wine but upon tasting it, I totally changed my mind.  It was somewhat sweet when it first hit my mouth and then that sweetness melted away and became slightly spicy. It was complex and satisfying.  Definitely the best of the night.

Winery Visit- Grayhaven Winery

      On March 3rd, a couple of friends and I went to Grayhaven Winery in Gum Spring, VA near Richmond on our way to the Outer Banks for spring break.  This winery was different than any other we had been to before.  When we pulled into it, we realized that it was not a very upscale or done-up winery.  In fact, when we arrived, there was only a small sign with the winery’s name at the end of a gravel driveway.  Along the drive way were old children’s toys and a rusty playground.  Needless to say, it was very eccentric. 

The small sign at the entrance of the winery.

     When we walked into the winery building itself, our tasting guide, Bunni, cheerfully greeted us.  The feel of the place was relaxed and enjoyable.  Bunni explained to us that this winery opened in 1978, held the 6th oldest root stalk in Virginia, and that during a drought a few years ago, when many wineries around the country lost their vines, Grayhaven was able to send them some of their own.  She was excited about the winery and went on and on about how much she loves her job. The winery, though small looking, actually produces 4,000 cases a year, over 33 types of wine a year, and grows 26 varietals of grapes- more than any in Virginia.  She explained to us that most of their wines are unfiltered so there are sediments but that those add to the flavors and “chew” factor.  They only oak 4 or 5 of their 26 varietals and they do this in an unusual way; instead of using oak barrels, they actually use oak chips that they mix with the wines. 

The small, cozy tasting room at Grayhaven Winery.

       Unfortunately, this winery did not offer a guided tour.  For the tasting, we sampled 5 different wines made at the winery.  Here is my review of the wines:

Moonlight white Pinot Gris- This wine is unfiltered and lightly oaked.  I must say that I did not enjoy this wine at all.  It was very light and dry, to be honest it smelled like wet dog which masked all other scents.  Our tour guide really likes this one though, so to each his own! ($16.00)

Eventide Sangiose Rose-  I liked this wine.  It is very versatile according to Bunni and it can go with bold flavors as well as delicate foods.  It was fruity with a cherry nose and had a flavor that was interestingly buttery.  It goes well with chocolate ($20.00).

Trekker Marechal Foch 2011/ Cabernet franc 2009 blend-  This wine is nicknamed the "angry Frenchman" because it is a hard grape to grow.  The nickname comes from General Marshall, a general during the French Revolution. This had blackberry on the nose, was very dark in color but light bodied and very drinkable.  Unfortunately, flavor falls right off after swallowing ($24.00).

Sojourn Marechal Foch/Petit Verdot 2012- In this wine, the Petit Verdot softens the flavor which makes it pleasant on the nose and somewhat spicy.  It tastes somewhat spicy as well but fruity with a tart/citrus component as well.  Overall, it had a very complex flavor, was medium bodied, and woodsy at the finish rather than citrusy.  It can go with meat and even barbecue ($26.00).

Rendezvous- This wine is 100% Petit Verdot and comes from both 2010 and 2011vintage grapes.  The 2010 grapes bring a fruity component and the 2011 brings a smokey and spicy, less fruity component. It is between a medium and full bodied wine and smells milk chocolatey.  The smell is sweet but it  doesn't necessarily taste sweet; it was very well-balanced.

The collection of wines that we tasted at Grayhaven Winery.

We had a really good time at Grayhaven Winery that day.  Despite how different the winery was from any we had visited before, it was fun and enjoyable!

Me and my friends standing outside of the Grayhaven Winery.

Winery Tasting- James River Cellars

        On March 3rd, I went with my friends Matt, Katy, and Katelyn on a trip to James River Cellars Winery in Glen Allen, Virginia right near Richmond.  We were on our way to the Outer Banks for spring break and decided to stop by a couple of wineries in Richmond along the way.  On the outside, this winery was different than any I had seen before.  First off, it was right off of a big road so it wasn't very secluded and was right in the middle of a city.  The grape vines were the first thing we saw when we pulled into the parking lot and they were very small.  However, upon walking up to the winery building, which was cute, yellow, and cottage-like, the atmosphere took on a very relaxing and elegant feel.

The front yard of this small winery off of a main road in Richmond, VA. To the left is the building where all of the wines are made.

      Unfortunately, because the winery is very small, they do not offer guided tours.  However, our guide for the tasting, Keith, was very informative about the grapes that they grow and the methods that the winery uses for making their wines.  He was an older gentleman who was very entertaining and kept us laughing throughout the tasting.  Keith was able to really connect with us despite our age differences and he told stories about going to football games when he was younger and stories about taking “jagerbombs” with his fishing buddies.  On a more serious note, he explained to us that they grow 11 grape varieties at the winery; 5 whites and 6 reds.  He said that they do not over filter any of the red wines so most of them have some sediment at the bottom.  They do this in order to keep all of the flavors and the authenticity of the wine in tact.  80% of the grapes used to make the James River Cellars’ wines are grown by the winery itself.  However, most of the grapes are actually grown in Montpelier, VA at a vineyard they own about an hour away from Richmond.  This explains why the grape vines at the location we visited were so small.  

Me and my friends in front of the grape vines with the wines we bought after the tasting!

    My favorite part of our visit to James River Cellars was the wine tasting.  We tasted 13 wines which was awesome and the best part was I liked almost every single one.  We started off tasting dry, white wines and made our way to reds and then very sweet wines. 

This is a picture of my friends in the tasting room while they get ready to taste the wines.

Here is my review of the wines that we tasted:

2010 Chardonnay- This wine was aged in stainless steel so it was not oaky at all which I appreciated.  It was crisp with fruity flavors like green apple and pear.  It was not sweet and our guide suggested pairing it with a jambalaya ($12.00).

2009 Gewiirztraminer- This wine had 0.5% sugar content and was extremely floral, both on the nose and to the taste.  I could specifically detect roses on the nose.  It was a little bit too floral for me ($15.00)

2010 Chardonel- This is a Gold Medal Winner! The Chardonel grape is a hybrid between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, which created a sweet but refreshing wine.  The nose was very subtle but I could detect some spice and some fruitiness as well ($14.00).

2010 Vidal- This is a Gold Medal Winner! This wine was very citrusy with a strong grapefruit flavor.  However, there was a hint of sweetness, which balanced out the acidity and made this wine very enjoyable.  Our guide suggested drinking this with breakfast or a curry chicken salad ($17.00).

2010 Rad Red- This is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes.  It has no sugar at all and is 12% alcohol.  On the nose I detected blackberry and a somewhat spicy component as well.  This was one of my favorites ($15.00).

2008 Cabernet Franc- Overall, this wine didn’t wow me.  It was very subtle on the nose as well as the taste.  It was somewhat spicy and not very full-bodied.  I could detect pepper and some acidity ($16.00).

2008 Merlot- This wine was very full-bodied and complex.  It was somewhat spicy but smooth and had big berry aromas and tastes such as blackberry and cherry.  I found this to be quite enjoyable ($18.00).

2008 Hanover- This is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Chancellor grape varieties.  It was somewhat sweet with black currant and cherry flavors.  It was very enjoyable ($14.00).  (At this point, the rest of the wines we tasted became sweeter and sweeter).

2011 Chambourcin- This wine was my favorite of all the 13 wines that we tasted.  We did something during the tasting that I’ve never done before which our guide called the “Sip, Chip, Sip.”  What we did was took a sip of the wine, then ate some semi-sweet chocolate chips, and then took another sip.  It was delicious.  The wine was semi-sweet, medium-bodied, and had hints of blackberry.  The chocolate chips enhanced the flavor of the wine.  After the Sip, Chip, Sip our guide warmed up the wine and we drank it hot.  This actually made the wine less sweet and was good this way as well.  At the winery, they have nicknamed this wine “the baby-maker” ($15.00).

2008 Colonial Red- This wine is made with 100% Merlot grapes and was infused with cinnamon.  I’ve never had anything like it.  It tasted somewhat like apple pie and was like “Christmas in a bottle.”  It was sweet but not overwhelmingly so ($10.00).

2008 Montpelier Blush- This wine is 3-5% sugar and was very sweet.  It is a blend of Chardonnay, Chardonel, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc.  There was a hint of strawberries and this is served on Mother’s Day at the winery with strawberry shortcake.  This was a little bit too sweet for me ($12.00).

2010 Hanover White- This wine is a combination of iced Chardonnay, Chardonel, and Moscato and is 5% sugar.  It was very sweet and dessert-like.  I could detect pear in this wine. This was very sweet but was refreshing as well ($15.00).

2010 Divino- This one is a “true dessert wine.”  The grapes are frozen in an 18-wheeler truck and turned into raisins.  It is 30-35% sugar so needless to say it was extremely sweet and our guide called it a “diabetic coma in a bottle.”  It had high alcohol content and was very floral ($20.00).

Here is a picture of the collection of wines we tasted.

Overall, my experience at James River Cellars was very enjoyable and a lot of fun.  I really liked the vibe of the place and the people were really nice.  The tasting was only $5 and for college students on a budget, this was a deal.  We each bought a different bottle of wine and loved tasting each of them again later that night!

Tasting- Santola Vinho Verde

Name: Santola Vinho Verde

Variety: Vinho Verde

Region: Mealhada

Country: Portugal

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $7.95

Critic Review:  Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors.  Off dry and very fresh.

My Review: This wine was very refreshing, somewhat sweet but not overwhelmingly. It's very drinkable while somewhat tart and light. A very good balance between sweet and sour. I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Protocolo Blanc

Name: Protocolo Blanc

Variety: White Wine Blend

Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Price: $6.95

Critic Review:  Greenish gold.  Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle.  Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness.  Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon.  As usual, this is an outstanding value.

My Review: Somewhat dry but still enjoyable. It was acidic which made it refreshing. It burned a little bit on the throat which was not pleasant but I liked it overall.  I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Resonata Nero D'Avola

Name: Resonata Nero D'Avola

Variety: Nero D'Avola

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $6.95

Critic Review:  Dense ruby red with violet reflections.  Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice.  Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background.

My Review: This one smelled very strongly of blackberry and after smelling it I was very excited to taste it. The taste did not disappoint it was very good.  It was complex and interesting, I really enjoyed it.  I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Don Ramon Tinto

Name:Don Ramon

Variety: 27% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo

Country: Spain

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $7.95

Critic Review: 75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo.  Aged 3 months in American Oak casks.  Ruby red in color, with creamy aromas of earth and cherry.  Flavor turns toward deeper and darker black cherry and raspberry on a medium framework.  A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit adds some depth and complexity.

My Review: This one was a little bit spicy with berry fruit on the nose. The flavor overall was pretty subtle and not overwhelming. I was not very pleased with this one. I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Heinz Eifel Shine

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine

Variety: Riesling

Country: Germany

Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

Critic Review:  Flint and mineral notes accent pineapple and lime aromas, while on the palate, the wine shows plenty of ripe, citrusy fruit flavors. Tangy acids on the long finish provide balance.

My Review: This wine smelled a little bit like sugar water.   It was really sweet but a little tangy and delicious. I loved this wine and did not have it with food.

Tasting- Cantina Villafranca Frascati

Name: Cantina Villafranca

Variety: Frascati

Region: Frascati

Country: Italy

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $7.95

Critic Review:  Produced from a selection of the best grapes located in the Frascati Doc production area. Made from 45% Malvasia di Candia, 15% Trebbiano Toscano, 25% Malvasia del Lazio, 15% Grechetto (Greco). Intense yellow color with greenish reflections. Characteristic persistent fresh and fruity aromas. Excellent as an aperitif and paired with fish, seafood or white meat.

My Review: This wine was slightly bitter and also very tart.  I could taste the alcohol pretty strongly, which made this wine less enjoyable.  I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Morro Bay

Name: Morro Bay White Oak Estates

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Lodi, California

Country: United States

Year: 2009

Price: $5.95

Critic Review: Vanilla cream soda nose with a slice of fresh cut pineapple. Full body, tropical fruit, spice and pleasing vanilla oak note linger in the finish. Sweet flavor on the palate is from sur-lie aging the wine on the primary yeast lees for 7months. A versatile style of wine that can be served chilled with fine cuisine or a glass with friends. Certified Green by Lodi Rules Sustainable Winegrowers.

My Review: I really enjoyed this wine.  On the nose I could smell pineapple and it tasted somewhat nutty.  It was light, slightly acidic and refreshing.  I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Coreto Tinto

Name: Coreto

Variety: Tinto

Region: Liboa Region

Country: Portugal

Year: 2008

Price: $6. 95

Critic Review: This red from the Coreto range has loads of dark berry fruit with a hint of new oak creating a soft, velvet structure that makes it very to easy drink. Red currant and juicy acidity.

My Review: Overall, this wine was very subtle.  The smell was muted and the taste was very soft.  I really liked how drinkable it was because it was very smooth on the mouth and throat.  This made it really pleasant to drink.  I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Charles Thomas Cotes-du-Rhone

Name: Charles Thomas Cotes-du-Rhone

Variety: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvedre

Region: Rhone

Country: France

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $8.95

Critic Review: From a 140+-acre estate near the well-known Cotes du Rhone village of Pont Saint Esprit emerges this juicy Cotes du Rhone, a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre. Well- made, with loads of berry fruit

and a heady, meaty, peppery nose with a hint of Provencal herbs, the wine is fresh, lively, and best drunk over the next 2 years.

My Review: This wine was very robust and full-bodied.  It was slightly spicy which made it complex and interesting.  I really liked the way that it tasted and could detect some blueberry.  I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Lost Vineyards Spumante Dolce

Name: Lost Vineyards Spumante Dolce

Variety: Spumante

Country: Italy

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $4.95

Critic Review: Pale silvery straw color. Floral aromas of apples, peaches, and potpourri follow through on a round, frothy entry to a fruity medium bodied sweet wine with good depth and tangy peach fruit and a breezy, harmonious green apple kissed finish.

My Review: This wine was delicious.  It was very sweet and fruity.  It was carbonated which made it really refreshing and drinkable.  I did not have this wine with food.

Dinner- Zeppoli's (Italy)

Last night I went to Zeppoli’s Italian Restaurant with my friend, Katy, and her boyfriend, Matt.  I had never been there and didn’t know what to expect, but upon walking in, the restaurant was very comfortable and homey.  All 21 of us who were doing the dinner pairing sat in one room with only a few tables, so we all sat with people we didn’t know.   This made it fun because we got to meet and talk with other people in the class and get different opinions about each wine.

This is a picture of the outside of the restaurant.

The dinner was buffet style with a plethora of different Italian dishes.  The food included garlic bread, cheese (brie and Swiss) with crackers, Caesar salad, crab and cheese Rangoons, a pasta with marinara sauce and sausage, a pasta with a light dressing and feta cheese, and pizza bites.

This is just a small sample of the food that they had at the buffet.

The vibe was very casual.  We all sat around and began eating our food while the guide of the tasting began describing the wines.  He was a great leader throughout the meal.  He would describe each wine, what we should smell and what we should taste, as well as what the best thing would be to pair it with.  It was especially helpful when he said what food on our plates we should eat with that particular wine.  It really enhanced the experience because we were able to correctly pair the wines and understand what a really good food pairing can do for the flavor of a wine. 

Katy and Matt enjoying their food before the tasting began.

The wines we had with our meal last night were awesome.  Sometimes I feel like I don’t like many of the wines that I have at a tasting, but it is safe to say that I liked every single one of the wines we had last night.  This is my review of the nine South American wines we tasted.

These are the bottles of the wines we tasted.  My review of each one goes from left to right.

2010 Crucero, Sauvignon Blanc, Curico Valley: On the nose this wine smelled strongly of citrus.  I could tell that it was going to be somewhat acidic and it was.  However, the acidity wasn’t too strong and it was balanced nicely with an element of sweetness.  I tasted this with a pasta dish dressed with a light sauce and feta cheese.  I couldn’t really tell a difference after I tasted the wine with the food but overall this was my favorite white of the night. ($10.25, 13% alcohol.)

Picpoul de Pinet 2010 Coteux Du Languedoc: This wine was very light and dry.  It had a high level of acidity that made it really refreshing.  I could tell that it would go really well with seafood.  This wine was very similar to the Sauvignon Blanc that we had just tasted and I really liked it. ($8.50, 12.5% alcohol.)

Manos Negras 2009 Torrontes San Juan Argentina: On the nose this wine was pretty subtle.  I could detect some flowery hints but other than that it didn’t smell like much.  It tasted a little bit bitter and acidic.  I drank it with a piece of mildly spiced sausage and really enjoyed that pairing.  More of the sweetness of the wine came out with the food, which made it much more appealing. ($12.75, 13% alcohol)

Sombras Del Sol Chardonnay Valle Central Chile: This one smelled and tasted a lot more oaky than the other wines.  It was very creamy and buttery which I don’t usually enjoy but this one wasn’t too bad.  I tasted this with a crab and cheese Rangoon, which caused the creaminess of the wine to lessen and the fruitiness reveal itself.  It was much better after that in my opinion. ($6.99, %13.5 alcohol)

Allamand Malbed 2012 Valle de Uco Argentina: This wine was great.  The nose was very subtle but to the taste it was somewhat spicy and light.  I tasted this with Swiss cheese and my sip with the cheese was delicious.  ($11.99, 14.1% alcohol)

Crucero 2012 Carmenere Chile: This one was my least favorite of the reds, but I still liked it quite a bit.  The problem that I had with it was that it was so spicy my nose would burn a little bit with each sip.  That aspect of it really overwhelmed all other flavors and aromas but after tasting it with a piece of sausage, the spiciness of the wine lessened and I was able to enjoy it. ($7.99, 13.5% alcohol)

Maipe Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Argentina: I loved this wine (and the next one)! I was finally able to really detect a specific flavor on the nose which was blackberry.  It was fruity and sweet but not overwhelmingly so.  It coated my mouth and had a long aftertaste that I really appreciated.  I paired it with pasta with marinara sauce and I feel like the two complimented each other really well.  ($8.99, 13.5% alcohol)

Gen 5 Cabernet Sauvignon California: This wine was my favorite of the night.  It was comparable to the Maipe Cabernet Sauvignon but something about it really moved me.  It was fruity but a little bit spicy, full-bodied but really drinkable.  I can’t think of how else to describe it other than to say I bought two bottles of it at the end of the night- luckily there was a 10% discount!  ($11.25, 13.9% alcohol)

Rinaldi Red Dream Filtrato Dolce: This was the dessert wine of the night and was paired with a cupcake made by the owner of Zeppoli’s just for us.  This wine was carbonated and very low in alcohol so it almost tasted like a soda.  It was very sweet and paired perfectly with my vanilla cupcake with homemade vanilla frosting.  ($12.99, 7% alcohol)

A cupcake made just for us by the owner!

My experience at Zeppoli’s was amazing.  I had a great time with my friends and meeting new people.  The wines were delicious and so was the food.  I loved the vibe of the restaurant and how casual the tasting was.  I’m hoping to do it again soon!

Tasting - The Royal Chenin Blanc

Name : The Royal Chenin Blanc

Variety : Chenin Blanc

Region : Swartland, Western Cape Region

Country : South Africa

Year : 2009

Price : $4.95

Critic Review :  "This wine packs a deceptive punch.  And that punch tastes of apples, pears and quince, with an appealing herbal note that helps it pair well with salads and other light fare.  Don't drink it too cold, or you might miss all the fruit." - Washington Post (June 2012)

My Review : This wine smelled and tasted very fruity and a little bit tart.  I would say that it was very acidic and the after taste was a little bit bitter.  It was very light and refreshing but not my favorite.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Coldstream Hills

Name : Coldstream Hills

Variety : Sauvignon Blanc

Region : Yarra Valley, Australia

Country : Australia

Year : 2009

Price : $7.95

Critic Review : “Predominantly fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks, with a small portion barrel fermented in older French oak, the wine is blended, bottled and released three to four months after fermentation.  The nose shows fragrant gooseberry characters with underlying passionfruit and lychee aromas.  Minerally, stalky notes are evident and provide additional complexity.  The palate is a fine and elegant style with zesty lemon acidity and length.  Varietal characters of passionfruit pulp and gooseberry dominate with hints of lemon peel in the background.”

My Review : This wine was my least favorite of the wines I tasted.  It tasted very strongly of alcohol, which was not pleasant, and the aftertaste lasted for a really long time.  It was not very sweet and the alcohol taste overwhelmed everything else.

I did not have this wine with food.