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White Wines:
Wine #1 - 2001 Olivia Chardonnay Padthaway (Australia) - Chardonnay grape
"Supple, subtle and generous with its pear, grapefruit and creamy vanilla and spice flavors, which linger beautifully on the open finish."-Wine Spectator Magazine. Rated 90. $25 Vin de Vin (VdV): "Try this wine with mustard chicken."
Wine #2 - 2002 Montinore Estate Pinot Gris Willamette Valley (Oregon) - Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio grape
"This Oregon Pinot Gris has a beautiful bronze gold color from the skin contact. The aroma is very floral, with ripe pear, ripe apple, some licorice notes and a light typical spiciness. The flavors suggest sweet apple, pear and flowers, finishing with butterscotch and licorice notes and a touch of spiciness. The wine's crisp acid frame adds to the richness and to the very long and almost sweet after taste."-Montinore.com $10. VdV: "The wine would match well with seafood pasta."
Wine #3 - 2002 Omaka Springs Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough (New Zealand) - Sauvignon Blanc grape
"Bright and juicy, this white is a lively mouthful of melon, citrus, pepper and passion fruit flavors, which linger on the appealing finish."-Wine Spectator Magazine. Rated 90. $17. VdV: "Smoked salmon or basil risotto would go well with this wine."
Wine #4 - 2001 J & H.A. Strub Riesling Kabinett (Germany) - Riesling grape
"Here is another winner from Walter Strub's stable of charming 2001 vintage wines. This beauty has a wonderful bouquet with hints of smoked tangerine and orange rind. Sleek for a Rheinhessen wine, it is light to medium-bodied and sings in flavor with its gorgeous lime sour ball candy, mineral and peach notes. Bracing acidity adds to the complexity of this captivating wine, enticing you to have another sip. Wow, this is so good!"- German Wine Estates.com $14 VdV: "Try this wine with your favorite spicy Asian food."
Red Wines:
Wine #5 - 2001 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast (California) - Pinot Noir grape
"Delicate in style, with spicy cherry, raspberry and elegant earthy nuances. An excellent value." Rated 87 Wine Spectator Magazine $17 VdV: "Pork, lamb, or even grilled salmon all match well with Pinot Noir."
Wine #6 - 1999 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot Columbia Valley (Washington State) - Merlot grape
"Smooth in texture, generous in flavor, a medium-scale red with pretty raspberry, leather and tar notes mingling on the round finish. From a consistently good Washington producer." Rated 87 Wine Spectator magazine $11 VdV: "Baked chicken goes well with Merlot."
Wine #7 - 2001 Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley "Bad Impersonator" Single Vineyard (Australia) - Syrah/Shiraz grape "A rich, heady soup, gorgeously spicy and dramatically focused to display its hard-edged blackberry, ripe beet and minty-peppery notes swirling through the firm finish." Rated 91 Wine Spectator Magazine $17 VdV: "The wine craves barbecued meat."
Wine #8 - 2000 Chateau D’Arcins Bordeaux Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois (France)
- 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc grapes
"A juicy wine, with plum, berry and tobacco character. Medium-bodied, with good, ripe tannins and a long, flavorful finish.” Rated 87 Wine Spectator Magazine $16 VdV: "A fine steak or lamb dish would bring out the best in this wine."
Wines Served Before the Wine Tasting:
White:
2003 Cascinetta Vietti Moscato d’Asti Pidemont (Italy) - Moscato grape
VdV: This was said about the 2002 version of this wine by Wine Enthusiast Magazine: "Vietti, which makes some of Piedmont’s most user-friendly wines across the full spectrum of price ranges, scores major points with this light-bodied, sweet frizzante. It smells of gardenias and fresh summer herbs, and it pulses with kiwi, nectarine and pineapple flavor. There’s nothing not to like about this low-alcohol (5.5%) liquid dessert- surely the perfect match for ice cream or fruit salad." $12.
Red:
2001 Santa Rita Carmenere "120" Colchagua Valley (Chile) - Carmenere grape
"With a soft texture like merlot but a spicier flavor profile, Carmenere is a grape worth getting to know. This value-priced rendition, aged primarily in stainless steel so as to preserve the freshness of the fruit, tastes bright and lively. Its secondary notes of pepper and spice add complexity to the more dominant plum and cherry flavors. A good partner for roast chicken or pork, this wine should provide good drinking over the next year or so. On a hot summer evening, don't be afraid to chill it in the refrigerator for half an hour or so before opening it." - VineyardBrands.com $7.50
Wine Served After the Wine Tasting:
Dessert Wine:
2002 Selaks Ice Wine Marlborough Premium Selection (New Zealand) - blend of Gewürztraminer and Riesling grapes
"Richly sweet and brightly aromatic. A delicious amalgam of juicy litchi and spice aromas and flavors, finishing tangy and bright with citrus notes. Gewürztraminer and Riesling,” says Wine Spectator magazine, which rated this $16 wine 91. VdV: “Try this wine with crème brulée or cheesecake."
- "Great first time at this event!"
- "Great class!"
- "The instructor was hot!"
