First Friday Tasting-Wine World-Jan. 6

Sometimes what appears to be bad luck turns out to be good. Dick Benjamin said the Hugo Rosé Sparkling originally slated for tonight’s tasting didn’t come in. So they had to switch to at the last minute and taste Bigi Orvieto Classico Amabile instead. With the Holidays over I was a bit sparkler’ed out. This was a nice little wine.
Dick described it as a wonderful wine, a bit sweet which is unusual for a Orvieto which typically is dry.

It was First Friday and time to start the New Year right.

Several tasters commented on the Orvieto and from the red table the Le Lapin Multiplicity Red Wine which is a nice little blend that several tasters bought.

Randomly asking people what they liked I found that every wine had someone who gave it a thumbs up.

Over at the nibbles table they had something a bit different. In addition to their usual great cheeses they had some Pâté flavored with wild mushrooms and white wine.

Where: Wine World, 133 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, SC
803-279-9522

When: Friday, January 6, 2012, 5 to 8 pm
Cost: $5, with rebate on the purchase of 1 bottle of the featured wines.

Here are the wines presented (click to see more):

1. Bigi Orvieto Classico Amabile 2009
2. Callia Alta Torrontes 2010
3. St. Urbans Hof Urban Riesling 2010
4. Lechuza Grenache 2010
5. Tinto Negro Malbec 2010
6. Le Lapin Multiplicity Red Wine

Here are the detailed wine notes:
Bigi Orvieto Classico Amabile 2009
What: Fresh aromas, hint of honey, almond. Flavors of lemon and lime, soft and fresh with a long finish. A appealing aperitif.
From: Italy
Winery: Bigi
Goes with: A perfect match to seasoned cheese, appetizers, fish.

Callia Alta Torrontes 2010
What: 100% Torrontes. Grown at over 2100 feet elevation. Fine value. Clean, crisp aromas of roses and orange blossoms with hints of spice. Fresh flavors with balanced acidity. A lovely, lingering finish. (Gold Medal 2011 San Diego International Wine Competition.)
From: San Juan, Argentina
Winery: Callia Alta
Year: 2010
Goes with: Pairs well with pork dishes and with medium hot, spicy fare. Pork with Caramelized Onions. Pizza with white sauce. Apple walnut salad. Thai salads. Grilled mahi-mahi. Thai duck curry. Argentine empanadas.

St. Urbans Hof Urban Riesling 2010
What: January White Wine Selection–A wonderful play between mineral freshness and teasing, slightly sweet flavors. A fine, very affordable, expression of Mosel character, it has a nice minerality from the blue slate soil. Fruity and crisp with floral notes, this off-dry white is a delightful
appetizer and particularly delicious with sushi and other Asian-styled dishes. Chicken & bread stuffing with apples and cranberries.
From: Mosel, Germany
Winery: St. Urbans-Hof
Year: 2010

Lechuza Grenache 2010
What: Earthy violet and blueberry aromas lead to lively flavors of blackberry and wild strawberry with hints of white pepper. Lush fruit flavors and rich texture in this wine made from grapes grown on 90-year-old bush-pruned vines in the region of Carinena. No oak; fermentation and aging in tank.
From: Aragon, Spain
Winery: Lechuza
– Lechuza Grenache (“the owl”) is a great partner to stews, barbecue and Asian cuisine. Steaks & burgers, too. Lentil soup, nice & thick with, or without, Chorizo sausage.

Year: 2010

Tinto Negro Malbec 2010
What: January 2012 Red Wine Selection–A beautiful, well-made Malbec with huge dark-berry aromas and sweet blackberry and plum flavors with notes of chocolate upfront and bright fruit notes for a lift in the back. Velvety mouth feel, soft tannin, easy finish.
From: Mendoza, Argentina
Winery: Tinto Negro
Year: 2010
Goes with: A great match to a rare roast
loin of beef. . . beef in any preparation. Venison sausage. Stews. Grilled Portobellos.

Le Lapin Multiplicity Red Wine
What: A friendly blend of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Refosco. Ripe and round, Multiplicity offers generous aromas and flavors of red cherry and plum fruit with notes of cocoa butter, chocolate and spice. Nicely concentrated; soft and ripe on the finish.
From: Paso Robles, California
Winery: Le Lapin
Goes with: Great with Burgers, Steaks, Beef Pot Roast. Vegetable ke-bobs, mushrooms, eggplant & zucchini. Cablanca Goat Gouda. Flavorful Cheeses.