First Friday Tasting-Wine World-Feb. 3
Quite the crowd attending the First Friday Tasting at Wine World
The evening was full of happy tasters as Wine World held their First Friday tasting with 6 wines that just about every taster I talked to complimented. Some of course got some really nice comments like those from Anna and Samantha who liked the Clean Slate Reisling and the Elicio Rouge. I found all of the wines excellent but I really liked the …. I keep waffling between the Alma de Chile Carmenère and the Volteo Tempranillo + Cabernet Sauvignon.
It was a busy tasting for the Wine World crew. Mark had to frequently restock the first table with chilled whites. The Elicio Blanc was a very earthly wine that would definitely make a good complement a good seafood dinner. This and the Elicio Rouge is from a small winery in France that Bourgeois Wines found and imported into the US. Stephanie Bourgeois introduced the Rouge at a French Gems wine seminar held at Wine World back in October. All and all a great tasting.
Where: Wine World, 133 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, SC
803-279-9522
When: Friday, February 3, 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):
- Pinot Grigio Graffigna Centenario Reserve 2011
- Elicio Blanc 2010
- Clean Slate Riesling 2010
- Volteo Tempranillo + Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
- Elicio Rouge 2009
- Alma de Chile Carmenère 2010
Rhonda pours one of the decanted reds
The reds were decanted to tame the tannins a bit
Dan stepped from behind the camera and Rudy took a shot
Here are the detailed wine notes:
Pinot Grigio Graffigna Centenario Reserve 2011
What: Pale straw color, with silver hues. Aromas of white flowers and just a hint of citrus peel; apple and pear flavors. Refreshing and balanced, with citrus notes and a crisp finish. Try it with white fish, shellfish, chicken, pork, salads, Asian cuisine. Aperitif: fun sipping wine.
From: San Juan, Argentina
Winery: Graffigna
Year: 2011
Goes with: Camembert, goat & sheep cheeses.
Elicio Blanc 2010
What: Sustainably produced in the Ventoux region of the southern Rhône Valley. A clear golden color with an intense nose of passion fruit and white flowers, with mineral hints. Refreshing, round on the palate, with sweet pear notes and a touch of citrus and almond. Nicely balanced, crisp, light and flavorful. (Vermentino is one of the Benjamins’ favorite light whites. It is planted mostly in Italy, Spain, Portugal and southwestern France and is related to Malvasia).
From: Vin de Pays de Mediterraneé, France
Winery: Raphael Trouiller
Year: 2010
Grapes: 100% VermentinoGoes with: A delight by itself or with light fish dishes, herbed chicken, zucchini sauteed in olive oil. Risotto with shrimp and curry.
Clean Slate Riesling 2010
What: Crisp, pleasant aromas of ripe granny smith apple, pear, and spice. Lightly sweet flavors of granny smith apple, honeydew melon, sweet pear. Medium acidity with a lingering finish. Creamy texture. A good match with spicy foods and Asian cuisine. And, of course, with traditional German dishes such as bratwurst, knockwurst, and weisswurst, or anything in sauerkraut or red cabbage.
From: Mosel, Germany
Winery: Clean Slate
Year: 2010
Volteo Tempranillo + Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
What: This blend of 60% Tempranillo and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon shows a dense, bright red color, with aromas of plums and violets and hints of anise. Full, broad and pleasing on the palate, there are layers of ripe fruit and undertones of spice and cedar wood that defy this wine’s low price point. A long and persistent finish, and a rich mouthfeel make it just the thing for red meat cooked on the grill.
From: Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Winery: Volteo
Year: 2009
Elicio Rouge 2009
What: Enticing notes of cherry, raspberry and strawberry with with dark spice notes. Fruit-forward with an easy finish. Grenache 50% and Merlot 50%. A Bourgeois Family wine selection. Fine value.
From: Vin de Pays de Mediterranee, France
: Raphael Trouiller
Year: 2009
Goes with: Beef pot roast. Lamb. Eggplant casserole. Burgers with Tillamook Extra Sharp Cheddar. Gruyere cheese from Switzerland.
Alma de Chile Carmenère 2010
What: Wine World’s February Red Wine of the Month. A terrific red with generous, lush dark berry and plum fruit, hints of clove, mocha, pepper
and vanilla (oak aged). Nice complexity in this affordable gem. Easy tannins and a lingering tasty finish. (Traditionally a grape of Bordeaux, Carmenère was interplanted with Merlot in Chile. Carmenère has now achieved stellar status among Chilean reds and is recognized internationally). Alma de Chile is a Wine World favorite!
From: Acongagua Valley, Chile
Winery: Alma de Chile
Year: 2010
Goes with: Perfect with roasted meats. Grilled steak, burgers, mushrooms. Blue Castello, Aged Gouda.
The crowd kept the Wine World crew busy
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