T here is something about a wine tasting that takes the edge off the day. Especially one that features some very nice wines and very nice people.
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That’s why I always look forward to Wine World’s First Friday and Third Thursday tasting. Nice wines, nice people. Six wines is the perfect format. Just the right number.
Tonight two of the wines really impressed me, the Sauvion & Fils Vouvray 2010 and the Sleight of Hand Renegade Red 2009. The Vouvray has some nice body that makes this a nice food wine and sipper. The Renegade Red has some nice rich flavors that I don’t normally taste from Washington State.
And I don’t want to forget the cheeses sampled tonight: Rembrandt Extra Aged Gouda, Maple Smoked Cheddar, Fontal Fiorella and Cablanca Mild Goat Cheese (the label says this last one has a delicate flavor but this is one flavorful cheese!)
Where: Wine World, 133 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, SC
803-279-9522
When: Thursday, April 19, 2011, 5 to 8pm
Cost: $5 per person with rebate on purchase of a featured wine.
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Here are the wines presented (click to see more):
- The Seeker Sauvignon Blanc 2011
- Cedris le Blagg Blanc 2010
- Sauvion & Fils Vouvray 2010
- Rickshaw Pinot Noir 2010
- Mont Tauch Fitou Grower’s Réserve 2008
- Sleight of Hand Renegade Red 2009
Here are the detailed wine notes:
The Seeker Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Classy aromas of grapefruit, herbs, tomato bush, and freshly cut grass with lively flavors of grapefruit, gooseberries, lime, and pineapple. A beautiful New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc! Enjoy with shellfish, salads, and citrus-sauced dishes. Cablanca (goat gouda).
From: Marlborough, New Zealand
Winery: The Seeker
Year: 2011
Cedris le Blagg Blanc 2010
A blend of Colombard and Ugni Blanc from the southwest of France. It is crisp, light, and dry with a distinctive mineral quality. Delicious with seafood, chicken, salads and lighter dishes. Aperitif. Terrific wine for warm-weather fare.
From: Gascogne, France
Winery: Cedris le Blagg
Year: 2010
Sauvion & Fils Vouvray 2010
100% Chenin Blanc. Lightly sweet, with quince, fig and pear flavors and with hints of ginger, green appleand minerality. An easy, fresh finish. Seafood, chicken, rabbit, sushi. Spicy Asian dishes, especially Chinese & Thai. Leek quiche, fresh goat cheese. Great for sautéed pork loin
medallions with caramelized onions.
From: Loire Valley, France
Winery: Sauvion & Fils
Year: 2010
Rickshaw Pinot Noir 2010
Generous aromas & flavors of cherry and wild strawberry with notes of earth & spice. Beautiful red fruit carries through the well’balanced finish.. Wonderful with a rare grilled thick tuna steak. Mushrooms—sauteed, stuffed or bacon-wrapped and grilled.
From: Sonoma, California
Winery: Rickshaw
Year: 2010
Mont Tauch Fitou Grower’s Réserve 2008
A traditional Fitou blend of 45% Carignan, 45% Grenache, and 10% Syrah. Very pretty spicy dark berry aromas. Rich, full flavors of black berries with hints of wild Mediterranean herbs. Good, almost chewy tannins with a lingering finish. Have with roast meats, particularly with “toothsome tender wild boar.” If wild boar isn’t handy, it’s great with beef, lamb, venison. Lamb Ke-bobs with Mediteranean herbs. Andouille Sausage. Aged Gouda.
From: Languedoc, France
Winery: Mont Tauch
Year: 2008
Sleight of Hand Renegade Red 2009
This wine is a terrific blend of 39% Cab Sauvignon, 39% Cab Franc, 13% Grenache, 9% Syrah. Shows lovely aromas of raspberry, plum, violets and dried earth. This is a medium bodied wine with flavors of black and red fruits with notes of licorice and sage and minerality. Long, harmonious finish with medium tannins. Goes well with grilled steak, burgers. Vegetable lasagna. Cajun, Greek and Middle Eastern dishes.
From: Washington State
Winery: Sleight of Hand Cellars
Year: 2009
