Wine Tasting- Puig Parahy Cotes Du Roussillon Georges

Name: Puig Parahy Cotes Du Roussillon Georges

Variety:  Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mouvedre

Region:   Languedoc Roussillon

Country : France

Year: 2010

Price: $11.95

Winery Review: This is a medium to full bodied red made from Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvedre. Some of the vines go back over 130 years, and the wines won Gold Medals in 1893 and 1896. It has sweet black fruit up front, a very rich chocolate/caramel middle, and a long dry finish without any distracting tannin. 

 My Review: On the nose this was is full of berries, herbs, and spices. The scent of the wine also went along with the taste which had the tarty cherries and sweet and spicy taste but also bittersweet along with a dab of cashews that had been smoked. I found the wine pleasant and would drink it again.

I did not have food with this wine.  

Wine Tasting- Reserve Grand Venuer

Name: Reserve Grand Venuer

Variety:  Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault

Region:  Rhone Valley  

Country : France

Year: 2010

Price: $14.95/ 750mL, $38.95/3L

Winery Review: As for their other values, the 2010 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Reserve (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault) displays loads of ripe flavors. It is very concentrated for a Cotes du Rhone, and is actually an amazing wine. Classic garrigue, black cherry liqueur, lavender, licorice and spice box are all present in this fullbodied, intense, and rich Cotes du Rhone. This is a sensational effort to drink over the next 4-5 years, although it might last even longer.

My Review: This wine was very different from the previous four because it had so much going on. On the nose this wine had everything from black cherrys, to smoky oak to a hint of lemon. The taste of the wine was unlike anything I have ever had. It was very rich and flavorful which had the taste of peppers and raspberry which had been sitting in a spicy paste. I did enjoy the flavor of the wine and would recommend tasting something so unique.

I did not have food with this wine.  

Wine Tasting- Lobetia Tempranillo

Name: Lobetia Tempranillo

Variety:  Tempranillo

Region:  La Mancha  

Country : Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. It shows a nice cherry color with a violet shade because of its youth. Red berries and cherries on the nose. On the palate it is fresh, slightly astringent, and harmonious with a long finish.

 My Review: The scent of this wine included that of dark cherries and tobacco. It also had some spicey earthy tones and plum scent. On the mouth this wine was very fruity from which is tasted like a strawberry smoothie with hints of vanilla and coconut. I did enjoy this wine because it was easy to drink it had great flavors.

I did not have food with this wine.  

Wine Tasting- Lobetia Chardonnay

Name: Lobetia Chardonnay

Variety:  Chardonnay

Region:  La Mancha  

Country : Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. Clean, bright color with a greenish-yellow tone. On the nose, exotic fruits like pineapple. Full flavored, fresh, with good acidity in the mouth, it finishes with tropical fruits

 My Review: On the nose the bouquet was full of fruit characteristics. It had hints of green apple, citrus, and vanilla oaky scents. The taste was similar to the smell with a fruity taste and buttery finish. I usually don’t enjoy white wines but this was had great flavor with low acidity.

I did not have food with this wine. 

Wine Tasting- Trattoria Busa Alla Torre De Lele

Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre De Lele

Variety:  Pinot Grigio

Region:  Veneto

Country : Italy

Year: NV

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Named after the famous restaurant in Italy! This is their house white wine! Coppery color from extended skin contact, round and rich texture with juicy melon aromas and flavors with a sweet fennel note on the ultra smooth finish. Great value Grigio! Drink now.

 My Review: This wine smelled like summer fruits such as pears, apricots, and apples. The taste however was very acidic along with a heavy spice with the after taste. I was hoping that the scent was going to complement the taste but I did not like how this was on the mouth.

I did not have food with this wine.  

Grape Vareity-Barbera

Barbera Grape

            Barbera is a unique grape that is very predominant in Italy. It is the third most planted red grape variety in Italy, after Sangiovese and Montepulciano. When planted right the grape produces high yields. It is known for its deep color, low tannins, and high levels of acids. The origin of the grape comes from the region Monferrato in Italy. Other notable regions include California, Australia, and Argentina. The region of Monferrato where Barbera is believed to have originated is filled with hills which are centered in Piemonte, Italy since the thirteenth century. Italian immigrants brought Barbera to the Americans where the vine took root in California. The grape has close relationships to the French-Spanish vine Mouvedre.

            The Barbera vine is very dynamic and very capable of producing high yields. Too much of a high yields can cause vines to produce a fruit quality not up to par in producing the known Barbera quality wine. The harvest of Barbera begins in late September- early October. Barbera adapts to a wine rage of soils but thrives on less fertile calcareous soils and clay loam. Sandy soils are not helpful for the vine. There are century-old vines that still exist in some regions which still produce robust red wines with intense fruit. There have been some mutation to the grape and though the grape typically produces red wines there has been a white grape mutation known as the Barbera Bianca.

            The winemaking process of Barbera has many varieties of ways of being accomplished. The grape’s high level of tannins and acidity makes it so that winemakers have many options open to them. The most common method of producing wine has been through blending with varieties lacking those components and creating a softer and more balanced wine as a result. Producers have been known to use oak barrels in the production of the wine in order to soften it through oxygenation and add subtle oak spice flavors. Lower yields and harvesting riper grapes with more fruit and sugar have been found to be a better balance for Barbera’s high acidity. There is a note of cherries, raspberies and blueberries and with notes of blackberry and black cherries in wines made of more ripe grapes. The addition of oak barrels adds hints of vanilla as well. Aromas include fresh fruits and dried fruits. There is high alcohol content also included in the wines

Wine Tasting: Concannon Shiraz

Name: Concannon Shiraz

Variety:  Shiraz

Region:  Central Coast, California  

Country : USA

Year: 2008

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: This is an extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the palate.

 My Review: The scent of this wine included that of black cherries and chocolate. This scent made it very appealing until the taste which was heavy in fruit and spices which made it a very heavy rich wine. I did enjoy this wine because of the richness it had.

I did not have food with this wine.