Wine Dinner - Zeppoli's (Spain and Italy, Vino Di Vino)

Om nom nom

I had always heard good things about Zeppoli's, and I must say I was not disappointed. The Sunday evening tastings they host are a very interesting experience to say the least.The dinner was held in the side room to the left as you walk in. The walls are lined with bottles and large tables are set up to get everyone setting together and talking.

After a short introductory speech by our host Matt, we were invited to grab a plate and dig into the buffet. To start there was a variety of local cheeses. Then a Mediterranean salad with peppers and feta cheese. The main dishes were turkey wraps with lettuce and tomato pesto, barbeque meatballs, margarita pizza, and finally a pasta with ham and peas. All of the food was delicious.

A taste of the Chardonay

After we were all seated we were presented with the wines one by one. Along with each wine we got a short description and some background information. At this tasting, in addition to the buffet of delicious food  we were presented with thirteen wines. 13. In order there was a Prossecco, Pinot Grigio, Vihno Verde, sparkling Moscato, Spainish Chardonnay, San Gria, Campo de Borja Garnacha, Tempranillo, Sangiovese di Puglia, Montepulciano d' Abruzzo, "Marghe" Nebbiolo d' Alba, Beaujolais Nouveau, and finaly a Beaujolais Nouveau Village.

There was a slight problem with the execution of the dinner. I was starving, so by the time we got around to tasting most of the wines i had finished all of the food on my plate.  I did try a few combinations. I found that Vihno Verde does not go well with cheese and crackers but worked great with the semi spicy salad. In contrast the Pinot Grigio went very well with the cheeses. I managed to save a few meatballs and tried them with both the Garnacha and Tempranillo. Both worked very well, they were oaked. The spicy barbeque brought out the smoke flavors making for a very nice combination.

The wines were mostly good. I had previously tasted the Pinot Grigio and many Vihno Verdes. The Prossecco was very delicious, the nose had hints of nuts and flowers, the taste was light and fruity with more nutty flavors, overall very light and easy to drink, made a great apperitif.

The evening was a hit overall, well up until the bitter end, but that is neither here nor there. We spent the evening drinking with the staff at the table, drinking and discussing wine. By the end of the night I had about two bottles of wine, some new friends, and some great memories. Which is the entire point.

Tasting - Montebuena

Name: Montebuena
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95
Tasting Date: March 28, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it’s an excellent value for Rioja.

My Thoughts: Decent color, but not a whole lot of bubbles in the glass. The nose had hints of strawberry and cherry, some earthy and leather undertones. A strong scent of baking soda that made it less than appealing. Flavor had more of the berry fruit flavors and baking soda. Overall not great. I have found that dark red sparkling wines tend to taste fake and are overall unappealing.

Tasting - Tres Ojos Gnracha

Name: Tres Ojos Gnracha
Variety: 100% Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Tasting Date: March 28, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: The wine has a brick red color with a bouquet of red raspberries, spice and white pepper. The palate is incredibly concentrated and rich. The modern styles of Garnacha in Spain are continuously being perceived worldwide as wines of extraordinarily good quality. This wine is fruity, juicy and shows a great depth, ripe tannins, length but yet with wonderful elegance and lightness. Enjoy with sausages, roasted meats, aged cheeses etc.

My Thoughts: Nice red color. Nose has hints of red fruit, mixed with vanilla and cream. Strong hints of pine with spicy undertones. Flavor is very spicy with hints of oak and smoke. Some fruit. Decent amount of tannins. Overall not bad, but I think one taste was enough for me. 

Tasting - Sainte Victoire Côtes de Provence

Name: Sainte Victoire Côtes de Provence
Variety: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Region: Provence
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Tasting Date: March 28, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Bright salmon pink; typical of the fresh but warm Provence style. Refined and complex on the nose, with summer fruit and floral notes. Dry and crisp, with a delicate flavor and full texture.

My Thoughts: A very light Rose. The nose was fairly tight, I could not pick out any distinct scents. The flavor was much the same. There was some red fruit, a little vanilla butter flavor, not a whole lot here. There was however a bit of heat in the finish. I am noticing a trend with the blushes i have tried. Either none of them were any good, or I simply don't like them.

Tasting - Canyon Road Chardonnay

Name: Canyon Road Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: California 
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Tasting Date: March 28, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Medium- bodied wine with notes of crisp apple and ripe citrus fruit with a hint of cinnamon spice. Delicious complement to grilled chicken, lighter pasta dishes or mild cheeses.

My Thoughts: Very light color. Nose is sour apple, some pear, mostly what I would expect from a Chardonnay. Hints of limestone and minerals. Taste has some hints of sour apple, mostly it is chalky and oak. There is some acid in the finish. Overall it was pretty boring.

Tastng - Palacio de Bornos Verdejo Rueda

Name: Palacio de Bornos Verdejo Rueda
Variety: 100% Verdjo 
Region: Castilla y Leon 
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95
Tasting Date: March 24, 2013
Location: Tasted Independently
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: With the best Verdejo we expect both texture and complexity along with a vibrant, lemony citrus character and a healthy dose of pear. With Bornos, two fun things happen as well: it exhibits little of the grassy notes found in some Verdejo (or its occasional amigas Viura or Sauvignon Blanc), and the finish has a fascinating, almost tangible pear-skin note. Drink in the next few years.

My Thoughts: Color is a very light yellow.  The nose is a strong lemon peel with hints of orange and some floral notes. When tasting the first sensation is a hit of acid, which mellows into a citrus lemon flavor, the finish is short with some mineral aftertaste. I liked this wine, far more than any of the Sauvignon Blancs I have tried. 

Tasting - Potluck Sweet Malbec

Name: Potluck Sweet Malbec 
Variety: 100% Malbec  
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95
Tasting Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Deep red brilliant with violet hints. Complex, fruity, and predominant red fruits. Easy to drink, round with persistent sweetness, very well balanced with sweet tannins.

My Thoughts: I approached this wine expecting a decent amount of sweetness. The nose is a very nondescript fruit with sweetness. The flavor is a similar generic fruit flavor with a hint of oaky sweetness. Overall it was ok, defiantly not as sweet as expected.

Tasting - Domaine de Grange de Payan

Name: Domaine de Grange de Payan 
Variety: Grenache (Majority)  
Region: Côtes du Rhône
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Tasting Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Intensely spicy and precise, with lively red berry flavors and a hint of black pepper. The Grenache, which makes up the majority of the wine, is deeper and more powerful, offering cherry and black raspberry qualities lifted by zesty minerality.

My Thoughts: The aroma is much more earthy than the Tinto Figaro I tasted just before this one. Pepper and vegetable notes on the nose with very little fruit. Flavor is equally earthy with pepper flavors, finish is spicy with smooth but noticeable tannins.

Tating - Tinto Figaro

Name: Tinto Figaro 
Variety: 100% Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $6.95
Tasting Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Figaro is 100% Garnacha, made from a selection of the best grapes grown in the oldest vineyards. While not truly an "oaked wine", a short stay in oak barrels provides a nice spicy flavor boost. Bright violet. Dark berry and cherry aromas show a jammy aspect. Supple and gently sweet, with good lift to its black raspberry and boysenberry flavors. Smooth and broad on the finish, leaving behind a hint of spiciness. Extremely easy to drink and an excellent value.

My Thoughts: A very fruity nose, raspberry, blackberry, hint of earthy or more leathery notes as well. Mild fruity flavors at the front, fading into a dry finish with hints of spice. Fairly easy to drink, but I didn't get a lot out of this one.

Tasting - Maipe Malbec Rosé

Name: Maipe Malbec Rosé
Variety: 100% Malbec 
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95
Tasting Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Intense pink color with violet hints. Fresh red fruit bouquet, strawberry and cherry flavors, balanced acidity, dry and lingering finish. Excellent with tuna or green salad, pasta, spicy Asian dishes.

My Thoughts: Pale pink color. Nose is fruity, mostly strawberry, light with a little sweetness to the nose. Flavor is overall dry with hints of fruit and some acid. Overall a very simple and basic wine, not much here.

Tasting - Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio
Variety: 100% Pinot Gris 
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Tasting Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review:  Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste. Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi, spaghetti with clams, sole in white wine Perfect also as an aperitif.

My Thoughts: Clear, watery color. Aroma of citrus and sweet fruits. Pear and apricot.  Flavor is citrusy and light. Very dry, but balanced. Was pleasant to drink. Seems a little basic to me but defiantly a variety to look into further. 

Tastng - Santola Vinho Verde

Name: Santola Vinho Verde
Variety: White Blend, lazy Portuguese
Region: Minho
Country: Portugal
Year: NV
Price: $7.95
Tasting Date: March 1, 2013
Location: Independently tasted
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review:  Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh.

  My Thoughts: It has a very light color complimented by nice effervescence. The nose is very mineral, with light hints of flowers and citrus. There is a strong acid feel and taste at the start that fades into an odd buttery lemon flavor. I much prefer the Anjos I had last week, so I am going to give this wine a pass.

Tasting - Monte Aman

Name: Monte Aman
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Arlanza
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95
Tasting Date: February 28, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Fermentation of selected grapes in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Aging in American oak casks for 5 months followed by 3 months in the bottle before being released in the market. Inky ruby. Ripe cherry and plum on the nose. Smooth and fleshy, with deep dark fruit flavors complicated by bitter chocolate and anise. A spicy quality adds lift and focus to the weighty fruit.
Offers an appealing mix of power and energy and drinks very well right now.

  My Thoughts: This is a wine. The color was a nice deep red. The nose is full of wood and berries, hints of vanilla and spice. My first though when tasting it was that I had licked a tree. The flavor then became cake like, except someone used sawdust for flour. There were also some hints of spice, but not much. This was a very interesting wine, and perhaps one of the first reds I have enjoyed.

Tasting - Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Name: Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Variety: 100% Montepulciano
Region: Abruzzo
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95
Tasting Date: February 28, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Deep ruby red color with violet highlights and a pleasant and fruity bouquet. Full bodied, soft tannins and good acidity. Excellent with pasta dishes and red meats.

  My Thoughts: The color is a light red, looks a bit thin. Strange earthy and fruity nose, though not distinct, I would almost call it a rotten fruit. The flavor is much the same with fruit and earthen tones. Not something I enjoyed overly much.

Tasting - Maipe Chardonnay

Name: Maipe Chardonnay
Variety: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Tasting Date: February 28, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Made from 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier. 30% malolactic fermentation, 30% was aged in French oak barrels. Brilliant yellow golden color with green hints. The wine is crisp and filled with white peach, pear, green apples flavors, toasty vanilla. Elegant and luscious wine, well balanced. Crisp and long finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, pork, veal, vegetables.

  My Thoughts: I went in expecting some interesting flavors from this wine, but I didn't pick up much. Aroma and flavors of sour apple. No vanilla or buttery flavors that I can detect. Some acidity, especially in the finish.The finish is decently long with a strange flavor I was unable to identify. Its not bad just not as impressive as I was hoping for. I still need to find a real buttery bomb from Cali to try.

Tasting - Villa d' Orvieto

Name: Villa d' Orvieto
Variety: 50% Grechetto, 40% Procanico, 10% Malvasia
Region: Umbria
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Tasting Date: February 28, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: It’s a blend of Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), and Malvasia. Fresh and crisp, it has a beautiful, floral bouquet. It is wonderful with appetizers, fish, chicken, and salads.

  My Thoughts: Watery clear color. Very floral nose, not very exciting. Some acidity with only mild flavors. Not picking up any fruity characteristics. Has an almost sweet feeling on the tongue. I am going to give this one a pass.

Tasting - Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Name: Dibon Cava Brut Reserve
Variety: 45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada
Region: Penedes
Country: Spain
Year: -
Price: $9.95
Tasting Date: February 28, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Light gold with plenty of bubbles, this wine has aromas of apples and pears with pleasant floral notes. Crisp and light-bodied on the palate, stone fruit flavors are accompanied by a mild minerality and balanced acidity. A delicious sparkler for a great price!

  My Thoughts: Decent bubbles, but they fizzle out fast. Very light in color. Nose is floral with hints of apple and pears. Flavor is more apple with a rocky mineral flavor as well. Pretty decent but I think i liked the Cava from two weeks ago more. 

Tasting - Anjos Vihno Verde

Name: Anjos Vihno Verde
Variety: 40% Arinto, 30% Trajadura, and 30% Loureiro
Region: Minho
Country: Portugal
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Tasting Date: February 23, 2013
Location: Independently Tasted
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Imported by our good friends Wine in- Motion, this is a really quality wine for the money.  A much riper and gently sweeter style, it also has a little more bubble and an all around softer attack.  I almost wonder if they do a little partial malolactic on this one?  I get:
On the nose:  Powdery white flowers, wild yeasts, plantain, white pepper and pineapple. 
On the palate:  Pineapple, apricot, fleshy sweet peaches, peach pit, mandarin orange and a long tangy and sweet finish of tropical lifesavers-orange, lime and lemon.

  My Thoughts: Lots of bubbles float up in this nice, light, golden yellow wine. The aroma contains a strong grassy floral component mingled with citrus, mostly lemon, and a mild sweetness. The flavor is light and fresh with strong notes of lemon and orange peel. Hints of pineapple as well. Nice acid all the way through and after the finish, not completely counterbalanced by the sweetness. A good example of what is becoming one of my favorite wines. 

Tasting - Tres Ojos Rose

Name: Tres Ojos Rose
Variety: 50%Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $1.95
Tasting Date: February 21, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: This medium rose-colored rosado boasts a spicy red cherry/plum nose with a soft lush attack of red berry fruit flavors and a crisp dry finish. Simple and refreshing and a natural for tapas.

My Thoughts: Scent of berry and cherry, with hints of spice. There is a toasted wooden sort of flavor with mild spice and very little fruit. No real tannin structure, short dry finish with some acid. Some alcohol burn but not as much as i expected from a 14.5% ABV. 

Tasting - Morada Sangria

Name: Morada Sangria
Variety: 100% Diluted Red Grapes
Region: -
Country: Spain
Year: -
Price: $4.95
Tasting Date: February 21, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Morada Sangria is a traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts. Garnet color and fresh on the palate. Pasteurization preserves the color, aromas and flavors. 7% Alc. It is a very refreshing Sangria with around 85 grams of sugar. Sangria is now one of the hottest items in the beverage industry and it's growing exponentially year to year. Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana or apple.

My Thoughts: This was interesting. Fruit punch mixed with lemonade. Not getting any flavors I would associate with wine. A sort of medicine cherry flavor. Coats the palette a bit like cough syrup too. It could be good cold on a warm summer's day, but then again I could have a Vihno Verde and be very pleased.

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 60% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: -
Country: Argentina
Year: -
Price: $3.95
Tasting Date: February 21, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: It is dry and contains subtle tobacco undertones with a black licorice, cherry, scent. The oak is in the background. Would pair well hamburger or a steak rather than stand alone.

My Thoughts: On the nose there was mostly earthy tones with a hint of spice, not getting much fruit at all here. Flavor is dry and earthy with a tomato aspect, hints of oak near the finish, very dry. Not a lot here, might be something to try with food. 

Tasting - Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola

Nmae: Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola
Variety: 100% Nero D'Avola
 Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95
Tasting Date: February 21, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Very dark purple, with a reddish-violet edge, typical of this grape. Black plums, a hint of licorice and subtle spice, not overly complex but appealing. A big mouth full of juicy black fruit is well structured by tart acidity and soft but distinct tannins.

My Thoughts: The aroma is cherry licorice with mild spice and earthy notes. The flavor is a light spice with hints of nut, only mild tannins. The finish is short but leaves a lingering taste of cherry and berries. 

Tasting - J. & P. Matheus Riesling Kabinett

Name: J. & P. Matheus Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Kabinett
Variety: 100% Riesling

Region: Mosel
Country: Germany
Year: 2009
Price: $14.95
Tasting Date: March 3, 2013
Location: Tasted Independently
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: This Goldtröpfchen ranks as an unofficial "Grand Cru", delivering a light floral and fresh green apples, apricot and citrus peel bouquet. Superb intensity of citrus, green apple tang and lip-smacking minerality makes this Riesling very versatile; enjoyable alone or when paired with food.

  My Thoughts:The color is a nice deep gold. The aroma is filed with miled citrus, minerals, floral and honey notes, honeysuckle even. It has a thick feeling in the mouth with decent amounts of sweetness. Flavors of apple and minerals with some acid in the finish. Overall I liked it. Favorite is still the Ress Hattenheimer Kabinett I had at the beginning of the semester, but this one was well worth my time.