Zeppolis Wine Dinner 04/15/2012

Going to Zeppolis was great experience at my first wine tasting so I thought in order to expand my palate I would try another one. I really enjoy these tasting because you get to try a lot wines over a great verity. I also have come to find that food makes wine taste so much better. I think the French have it right, in considering wine part of a meal. As a College student, I'm more used to shitty wines that we drink to get drunk. But this class has taught me so much more about enjoying wine. And going to Zeppolis had helped me understand how to pare certain foods with different wines. 

The wines we tasted were both new world and old world. And we has Eggplant pasta, salad, 3 types of cheese and crackers, broccoli Alfredo, a fancy pizza thing, and bruschetta with pesto and another tomato topping. 

Becca and I enjoying food and wine

White Wines

Muscanti NV Brut Sparkling Wine Penedes Spain
Lemon blossoms, green apple, toast and honeydew melon are front and center in this crisp refreshing Spanish Sparkler. Silky supple with lingering flavors, yet a tingle of crisp acid on the finish. A combination of traditional cava grapes but this wine is not made in the traditional methode champenoise (which is required by Spanish law to be called Cava). This is made with the Charmat process and may only be called 'Spanish sparkling wine'. [$7.50 and Alcohol: 11.5%]
My thoughts: On the nose I got apples on this wine. The wine was crisp and I enjoyed it very much. It paired well with the crackers and cheese. 

Mars and Venus Chardonnay 2006 Central Valley Chile
This Chardonnay is juicy and fresh with pineapple and citrus notes and a silky smooth texture. Serve it with roasted Chicken, Shellfish or pasta dishes in a light cream sauce. [$8.99 and Alcohol: 13.5%]
My thoughts: The smell of this wine was very citrusy and orangry. When I tasted it the first think I notices was how light it was, but it still had this insane mouth feel which I was not expecting. I thought the wine paired will with the salad and tomato and tomato and mozzarella.

Rubus 2009 Chardonnay Russian River Valley California
This wine has hints of tropical fruit, pear and New Town ripened apples. The wine is barrel fermented, but not overly and is balanced just like a Joe Swann or Sonoma-Cutrer wine. This is Chardonnay for the lover of white burgundy-flavorful, balanced and delicious. [$11.99 and Alcohol: 13.9%]
My thoughts: This wine has the smell of crisp Granny smith apples on the nose. Also the color of this wine was much darker than the previous one which lead me to think the it was aged in oak.  Once I tasted it I could taste the oak and the butter. I liked this wine and thought it paired well with the broccoli Alfredo. 

Borealis 2010 "The Northern Whites" Willamette Valley
The aroma practically covers the full fruit spectrum with notes of papaya, quince, yellow apple and hints of grapefruit and lime made all the more exotic with whiffs of jasmine and sandlewood. On the palate it starts with a slightly sweet expression of ripe fruit with a crisp acid balance and evolves to a delicious fresh finish of grapefruit and lime. [$12.99 and Alcohol: 11.5%]
My thoughts: I could not really describe the nose of this wine, I could smell the alcohol on it. When I tasted the wine it was dry but sweet, and I could taste some lemon. I image this wine going well with a fish dinner. I could not taste much of the fruit that is described in the descriptor of this wine. I thought this wine went well with the cheese and crackers. 

Red Wines

San Elias 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
 "This wine has a nice purple color and the bouquet practically jumps from the glass; smoky, meaty notes; soon ripe cassis and black cherry emerge; the palate is similar, with the fruit taking the lead; nice tannin and acidity perk the fruit up again near the finish, which is crisp yet lingering. A top value." - Beverage Dynamics (Jan/Feb. 10), 88 pts [$7.99 and Alcohol: 13.5%]
My thoughts: I could smell the earthy tones and cherries on this wine. The wine was also a nice deep purple color. I liked this wine with the  fancy pizza thing, and bruschetta with tomato topping. 

Kenwood 2009 Yulupa Cabernet Sauvignon California
83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot. Deep in color with rich, ripe fruit aromas of cherries and plums followed by fragrant notes of cinnamon and cocoa nibs. Full-bodied, with a rich lingering finish. Aged 20 months in French and American oak. Delicious with any pork, beef or lamb, this Cabernet Sauvignon also pairs wells with a variety of pasta dishes. [$11.99 and Alcohol: 13.5%]
My thoughts: On the nose I could smell the plums and cherries. The wine seemed very promising, but when I tried it I did not like this wine at all. I tried it with the eggplant pasta and that made it taste better, but I still not like this wine. I could not taste the coco in this wine. However the one component I did enjoy about this wine was the oak aging.    
Rubus 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi, California
Rude red in color, with red fruit, raspberry, and spice on the nose. This wine is medium in body, with notes of ripe cherry, cedar box, cinnamon, anise, black pepper, and hint of smoke on the palate. It has a long, silky finish. [$12.99 and Alcohol: 14.4%] 
My thoughts: I'm not really a red wine person, so I did not really like this wine. I could smell he cherries on the nose of this wine and I thought it went really well with the eggplant and pizza. I must admit, that once I paired this wine with some of the food it tasted must better. When I tasted it with the cheese, that helped bring out the silky component of the wine's finish. 

Mars and Venus Merlot 2007 Central Valley Chile
Smooth, rich and well balanced with berry and cocoa flavors framed by a sturdy structure-a real wine drinker's Merlot. It is perfect with pizza, pasta or even a good Steak!! [$8.99 and Alcohol: 13.5%] 
My thoughts: I really liked this wine, and that is saying a lot for me because I usually don't like reds. This was a smooth and yummy and sweet! I liked it with the salad, the bruschetta with pesto, and the eggplant pasta. I like the floral nose and moth feel of this wine. I bought a bottle of this wine and had the chance to enjoy it with some chicken steak on top of angle hair pasta. And it was amazing! It paired really well. This is a wine I would love to enjoy again any time. Although it is a meal wine for me, not one I would just drink by itself. 

Food from the tasting

Trentadue 2009 Block 500 Merlot Sonoma County California
96% Merlot, 1% Montepulciano, 1% Cabernet Savignon, 1% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot. The wine's characteristics are typical to the Estate fruit with aromas and flavors of dark stone fruit, black licorice and earth. Further aeration reveals layers of blackberry, herbs, cedar and tobacco. On the mouth the wine is complex and full-bodied with ripe, balanced tannins, a juicy middle and long smooth finish. The low pH and tannin structure will support several years of again. [$18.99 and Alcohol: 14.6%]
My thoughts: The man that does the wine pairings always gives us a pricey wine as the last wine, and it usually the most complex wine. I always feel like everyone at the lasting loves the last wine, and to be honest this was my least favorite wine. This wine tasted like it was oak aged, and I could taste the black licorice and berries in the wine. 

Cantina di Casteggio Moscato di Pavia

Variety: Moscato
Region: Oltrepo Pavese, Lombardy
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Bright, light golden color. Very aromatic nose of ripe apricots, sage, honey and a slight minerality. Medium bodied, sweet and fruity with flavors of apricots and tangerines. Well balanced acidity and medium finish with layers of sweet and citrus fruit.


My Review: I don't know why the sweetest wine was last, but I really enjoyed this wine. And considering the tasting was on my birthday I was glad to have one wine in the tasting that I REALLY enjoyed. The wine was a light pink color when the poured it, not golden. I could smell dried plumps, strawberries and apricots on the noes and when I tasted the wine it was a bit floral. I could also taste the apricot on this wine. I like the frizzante of the wine and how it was well balanced. I purchased this wine and drank the entire bottle right after to celebrate my birthday. 

Montebuena Rioja Crianza

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Year: 2007

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: 100% Tempranillo. Dark red. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with hints of cracked pepper and dried rose. Crisp and dry on the palate, with spicy redcurrant and cherry flavors, light tannins and a fresh, energetic finish. An excellent value, and surprisingly elegant for this price point.

My Review: On the nose I got some spice, so I was thinking this wine would be highly alcoholic, and rich in tannic structure. When I tasted the wine I got some floral notes at first and then got hit with the pepper and spice in the wine. The wine was tart and did not have a lot of tannis in it. I could not taste the cherry or fruit that was described in the wine. I did not care for this wine too much, but would like to pair it with cheese and then give it another try. 

Varas Vinho Tinto

Variety: Castelao, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Pinot Noir

Region: Lisbon

Country: Portugal

Year: n/a

Price: $21.95 3L box ($5.49 bottle)

Winery Review: This smooth Portuguese red is a blend of Castelao (45%), Tinta Roriz (25%), Tinta Barroca (20%), and Pinot Noir (10%). The vineyards are located near Lisbon, planted in sunny gentle slopes of clay and limestone soils. The wine was aged in oak barrels. 

My Review: I was so exited to try this, because it was a box wine and being a poor college student this is something I am well used to. On the nose I could already smell the creamy vanilla from the oak and I also got some spring outdoor smells which was odd on the nose of a wine for me. When I tasted it I got some smooth, delicious zest in my mouth and lots of soily, woody flavors.But the earthy flavors were in a good way, not like I shoved some dirt into my mouth.  I could tell the wine was oak aged. I really enjoyed this wine and bought a bottle of it. 

Oveja Negra Syrah-Cab Rose Reserva

Variety: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Maule Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2010

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Oveja Negra Reserva Rose is bright cherry-red in color and has an attractive nose with aromas of raspberries and strawberries as well as plum and a bit of green apple. Crisp and juicy on the palate with a slight sweetness that accompanies the red fruit flavors. Pleasing natural acidity with medium-high intensity, nice persistence, and a fresh finish. 

My Review: On the nose I could smell Granny smith apples and some oranges and lemons. I was thinking this wine would be tart and acidic by the smell. When I tasted it I got some of the sweetness from the berries on my palate and kind of floral. The wine was fully body and I liked this wine for the most part, although it was a bit tart for me. 

gPG Garganega

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: delle Venezie

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: gPG is from the delle Venezie regions of northeastern Italy. A clean and crisp palate with plenty of texture and weight follows aromas of apples and zesty lemons. It's perfect with grilled white fish or light risotto. 

My Review: I could smell spice on this wine and some earthy aromos. When I states it, it has a zing to it. Kind of like an alcoholic tang in my mouth. The wine hit the back of my throat like knives and burned a lot. I thought the alcohol was too dominant in this wine. 

Zeppolis Food and Wine Pairing/ Tasting

I really enjoyed this food and wine pairing. It was the first one I ever went to and it was different than I thought it would be. I went there with the idea we would try a wine and food it should be paired with one at at time. However you just served yourself a plate of food at the beginning and then paired the foods and wine yourself. I liked this idea a lot because you could teach yourself what wines best with different food. And while there were many similarities, every palate is different. I like how the tasting allowed you to develop your own palate through the foods and wines. 


I really enjoyed the progression of wines and how there were wines of all different varieties. I enjoyed how some of the tasting were blind, and  he would have us guess what grape was in the wine. It was interesting to see how different all our responses were. But I think it made us think about the flavor profiles of each wine more. 

Overall I really enjoyed this wine tasting and would love to do another one soon. I feel like I had to opportunity to learn a lot about wine in a fun way. 


WHITES: 
Fossi Bianco White Table Wine: An inexpensive crisp, fruity Italian white that is very drinkable. It is light, refreshing, and easy to enjoy. From outstanding Chianti producer Andrea Fossi, there is a lot of quality in the bottle for this price. Excellent for a big gathering. Light bodied, green apple and citrus undertones, crisp clean finish. [ $6.99,  11.5% Alcohol]
My outlook: I liked this wine because it was not overly dry or sweet. I thought it paired well with the cheese and crackers on the plate.

La Fiera 2010 Pinot Grigio Veneto: It has straw color with a fruity bouquet filled with apples and pears. The palate is dry, soft and well balanced with a lingering acidity. Exhibits ripe peach and apple flavors with a pleasing mineral finish, perfectly suited as a delightful aperitif or served alongside salads, frilled chicken and seafood. Since 1928, the Botter family has been producing wines under environmentally friendly policies and with innovation production techniques and technologies. [$7.99, 12% Alcohol]
My outlook: A lot of people seemed to not like this wine, but I like how light and crisp it was. The flavors were not anything memorable thought. I thought it went well with the Mediterranean pasta. 



Nals Margried 2010 Pinot Grigio Alto Adige: Here is a Pinot Grigio (of which 30% see contact with oak) with a rich, creamy mouth feel and compelling aromas of yellow fruit and Golden Delicious apple. The wine is thick and slightly oily on the finish. Lively, refreshing and seems to have an Alpine purity. Nicely defined on the palate showing pear, melon, tangy lemon curd, and a Fruity Finish. [$14.99, 14% Alcohol]
My outlook: I could taste the oak aging in this wine and I liked it. It had some creamy flavors to me and I like that. I thought the wine paired well with the garlic bread. 



Lodali 2011 Moscato D'Asti: A delightfully aromatic wine, with loads of fresh fruit flavors bursting from the glass. It is sweet, but beautifully balanced by the wine's effervescence and acidity. Being Frizzante, it has only about half the effervescence of a sparkling wine, and is hard to resist. The wine makes a wonderful accompaniment to many desserts, especially those made with fruit such as peach, pear, apple and berries. [$12.99, 5.5% Alcohol]
My outlook: I have had this wine before and love it!! I love that it is a frizzante! However I do wish this wine had a great alcohol content. But I did think it was too sweet to go well with any of the food, but paired best with the pasta.


REDS:
Luca Primitivo del Salento Puglia: From the easternmost part of Italy (the heel), and one of the most prolific wine producing areas since Phoenician times, the Primitivo grape produces rich, dark, fruity wine of distinctive character. Known as the father of Zinfandel, this wine shows similar qualities without the "jammy" mouth feel of the California style; a pronounced vinuous quality is readily apparent on the nose, followed by a collage of flavors. Bright plums and burnt cherries are complimented by pepper spice and laced with mineral notes. A full-bodied wine, great with barbequed meats, roasts, game, and hearty pasta sauces. [$8.99, 13% Alcohol]
My outlook: I had this wine with the marinara sauce pasta  and I still though the wine was a bit dry. But when I had it with the cheese and crackers it was a totally different wine. I could now taste all the plum and berries coming thought and there was no more heat in the wine. I liked it wine once I had the second tasting. 



SUD 2010 Primitivo Puglia: Feudi di San Marzano's 2010 Privative Puglia Salento cuts a handsome appearance in the glass. It wears a deep purple robe that is imbued with fiery glints of ruby. More importantly, it offers an intense aromatic profile of plum, cherry, herb, vanilla, and spices that caress the nose. On the palate, the wine continues to work its magic by spreading plush fruit and herb driven flavors to fill the mouth. Coupled with the wine's bright fruit is a balanced minerality that adds both interest and vibrancy. [$11.99, 13.5% Alcohol]
My outlook: I did not like this wine as much because it has more of a heat to it. I could taste the vanilla a little bit, but not so much the fruit flavors. I thought it paired well with the pizza and  Mediterranean pasta . 



Morli Neri 2009 Sangiovese and Chianti DOCG: This is beautifully traditional Sangiovese and Chianti with great compatibility with food. It has a dried-cherry nose and burst of plummy jam on the palate. It has a soft bouquet and long lasting aroma. This medium bodied, earthy red is wonderful with red-sause based foods such as pizza, pasta, and lasagna. [$9.99, 12.5% Alcohol]
My outlook: We were told this was a traditional Italian house wine. Well I don't wanna house wine in Italy. I thought it was too dry and spicy and not well balanced. But I head this was normal for undeveloped or American palates. I thought the wine was more bearable with the red sauce pasta and garlic bread. 



Bibi Graetz 2010 Casamata Toscana: Casamatta (meaning Crazy Horse!) is 100% Sangiovese pure blend from various Tuscan microclimates which reconfirms the exceptional nature of this territory. Smooth and rich, the wine displays all the classic qualities of the varietal with ripe red currant, earthy tannins, and hints of licorice. It is easy to drink, great with food or just by the glass, and sure to please. An unbelievable bargain too! [$12.99, 12% Alcohol]
My outlook: I did not like this wine. I could taste the licorice in the wine and it had a lot of tannic structure to it. I thought the wine paired well with the Mediterranean pasta .  



Lodali 2009 Nebbiolo D'Alba Sant Ambrogrio: Aged 12 months in French and Slovenian oak barrels and 3 months in bottle. The color is bright ruby red with shades of garnet, and the aroma is subtle and lingering, with hints of florality and licorice. The flavor is full and well-rounded, long-lasting and harmonious. Pairs well with pasta and vegetables, game birds, roast meats and cheese. [$17.99, 13.5% Alcohol]
My outlook: The people at my table really like this wine, but I did not. It was a blended wine and all I could taste was alcohol. When I paired it with the cheese and pasta dishes it was better and more smooth. One thing I did like abut this was the velvety/ smooth mouth feel, but I did find this fine very full-body and almost like I had to chew it.