Wine Appraiser

Tonight we are tasting two wines. One is a regular Riesling, and the other is a non-alcohol Riesling.

Three main ways to remove alcohol from wine.

1. Vacuum Distillation. Wine is distilled under pressure, at 85-95 degrees F.
2. Spinning Cone uses Centrifugal force and nitrogen gas to separate wine components.
3. Reverse Osmosis uses high-pressure filtration.

One of the biggest reasons people have a problem with non-alcohol wines is the mouthfeel.

Mosel is known for steep-sloped vineyards and slate and granite soils. Alsace Rieslings are normally a little fuller-bodied, higher alcohol, and have richer flavors.

Tonight, we are tasting:

1. NV. Dr. Thanisch Riesling. Purchased from HyVee Grocery Store for around $17.00. It is a medium-sweet wine. It is a crisp, alcohol-removed Mosel wine. Notes of green apple, lemon zest, and yellow stone fruits. Balanced, slightly sweet but with lively acidity. Lots of minerality. Less than 0.5% alcohol.
2. 2023 Pierre Sparr Grande Reserve Riesling from Alsace France. Purchased from Gateway Market for $16.00. Crisp with notes of pear, lemon zest, and apricot. Wine Advocate rated the wine an 87. I saw many different ratings for this wine. Seemed like a wide range of opinions, ranging from is was ok to very excellent wine.

Pairs with seafood and poultry.

Denise gave the first wine a 2-rating, and I think I may have given my first 1-rating. Our second wine had a great aroma, but I was a little underwhelmed with the flavor. We both gave it a three rating.

Tonight we are tasting two Rose’ wines.

There are several reasons why Rose’ is a great summer wine? First, it is bright and crisp with high acidity. Second, it is best served well chilled. Third, it has berry-driven flavors.

Despite the two areas being closely located. They produce distinct wines.

Tonight, we are tasting:

1. 2024 Le Rose’ Ile De Conas. I purchased the wine from Trader Joe’s for $7.99. It is a blend of 25% Grenache Gris, 25% Grenache Noir, 20% Caladoc, 15% Pinot Gris, and 15% Cinsault. The wine comes from the South of France. The grapes are vinified separately and then aged for a few months in concrete tanks. Then they are blended. The wine has aromas of red cherries and other berries along with some floral notes. May also get notes of spice and tropical fruits. May get some flavors of watermelon and minerality. Dry crisp finish. It has 2 g/l residual sugar and 12.5% alcohol. Reverse Wine Snob gives it a bulk buy recommendation.
2. 2024 Kirkland Signature Cotes De Provence Rose’. The wine of course comes from Costco for $7.99. Blend of 44% Grenache, 26% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, and 15% Vermentino. Comes from Cotes de Provence, France. Aroma of strawberry, cherry, and a little watermelon. Along with these flavors, you will get salty minerality, peach, citrus. It has less than 1 g/L residual sugar. 13% alcohol.

The Reverse Wine Snob gave both wines an 8.3 – bulk buy rating.

Rose' pairs with seafood and salads. Easy to drink on their own.

We loved both wines but would give the nod to Le Rose'. We scored both wines a 3. We definitely recommend you try these wines.

What do you want in a tasting room?

• Atmosphere and Comfort:
• Cozy and Scenic: warm, inviting, and intimate. Access to outdoor spaces like patios or decks with scenic views is highly desired.
• Design & Vibe: A mix of rustic, comfortable, and modern elements, avoiding sterile.
• Acoustics & Lighting: Controlled lighting that allows for seeing the wine's color, along with good acoustics that allow for conversation.
• Service and Interaction:

• Knowledgeable & Approachable Staff: Staff who tell the "story" behind the wine and guide the experience without being overly formal.
• Education: Opportunities to learn, such as barrel tastings or engaging, guided, or self-guided, tastings.

• Quality Stemware: Clear, clean stems with a tapered bowl that allow for proper swirling.
• Palate Cleansers: Readily available, high-quality water and crackers to keep the palate refreshed.
• Spittoons: Discrete access to spittoons for a responsible, professional tasting experience.

• Small Bites: Pairing options like snacks, charcuterie, or local foods to enjoy alongside the wine.
• Convenience: Enough space to sit, comfortable furniture, and accessible parking.
• Memorable Touches: Unique photo opportunities, such as barrel rooms or beautiful views.

Next week we focus on Rose' wines.

White Bordeaux or Bordeaux Blanc account for only 10% of Bordeaux wine production. However, since 2000, white wine production in Bordeaux has increased 50%. Bordeaux Blanc can be separated into two distinct types of wine. Dry and Sweet.

The most famous white blend is made up of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

Sauternes and Barsac are best known for their sweet wine production. Sauternes normally use Botrytized wines. It is known as “noble rot”.

Semillon – is the most planted white wine grape in Bordeaux and gives the wine body, weight, creamy texture, and sometimes honey and beeswax.

Sauvignon Blanc – gives the wine acidity and crispness. It adds the zesty citrus, green apple, and herbaceousness.

Muscadelle – Used in smaller amounts to add floral, fruitiness, honeysuckle, and spice. Bordeaux is located just off the Atlantic coast. It is slightly inland, but still has a maritime climate; the further you go inland, the more continental the climate becomes.

Decanter Magazine wrote in a 2025 article that white wine from Bordeaux is gaining in popularity.

Look for these white wine regions. The Entre-deux-Mers (between two seas) is the area between the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. Because of its location, it has a cooler climate and produces higher acid wines. Two other top areas would be Pessac-Leognan and Graves.

Tonight, we are tasting:

1. 2023 Chateau Ducasse Bordeaux. The wine is a blend of approximately 70% Semillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. It may include a small amount of Muscadelle. I purchased from Gateway Market for $18. The wine is unfiltered and aged in stainless steel for 6 months. Comes from clay and limestone soils. Bone dry, maybe a hint of tropical fruit on the nose. Luscious mouth feel, passion fruit, chalk, and acidity. Has a hint of lime and grass. Great with seafood. 12% alcohol.
2. 2024 Honey Moon Viognier. The wine is from California and was purchased at Trader Joe's for $5.99. Aromas of peach, apricot, and honeysuckle, and flavors of honey, mango, and nectar. Pairs with spicy Thai curries, lobster, and roast chicken. The wine has 13% alcohol.

Denise scored them both a 3. I scored the Chateau Ducasse a 4 and the Honey Moon a 3. I found the Chateau Ducasse to have a medium to full body, lots of mineral, and lots of earthiness. It has good acidity and is bright and fruity. The Honey Moon I liked also, especially for the price. It was very fruity with a short finish.

Next week a couple of winery spotlights and talk about hybrid wines.

Certain words take on meanings and connotations when they’re used to describe tannins in wine. According to the Wine Enthusiast, here are some words used to describe tannins and their meaning.

Grippy: Immediately noticeable

Integrated: Perfectly in line with all other components, like flavor and weight

Silky: Fine-grained and unobtrusive

Plush: Soft and integrated

Velvety: Soft but with subtle grip

Resolved: Smooth, no longer astringent, typical of mature wines

Harsh: Not integrated into the wine

Also, if drinking a high tannin wine, it should probably be in the mid to upper 60's in temperature. Do not over chill the wine, it will bring out the bitterness of the tannins.

Join us next week when we taste and learn about Bordeaux Blanc.

Tonight, we are talking tannins. What are they, why are they in wine, are they important, do I want them in my wine? We will attempt to answer all of these questions and more!

Tannins are complex compounds that are found in many trees and grapes. In wine, tannins mostly come from the grapes, but can also come from the wood barrels during the aging process. In the grapes, most of the tannins are found in the skin, seeds, and stems of the grapes. So, the amount of contact the juice has with these components will ultimately affect the level of tannins in the wine. Tannins are responsible for astringency in the wine. This is a bitterness and is similar to that experienced in an over-steeped black tea.

Tannins are important for wine aging. During the aging process, tannins form polymerize and ultimately precipitate as sediment and at that time, do not cause any astringency or bitterness on the palate.

Tannins will cause a drying sensation in the mouth. The tannins bind with the saliva to make the mouth feel dry.

A lot of tannins are found in the color compounds of wine. So if you like dark deep colored red wines, You probably like wines with greater amounts of tannin. Tannins are important to the aging process, and if you like wines that age and mature over time, you probably like wines with tannins.

Tonight, we are going to look at some wine varieties with high tannin levels.

First is a Tannat. This variety gets its name from tannin. It is a deep-black-berried grape variety. It is most famous or known to come from two areas. First is the Madiron area of Southwestern France. Second, is the South American Country of Uruguay. The wines are often blended with other varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot, or Pinot Noir.

Second is Petit Verdot. Another black grape with thick skins and is one of the Bordeaux grapes. Bordeaux wines are blended wines. Petit Verdot is actually becoming a more popular blending option. It is popular because it adds to the color of the wine, and it adds tannins and the ability for the wines to age. It is also becoming more popular in Washington State and in California blends.

Tonight, we are tasting:

1. 2022 Cashflow Red Mountain Washington Petit Verdot. The winery says the wine was aged for 24 months in 40% new French and American oak, It is made of 95% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of raisins, figs, currants and blackberry bramble. Flavors of mushroom, white pepper, sage, raisins, dates, concord grapes. It has 14.5% alcohol. Pairs with pulled pork tacos, pastrami sandwich, or creamy pasta salad. I purchased this from Gateway Market for around $30.00.
2. 2022 Garzon Reserva Tannat. This wine is from Uruguay. The wine has dark-fruit aromas and is full-bodied. Flavors of black and red fruits with firm tannins. Notes of herbs and graphite. The wine received a 90 rating from the Wine Enthusiast. It has 14.0% alcohol. I purchased the wine from Gateway Market for $18.00.

Tannins pair with fatty, protein-rich, or savory dishes. Fat and protein will soften the tannins. Grilled steaks, aged cheeses, lamb, or dark chocolate.

We liked both wines and rated both a 3.

Next week we will continue our discussion of tannins.

Tonight we are tasting an Australian white wine. While not one of the major whites, Semillon is a fairly popular white wine produced in Australia. For the second straight week, our wine comes from the Barossa wine region.

The Barossa wine region has two subregions or (GI's – Geographical Indications).

1. Barossa Valley
2. Eden Valley

Barossa Valley produces big red wines and bold whites. It is a warmer weather area.

Eden Valley is located in a chain of hills called the Mount Lofty Ranges. The higher elevation makes Eden a distinctly cooler climate leading to wines with a tart and intense acidity. It is also where most white wine grapes are grown in Barossa.

Two things to learn from tonight's show. Higher acidity in wine helps the wine age well. However, high-acid wines may need to be aged longer to mellow out the acid.

Despite the two areas being closely located. They produce distinct wines.

Tonight, we are tasting:

1. 2025 Torbreck Woodcutter’s Semillon, Barossa Valley. The bottle says the wine is made from grapes from old vines. The winery was #24 on “The Real Review” best wineries of Australia. Aged in stainless steel (60%) as well as seasoned French barriques (40%) for three months. It typically shows complex notes of smoked almonds and honeysuckle as well as buttery textures from the natural malolactic fermentation. Grapes are hand-picked over several days. It is unfined and unfiltered. Fresh and bright citrus and green-apple notes, and a subtle waxy richness on the finish. Enjoy now or cellar for 10 to 15 years.

Other flavors mentioned. Brioche, French pastry, lime, grapefruit, lemon, aromatic perfume.

Pairs with seafood, light white fish dishes, or Mexican or Asian salads.

We loved the wine. I scored it a 4 and Denise a 5. I will definitely purchase more.

Australia is best known for its Shiraz. Big bold Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Coonawarra. These are all from South Australia.

We have talked about Western Australia (Margaret River) known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Yarra Valley in Victoria is a cooler region known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Tasmania is off the south Coast of Australia and is an island. This is a cooler region and produces sparkling wines, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

Riesling is normally dry and crisp and best known for coming from the Clare Valley and the Eden Valley.

1. Barossa Valley: Famous for bold Shiraz.
2. Coonawarra: Renowned for rich Cabernet Sauvignon.
3. Margaret River: A key region for elegant Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc blends.
4. Clare Valley: Known for world-class, dry Riesling.
5. McLaren Vale: Produces excellent Grenache, Shiraz, and GSM blends.
6. Yarra Valley: A cooler climate region well known for quality Pinot Noir.

Tonight, we are tasting:

1. 2020 Koonunga Hill, Shiraz Cabernet. Penfolds Wines South Australia. The winery is one of the best known in Australia and was established in 1844. Deep purple color, sweet dark dense berries, chocolate. Medium acidity, full-bodied, 14.5% alcohol. Flavors of vanilla bean creaminess and warm spice. Dried rosemary and sage might give appearance of earthiness. I purchased at Costco for $8. I mostly saw this wine running around $11, but I did see an online clearance sale (at Fine Wine and Good Spirits) for $4.33 (it said $11.26 off). The wine comes from the South Australia, but is a multi-regional blend. 65% Shiraz and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon.
2. 2020 Max’s Shiraz Cabernet Penfolds. I purchased this wine at WineStyles for $17.00. Wine Enthusiast says aromas of blackberry jam, cherry cordial, pencil shavings and sweet vanilla bean-and-dark-chocolate oak influence. Rich, balanced acidity with tannins in the background. Could benefit from a few more years of aging. The wine scored a 92 from Wine Enthusiast. 70% Shiraz and 30% cabernet Sauvignon. 14.5% alcohol.
3. 2021 Bin 28 Shiraz Penfolds. Purchased at Wall to Wall Wine for $30. Wine Enthusiast says dense, ripe and powerful with quite a bit of oak. Chocolate with dark fruit and pepper spice on the nose. Flavor is rich and luscious, muscular tannins support rather than overpowers. Could age for a few more years. The wine was scored a 93 from the Wine Enthusiast. The wine is aged in American Oak for 12 months. 14.5% alcohol.

We both liked #2 Max's Shiraz/Cabernet the best, and we thought this was the best buy of the night. I also liked #3 Bin 28 Shiraz, a very powerful fruity-oaky wine. I felt it lost a little balance because of the amount of oak, Denise didn't care for it's finish. Neither of us really cared for #1 Koonunga Hill, Shiraz/Cabernet.

Next week we are exploring white wines of Australia.

Tonight, we are tasting another new wine. It’s Gruner Veltliner. Sometimes just referred to as Gruner. These wines have primary flavors of lemon, lime, grapefruit, and nectarine; followed by notes of white pepper, iris, green bean, radish, tarragon, ginger, and honey.

The best Gruners are perfumed, dry, and full-bodied with high acidity.

This is the number one wine grape in Austria. It can be made into a light fruity wine, a heavier bodied dry wine, and a sparkling sekt.

Serve well chilled, near refrigerator temperature.

We are tasting with a Riesling which I'm guessing will be fairly similar to the Gruner.

Tonight, we are tasting:

1. 2024 Doris and Leopold Gruner Veltliner. Purchased at Trader Joe’s for $5.99. Wine Enthusiast rated it an 88. Bright and lively, with zesty citrus, orchard fruit, white pepper spice, and a touch of macadamia on the finish. Clean and refreshing.
2. 2025 Rieslingfreak No. 33 Reverence of Riesling. I purchased this wine from Costco for $14.99. It comes from Clare Valley, Australia. This winery has Rieslings that have scored upto 98. Fine Wine and Good Spirits called the wine highly perfumed bouquet of lemon thyme, lime, rosewater. This is a dry, fruity, and perfumed Riesling. The winery says it is made for immediate enjoyment. 10.5% alcohol.

We both scored the Gruner a 3 and the Riesling a 4. We would highly recommend both of these wines.

Next week we are exploring Australia.

What is a Pet-Nat?

They will often have a bottle cap on top. They are sparkling, but not at the level of a Cava, Prosecco, or Champagne. They are lightly fizzed. They are natural wines made without much intervention. They use natural yeasts and without many additives. Pet-Nat’s normally have a little lower alcohol. I’ve read that they can be kind of funky, not sure what to expect.

They use the “Methode ancestrale” – without intervention.

Tonight, we are tasting::

2024 Amuse Bouche Pet-Nat. I purchased this at Trader Joe’s for $12.99. It has no added sugar, yeasts, or sulfites. The wine has 12.5% alcohol. 100% Grenache from the Languedoc region. Notes of Raspberry and grapefruit, as well as some white peach notes by the nose. On the palate. The wine is moderate in acidity and has a good mouthfeel due to the fine and delicate bubbles. It contains no added yeast, sugars, or sulphites. Pairs with summer salads, seuteed shrimp.

We did not like the wine. Denise rated it a 2 and I had more of a dislike and gave it a 1. Neither of us would buy this wine again.