Wine Appraiser

I just read an article in Wine Enthusiast that Riesling is one of the fastest-growing wine varieties on the market. According to the article, people are looking for crisp-bright wines; of course, Riesling fits that bill. Our first wine says it pairs well with chicken, fish, and spicy cuisines.

Nero D’Avola is known for its dark fruit-driven flavors, full-bodied, and medium to medium-high tannins. In addition to the dark fruit, may get flavors of licorice, tobacco, and pepper.

Meritage is a wine blended with the Bordeaux grape varieties, typically from outside of Bordeaux. The five Bordeaux grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petite Verdot. Pronounced like “heritage”.

Tonight, we try these three wines from Trader Joe’s.

1. 2023 Emma Reichart Dry Riesling, purchased for $5.99. Aromas of apricot, honeysuckle, citrus, minerality, and green apple. This wine comes from Germany with 11.5% alcohol.
2. 2022 Epicuro Nero D’Avola is from Sicilia DOP. Trader Joe’s had this wine for $5.99. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. It has 13.7 g/L of residual sugar making this an off-dry wine. Reverse Wine Snob says aromas of red berry and cherry cough drop fruit, with touches of licorice and spice. Less complex but still a very affordable example of Nero d’Avola. It has 12.5% alcohol.
3. 2022 Roustabout Meritage from Paso Robles, California. Purchased for $7.99. Aromas of dark fruit with cola, tobacco, and pepper. Many reviews mention a jammy or over ripe fruit taste. 13.6% alcohol. This wine has 44% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Next week we are learning more about blind tasting. We are also going to reminisce about the 70’s.  

Viognier is a full-bodied white wine. Primary flavors of tangerine, peach, mango, honeysuckle, and rose. Cooler climate styles have greater citrus and floral traits with more acid and crispness. These wines are typically aged in stainless steel. Warmer climate Viognier is barrel aged, goes through malolactic fermentation, and therefore has richer tastes such as apricot, rose, and vanilla. These wines have less acidity and more creaminess. Viognier has become more popular in recent years with more plantings in California.

Languedoc in the South of France is located south of the Rhone Valley and stretches to the Mediterranean Sea. It is west of Provence and the French Riviera along the Mediterranean and extends west into the Pyrenees Mountains.

Tonight, we try these three wines from Trader Joe’s.

1. 2023 Honey Moon Viognier, purchased for $5.99. Aromas of peach, apricot, and honeysuckle. Flavors of honey, mango, and nectar. Floral scents, lush, full-bodied. This wine comes from California. 13.5% alcohol. Pairs with many cheeses, fish, white meats, and spicy foods. Hard to find much information, but two websites said it does not have residual sugar, even though it has a sweet taste. Many reviews also said it is a great summer sipper all by itself. Both of us scored this wine a 2 out of 5.
2. 2024 Carayon La Rose is from the Languedoc in the South of France. Trader Joe’s had this wine for $6.99. It has strawberry and fruit aromas and tastes. It is crisp yet ripe. It has 12.5% alcohol. Denise scored a 2. Dennis scored a
3. 2023 Rain Cloud red blend from Napa, California. Purchased for $6.99. Aromas of blackberry, cherry, and currant, with hints of vanilla and spice. Many reviews mention a jammy taste. 14.5% alcohol. According to the Blonde Voyage Nashville, this wine is made with 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Petite Syrah. Denise scored a 3 and Dennis scored a 2.

Next week we will continue our tasting of Trader Joe’s wines.   

I had never done a ten-year vertical wine-tasting and didn’t know what to expect. A vertical tasting is done with the same wine variety from the same winery and maybe even from the same vineyards, but for different years.

However, if you get the chance, take it. I was very impressed. You can taste how the wine changes over time, and with information regarding the growing conditions for each year, you can also taste how the weather affects the wine.

Stone Hill Winery in Hermann, Missouri, is one of the best in the state. Norton is the Missouri State Grape. Norton is also called Cynthiana which is the State Grape in Arkansas.

Because of its acid and tannins, Norton wine can age well. It is known for its flavors of plum, tart cherries, blackberries, and earthiness and spice.

Tonight, we talk about the Ten-Year Norton Vertical Wine Tasting that we did at Stone Hill Winery.

Next week we are hunting for a great Trader Joe’s wine. We will try to describe the three wines we taste and help you decide which wine you need to try next. We will be tasting:

1. 2023 Emma Reichart Dry Riesling, purchased for $5.99. Aromas of apricot and grapefruit. It is crisp and dry with notes of mineral, almonds, and herbs. This wine comes from Germany. 11.5% alcohol.
2. 2022 Roustabout Meritage from Paso Robles. Trader Joe’s had this wine for $7.99. Meritage is a Bordeaux Red Blend made up of 44% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc. The bottle says silky tannins. Notes of black cherries, blueberries, and cigar box. Some hints of dark chocolate and expresso. 13.6% alcohol.
3. 2022 Epicuro Nero D’Avola from Sicilia DOC. Purchased for $5.99. Aromas of blackberry, black currant, forest floor, and pepper. RWS gives it a 7.0 rating and recommends BUY.

I have never considered these two wines to be similar. However, they have many similarities. Both are full-body, fruit-forward red wines with medium to medium-high acidity and similar alcohol levels. Both have plum and blueberry fruit flavors.

Subtle differences do exist between the two. Malbec has vanilla, sweet tobacco, and cocoa flavors. Syrah has milk chocolate, tobacco, and green peppercorn. Syrah can also have gamy notes.

Tonight, we are comparing:

1. 2018 Zuccardi Q Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina. I purchased this from Costco for $14.60. It has a deep purple color with bluish reflections. Intense aromas of red and black fruit, raisins, dried figs and blueberry jam. The aging in French oak brings notes of snuff and chocolate. Soft and silky with sweet and firm tannins. Long finish.  Robert Parker 92   Decanter Magazine 92.
2. 2021 K Vine Syrah from Washington. I purchased this wine from Costco for $9.99. Aromas of dark berry fruit, black pepper, and a little smoked meat plus some mint and other assorted spices. The wine tastes rather meaty, smooth mouthfeel and similar flavors to its nose. Be sure to give it plenty of time to breathe.

Next week we will report on our 10-year Norton tasting, as well as do a deep dive into the Norton wine grape.

I had never tried a dessert wine till last year. I must admit they can be delicious and a great alternative to coffee.

Vignoles is a high acid and high sugar white grape. Because of its high sugar content, it can be made into a late-harvest style sweet white, but is also produced into a dry and off-dry white wine. It is moderate in winter hardiness.

Port wine is a Portuguese fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal. It is a sweet wine, and can be either a white or red wine. It can also be produced using two different processes. First is a “reductive” ageing process where the wine is aged in a sealed container and not exposed to air. Because of this, there is no exposure to oxygen and no evaporation. This produces a wine that is smoother on the palate and less tannic. The second style is matured in wooden barrels, and known as “oxidative” aging. Because is has some minimal exposure to oxygen and some evaporation, the wine that remains is slightly more viscous. Our second wine is not a true "Port" wine, but is made using the same grapes and process.

Tonight, we are comparing:

1. 2021 Stone Hill Winery Late Harvest Vignoles. I purchased this wine at the winery for $24. This is an estate-bottled wine from Hermann, Missouri. They report it had 29-degree Brix at harvest and the wine is bottled with 12.6% residual sugar. The wine has aromas of honey, peach, and floral, and has 9.7% alcohol. This wine was awarded 90 points in the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards.
2. Our second wine is a non-vintage Nightjar from Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants. The wine pairs perfectly with chocolate or rich cheese. It has the flavors of black cherry, blueberry, dried fig, toasted pecan, and cocoa bean. It has a long finish with hints of fruit preserves and has 18% alcohol. This is a port-style wine made with a blend of Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cao, Bastardo, Alvarelhao, and Souzao. All are traditionally used in Port wines. Part way through the fermentation process, brandy is added to the wine, which kills the yeast and raises the alcohol content. It also leaves residual sugar in the wine. Port-style wines are sweet and fortified wines. Nightjar cannot be called a Port because it is not made in the Duoro Valley, a region in northern Portugal. The wine cost $24.99.

 Next week we will compare a Malbec wine from Argentina with a Washington State Syrah.

Petite Pearl is a newer red hybrid grape. The grape was developed in Minnesota and has been available for less than twenty years. Regardless, some sources say it is one of the most planted grapes in the central northern states.

According to the limited information available on Petite Pearl, its juice has a similar makeup to the common European varieties.

It makes a dark and heavier body red wine with dark fruit flavors. We are drinking the 2022 Soldier Creek Petite Pearl. We purchased this wine at the winery for $21.00. A virtual wine tasting of this wine can be seen online at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsdL8TKLNyI

I hope you will give it a try, we both loved it.

Next week we will be having our second dessert wine show and will be tasting.

1. 2021 Stone Hill Winery Late Harvest Vignoles.
2. Coopers Hawk NightJar.

Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc are both mutations of Pinot Noir.

First, let's look at Pinot Gris, also called Pinot Grigio in Italy. These two wines come from the same grape. Pinot Gris originated from Burgundy in the Pinot Noir fields. It can be hard to tell the difference between the Pinot Gris plants and Pinot Noir and they were sometimes used in the Pinot Noir to soften tannins and add acid to the wine. It is now mostly grown in the Alsace region in France. Pinot Gris is a soft, perfumed, and higher body wine than most whites. Pinot Grigio has a lighter body and is normally crisp with high acid.

Pinot Blanc is called Pinot Blanco in Italy. It is a full-body aromatic white wine. Because of its fuller body, it is often confused with Chardonnay. It is more popular in Germany where it is called Weissburgunder.

Chenin Blanc is one of the most versatile white grapes in the world. It can be made into a sweet white wine, wide range of dry white wines, and also sparkling wines. South Africa is the capital of Chenin Blanc where it is their number one grape variety. It is an aromatic light-bodied high-acid white wine. Can be barrel aged to add to its richness and complexity. Light styles will have lime and tarragon flavors. Heavier styles have peach, nectarine, and honey flavors.

Tonight, we are comparing:

1. 2021 Arendsig Chenin Blanc Inspirational Batch 3 purchased at Wall to Wall Wine for $29.99.

Next week we will explore a new hybrid grape variety "Petite Pearl". We will be tasting a 2022 Soldier Creek Winery Petite Pearl.

What is a GSM blend and why is it called a Rhone Blend? The G, S and M stand for Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. The Rhone Valley is the original home of GSM blends and of course the reason why it is sometimes referred to as a Rhone Blend.

The Rhone Valley has two parts: the Northern Rhone Valley is known for its steep-sloping vineyards, where Syrah is produced. The Southern Rhone is a much larger region and lacks the steep slopes of the north. This is where the GSM blends are produced. Probably the most famous area in the Southern Rhone is Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Wine Folly says these wines will have more red fruit flavors with notes of herbs. While, GSM blends from California or Australia will have darker fruits with notes of clove.

Tonight, we are enjoying two GSM Blended wines including:

1. 2019 Delas Freres Cotes du Rhone Saint-Esprit purchased at Costco for $13. It has delicate tannins which is unique for the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation. The nose is classic syrah, with berry fruit, violet and licorice.
2. 2018 Skylark Wine Company Red Belly Rhone Blend. This wine was purchased from Wine Styles for $17. It is juicy and creamy black fruits plum, blackberry and crushed cherry fruit coat the entire palate, with intricately woven tannins.

We scored both wines a 3 out of 5. Denise would buy both again. I would pass on both.

Next week we will explore the differences between Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Chenin Blanc.

Fume is a French word meaning a smoke-like vapor or substance. It makes many people think of Pouilly-Fume, the famous Loire Valley wine and region.

Robert Mondovi coined the name Fume Blanc in the 1960s. He decided to differentiate his Sauvignon Blanc by aging it in oak. He believed the toasted oak barrels gave the wine a smokey character, thus the term Fume was used. However, United States wine law does not differentiate Sauvignon Blanc and Fume Blanc. Therefore, you can buy a non-oaked Fume Blanc.

Although the wine's popularity has declined in the United States, Mondovi still makes it using the same 1945-planted vines. These vines are believed to be the oldest Sauvignon Blanc vines in the United States.

Tonight, we are enjoying two California Zinfandels including:

1. 2023 Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc. This wine was purchase from Costco for $10.99. Comes from the North Coast region of California. 70% came from stainless steel tanks and 30% from older French oak barrels. It has aromas of pineapple, mango, peach, lemon grass, and lychee. Flavors of ripe fruit and crisp citrus, yellow peach, apricot, pear, lime zest, and lemon. Crisp with a subtle oak character.

We both gave this a 4 out of 5 rating and would buy again.

Next week we will compare a Rhone GSM blend versus a California (Rhone blend).

1. 2019 Delas Freres Cotes du Rhone Saint-Esprit purchased at Costco for $13.
2. 2018 Skylark Wine Company Red Belly Rhone Blend. This wine was purchased from Wine Styles for $17.

Zinfandel has been in America since the early to mid 1800s and was once the most popular wine grape in California. It is known for its old vine wines.

In fact, in the past it was a victim of its own popularity, and became known as a common cheaper wine. A lot of Zinfandel juice kits were sold during prohibition which also hurt its reputation.

However, in the 1980s and 1990s it gained in sales and acreage because of the popularity of White Zinfandel. 

Currently Zinfandel is the third most planted wine grape in California behind Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir and just ahead of the fourth most planted wine grape Merlot. California is the world leader in Zinfandel. Most popular regions in California are Sonoma, Napa, Paso Robles, and the Sierra Foothills. Many old vine Zinfandels are also found in Lodi. Other regions includes the Languedoc, South Africa, and Australia. Additionally, Puglia, Italy, grows the same grape, where it is called Primitivo., and in Croatia it is called Tribidrag.

Zinfandel is known as a medium-body, higher-alcohol wine. According to “Wine Folly,” it is commonly produced into two types of red wine: a lighter style with lower alcohol and flavors of raspberry, rose petal, spice cake, sage, and black pepper, and a richer style with higher alcohol and flavors of blackberry, cinnamon, caramel, jam, chocolate, and smoky tobacco.  

Tonight, we are enjoying two California Zinfandels including:

1. 2019 Kirkland Signature Old Vine Zinfandel. Purchased at Costco for $9.99. This wine comes from Sonoma, CA. 
2. 2019 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel. This wine was purchased at Costco for $16.99. The wine comes from Sonoma County, CA.  

Next week we will learn about Fume Blanc.

1. 2023 Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc. This wine was purchase from Costco for $10.99.