Wine Appraiser

In this episode, Dennis and Denise taste various wine cocktails. Join them to see if one is right for you. Each recipe will be listed below.

Tonight we attempt to have a wide range of flavors and a cocktail that you will want to try.

All of our cocktails will include wine and have a festive flare.  

Tonight, we will try six different cocktails including:

1. Cranberry wine and Prosecco. Serve ice cold in a flute. Pour about 1 oz cranberry wine and top with Prosecco.
2. Kir Royale. Serve in a flute. Add .5 oz Crème de Cassis and then fill the glass with Prosecco.
3. Air Mail. Serve in a Collins glass. Add 2 oz Golden rum, 1/2 oz lime juice, 1/2 oz orange juice, 1/2 teaspoon honey, and sparkling wine. Mix all ingredients except sparkling wine in iced shaker. Shake and then pour into glass. Fill with sparkling wine.
4. St.Germain Royale. Served in a flute. Add ¾ oz St-Germain and fill with Sparkling wine. Give a little stir and garnish with a blackberry.
5. New York Whiskey Sour. Serve in a rocks glass. 3 oz bourbon Whiskey, ½ oz Simple syrup, ½ oz lemon juice and 1 oz dry red wine. Add all ingredients except red wine to an iced shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Pour over ice. Then float the red wine on top using the back of a spoon.
6. The Caribou. Served in a rocks glass. 1 oz Rye Whiskey, a splash of maple syrup, 3 oz port or dry red wine, garnish with a cherry or orange twist. Add all ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice, stir and then strain into a rocks glass over ice.

Next week we will taste three sparkling wines including:

1. Kirkland Prosecco. We purchased it at Costco for $7.99.
2. Sterling Sparkling Wine from California. I purchased at Costco for $14.99.
3. Cooper’s Hawk Lux Sparkling Wine. Cremant De Bordeaux purchased from Cooper’s Hawk for $34.99.

Have you ever had an Ice Wine? It can be a great wine to pair with dessert.

What is Ice wine? It comes from the German word Eiswein. It is a sweet wine made from ripe and healthy grapes that are picked after being allowed to freeze on the vine. The grapes are pressed while frozen resulting in a juice with a higher sugar content. Canada is the world’s leading producer of ice wine where they have trademarked the term “Icewine.” Onterio is the leading province in Canada for the production of Icewine, and Canada has strict rules on its production. It must be naturally frozen. The air temperature must be -8 degrees C/17.6 degrees F or less during the harvesting and pressing of the grapes, which must be a continuous process. The grapes must not have less than 35 Brix sugar and the bottled wine must have at least 100 g/l residual sugar. All Icewine is a varietal wine and must be Vinifera grapes or the French hybrid Vidal Blanc.

The bottles are typically 375 milliliters, or half the size of a normal wine bottle. Some of these wines are not cheap. They are more expensive because the wines are not easy to make, the yields are lower, and there are many risks in making them. First, the grapes can rot or animals can eat them. Then after harvest, yeasts or bacteria on the grapes can affect the taste. Also, the grapes and processing must also occur in the cold and normally at night.

What is Brix, pronounced “Bricks”? It measures the amount of sugar in the grapes. It is measured by a handheld refractometer and is measured in degrees. Each degree equals 1 g of sugar per 100 g of juice. A typical white wine has between 20- and 24-degrees brix and red wines between 22- and 26-brix. Sparkling wines range around 17- or 18-brix. The alcohol potential of the wine can be calculated from the Brix by multiplying the degrees of brix by between 0.55 to 0.65. Higher alcohol levels can be achieved by adding sugar during the fermentation process.

Tonight, our two wines include:

1. 2023 Northwind Vidal Icewine, purchased at Costco for $19.99. It has 10.5% alcohol. It has aromas of wildflower honey, candied orange peel, and lychee. Flavors of pineapple, peach, and honey. High sugar is balanced by high acidity.
2. NV Cooper’s Hawk Ice wine, purchased at Cooper’s Hawk for $29.99. Aromas of apricot, peach puree, ripe pineapple, candied mango, butterscotch, and honeycomb. Similar on palate with a burst of tartness on the finish. Pairs with Crème brulee and pineapple cake. 13.5% alcohol.

Next week we will have something a little different. We will sample a few wine-based cocktails to help you get ready for Christmas.

Dennis and Denise have a budget-friendly show tonight, with each wine costing less than $10. Also, see if you can catch ten references to different songs.

Tonight we will have a Picpoul from the South of France. This is a new wine for us. Picpoul (Pronounced peek–pool) Means "stings the lips" is grown mostly in the Languedoc in southern France around the Mediterranean. It was rewarded its own AOC in 2013, and its popularity has grown considerably in the past 15 years. This wine pairs great with seafood or spicey dishes or for a summer sipper.

Our second wine is from the Columbia Valley in Washington. This is the State's largest wine region. It is an arid region that receives lots of sunshine during the growing season (more than Napa Valley). It also has some cooler weather that gives the grapes good acidity.

Our final wine is a Le Grand Noir Chardonnay from France. This is a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) wine from the Pays D'Oc. The wine is a 85% Chardonnay and 15% Viognier blend. Unlike other French wines, PGI wines are allowed to list the variety of grape.

Tonight, our three wines include:

1. 2023 Foncastel Picpoul De Pinet, purchased at Trader Joe’s for $8.99. Reverse Wine Snob rated it a buy. It has 13% alcohol. Mostly citrus on the nose. Lemon and lime smell. Palate is more acidic and also has some salinity.
2. 2022 Pacific Rim Riesling, we purchased at Costco for $7.89. The wine comes from the Columbia Valley in Washington. The Wine Enthusiast rated it a 90. The grapes are picked early, so has good acid and then bottled with 25.2 g/l of residual sugar. Pairs well with with spicey Asian or Mexican food.
3. 2022 Le Grand Noir Chardonnay. We purchased this wine from Costco for $9.99. It is made with 85% Chardonnay and 15% Viogneir. 30% of the Chardonnay spends sometime in French and American Oak. The wine maker said they wanted to make a lightly oaked Chardonnay that was drinkable alone and pairs well with food. Pair with seafood or white meats. Wine Enthusiast rated it a 92 and gave it a "Best Buy".

Next week we will have something a little different. It’s Denise’s birthday, and to celebrate, we will have ice wine and birthday cake.  The two wines we will taste include:

1. 2023 North Wind Vidal Ice Wine. We purchased it at Costco for $19.99.
2. NV Cooper’s Hawk Lux Ice Wine that was purchased at Cooper’s Hawk for $29.99.

What wine is best for Thanksgiving? That is a hot topic at this time of year, and I have seen many answers to that question.

In the past we have enjoyed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with our Thanksgiving meal, but what if you want something different? Tonight we will taste several typical Thanksgiving foods with our wines to see if we can find a perfect pairing.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2021 Domaine Fillastreau. This is a Saumur from the Loire Valley, purchased from Sarasota Wines for $22.95. A rich, luscious wood-matured wine, this is dense and smooth. Honey and crisp apple come together in this ripe, full wine with its total freshness at the end. Drink the wine from 2023. Organic and biodynamic. 
2. 2022 Quinson Cotes de Provence, purchased from Trader Joes for $8.99. Cellar Tracker says light salmon colored, peaches and cherry aromas. Strong earthy mineral base. Light peach and good zip. 
3. 2021 Octopoda Pinot Noir purchased from Costco for $7.99.  It received a 91 from the Wine Enthusiast. It has 14.5% alcohol. Fresh and fruity aromas of black raspberry, red flowers and star anise. This ripe and well-rounded wine offers palate-warming plums, strawberries and cherries on a relatively soft texture, with accents of vanilla, clove and cedar from oak.  

Next week The wines we will taste include:

1. 2023 Foncastel Picpoul De Pinet. This Languedoc, France wine was purchased at Trader Joe’s for $8.99.
2. 2022 Pacific Rim Riesling. Purchased from Costco for $7.89.
3. 2022 Le Grand Noir Chardonnay purchased from Costco for $9.99.

Chianti is the most popular Italian wine. It is mostly made from the Sangiovese grape, but is normally a blend. How does it compare to a Sangiovese wine? Tonight we will find out. In a prior show we did a Chianti tasting. I love Chianti and I believe I liked all three wines we tasted that night. It is normally made from a blend of grapes, but is mostly made from the Sangiovese grape. It comes from the Tuscany region of Italy.

Sangiovese produces a wine that is medium in body, has medium to high acid and medium to high tannins.

You can pick out a Chianti Classico by looking for a black roster on the label. This means the wine comes from the classic region known for the production of Chianti.

Sangiovese wine from California is more fruit-forward and is known for having more floral aromas.

If drinking a wine by itself, you may prefer the Sangiovese, but I believe Chianti is more of a food wine.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2018 Carpineto Chianti Classico, purchased from Costco for $19.99. This wine was rated a 93 by the Wine Spectator and a 92 by the Wine Enthusiast. Made from Sangiovese and Canaiolo (Merlot like grape with soft tannins and bright acid) and other red grape varietals. Aged in Slavonian and French oak barrels for at least a year. 13.5% alcohol. Serve at 64-68 degrees in a decanter. Tastes of tar, stone, and umami of mushrooms, seaweed and soy sauce before sour cherries and cranberries emerge. Palate has black cherries, blackberries, milk and dark chocolate, bitter orange. Long finish. Pair with game and roasts.
2. 2016 Idle Sangiovese purchased from Wine Styles for $37.00. Aromas of licorice, smoke, violets, herbs, and cherry. Pair with spaghetti, roasted vegetables. Comes from Knights Valley AVA in Sonoma. Picked in the early morning fog, transported to the winery in the back of a flatbed. Hand sorted at the winery, destemmed, cold soaked for 4 days. Fermented for 2 weeks with punch downs done 3 times/day. Aged 16 months in 30% new (medium-long) toasted French oak barrels, 70% aged in French oak. Blended with 3% Merlot.

 Next week The wines we will taste include:

1. 2021 Domaine Filliatreau. This is a Saumur, Loire Valley purchased from Sarasota Wines for $22.95.
2. 2022 Quinson Cotes de Provence. Purchased from Trader Joes for $8.99.
3. 2021 Octopada Pinot Noir purchased from Costco for $7.99.

After reading about and tasting New York wine, I have a strong desire to visit the Finger Lakes AVA.  Until the 1970s and 1980s, New York was known for producing wine made from the Catawba and Niagara grapes. Many people still have that perception. However, back in the 1950’s, Dr Konstantin Frank started the cultivation of Vitis vinifera (the old world grape varieties people are familier with). Today it is now well known for its Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir production. In addition to the Finger Lakes AVA, it is also home to the Niagara Escarpment, Hudson River and Long Island AVAs. New York is now the 2nd or 3rd largest wine-producing state in the country.

 Tonight, we taste:

1. 2022 Dr Konstantin Frank. Purchased from Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits for $18.99. Aromas of vibrant perfume of honeyed apple, citrus blossom and peach. Dry but with richness and lots of fruit and floral flavor. The grapes are de-stemmed, direct pressed, and stored in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. There is no oak and no Malolactic fermentation. It has 7 g/Liter of residual sugar which is considered an off-dry wine. It has a pH of 3.0. Pairs with lightly prepared chicken, pork, and fish; as well as a creamy goat cheese.
2. 2019 Heron Hill Eclipse red-blend. Purchased from Wine Styles. I saw online from $16.00 to $21.00. This is a Bordeaux blend wine made up of 44% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Aromas of black and red currant fruit, tobacco leaf, herbs and cola-like oak. Grapes come from a variety of sources from growers in Long Island and Finger Lakes. Aged for 15 months in a combination of French and Hungarian oak barrels. Pairs with lamb, prime rib, grilled salmon, sharp cheddar or rich blue cheese.

 Next week The wines we will taste include:

1. 2018 Carpineto Chianti Classico. Purchased from Costco for $19.99.
2. 2016 Idle Sangiovese. Purchased from Wine Styles for $37.00.

Is price important for Rioja? Tonight we will blind-taste three Rioja wines and find out.

Rioja is the leading wine region in Spain. Broken into three parts.

- Rioja Alto

- Rioja Alavesa

- Rioja Oriental

Known for its red wine production and aging in oak barrels. (predominately American oak) Tempranillo is the most planted grape and makes up nearly 90% of the vineyards. Garnacha is the second most planted red grape, with smaller amounts of Mazuelo, Carinena (Carignan), and Graciano. Most Rioja wines are blends, with Garnacha added to the Tempranillo for added body.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2017 Marques de Caceres, Rioja. This wine was purchased from Costco for $17.99. The grapes were hand-picked and aged in new French oak barrels for 15 months. Bouquet of blackberry and chocolate-covered orange peel. The wine has an inky garnet color and feels juicy on the palate. Flavors of black cherry and raspberry are joined by clove, bittersweet chocolate, and black olives. Lingering tannins complete the profile.

2. 2022 Vina Torcida Tempranillo, Rioja. Purchased at Wine Styles for $20.00. Ripe fruit and spices on the nose. Black pepper, clove, and vanilla. 87% Tempranillo, 8% Mazuelo, and 5% Garnacha. Grapes come from vineyards located in all three zonas of Rioja. It is aged 27 months in American oak barrels. Pairs with spicy meats, stews, and roasts.

3. 2018 Trader Joe’s, Rioja. Purchased at Trader Joe’s for $9.99. Reverse Wine Snob gave this wine a highly recommended, and described it as having flavors of ripe strawberries, leather, and tobacco.

Next week The wines we will taste include:

1. 2022 Dr Konstantin Frank Riesling. Purchased from Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits for $18.99.

3. 2019 Heron Hill Eclipse red blend. Purchased from Wine Styles. I saw online from $16.00 to $21.00.

Tonight, we will learn about and taste two wines, made from grape varieties unfamiliar to many of us. First, we will taste a Vignoles (white) and then have a Norton (red).

Both wines come from small AVA’s in east central Missouri, along the Missouri River. The first wine we are tasting is a Vignoles from the first AVA in the US. It comes from the Augusta AVA. Vignoles is a hybrid grape originated in France from a cross of Seibel and Pinot de Corton. It was imported to the US and the Finger Lakes Wine Growers Association named it Vignoles in 1970. However, it has since been DNA tested and found to have very little if any genetic markers in common with Seibel or Pinot Noir. Therefore, its parentage is in question. Vignoles is the most common white wine grape grown in Missouri but is also grown in other states including New York. The wines can be sweet, semi-sweet, or dry. Vignoles is also used for dessert wines or ice wines. Wines are medium in body and crisp; with flavors of tropical fruits, citrus, and floral.

Our second wine is a Norton from another small AVA in east central Missouri. The Hermann AVA is located along the Missouri River. German settlers came to the area in the 1830s, finding it similar to the Rhine River region of Germany. They immediately started growing grapes.

Norton is the official state grape of Missouri and the number-one-grown grape in the state. Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton developed the variety in Richmond, Virginia in the early 1800’s. It produces a dry red wine with complex flavors.

A Stone Hill Norton was named the “Best Red Wine of all Nations” in 1873 at the Vienna World Exposition.

Norton wine is a full-bodied, dry, red wine.  Aromas of red and black fruits, coffee, chocolate, flowers, cloves, and leather. Tastes of raspberry, cherry, pomegranate, blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, vanilla, and spice. It also has a rich mouthfeel, smooth finish, and oak notes.

It is also known as Cynthiana.

It is very age-worthy. High-quality Norton wines reach their peak around 8 years of age and remain that way for another 8 years.

Tonight, we taste:

1. Balducci Vineyards – 2021 Vignoles purchased at the winery for $30.00. Tastes of pineapple, apricots, peaches, lemon, orange. Vignoles pairs well with salty foods, Brie cheese, spiced pecans, candied walnuts, Asian chicken, spicy pork ribs, seafood green or yellow curry, spicy peppers, spicy barbecue, chutney, and apricot.
2. 2020 J Cross Norton from Stone Hill Winery of Hermann, Missouri. Purchased at Vineyard for $40.00. Aromas of ripe plum, blackberries, tart cherries, moist soil. Taste of plum, blackberry, leather, oak, chocolate, tobacco, and licorice. Pairs with steak, red meats, game meats. This wine can replace Cabernet Sauvignon.

Next week We have an election show special and we will taste some Rioja:

1. 2017 Marques de Caceres, Rioja. Purchased from Costco for $17.99.
2. 2022 Vina Torcida Tempranillo, Rioja. Purchased at Wine Styles for $20.00.
3. 2018 Trader Joe’s, Rioja. Purchased from Trader Joe’s for $9.99.

Tonight, our blind-tasting duo will taste three wines chosen by our listeners. We have one white and two red wines. Our first wine is a white wine from Burgundy, France. It is from the Chardonnay grape.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2022 Bourgonge - Maconaise - Macon Villages. Purchased at Costco for $12.79. Stored in stainless steel tanks. This is 100% Chardonnay. Tastes of Citrus, orange, orange peel, apple, green apple.
2. 2022 Porta 6 Red from Lisbon Region of Portugal. Purchased at Trader Joes for $4.99. Wine Enthusiast rated this wine an 86 and called it a best buy. It is juicy, spicy, and ready to drink. Oak and Barrel - Porta 6 Red shows jammy cherry and plum flavors with a touch of vanilla and cacao. Extremely smooth and a great value red.
3. 2022 Ruggero Di Bardo from Puglia, Italy. Purchased at Trader Joes for $9.99. Made from the Susumaniello grape. Aged in stainless steel and oak for 3 months. Dark ink color. Aromas of black cherry, blackberry, clove, cinnamon, forest floor, vanilla, and cedar. Taste is bold and fruity, cherry flavors, sweet oak spice, and firm tannins.

 Next week The wines we will taste include:

1. 2021 Balducci Vineyards, Vignoles. Purchased from the vineyard for $30.00.
2. 2020 Stone Hill Winery Cross J Norton. Purchased from Stone Hill Winery for $40.00.

Tonight, our blind-tasting duo explore uncharted wine, at least for the show. Shiraz is the most planted and #1 grape from Australia. Shiraz is the same grape and wine as Syrah, but for some reason, Australia and South Africa call it Shiraz. It is a big, bold, full-body wine with high levels of tannin and acid. Because of the tannins, it is normally oaked and is a great pair with red meats.

In France, Syrah is a single variety wine from the northern Rhone Valley, and is popular in the southern Rhone where it is part of the GSM blend wines. GSM stands for Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre.

Syrah is also a popular grape grown in the US, mostly in the State of Washington and California.

Some of the most popular Shiraz regions of Australia include Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, Clare Valley, Heathcote, Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale, Yarra Valley, Grampians, and Adelaide Hills.

While Syrah and Shiraz wines will have many similarities, they will also have some differences. Syrah wines from France, Chile and Washington (State) are more of a cooler climate wine. Australian Shiraz and California, Spain, Italy, and Argentina Syrah are warm-weather wines. Syrah from cooler climates will be lighter in body, with more earthiness and floral notes. Warm weather Syrah/Shiraz will be fruit forward full-body higher alcohol wines.

 Tonight, we taste:

1. 2021 Yalumba Barossa Shiraz. I purchased this wine at Wall to Wall Wine for $19.99. It comes from the Barossa Valley, Australia. It is plump and fruity, with lucid aromas of black cherry, plum, mint and ground pepper. A full body gentle frame of spicy tannins frames everything, and a nice level of acidity helps wash it all down. Winery is Vegan and started in 1849.
2. 2019 Greg Norman, Limestone Coast Shiraz, $15.50 at Wall to Wall Wine. This wine comes from Coonawarra, McClaren Flat, Argentina. Nose: Bright aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, spice notes. Palate: Medium to full-bodied. Cola, black cherry, mixed berry jam and cloves. Other notes: plum and cherry. Peppercorn, mint, oak. Firm structure and balanced acidity. Area is known for having poor well draining soils.
3. 2022 Yellow Tail Shiraz purchased at Walmart for $5.99. Rich and smooth, with juicy red berries and hints of vanilla and spice. Hints of mocha. Bold and smooth. South Eastern Australia includes all of Victoria and parts of South Australia and New South Wales.

 Next week The wines we will taste include:

1. 2022 Bourgonge – Maconaise – Macon Villages. This is a Burgundy white made from the Chardonnay grape. Purchased from Costco for $12.79.
2. 2022 Porta 6 Red from Lisbon Region of Portugal. Purchased at Trader Joes for $4.99.
3. 2022 Ruggero Di Bardo from Puglia, Italy. Purchased at Trader Joes for $9.99.