Chicken Soup Wine (2nd Hand Tasting)

I made a pot of chicken soup two days ago and opened this mystery wine to pair with it. The pairing worked so well, that I finished off both the chicken soup and wine today (with no discernible decline in the quality of the wine...or the soup). I thought it would make an interesting second-hand tasting.

Background info: I picked this wine up as a wine from a region and grape(s) that I've neglected for too long. Thus, my ability to compare it with other examples is limited. I saw the bottle in a wine shop I rarely visit, and the importer's name convinced me that it was a reliable choice (yes, that's a tiny clue folks). Retail price was $18.99, but being a cheap basta...err...value-oriented person, I got it during a 15% off sale.

Tasting note: Straw-colored. Mild but exquisitely well-balanced. Full-bodied with sufficient, but not excessive acidity. Creamy mouthfeel. Tough to identify individual aromas or flavors, but it most closely reminds me of an apple crisp dessert (without the sugar...no discernible sweetness here). However, that could be because of an overall "comfort food" feeling from this wine rather than its exact flavors. It paired wonderfully with chicken soup. The wine's broth-like/starch-like creaminess and mild flavors perfectly matched the soup. This is a food wine, not one that grabs your attention at a tasting.

So, here's information you could supply:
Grape variety (or most important variety/varieties if a blend)
Country
Region and/or appellation (as appropriate)
Producer (and wine name/designation if applicable)
Vintage (or non-vintage status)

I'm not sure that every item is discernible from my tasting note, but I'll confirm correct or incorrect guesses in any category. Good luck.

Old World?
France?
Fair to say apple was dominant?
Blend? You mention grape(s).

2003 white Burgundy Drouhin

Importers name convinced me it was a reliable choice... that makes me think this is not a well known/recognised area? Good shot though Howie!! Don`t think this is Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay good idea.

Obviously-

Chardonnay
France
Mersault
Jadot
2003
At one hell of a discount price.

Some good guesses so far. I won't confirm too much so that the Europeans have a fair crack at this.

I will confirm Old World, but not Burgundy and not Chardonnay.

"Fair to say apple was dominant?" Actually, I'd say that texture and mild character were dominant over any single flavor or aroma. In that respect it mirrored the chicken soup: I know there are some herbs and spices in chicken soup (because I put them in), but I can't pick out the scents individually unless I put too much of something in the pot.

Re: blend vs. varietal, I was being intentionally vague about all of the categories. Don't make assumptions either way.

I'll check back with more info in the early morning (North American central time).

Andrew,

You better recheck the label. I'm pretty sure that I was correct.

Sam

I'm going Northern Rhone Marsanne/Roussanne. How about 2003 Croze-Hermitage Blanc? Guigal?



Prost!
Bill

Bill, I think it is a blend. No mention of spice though and your idea would have some eh. Sometimes I get the apple with Viognier Good idea to wait till the Europeans show up, have woken up Otto and Ian!!

Andrew,

You better recheck the label. I'm pretty sure that I was correct.

Sam

Well, you were right about France, but that's all.

Nope, Bill, not Rhone. It also isn't Marsanne, Roussanne, or Viognier.

Bob, I'll confirm that it is a blend, and I'm looking for two grape names. I might have something else useful to say (or not) if you narrow down your thinking-out-loud to a single guess.

Point noted Andrew, I edited my ramblings.

White Bordeaux
Semillon & Sauvigon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon
France
Pessac-Leognan
Carbonnieux
2002

The apple doesn't really fit, but "pie but dry", food wine, and other notes do. All the apple-dominant wines I can think of are monocepage

oops, Howie beat me to it

Point noted Andrew, I edited my ramblings.

Oh, feel free to ramble all you want. I didn't want to discourage that. I just reserve the right to neither confirm nor deny something you (or anyone) else mention as part of your thought process but don't actually guess.

Howie & Dale: Nope not Bordeaux and the grapes do not include either Sauvignon Blanc or Semillon.

Dale: Not 2002.

Wow, I thought people would get this within the first few guesses once it was narrowed down to France but not Chardonnay. I know the tasting note may not seem to have a whole lot of clues, but it does capture the most important qualities in this type of wine.

Not a clue, but that doesn't stop me guessing

Maybe a (dry) Pinot Blanc or Pinot Gris from Alsace (though neither are of course blends. but a lack of overt characters fits ok). Straw colour, decent body and acidity suggests perhaps 2004.

regards

Ian

Actually Pinot Blanc would fit - the lack of overt character, and usually is actually Pinot Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc, so a blend.

I have found a pronounced apple scent in some white Bordeaux. Coupled with the hints that there is oak - that would be my guess. Perhaps from 2001?

Now you're getting somewhere.

Ian: It is from the 2004 vintage in Alsace.
Dale: It is Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois.

Anyone want to venture a guess on producer, or should we just declare Ian and Dale joint winners? The producer isn't obscure, but guessing it would have been beyond my ability. Here's another hint: this producer chooses to place both Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois on the front label.

Ian was ahead of me, I'd declare him winner (but let folks keep guessing). Mann mentions both on label, maybe Hugel too?

Ian was ahead of me, I'd declare him winner (but let folks keep guessing). Mann mentions both on label, maybe Hugel too?

Not Mann or Hugel.

I'll wait until Monday to post the full answer in case anyone else wants to guess.

My guess is a Trimbach pinot blanc.

I was going to guess Alsace Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois, but the $18.99 (at 15% off) threw me off. I would think (Hope!) that both Hugel and Trimbach would price their Pinot Blanc or Pinot D'Alcace much lower. Zind Humbrecht "Zind" used to be about $23ish.



Prost!
Bill