As hostess of the event last Saturday evening, I was too busy to take notes on the wine. It turns out I forgot two of the wines I had intended to open. The theme was Summer Sippers--summer foods paired with summer wines.
We started with two New Zealand Sauvingon Blanc wines to taste alongside a German cucumber salad and warm German potato salad (made with vinegar dressing and chopped green onions and crumbled bacon.) I had intended to prepare an asparagus and fennel salad as well but ran out of time. (Also gave up on preparing a zucchini casserole and a corn pudding.)
2008 KIM CRAWFORD SAUVIGNON BLANC, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND
2009 NOBILO SAUVIGNON BLANC, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND
One person said he didn't care for either of the white wines (a David Bueker wannabe?), some liked both, but the Kim Crawford proved to be the favorite. I thought this vintage was a little more lemony than gooseberryish, and may have some grapefruit notes as well. I think both wines had been reduced in price at Harris-Teeter grocery store. The Nobilo was reduced from $13.99 to $11.99 and I got the last bottle on the shelf. Nice and crisp wines. Several remarked on the way the Kim Crawford complemented the potato salad.
I had forgotten or overlooked the 2008 SAUMUR CHENIN BLANC, FRANCE, CAVE DE VIGNERONS DE SAUMUR and also the 2008 MARQUES DE CACERES RIOJA ROSE, SPAIN. I told the attendees that if I can locate the wines I will bring them for after church on the 4th of July (we are having hot dogs and hamburgers.)
On the cheese table I put out a Beaujolais Cru, a French "Pinot Noir" and a Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir.
We had Rosenberg Danish bleu cheese and I suggested they retry one of the Sauvignon Blanc with the bleu cheese. We also had smoked Gouda, a Chevre goat cheese with herbs, a spreadable goat cheese, and Cheddar.
One of the ladies said she didn't know she liked goat cheese until my previous wine tasting (last fall.) The bleu cheese was popular also. We agreed that both Pinot Noirs seemed to pair well with the Gouda.
2003 JEAN DESCOMBES MORGON, BEAUJOLAIS CRU i thought this might be past its prime but it was still drinking well.
2008 HOB NOB PINOT NOIR, FRANCE I paid $12.99 plus tax. I wanted to provide an inexpensive Pinot Noir that might serve as an everyday drink and this turned out to be the overall favorite red wine of the evening. Cherry flavors--simple and fruity. The Episcopal priest recorked the bottle and took it home to finish.
2007 KENNETH VOLK SANTA MARIA CUVEE PINOT NOIR, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CA. I bought a bottle when I visited the vineyard in 2008 (perhaps 2006 vintage?) but this wine I picked up at Dean and Deluca in Charlotte for $32. It was my favorite wine of the evening, drinking smoothly and with more plushness and depth than the Hob Nob. (I recorked and took home the leftover of this wine and the Kim Crawford.) I felt it expressed black cherries and dark plums. It was deep purple color; nearly opaque.
To represent summer barbeque or grilled meats I picked up beef brisket and pulled pork at Smokey Bones along with their red sauce. This was paired with two Zinfandels.
2007 RANCHO ZABACO SONOMA HERITAGE VINES, ZINFANDEL, CA I paid $17.99 plus tax at a wine shop--the grocery store may have it for less. To my surprise I enjoyed this one about as much as the more expensive Biale Zinfandel but some prefered the Biale and one attendee said she really doesn't care for Zinfandels.
2007 BIALE OLD CRANE RANCH ZINFANDEL, NAPA VALLEY, CA. I got this from a mailing list. Rich blackberry flavors. I was a little put off by the first sip but it grew on me. It was over 15% alcohol whereas the Rancho Zabaco was 14.6%.
The dessert table had a homemade nectarine/strawberry crisp with three dessert wines.
2008 SCARPONA MOSCATO D'ASTI MARENCO, ITALY. 5.5% alcohol. At about $22 it was more expensive than some other Moscatos in the shop but I was hoping that might mean higher quality. This wine was well received, especially by those who prefer some sweetness in their wines and even by one lady who was surprised how much she liked this. Some thought it matched very well with the fruit crisp.
WHITE SANGRIA I used a bottle of Burgans Albarino, about a cup and a half of Hiram Walker Peach Schnapps (the recipe called for Peach Liqueur which I couldn't find), a cup of Quady Essencia Orange Blossom Muscat, CA and slices of lemon, oranges and nectarines. One attendee who doesn't like red Sangria, did enjoy this one.
I had some of the Essencia left over, so some also tried that by itself and liked it. I forgot to go back and try it myself but I have had it before.
The votes on favorite dessert wine were split pretty evenly.
Everyone seemed to have a great time and expressed eagerness for the next tasting (in November or first week of December with holiday wines.)