Rob was hosting our local group, and declared theme to be Underrated Wines. I asked for clarification, and he said “Idea was to get an array of “not typical” ( not cab, chard,sav blanc, Pinot, etc. ) or interesting grapes for the blind tasting. Something you enjoy that’s generally not considered by many. “
OK!
We arrived to find a nice spread of cheeses, pate, sardines, olives and more. We started with the NV Donelli Lambrusco Reggiano. Pretty typical, light effervesence, grapey, cherry preserves. Not a big winter Lambrusco guy myself. B-/C+
Blind White #1 First blind wine was mine, so no guesses. Very popular, racy acids, citrus, minerally finish, long. Fred gets Albarino on first guess! 2023 Forjas del Salnes Leirana Genoveva Albarino B+/A-
Blind White # 2- some real differences of opinion here. The person who brought thought it had great acids, I thought soft and flat and was thinking Southern France. Once we got north and then Loire, I said Chenin Blanc but with disbelief in my voice,. I guess there’s a little wool there, but soft sweet fruit doesn’t ring my Vouvray sec bell. 2024 Clos de Nouys Vouvray Sec B-
Blind White # 3 - this is more like it. Snappy, green apple and grapefruit, a little seashell minerality, tastes like Chablis but Chardonnay doesn’t fit so got Aligote,. 2023 Goisot Bourgogne-Aligote B+/B
To table for roast chicken, baked potatoes, salad, and green beans
Blind Red # 1 - modest acids,grapey, raspberry, light, someone guessed Niagara Gamay which I didn’t think was a bad guess. Once we determined Old World we got to Austria but I thought Zweigelt. Not a fan. 2022 Paul Achs Blaufrankisch Heideboden B-/C+
Blind Red #2 - mine again so I’m not guessing, I think Dave or Fred eventually get Mencia,
Young, plentyof structure, black cherry, blackberry, spice and coffee. Nice interplay of tannin and acid. 2022 Anza Seleccion De Parcelas (Bierzo ) B+
Blind Red #3 -raspberries, pepper, fresh. We get grape due to recent taste of #1, but I like this one more, 2922 Straka Amphora Blaufrankisch B
Blind Red #4=- spicy/peppery, dark berries, bright. Very tasty, Fred gets grape,I get wine (there’s not that many Mencias out there). 2021 Descendientes de Jose Palacios Bierzo Petalos B+/B
Amazing we got 2 examples of 2 red grapes considering all the possibilities!
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was the only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.