Last weekend I poured Rex-Goliath Chardonnay ($7) from California. It is 100% Chardonnay and aged in French oak. In the plastic tasting cup I was not able to detect and aroma. The flavor was tropical with a hint of vanilla and a tart granny smith apple finish. Mild acidity. This was a huge hit with customers.
Winemaker's Notes: "Rex Goliath Chardonnay is a true sun-kissed California Chardonnay with bold aromas of apple and pear, combined with the classic spices of Grandma’s apple pie. Tropical fruit, pineapple and melon flavors combine with well-integrated layers of crème brûlée and a smattering of vanilla.
I’ve added a splash of aromatic white varietals to provide layers of delicate floral notes coupled with bright citrus character. Round fruit and vibrant acidity are harmoniously balanced with French oak. The oak used for our wines is a proprietary blend of French oak, with varying degrees of toasting. This gives the Rex Goliath oak profile a distinct flavor, like no other wine on the planet!
To me, this is the ultimate food wine…it goes with everything from ahi tuna tartare, to Asian chicken salad, to good ol’ mac and cheese!"
Stag's Leap 2007 Karia Chardonnay ($30) is a wine that I have splurged on. Well worth the extra money for a special meal or occasion. The aroma of pineapple and vanilla just drew me in to a flavor that was slightly creamy with pineapple, vanilla and hint of honey. This is oak aged, but does not have an a distinct oakiness in the flavor. Also, not acidic. I know the Winemaker's Notes does not have pineapple in it, but that's what was on my palate. Maybe it was the white peach and orange blossom combination? In any case, the end result is that Stag's Leap Karia is very enjoyable.
Winemaker's Notes: The name KARIA (KAR-ee-ah) is derived from the Greek word meaning graceful, and the 2008 KARIA Chardonnay lives up to its moniker. A cornucopia of aromas emerges from this wine, with apple, white peach and orange blossom joining subtle layers of roasted almond and vanilla cream. Similar flavors are enjoyed on the palate with additional citrus notes. A delicate honey tone is supported by bright acidity all the way through the toasty brioche finish. This versatile and food-friendly wine is easily enjoyed with butternut squash ravioli with sage brown butter, shrimp scampi, or a pecan-crusted roast loin of pork.
This weekend I tasted out Rodney Strong 2010 Sonoma County Chardonnay. It is fermented in both barrel (60%, aged 5 months in American and French oak) and stainless steel (40%). It does undergo 60% malolactic fermentation. No detectable aroma in the plastic tasting cup. Flavors on my palate were spice, vanilla and a hint of oak. It was medium-high in acidity. Mixed reviews from customers and too acidic for my taste.
Winemaker's Notes: Bright lemon and apple aromas that mingle with hints of the toasty barrel complexity. On the palate, pear and green apple with refreshing acidity will lure you back for another sip. Enjoy this lively chardonnay now and over the next couple of years.
While browsing the wine isle in the grocery stores, I keep seeing a bottle of wine with a piece of grapevine tied around the neck. I finally had to give it try.
Cantina Zaccagnini 2010 Pinot Grigio ($12 at Costco) is from Abruzzi, Italy. The aroma was lemon and grass. On my palate the flavor was pear and peach with a mild tart finish grabbing the back of my tongue. Pairing this wine with food would be easy as it does not have overpowering flavors. I would not hesitate to recommend this to customers.
Winemaker's Notes: Pale yellow with green nuances. A very delicate bouquet, an extremely pleasant aroma with fine, elegant flavor, very fresh and a well-balanced finish.
Time to switch varietals again and I went with a German Riesling. I do enjoy Rieslings from Washington state, but I'm always up for a nice German Riesling. Dr. Wagner was what I decided to taste.
Dr. Wagner Ockfenner Bockstein Kabinett 2010 Riesling ($13) is from the Mosel region in Germany, in the district of Saarburg (a.k.a Saar). This was a nice light bodied, off-dry riesling. The aroma was lightly fruity, reminding me of peach. The flavor was also light with fruit. My favorite pairing with Riesling is Asian food and it was the perfect match for my stir-fry chicken. If you enjoy German Rieslings, this is a must try.
Winemaker's Notes: (Not available)
Key to deciphering the label:
Dr. Wagner - Producer
Mosel - wine region
Saarsburg - District
Ockfenner - Town
Vineyard - Bockstein
Kabinett - classification (the driest classification for German
Riesling)
I must say that tasting wines that are not your "basic" varietals has been quite nice. For a while I thought I was stuck in a rut. So, in keeping with your non-basic varietal, the latest wine is an Italian red blend from Kris.
Kris 2009 Heart Rosso ($9.50) is from Italy and new on the market. It is a blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Montepulciano, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are from Sicily, Marche, and the alpine foothills of Alto Adige (respectively). I found the Winemaker's notes (below) for the nose to be the aroma I found - blackberry, black currant, leather - with also a bit of earthiness and meatiness. The fruit escaped my palate in the flavor, but I did taste, leather, spice, and a hint of earthiness. Medium acidity. Very low tannins. Medium-full body. I really wasn't a fan of this wine as there was more acidity than I enjoy in a wine and it was not balanced.
Winemaker's Notes: KRIS Heart Rosso is garnet in color with intense aromas of dense blackberries, spicy currants and leather. Ripe fruit flavors are balanced by lively acidity, making this an excellent wine to enjoy with roasted meats, rich pasta dishes, pizza, sausages, and cheeses.
While browsing the wine section of World Market, I came across Francis Coppola Shiraz. It is the same line/tier as Coppola Rosso and Coppola Bianco. Both Rosso and Bianco are blends and I enjoy them both; I always recommend these to customers. Shiraz is also a blend so I had to taste and review it. Not to mention, I do enjoy Coppola wines.
Francis Coppola 2009 Shiraz ($9) is 97% Shiraz blended with 3% Viognier* and is aged in both French and American oak. The grapes are sourced from Paso Robles and Lodi (two regions I enjoy wines from). The nose was delightful - berry, tobacco, coffee, a bit earthy and smokey. The flavor was tobacco and earthy with hints of both spice and coffee. Not tannic or acidic. A balanced medium-full bodied wine.
Winemaker's Notes: Appearance: Purple red - Aromas: Raspberries, plums, vanilla and violets - Flavors: Boysenberries, cherries, and cinnamon stick. Offers luscious flavors of juicy wild berries, a rich perfume of spices and soft, supple tannins. Well-balanced and extremely food-friendly, our Shiraz is the perfect accompaniment to a fig and prosciutto pizza, pulled pork sandwiches, or spicy mashed sweet potatoes.
*Adding Viognier is a technique that originated in France a long time ago. It elicits delicate floral qualities in the wine.
Last weekend I poured Rex-Goliath Chardonnay ($7) from California. It is 100% Chardonnay and aged in French oak. In the plastic tasting cup I was not able to detect and aroma. The flavor was tropical with a hint of vanilla and a tart granny smith apple finish. Mild acidity. This was a huge hit with customers. 
