Women for Wine Sense Tasting

I belong to Women for Wine Sense and last night was our monthly tasting.  The topic was pairing food with wine.  Today I'll review the seven wines we tasted and tomorrow I'll blog about the key points in pairing food and wine.  

Segura Viudas Brut Reserve Cava NV is a sparking wine from Spain.  (Champagne comes from France, Prosecco from Italy, and Cava from Spain.)  The aroma and flavor were honey and apple. The sommelier leading the meeting paired this with fried calamari. Although I enjoyed the wine, the pairing did not work for me (or the 3 other women at my table).  I've done numerous tastings on this wine and customers enjoy it. 

Winemaker's Notes:  The prime feature of Brut Reserva Segura Viudas is its elegant and persistent mousse. The aromas are of white fruits, citrus and tropical fruits, and light floral notes. The palate is exquisite, complex and full of flavour, with good acidity and notes of lime and pineapple. It is dry and long on the finish.

Wild Rock Sauvignon Blanc, 2009  from Marlborough, New Zealand  is 93% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Riesling, and 3% Viognier.  The aroma is grapefruit and herbs.  Flavors are light grapefruit (not the typical fruit forward grapefruit), hint of lime, and mineral.  It is not tart, is well balanced and clean.  I enjoyed this wine, but was not a fan of the thin, watery mouthfeel. This was paired with pork barbecue sliders.  Great pairing.  Who knew? 

Winemaker's Notes:  Pale green tinged in appearance. Aromas of fresh lime juice, stonefruit and sweet herbs with just a hint of spice. On the palate lime, nectarine, grapefruit, flowers and apple flavours flow. Rich and rounded with bright citrus acidity. Finishes clean and dry. 

S.A. Prum Essences Riesling, 2009  from Mosel, Germany.  This was slightly sweet and more on the dry side of the spectrum.  I enjoyed the peach flavor.

Winemaker's Notes:   (Not available)  

Acrobat, Pinot Noir, 2009 is from King Estate Winery in Oregon.  This wine had a great cherry and tobacco aroma.  The flavor was also cherry and tobacco, and earthy with medium tannins.  Also enjoyable.  Paired with roast beef on bruschetta with horseradish sauce, it was quite lovely. 

Winemaker's Notes:  Color:  Bright garnet with ruby tint.   Nose:  Sweet cherry, tobacco, earth, raspberry, oak, floral notes.   Flavors:  Blueberry, dried cherry, chocolate, spice.  Mouthfeel:  silky, lively mid palate, round finish.  

Mas de la Dame Rose du Mas Les Baux De Provence, 2010 from France is 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, andd 20% Cinsault Elegant.  I am not a fan of Rose wines.  However, the aroma on this was fruity and melon giving me high expectations.  Alas, it was dry and savory and not for me.  Actually, most women at the tasting weren't fans.

Winemaker's Notes:  Color:  Ruby purple.  Aroma:  Ripe red fruits and soft spices.  Taste:  Rich, full and round with ripe red fruit flavors accented by soft nuances of spice. 

Ruffino "Santedame" Chianti Classico, 2008 DOCG Italy.  I must admit that I'm not a Chianti fan but have done tastings on several Ruffino Chianti's that I did enjoy and this wine was no exception.  It was earthy with medium tannins.  Paired with Marinara sauce; Italian wine with Italian food - GREAT!   Women at the tasting really enjoyed it.

Winemaker's Notes:  (Not available) 

Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG Italy.  This is a sweet sparking dessert wine.  The aroma and flavor are raspberries.  It pairs very well with dark chocolate.  Men, if you want to score points with the lady in your life give her this with dark chocolate!  Ladies, if you want a relaxing, melt all  your cares away, night, draw a bubble bath, get some chocolate and enjoy a glass (or two) of this.  I've done tastings on Rosa Regale and it is enjoyed by all.

Winemaker's Notes:   Rosa Regale is a unique red sparkling wine. Aromatic with a hint of rose petals and raspberries, Rosa Regale is delightfully vivacious and festive.