About WiNEZ

WiNEZ was a monthly event at EZ Street Saloon in South Range, WI. Unfortunately, due to lower turn out the owners had decided to stop hosting the event. The last wine night at EZ was held on November 12, 2014. But that is not to say the die hards won't be getting together for some wine tasting periodically at EZ Street Saloon. I will continue to blog the wines we have tasted pre starting this blog, along with our impromptu meetings, and maybe transform the blog into something more personal. We will see where it goes. I do know the blog will still be about wine!

So for my WiNEZ pals you can count on this blog to serve as an archive of what was consumed and a reference for your spending sprees. For those who are just curious about what the Northwest Wisconsinites are drinking here are some thoughts… but be warned I am by no means a wine expert-I only know what I like. Since I am not an expert I will try to include the winemakers label descriptions as well.

Salute! or as the Finnish would say Kippis!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

D’Arrigo Chianti

Chianti is a red wine produced in the Tuscany region of Italy. Originally it was a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 15% Malvasia bianca.  Today a Chianti is a blend of of 75-100% Sangiovese. D'Arrigo Chianti was little on the dry side for a Chianti.  It had the taste of a merlot or shiraz, but lacked the full body.  It was still a good wine, although if you are interested in exploring more Chiantis look for the Chianti Classico label.

Varietal:  Sangiovese
Producer/Importer:  Benny d’Arrigo Geonature SRL vineyards
Region: Tuscany Italy
Vintage: 2008
Price:
Tasting notes:
Sight (Color/Clarity): ruby red
Smell (bouquet, aroma): hints of almond aromas
Taste (acidity, balance, body): medium body, light on the tannins, dry, hints of almonds, velvet finish. 
Bottle presentation:
Label description: “Ruby red with garnet reflex, bouquet is deeply vinous with hints of almond.  The taste is dry, slightly tannic and becomes velvety ageing.”
Comparisons: A little on the dry side for a Chianti. 
Overall rating (1-10): 8
Date consumed: April 13, 2011
Comments:

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Sexto

Sexto meaning 6th in Spanish is a blend of a blend of six different Spanish grapes, Grenache, Carignan, Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the ancient grape Lledoner Pelut Noir.  It is the 6th grape added the Lledoner Pelut Noir that gives the wine the panache the wine maker was looking for. 

Varietal:  a blend of six grapes: Grenache 33%, Carignan 30%, Tempranillo 20%, Syrah 5%, Cabernet Sauvignon 6%, and grape Lledoner Pelut Noir 6%.
Producer/Importer:  Sexto
Region: Terra Alta (northeastern) Spain
Vintage: 2007
Price: $8-11
Tasting notes:
Sight (Color/Clarity): moderate red
Smell (bouquet, aroma):  like a Pinot Noir
Taste (acidity, balance, body): Serious spice, smooth, not as full bodied as one would expect from a red
Bottle presentation: Dark Red label
Label description:Sexto is fresh, fruit-laden, spicy and quite distinctive. This delicious wine captures the unmistakable flavor and character of northeastern Spain.”
Comparisons:
Overall rating (1-10): 7.5
Date consumed: April 13, 2011
Comments: Just a bit of silliness, but this wine was served with Kit Kats as our chocolate substitute.  Chocolate mellows the spiciness.

Sweet Red Weinkullerei Fritz Windisch Dornfelder

The Weinkullerei Fritz Windisch Dornfelder is one of the better Dornfelders tasted at the EZ wine tastings.  If you like sweet wines this is a wine you might want to check out. It is deeply sweet with the full essence of the grape.  I thought it tasted a little too much like grape juice, but the sweet wine drinkers in the crowd loved it.

Varietal:  Dornfelder
Producer/Importer:  Weinkullerei Fritz Windisch
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Vintage: 2009
Price: $8-11
Tasting notes:
Sight (Color/Clarity): Dark red
Smell (bouquet, aroma):  Sweet grape juice
Taste (acidity, balance, body): Sweet grape juice with soft tannins
Bottle presentation: Dark Red label
Label description:
Comparisons:
Overall rating (1-10): 9
Date consumed: April 13, 2011
Comments: If you prefer dry reds you will be disappointed with this selection, rated 3.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Wicked White- Middle Sister

Wicked White is the first Middle Sister wine I am not fully fond of.  The blend intriqued me as I like each varietal separately, but together they were less than satisfying.  The appearance was nearly colorless, the taste didn't come to being until well chewed, and the aroma was lacking.  The wicked here was at rest with little life at show.

Varietal:     Blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Gewurtraminer   
Producer/Importer:  Middle Sister
Region: California
Vintage:
Price:
Tasting notes:
Sight (Color/Clarity): nearly colorless
Smell (bouquet, aroma): none
Taste (acidity, balance, body): Not much at first, it did develop a little spicy finish.
Bottle presentation: Classic Middle Sister label
Label description:"After a second or two, lush melon and sweet pear melt on your tongue. A lingering note of minerals finishes the sip."
Comparisons:
Overall rating (1-10): 2.5
Date consumed: April 13, 2011
Comments:

Sweet tastes of April part 2: Leonard Kreusch Auslese

Auslese is a late harvest almost a desert type wine.  The Leonard Kreusch was pleasantly sweet and slightly crisp.  Its nose was of strawberries (litchi).  The flavor began with cantaloupe and litchi, it finished with an almost vanilla taste that only lingered briefly.

Varietal:     Auslese   
Producer/Importer:  Leonard Kreusch Sapphire Selection
Region: Rhinehessen Germany
Vintage: 2006
Price:
Tasting notes:
Sight (Color/Clarity): Medium golden
Smell (bouquet, aroma): Strawberry-litchi
Taste (acidity, balance, body): Sweet, cantaloupe and litchi, vanilla slightly crisp
Bottle presentation: Blue bottle very simple label
Label description: Quite full-bodied and decadent with rich, ripe fruit flavors of pear, apricot with a touch of litchi, followed by a hint of botrytisand mineral notes.
Comparisons:
Overall rating (1-10): 9
Date consumed: April 13, 2011
Comments: