Wine kit: Australian Red Blend

Occasionally someone from the group will bring in a bottle of wine they made. It’s always a treat to see what can be done by the amateur here in Duluth/Superior.  With the kits available these days it’s easy to make a great high end wine at little cost, between $5-8 per bottle.  Of course you make 30 bottles in a batch so you better like the wine you make, plan to give it as gifts, or go in with a couple of friends.  I recommend the later and look forward to my first winemaking event with friends later this month.

The wine we sampled was an Australian Cabernet/Merlot/Shiraz made from RJ Spagnols Cru Select 6 week kit.  This kit was 2007 and 2008 Winemaker International Award Winner and proved to be pretty darn good.  This dark black cherry colored wine had a full sweet berry jam aroma. At first the tannins hit the mouth a little too boldly with an overwhelming spiciness. But once drank with cheese this wine became my night’s favorite.  The spiciness was reduced allowing for a nice balance with the fruitiness of the wine.  It finished soft and smooth like a Merlot. 

The winemaker used a magnetic system to speed the aging process along.  Whether this really works is to be debated and the chemist in me is pretty skeptical, but for what its worth I will tell you what I found searching the topic: The device consists of a magnetic coaster like base and a ring magnet for the neck of the bottle.  One places an open bottle on the device for some time around 30 minutes. The claim is the magnetic field ionizes the tannin molecules, causing them to lose hydrogen and form chains, as it would when naturally aged by oxidation. The majority of reviews by Sommeliers who have participated in or conducted blind taste tests say there is no noticeable difference between magnetically treated and untreated wines.  I would be interested to see someone do a chemical analysis of magnetically treated and untreated wines to show if indeed the treated wines are more oxidized….Until then the mystery remains.

Varietal: Cabernet/Merlot/Shiraz

Producer/Importer:  RJ Spagnols Cru Select- 6 week kits made at Wine Creations Duluth, MN

Region: Australia

Vintage: 2011

Price:

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Dark black cherry coloring

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): Berry jam

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Merlot finish, Mid-bodies wine, with moderate oaky flavors.

Bottle presentation: NA

Wine kit description: “A classic New World blend made popular by the recent trend of success of Australia’s leading wineries. A well-balanced aroma of leather and black pepper gives way to intense jammy flavors of blackberries. The length of spicy flavor from the Cabernet, sweet berry fruit of the Shiraz and softening effects of the Merlot results in a tightly structured, well-balanced wine. Ruby red in color, this hearty wine has an elegant and long finish.” http://www.rjspagnols.com

Comparisons:

Overall rating (1-10): 8.5

Date consumed: December 14, 2011

Comments: magnetized to speed aging

Great with cheese!

Oak 5 Body 5 Sweetness 0

Francis Ford Coppola Rosso

Francis Ford Coppola Rosso is a classic California red table wine, a blend of  Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, petite Sirah, and Syrah.  These grapes make a complexity of flavor that is so easy to drink.  One can taste the Zinfandels sweet fruit with a hint of spice.  While the wine starts out with a little bite of the tannins it quickly smooths out leaving hints of cherry and mocha flavors to linger behind.  All these flavors are wrapped in a slight smoky oaky sensation.  This wine would be great paired with pizza or burger and shared with friends and family at the dinner table or on the front porch.

Varietal:  Blended Red wine (23%Zinfandel, 26%Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Petite Syrah and 25% Syrah)

Producer/Importer:  Francis Ford Coppola 

Region: California

Vintage: 2009

Price: $8.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Deep plum red

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): Fruity jam and ripe raspberries

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Initially tannic with a hint of black pepper and cloves then finishes as a smoky oaky full berry  jam flavor with a hint of cherry and mocha rounded off in a smooth feel.

Bottle presentation:

Winemakers notes: "We blend fruit from climatically diverse growing regions including Lodi and Paso Robles. This helps us achieve more complexity and intriguing nuances. Lodi fruit in particular benefits from temperature differentials where extremely warm daytime weather is offset by cool afternoon breezes from the delta. Zinfandel gives us sweet, juicy flavors, intense aromatics, and lovely spice qualities. Syrah provides this blend with color, a lush texture, and sweet black berry fruit flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon helps provide structure, weight and red fruit flavors."

Comparisons: Francis Ford Coppola Rosso is close behind Apothic Red

Overall rating (1-10): 8.5

Date consumed: December 14, 2011

Comments: 13.5% abv

Three Lakes Cranberry-Raspberry

Since 1972 Three Lakes Winery has been making their wines year round using the same whole fruit fermentation process.  Cranberry wine is what made the Three Lakes Winery famous in Wisconsin.  They have  2 other blends in addition to the Cranberry Raspberry which are Holiday Harvest (Cranberry Rhubarb) and Old Glory (Cranberry Blueberry).  They also have a variety of other fruit wines including the their Strawberry- Rhubarb wine we tasted in May 2011 (See June’s Strawbery-Rhubarb blog for review). 

Three Lakes Cranberry Raspberry wine is simultaneously and equally sweet and tart.  The label was right when it said these two flavors compete for your attention.  We also picked up the hints of lemon all while having the full fruity raspberry jam sensation. It paired well with pepper jack cheese and should go well with any spicy dish you serve.

Varietal:  Cranberry Raspberry 

 Producer/Importer: Three Lakes

Region: Wisconsin

Vintage:

Price: $13.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Light red

Smell (bouquet, aroma): A bit like the bog

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Simultaneously sweet and tart. Full flavored cranberries with a hint lemon. Raspberry jam finish.

Bottle presentation:

Label description: “The sweet, luscious raspberry nose on this wine is deceiving; when on the tongue, the two berries compete for attention. This blend of tart and sweet are equal in strength, and eventually marry to create zesty lemon and warm jam after-tastes.”

Comparisons:

Overall rating (1-10): 5

Date consumed: December 14, 2011

Comments: 

Rex Goliath's Pinot Grigio

You may remember this labels giant rooster from our November tastings (Rex Goliath Zinfandel the world’s largest rooster)- who could forget the boldness! Rex Goliath again makes an above average wine for the price with their Pinot Grigio.  This wine has a strange coloring, it is almost a hint of sage green to it. The aroma reminds you of walking through a fruit orchard. On the palate it is tart but light with some spicy citrus and pears.  The finish is a little on the dry and acidic side.

Varietal:  Pinot Grigio

Producer/Importer: Rex Goliath

Region: California

Vintage:

Price: $5.99
Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): almost colorless with hint of sage green.

Smell (bouquet, aroma): Fruit orchard

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Tart, light in flavor, spicy citrus and pears, and a little dry and acidic on the finish

Bottle presentation: Remember the World’s Largest Rooster!

Winemakers notes: “Bright, juicy and floral … say howdy to our California version of this Italian classic. HRM Rex Goliath Pinot Grigio is footloose and fancy-free—perfectly suited for a sun-drenched summer afternoon. Pair with fish tacos or linguini with fresh tomato, basil and garlic."

Comparisons:

Overall rating (1-10): 7

Date consumed: December 14, 2011

Comments: 12.5 % abv, Total Acidity: 6 g/L, pH: 3.17, Residual Sugar: 8.4 g/L

Snoqualmie Winemaker's Select: The Snowsquall of Rieslings

The vineyards name reminds me of something us Northern Wisconsinites usually hear a lot about this time of year- SNOWSQUALLS! For those who haven’t experienced the sudden moderately heavy snowfall and the gusting winds of a snowsquall you might not appreciate my likening of the Snoqualmie Reisling to a snowsquall, but you will appreciate this wine.  Snoqualmie Riesling is full flavored smacking you on the palate as suddenly as a Northern Wisconsin snowsquall appears.  Yet somehow the Snoqualmie Riesling smoothly and sweetly lulls you into some peaceful bliss like the serene blanket of white snow left after the snowsquall passes. I think this might be my favorite Reisling.

According the winemakers website Snoqualmie Riesling is a blend consisting of 89% White Riesling, 9% Viognier, 1% Mario Muscat, 1% Black Muscat.  The 2010 vintage was harvested on 10/14/10 after a mild spring and cool summer.  This three weeks delayed harvest is credited for flavorful grapes with higher acidity than what is typical. The full ripeness of the grapes may be what keeps this sweet Riesling balanced without being sugary. The winemaker’s select Riesling is fermented for 14 days at 50°F after being inoculated with Stienberger yeast. 

Snoqualmie was one of Washington’s first premium wineries. Snoqualmie opened its winery in Prosser, WA, at the base of the Horse Heaven Hills, in 2002, but the vineyard has been in production since 1984.  Locals often describe Snoqualmie's Columbia Valley wines as "Naturally Northwest" as they are the leader in sustainable and organic winemaking in Washington. Located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, where rainfall is only 6-8 inches annually and the sandy soils are well drained and nutrient limited.  This encourages fruit production rather than vine growth. http://www.snoqualmie.com

Varietal:  Riesling

Producer/Importer: Snoqualmie Winemaker’s Select

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington

Vintage: 2010

Price:

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Golden-light beer color

Smell (bouquet, aroma): pears and dried apricots

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Full flavored, honey sweet and smooth, hint of spiced pears, not sugary.

Bottle presentation: Rooster weathervane on the label. Green bottle, corked.

Label description: Reminiscent of apricot and pear fruit characteristics on the nose give way to a refreshingly crisp and luscious fruit filled palate. These impressions linger on the palate mingled with spice characters"
- Joy Andersen, Winemaker

Comparisons: Fuller flavored than the Wollersheim’s White Riesling, but similar in sweetness.

Overall rating (1-10): 9

Date consumed: December 14, 2011

Comments:  Acidity: 0.80 g/100mL, pH: 2.95, Alcohol: 10.2%, Residual Sugar: 5.45 g/100mL

Cocoa Vino Cherry Royale

Cocoa Vino boasts of being 100% American made product.  It is a union of California Red Port wine, Sovereign Flavors (California) Chocolate and Wisconsin’s Galloway Dairy cream. Cocao Vino is made in Temperance, Michigan using handcrafted small batching techniques. Cocoa Vino Cherry Royale smells of sinful chocolate cherry cake and tastes like the Queen Ann chocolate covered cherries. This wine is a perfect after dinner dessert drink or share at your next dinner party for a sweet twist on a classic red wine.

Also available in plain chocolate or mint. CocoaVino has a one year shelf life.

Varietal:  Milk chocolate and Port

Producer/Importer: Cocoa Vino by Temperance Distilling Company

Region: Wisconsin to California

Vintage: 2011

Price: $9.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Chocolate milk

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): Chocolate cherry cake

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Queen Ann Chocolate Covered Cherries

Bottle presentation:

Label description: A decadent marriage of California red wine, velvety milk chocolate and cream, Cocoa Vino offers consumers a unique sensory experience. Cocoa Vino has artfully blended the finest ingredients available. Made Temperance,Michigan ~~ Temperance Distilling Company uses only hand-crafted, small batching techniques in our bottling process.

Comparisons: Very similar to the Chocolate Vine wine only with a cherry twist.

Overall rating (1-10): 10

Date consumed: December 14, 2011

Comments:

Astoria Lounge Moscato-Malvasia the Pink Bubbly

Astoria Lounge Moscato-Malvasia is a pleasant dessert wine made from a blend of Moscato and Malvasia Nera graped produced in the DOCG region of Italy.  Astoria Vini has 32 acres of vineyards located in the “Tenuta Val de Brun” territory, located in Refrontolo, in the hear fo Conegliano-Valdobbiadene.  The vines benefit from the hilly terrane and mild climate.

The blend of Moscato and Malvasia Nera grapes give this sweet wine a nice complexity of fruit flavors with hints of pear, apples, grapes common for Moscatos and ripe strawberries and raspberries of the Malvasia. Both varietals contribute a nice spiciness to round out this wine.  It is fermented in steel tanks and can be cellared for up to 2 years. Astoria Lounge Mascato-Malvasia can be enjoyed as a toast or simply sitting out on the deck.

Varietal:  Mascato- Malvasia Nera

Producer/Importer: Astoria Lounge

Region: Piedmont, Italy

Vintage:

Price: $7.00

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Salmon pink

Smell (bouquet, aroma): Berries

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Sweet, a light bubbly, light on alcohol, Berries and  spice with a hint of tannins.

Bottle presentation:

Label description: Ripe strawberries, berries and roses smell. Open and inviting with light notes of cherries and berries. Soft mousse, persistent and refreshing. Full flavor, subtle and beautiful spicy drily. Good bitters give a good balance with the slightly sweet taste and the fresh zuurtje. Aftertaste of raspberry, blueberry and many little tannin. The wine is low in alcohol and is therefore pleasantly drinkable. Spicy sweet and subtle thirst-quenching. Great for on the terrace!

Comparisons: A little more complex and festive than the typical Moscato d’Asti

Overall rating (1-10): 9

Date consumed: December 14, 2011

Comments: 7% abv

Bosca Verdi Spumante the Malted Beverage

Verdi Spumante meaning “versatile sparkling” in Italian is classy enough to drink with a toast or casual enough to drink on the deck while grilling out. However, it is not a wine.  Verdi Spumante is a flavored malt beverage- it is fermented from grains, unlike wines which are fermented from fruit.  Therefore technically speaking, Verdi is closer to a beverage like Zima, Mike’s hard Lemonade or beer than it is to a wine. Even so it looks like a wine, acts a little like a wine, and it is certainly marketed to compete against wine, so we will compare it like a wine....sort of.

Verdi Spumante has the faint aromas of pear and possibly peaches. It is simple, bubbly, crisp, and refreshing.  It has a slightly musty finish which I contribute to the malt. I felt it lacked structure and depth typical of wine, but then again its not a wine. Despite its simplicity, each of us thought there was different hidden flavor. I personally thought of Lemon lime soda, but others were reminded of lychee, peaches, raspberry, pineapple or pears.

The bottle has a traditional champagne top that does pop when opened, but unlike the tradition champagne bottle, once you open the bottle you can reapply the cap tightly and refrigerate to enjoy later. But really who are we kidding, there won’t be any for later.

I would recommend Verdi Spumante to anyone who finds tradition sparkling wines too dry and complex or anyone who likes the sweeter wines. It is a delicate refreshing sparkling beverage that should appeal to anyone.

Varietal:  Spumante-malted beverage

Producer/Importer: Bosca

Region: Italy

Vintage:

Price: $7.00

Tasting notes: Remember this is not a wine.

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Nearly colorless with just a slight tint of green

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): Sugary, slightly musty (must be the malt), maybe a hint of pear

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Delicate and sweet. Lacks structure and depth. I noticed the hint of malt beverage- and a strange 7up like flavor.  Others thought they tasted Lychee, pear, raspberry. pineapple or peach

Bottle presentation: The bottle has a traditional champagne top that is resealable for later enjoyment.

Winemaker notes: “Verdi Spumante is a natural, sparkling beverage imported
from Italy. Deliciously sparkling and zesty, it has a soft and fruity flavor.
Serve chilled to fully enjoy its balanced, clean, delightful taste. Verdi Spumante is a perfect crowd pleaser for every occasion. Its elegant taste appeals to all…and its re-sealable cork closure preserves the sparkle until you’re ready for the next glass.

This malt beverage with natural flavors is the new fun drink alternative and the fastest-growing sparkling Italian Spumante in the U.S.!”

Comparisons:

Overall rating (1-10): 7

Date consumed: December 14, 2011

Comments: 5% abv