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, February 8, 2012

Trapiche Malbec 2009


According to the local liquor distributor Trapiche Malbec is currently the number one selling Malbec in the US.  The grapes are grown on sandy soils high on the Mendoza River in the east region of Mendoza.  The wine was aged in French and American oak barrels. 

While it wasn’t a bad wine, it just wasn’t what we expected for a Malbec.  Typically I think of a Malbec as a medium bodied, fruity, smoother, mellow wine.  This one was a little sharp with the loads of peppery spice. If you can ignore the peppery mid-tone you might be able to taste the plum hiding in the background. Some nice toasted oak flavors are mixed in, but again you have to get past the pepper.  It did finish nicely with a full blackcherry aftertaste. 

Cheese did improve the palate of the wine quite a bit mellowing it out and upping the rating. This one should be accompanied by food, but not chocolate.  Chocolate gave this wine an awful sour effect.

I wish I would have had my aerator, maybe aerating would have helped smooth some of the sting.  Or maybe in a few more years this wine will age into what can be described as a quality Malbec.  For now it is just too harsh.


Varietal:  Malbec
Producer/Importer:  Trapiche          
Region: Mendoza Argentina
Vintage: 2009
Price: $8.95
Tasting notes:
 Sight (Color/Clarity): ruby red with violet hues
 Smell (bouquet, aroma): peppery & earthy, a little timid
Taste (acidity, balance, body): Strong peppery middle, plum in the midtones if you can ignore the spice, toasted oak flavors mixed in. It finishes full bodies with very black cherry aftertaste
Bottle presentation:
Winemakers Notes: “A rich, red-colored wine with violet hues, redolent of plums and cherries. Round in the mouth with a touch of truffle and vanilla. Food pairings: The ideal wine for grilled meat. It also combines very well with pasta, mild to spicy cuisine and semi-hard cheeses such as Gouda, Edam or Gruyere.”
Comparisons:
Overall rating (1-10): 7
Date consumed: January 11, 2012
Comments:  Number one selling Malbec in the US.  Cheese mellowed the spiciness.  NO chocolate! 13.5% abv

446 Chardonnay


446 Chardonnay, a member of the Noble Vines collection, is named for the type of vine (4) and the block in which that vine is planted (46). These particular vines were brought over from Burgundy, France and re-established in Monterey, California, hence “born in France-raised in America”.

I think this is my favorite Chardonnay. Chardonnay like Riesling can have a wide variety of characteristics from sweet to dry, from light to fruity, crisp, clean, smooth, buttery, oaky, toasty.  Chardonnay 446 has just the right blend of characteristics for my palate. It is light to start, golden apples, and a little bit of sweet-maybe pineapples. Its midtone is medium bodied with a hint of that typical toasted vanilla and pear spice so many Chardonnays have.  All rounded out with a nice smooth buttery finish.

Varietal:  Chardonnay
Producer/Importer:  446 by Nobel Vines   
Region: Montery/California
Vintage: 2010
Price: $11.99
Tasting notes:
 Sight (Color/Clarity): light golden
 Smell (bouquet, aroma): typical chardonnay
Taste (acidity, balance, body): light to start, golden apples and pineapple, spiced pear and toasted vanilla middle and a smooth buttery finish
Bottle presentation: Simple silver label with red and black print.  Also has a QR code (those funny codes that are popping up all over) which will take you to their website.
Label description: “Born in France-raised in America. Not all vines are created equal. Nobel Vines 446 Chardonnay celebrates the most coveted vine stock of Burgundy, France.  Vine type 4 is grown to perfection on 46 at our San Bernabe vineyard in cool-climate Monterey. Prized for its complexity and flavor, this single vineyard chardonnay offers a modern expression of the classic French style:  the silky mouth feel is balanced by fresh citrus and delectable tropical and pineapple notes.  Enjoy with grilled fish, chicken or pasta with creamy sauces. 13.5% abv.  Vinted and bottled by Noble Vines, Manteca, CA.”
Comparisons: Buttery finish like the Kendall-jackson, but more complex.  I think if you like K-J Chardonnay you’ll flip for 446.
Overall rating (1-10): 9.5
Date consumed: January 11, 2012

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Little Black Dress 2010 Riesling

Every girl needs a Little Black Dress to make their wardrobe complete, which means we also need a Little Black Dress wine to complete our wine stock.  And as an added bonus, by choosing Little Black Dress wines you are also supporting two charities that should resonate with every woman:  Dress for Success and Clothes Off Our Back Foundation.

The Little Black Dress 2010 Riesling is a clean crisp and medium-sweet wine that pairs well with just about anything from cheeses to fruits to spicy asian cuisine. The flavors and aromas include peaches, pineapple and apple being the most apparent with a hint of citrus and a honey finish. The fruit acid balances this wine beautifully and finishes smooth.

Varietal:  Riesling     
Producer/Importer:  Little Black Dress      
Region: 2010
Vintage: California
Price: $10.99
Tasting notes:
 Sight (Color/Clarity): light golden
 Smell (bouquet, aroma): sweet, crisp, clean
Taste (acidity, balance, body): little bubbly, has a nice smooth finish with a buttery feel. Peaches, golden apples, pineapples, honey flavors
Bottle presentation:
Label description: “With hints of pear and apricot flavors, Little Black Dress Riesling is a medium-sweet varietal ideal for any dressed up, or dressed down occasion.”
Comparisons: Similar to the Snoqualmie but less intense in flavor
Overall rating (1-10): 8.9
Date consumed: January 11, 2012
Comments: 11.5% abv, 87 rating by Wine Enthusiast

Menage a’ trios Moscato

Menage a’ trios Moscato is not at all the typical sugary moscato we had expected.  It has a full feel  in the mouth with more intense flavors of peaches and green/golden apples.  There is a bit of honey flavored finish.  This Moscato actually tastes more like a sweet or late harvest Riesling than a Moscato.  Although it is not what we expected we still enjoyed it.

Varietal:  Moscato
Producer/Importer:  Menage a’ trios by Folie a' Deux Winery 
Region: California      
Vintage: 2010
Price: $10
Tasting notes:
 Sight (Color/Clarity): light golden straw
 Smell (bouquet, aroma): crisp sweet green apples
Taste (acidity, balance, body): more like a sweet Riesling than a moscato. Peaches, golden apples, and honey
Bottle presentation:
Label descrition: “Good things come in threes.  Our Moscato mingles wines from three different growing areas, each crafted by a different winemaker.  With delightful lip-smacking flavors- creamy peach, ripe, juicy melon, and rich, golden honey-our Moscato is proof positive that three is always much more fun than one.”
Comparisons: Very similar to the Wollersheim’s White Riesling or a late harvest Riesling
Overall rating (1-10): 8
Date consumed: January 11, 2012
Comments: 12% abv