Sweet tastes of April- Castello del Poggio Mascato d’Asti

Varietal: Mascato d’Asti

Producer/Importer:  Castello del Poggio

Region: Italy

Vintage: 2007

Price:

Tasting notes:

Sight (Color/Clarity): Very light golden

Smell (bouquet, aroma): light peach

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Sweet bubbly

Bottle presentation: Golden bottle, simple label with sketch of vineyard.

Label description:

Comparisons:

Overall rating (1-10): 9

Date consumed: April 13, 2011

Comments: Castello del Poggio Mascato d’Asti is a vibrant refreshing wine. 

I would be a great desert wine or one for celebrating with friends.

April A= Avant Chardonnay by Kendall Jackson

Avant by Kendall Jackson takes the A grade for the April tastes. The name Avant comes from the French word for "before". For the Avant Chardonnay that means steel fermentation to preserve the fruit flavors before oak has the chance to infuse much flavor. The wine master actually blends a wine that is fermented in steel with wine that is fermented in old used oak barrels. This softens the acidity and suppresses the oak influence. This chardonnay is full bodied and sophisticated in flavor. The initial flavors are mild sweet fruits which intensifies in the more crisp tart fruit flavors of lemons and green apples. Mid palate a moderate spiciness of cinnamon and cloves is presented. The finish is a long lasting buttery sensation. I have always enjoyed Kendall-Jackson’s Chardonnay. Their Avant Chardonnay has fully won me over.

Varietal: Chardonnay
Producer/Importer: Avant by Kendall Jackson
Region: California
Vintage: 2009
Price: $14.99
Tasting notes:
Sight (Color/Clarity): almost colorless, coats the glass well with significant hangtime before it legs.
Smell (bouquet, aroma): light
Taste (acidity, balance, body): slight hint of sweetness and a more tart fruity blend, moderate spice (clove    and cinnamon), nice long lasting buttery finish.
Bottle presentation: Classic Kendall Jackson seal with a siver band.
Label description: "This refreshing Chardonnay bursts with intriguing layers of fresh pineapple,bright green apple, crisp Meyer lemon, juicy pear and wildflowers. The wine’s refreshing acidity and sleek mineral notes are balanced by a rounded mid-palate and slight oakiness with along, pure fruit finish."
Comparisons: A little drier than Kendall Jacksons Vinters Reserve, but more sophisticated.
Overall rating (1-10): 9
Date consumed: April 13, 2011
Comments: I think this would complement any food you smother in butter, especially seafood.

Liebfraumilch: Beloved mothers milk

Liebfraumilch, German translation beloved mothers milk or our lady's milk is rooted in catholic tradition of the original vineyard Liebfrauenkirche or Church of Our Lady. It is a semi-sweet white wine. It is usually associated with low quality wines and can vary greatly from year to year and vineyard to vineyard. It is made of at least 70% Riesling, Silvaner or Müller-Thurgau grapes. Liebfraumilch can be produced in any of Germany's wine regions with the exception of the Mosel region. The Leonard Kreusch vineyards are located in the Rheinhessen region of Germany.

Liebfraumilch is probably the first wine I had been introduced to. My family has always had Liebfraumilch with our christmas eve dinner. Experts seem to advise this wine be drank before or after a meal not to be served at the table, but you be the judge.

Varietal: Liebfraumilch
Producer/Importer: Leonard Kreusch
Region: Rheinhessen
Vintage: 2009
Price: $5.99
Tasting notes:
Sight (Color/Clarity): light golden, clear
Smell (bouquet, aroma): fruity
Taste (acidity, balance, body): light on flavor and acidity, semi-sweet
Bottle presentation: Traditional catholic
Label description:
Comparisons: Similar to a Piesporter Michelsberg or a Zeller Schwarze Katz
Overall rating (1-10): 7
Date consumed: March 9, 2011
Comments:

Blüfeld Riesling

Pronounced Bloo-fell-d, its name reflects the blue slate bedrock of the premium wine region of Mosel Germany and its blue bottle draws your attention. Blüfeld is a medium sweet Riesling that is well balanced in acidity. It has a slight fizzy surprise that makes it dance on your tongue. Certainly a wine most will enjoy.

Varietal: Riesling
Producer/Importer: Blüfeld
Region: Mosel-Germany
Vintage: 2009
Price: $10.99
Tasting notes:
Sight (Color/Clarity): light golden, clear
Smell(bouquet, aroma): peaches and citrus.
Taste (acidity, balance, body): citrus and green apples, lightly sweet, moderately acidic (balanced)
Bottle presentation: Blue bottle. Bold and fun
Label description: “Crisp and refreshing, blüfeld has aromas of citrus, peach, and floral notes. It's flinty fresh with a juicy mid-palate, balanced acidity and a sweet, lingering finish.

The blue slate adds a delicious minerality to the wine, making it perfect for every day celebrations.”
Comparisons:
Overall rating (1-10): 8
Date consumed: March 9, 2011
Comments:

View from the bridge: Bridgeview’s Gewurtztraminer

Bridgeview is said to make “easy to like” wines, but it wasn’t the winner the group was looking for. Among the floral notes and fruity scents there was an obvious musty odor. The fruity crisp taste could have been pleasing, had it not left a strange bitterness in my mouth. I have had a few views from the bridge in the past (Riesling) and have been equally disappointed.

Varietal: Gewurtztraminer
Producer/Importer: Bridgeview
Region: Southern Oregon
Vintage: 2007
Price: $7.99
Tasting notes:
Sight (Color/Clarity): light golden, clear
Smell (bouquet, aroma):slightly flowery and fruity, noticeably musty
Taste (acidity, balance, body): fruity and tart apples, acidic middle, and a bitter ending.
Bottle presentation: Monotone-green bottle with a green label.
Label description: “Gewurztraminer, while hard to pronounce, is easy to love. Spicy and flavorful with a touch of sweetness and a refreshing finish. This wine makes a delightful accompaniment to many foods.”
Comparisons:
Overall rating (1-10): 4
Date consumed: March 9, 2011
Comments: The distributor said you can’t go wrong with bridgeview. I think we might disagree. Our view wasn’t what we expected.