Ca’ Momi Moscato

I had all the anticipation of a sweet bubbly light refreshing Moscato and was thrown for a loopty loop when I tasted the Ca’ Momi Moscato.  It was light and bubbly, but lacked the sweetness I associate with Moscato.  It was almost more like a dry Riesling than a Moscato. At first I thought it was just me -were my taste buds off?  The EZ Street Saloon audience agreed it was unusually dry and for that reason we rated it lower.  Curiousity of course sent me looking online.  The reviews I found paint a very different picture- all describing it as creamy and silky and vanilla and floral. I think I better try another bottle, perhaps we just got a bad bottle- it happens.

Varietal: Moscato     

Producer/Importer:  Ca’ Momi

Region: California

Vintage: 2008

Price: $10.99

Tasting notes:

Sight (Color/Clarity): light golden

Smell (bouquet, aroma): fruity socks

Taste (acidity, balance, body): surprisingly dry, bubbly

Bottle presentation: California country.

Label description: “This beautifully integrated Muscat has hints of honey, narcissus, rose and melon aromas. The palate is silky, with a warm balanced spirit and a hint of orange blossom on the finish. This wine is like a sunny spring morning at Ca’Momi; luscious and aromatic, full of flowers. It makes you want to smile.”

Comparisons:

Overall rating (1-10): 3.5

Date consumed: May 11, 2011

Comments: 13.5% alc.  Not a typical Moscato- bad bottle perhaps?

Strawberry-Rhubarb

Three Lakes Winery is tucked away in northern Wisconsin near the Nicolet Forest in the town of Three Lakes.  Three Lakes Winery specializes in fruity wines, and is best known for its cranberry wine (a tasting for another time).  The Strawberry-Rhubarb wine was a delight for the up coming summer season.  It is sweet and refreshing with a slight tangy balance. This is a great desert wine.

Varietal:  Strawberry-Rhubarb      

Producer/Importer:  Three Lakes Winery

Region: Three Lakes, Wisconsin

Vintage:

Price: $9.95

Tasting notes:

Sight (Color/Clarity): Light rusty color

Smell (bouquet, aroma): Strawberries and vanilla

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Very sweet, strawberries are dominant with just a touch of the tangy rhubarb.  "Chewing" the wine brings out the spice of ginger and sweetness of vanilla.

Bottle presentation: Label has an illustration of a strawberry plant and rhubarb.

Label description:  Described as a semi-sweet wine with flavors of ginger,cherries and vanilla in addition to the obvious.

Comparisons:

Overall rating (1-10): 7

Date consumed: May 11, 2011

Comments: 11% Alc.  Sweeter than expected for a semi-sweet wine.

Renwood Sierra Foothills Zinfandel

Renwood winery now produces 100,000 cases of wines per year, including several labels of Zinfandel.  The Sierra Foothills Zinfandel is Renwood Winery's red label wine, less than premier from what I can tell.  My overall opinion of the 2007 puts it a little light for Zinfandel's style.  The color was that of a light garnet rather than the deep garnet red I tend to associate with Zinfandel. Even the fruity flavors that are characteristic of Zinfandel were subtle despite the open nose. The acidity was more noticeable than expected while the tannins were on the moderate side.  Although it is a little uninspiring for a Zinfandel, I would be interested in trying some of the other labels coming out of Renwood Winery.

Varietal:      Zinfandel       

Producer/Importer:  Renwood

Region:  Sierra foothills

Vintage: 2007

Price:

Tasting notes:

Sight (Color/Clarity): light garnet red

Smell (bouquet, aroma): strong spicy fruity

Taste (acidity, balance, body): spicy, acidic. light bodied and light on fruity flavor

Bottle presentation: black bottle with cute little birdie on the red and black label

Label description: "Sierra Foothills Zinfandel displays aromas of cherry, plums and nutmeg. The flavors mirror the aromas and give the wine a fresh fruit flavor with a spicy aftertaste. This lighter style of Sierra Foothills Zinfandel is smooth and luscious"

Comparisons:

Overall rating (1-10): 4

Date consumed: May 11, 2011

Comments: A little too lack luster of a Zinfandel for me, but I would be willing to try some of Renwood's other labels of Zinfandel.

Cupcake Malbec

The cool spring still lends itself to drinking red wine here in the northland.  Malbec from Cupcake is sure to warm the damp chills and relax the mind as we impatiently wait for summer to arrive.

Varietal:     Malbec   

Producer/Importer:  Cupcake

Region: Medoza Argentina

Vintage: 2010

Price: $13.99

Tasting notes:

Sight (Color/Clarity): Deep dark ruby red

Smell (bouquet, aroma): Berries and mocha

Taste (acidity, balance, body): A hint of spiced berries and licorice.  Balanced oaky flavor

Bottle presentation: white label with blue printing-a bakery style feel

Label description: "Known throughout the world for fleshy reds, Argentina and its signature grape Malbec don't disappoint. Grown at over 2,400 feet in the shadows of the Andes Mountains, our lush, well-structured wine offers generous plum and raspberry notes. A round, full palate with a touch of creaminess yields into flavors reminiscent of a dark chocolate flourless cupcake accented with fresh berries. Enjoy with aged prime beef with crumbled blue cheese or Cajun eggplant on the grill. Cupcake: Live deliciously. - Adam Richardson, Winemaker. Alc. 13.5% by vol. Product of Argentina. "

Comparisons:

Overall rating (1-10): 7.5

Date consumed: May 11, 2011

Comments:

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:

Sexto

Sexto meaning 6^th 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 6^th 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.