Backyard Social Distancing Wine Tasting Event

WELCOME

LETS TASTE

WINE

On the menu this evening are the following wines.  We will start with a sparkling wine, then a Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, a red blend, Pinot Noir and ending it with a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Enjoy your snack pack filled with crackers, cheese (Cheddar, Steakhouse Onion & Goat w/honey), salami, pork tenderloin and grapes.  Save the chocolate for the heavier reds and if you are up for it we can delve into the wine cellar for a port.  And don't let me forget the Chocolate Caramel Pudding Shots.

Cheers!

For the online event, click here to view it on your phone if you can't see the TV

BORRASCA PROSECCO DOCG

Beverage Dynamics-Veneto, Italy - "White flowers, Bartlett pears, and almonds layer and show the elevated quality of this Prosecco. The wine is rich while keeping a fruit forward soft side present giving a nice texture on the mid-pallet and finish."

• COUNTRY / STATE     Italy
• REGION                      Veneto
• STYLE                         Crisp
• TASTE                         Pear, Floral, Green Apple
• BODY                          Light-bodied

A beautiful, somewhat less popular, and often less expensive comparison to Champagne, Prosecco is a deliciously dry sparkling wine with crisp acidity, low sugar, with plenty of fruit and character.
Associated with high value at low cost, Prosecco is the perfect option in situations where you want or need a sparkling wine.
Traditionally from the Veneto (North Eastern Italy), Prosecco dons the name for a small village and is fermented almost solely from a grape called Glera. Most Prosecco is non vintage - which means it doesn't come with a year of production on the label.
This wine is not made in the traditional method of “champagne making” with riddling, rebottling and such, which, combined with non vintage production, makes the wine more affordable than champagne. But do not worry; lb for lb (or dollar for dollar), Prosecco is often a far tastier option than the French sparkling alternative.
Traditionally served as an aperitif, Prosecco can also be enjoyed with salty cured meats, caviar, or even your favorite dessert. Prosecco is not generally considered a wine to collect.

Serve with cured meats and goat cheese

KIA ORA SIGNATURE MARLB SAUV BLANC

Marlborough, New Zealand - This is an exceptional estate grown Sauvignon Blanc reflecting the ultimate New Zealand flavor profile. It is vibrant and juicy with flavors of passionfruit, lime zest, and fresh herb. Terrific fruit intensity balanced by bright acidity.

• COUNTRY / STATE    New Zealand
• STYLE                          Crisp
• TASTE                          Lime, Passionfruit, Herb
• BODY                           Light-bodied

Sauvignon Blanc is the flagship varietal of New Zealand, and is typically a very crisp aromatic wine with notes of grapefruit, tropical fruit and cut grass.
The much-lauded white wines of New Zealand tend to be slightly sweeter than those from Bordeaux and the Loire Valley, and are hugely influenced by the growing conditions of the country.
The grape originates from Bordeaux, where it is also known as Pouilly-Fumé, Sancerre, and Graves, and is one of the world's most widely planted grapes.
Marlborough is the most revered wine-producing region in the small country, accounting for 62% of all wine produced in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc scene started popping in 1970s, with the high quality Sauvignon Blancs coming out of Marlborough illustrating the great potential for grape growing in New Zealand.
Sauvignon Blanc tends to be fermented in stainless steel vats, which results in a clean, crisp flavor, and will not show any of that butteriness that is often prevalent in well-oaked Chardonnay for instance.
When it comes to pairing, think white meat, shellfish, and try to accentuate the herbaceous qualities of the wine with ingredients like parsley and cilantro.

Serve with Goat Cheese

URO TORO LA ENFERMERA TEMPRANILLO, 2017

James Suckling-Castilla y Leon, Spain - "Really good freshness to this red, which shows newly picked violets, blackberries and elderberries. Full-bodied and very juicy with succulent tannins. Tangy acidity throughout."

• COUNTRY / STATE    Spain
• REGION                       Toro
• VARIETAL                   Tempranillo
• STYLE                          Elegant
• TASTE                          Black Fruit, Spice
• BODY                           Light-bodied

Hailing from a small patch of land in central Spain, the Toro DO (region) produces a delicious wine called Tinto Del Toro.
Synonymous with Tempranillo, the region's chalky soil imparts some characteristics resulting in richness not normally experienced by other Tempranillos.
Toro reds must contain a minimum of 75% Tempranillo, and use other blending grapes such as Garnacha. The wine is often aged in American oak for varying lengths of time.
Considered the “Noble Grape of Spain,” Tempranillo has beautiful notes of plum, berries, cherries, and tomato on the nose and palate. One will also taste notes of tobacco, vanilla, herb, and leather resulting from oak aging.
This wine typically throws medium plus tannins, lower acid, with relatively medium alcohol. Pair this wine with red sauce pastas, polenta, pizza, and Mexican food. Reasonably priced, this wine is one to enjoy frequently.

Serve with meats:  beef, chicken, pork, etc.

RENIERI INVETRO, 2016

James Suckling-Tuscany, Italy (Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) - "Glazed red cherries, tobacco and cedar with hints of dried leaves. Medium to full body, juicy tannins and a succulent finish. Sangiovese, merlot and cabernet sauvignon."

• COUNTRY / STATE     Italy
• REGION                      Tuscany
• STYLE                         Elegant
• TASTE                         Cherry, Plum
• BODY                          Medium-bodied

Serve with cured meats

VENNSTONE PINOT NOIR TRI APPELLATION, 2019

Beverage Dynamics-California- "Dense blackberry and cherry notes are powerful on the nose and luscious on the palate This rich and full Pinot Noir has a beautiful texture and a smooth finish."

• COUNTRY / STATE    California
• STYLE                          Fresh
• TASTE                          Blackberry, Cherry
• BODY                           Full-bodied

Pinot Noir has the well deserved reputation of being a finicky and difficult grape to cultivate. It thrives in cooler climates like Burgundy and the Willamette Valley in Oregon, but is also widely planted throughout sun-drenched California.
Pinot Noir reflects its terroir, or place of origin, more than just about any other variety. That's certainly part of its broad appeal, and right now, there is revolution happening in California.
In Pursuit of Balance or IPOB is a thriving group of producers founded on the notion that California Pinot Noir should be balanced, rather than decadent and lush—the prevailing style over the past few decades. Has the focus shifted? There are compelling arguments on both sides of the issue.
It pays to do a little research, then, to figure out which producers are making fully ripe, high octane Pinots and those that are making a style that accents subtlety and vibrant acidity. Not that both styles can't be great, they can be.
Richer Pinot Noir, from warmer regions like the Russian River Valley tends to exhibit more dark fruit, in general, they are fuller wines with greater concentration and higher alcohol, up to 15% ABV.
Pinots from cooler regions like Sonoma Coast are lighter-bodied and display more red fruit, floral notes and have brighter acidity, often with a dash of minerality. Alcohol percentage and even the color of the wine can clue you in when shopping.

Serve with meats:  beef, chicken, pork, etc.

CABERNARIO NO.8 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2017

James Suckling-Maipo Valley, Chile - "This is a solid young Cabernet with aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, sweet tobacco and dark chocolate. Full bodied, tight and focused with pretty tannins and a long finish..."

• COUNTRY / STATE    Chile
• REGION                       Maipo Valley
• STYLE                          Elegant
• TASTE                          Blackberry, Spice, Toast
• BODY                           Full-bodied

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely grown grape in the New World. Cabs from Chile have an elegance and earn great respect due to the complexity and diversity of characteristics, stemming from nuances of what the Chilean landscape gives to the grape.

Thick skins lead to classicly high tannins, and strong red and black fruit-forward characteristics on both the nose and palate.
The grape originates from France and is one of the 5 original grapes of Bordeaux. Chemical compound in the grape give it a distinct note of green peppers.
This wine loves to be aged in oak. Chilean Cabs usually age in American oak for 1-2 years which gives them classic hints of vanilla, spice, and tobacco.
The really fun thing about Chilean Cabs is that you can get a wide variety of flavors on the palate depending on where in the country they originate. One should spend time getting to know the differences that Chilean Cabs have to offer.

Serve with meats:  beef, chicken, pork, etc.