Wine Movie: Bottle Shock
Famous Wine: Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
We will be tasting the 2007 (it's all I could find or afford at this time).
Total Wine usually has it for $39.99/bottle but they were sold out.
Hinton's Wine Store has ONE bottle for $42.99. I'll take it.
Links of Note:
Chateau Montelena Visitor Reviews
Purchased by a Frenchman?
History of the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting.
A Wine Club in Atlanta, GA, founded in 2008. We meet to taste wine, gab, snack, and learn. TWITs is all about having fun, trying wines, and growing your palate.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Nero d'Avola - June 10, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Shannon
Nero d'Avola - June 10, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Shannon
Wikipedia: About Nero d'Avola. Red Wine.
Food Pairings: Lamb, pizza, pasta, red meat, swordfish, spicy, eggplant, dark chocolate
Wine Info: means "black of Avola" , Sicily, Avola is far south Sicily, compared to shiraz, contributes to Marsala wine. plummy/cherry/raspberry, spice, and smoke, able to age, but good young also, treated like Syrah, clean finish, vine likes hot arid climates, most popular in Sicily.
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
1) 2007 Cusumano Nero d'Avola $14.99 @ Total Wine
bright maroon color, ruby, tart grapy, cherry flavor, clean finish, subtle smoky scent
2) 2006 Regaleali Nero d'Avola $14.99 @ Whole Foods
spicy, dark garnet, smells cheesy, nice long legs
3) same as #1 but different lot number - $14.99 @ Jay's Beverage (on Holcomb Bridge Rd)
ruby, garnet, tart cherry, almost too tart, dry cloves, others smell bacon?
4) same as #1 (different lot than #3, but same lot as #1) - $14.99 Whole Foods
no smell, dark ruby garnet
5) 2007 Ruggero di Tasso Nero d'Avola $5.99 @ Trader Joes - FAVE
buttery yet tart, candy, cherry licorice smell, good plum, dry, sensual flavor, lingers, smooth, yet fruity, goes VERY well with dark chocolate, Jammy!
6) 2007 Premio Nero d'Avola $8.99 @ Old Milton Package
flowery, clovers, star lily smell, dark red color, good!
7) 2007 Colosi Nero d'Avola $16.99 @ Total Wine
stanky, poo-ish smelling, spicy, dry, weird wine!
8) same as #5 (same lot number also)
smells like bing cherry, acidity, nice flavor at first, then dies off
Wikipedia: About Nero d'Avola. Red Wine.
Food Pairings: Lamb, pizza, pasta, red meat, swordfish, spicy, eggplant, dark chocolate
Wine Info: means "black of Avola" , Sicily, Avola is far south Sicily, compared to shiraz, contributes to Marsala wine. plummy/cherry/raspberry, spice, and smoke, able to age, but good young also, treated like Syrah, clean finish, vine likes hot arid climates, most popular in Sicily.
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
1) 2007 Cusumano Nero d'Avola $14.99 @ Total Wine
bright maroon color, ruby, tart grapy, cherry flavor, clean finish, subtle smoky scent
2) 2006 Regaleali Nero d'Avola $14.99 @ Whole Foods
spicy, dark garnet, smells cheesy, nice long legs
3) same as #1 but different lot number - $14.99 @ Jay's Beverage (on Holcomb Bridge Rd)
ruby, garnet, tart cherry, almost too tart, dry cloves, others smell bacon?
4) same as #1 (different lot than #3, but same lot as #1) - $14.99 Whole Foods
no smell, dark ruby garnet
5) 2007 Ruggero di Tasso Nero d'Avola $5.99 @ Trader Joes - FAVE
buttery yet tart, candy, cherry licorice smell, good plum, dry, sensual flavor, lingers, smooth, yet fruity, goes VERY well with dark chocolate, Jammy!
6) 2007 Premio Nero d'Avola $8.99 @ Old Milton Package
flowery, clovers, star lily smell, dark red color, good!
7) 2007 Colosi Nero d'Avola $16.99 @ Total Wine
stanky, poo-ish smelling, spicy, dry, weird wine!
8) same as #5 (same lot number also)
smells like bing cherry, acidity, nice flavor at first, then dies off
Sauvignon Blanc - May 13, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Elizabeth J
Sauvignon Blanc (from Australia or New Zealand) - May 13, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Elizabeth J
Wikipedia: About Sauvignon Blanc. White Wine.
Food Pairings: artichoke dip, veggie dishes or dips, garlic or Italian seasonings in creamy sauces, fragrant salads like Greek, Caesar, Garden, Thai Food also
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
I missed this month's wine club due to another commitment. If anybody wants to share their tasting notes, please email me. Thank you.
Ms Elizabeth J informs me that they decided (due to this tasting) that the more clear the Sauvignon Blanc, the better it tastes. The more yellow, not so good. She recommended the Sterling Sauvignon Blanc.
Wikipedia: About Sauvignon Blanc. White Wine.
Food Pairings: artichoke dip, veggie dishes or dips, garlic or Italian seasonings in creamy sauces, fragrant salads like Greek, Caesar, Garden, Thai Food also
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
I missed this month's wine club due to another commitment. If anybody wants to share their tasting notes, please email me. Thank you.
Ms Elizabeth J informs me that they decided (due to this tasting) that the more clear the Sauvignon Blanc, the better it tastes. The more yellow, not so good. She recommended the Sterling Sauvignon Blanc.
Pinot Noir - April 15, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Elizabeth K
Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley Oregon - April 15, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Elizabeth K
Wikipedia: About Pinot Noir.Red Wine. About Willamette Valley.
Food Pairings: poultry, beef, lamb, ham, pork, fish, mushroom, creamy sauces, spicy seasonings. This is a versatile wine
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
1) 2007 Soiree Pinot Noir - $17 @ Greens (on Buford Hwy)
clear, magenta red color, cranberry cocktail flavor, almost a dark rose color, tart fruity, cherry flavors, spicy, dry finish, light, slightly tannic
2) Kings Ridge Pinot Noir $17 @ Ansley Kroger
clear plummy color, candy-ish, very light, sweeter, apple flavor, more full bodied than the first one
3) 2007 Belle Vallee Pinot Noir $17 @ Sherlock Wine Merchant
grape juicy, mushroom and earth, cordial, funky, whole cluster fermentation
4) 2007 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir - Whole Cluster Fermentation $16.99 @ Tower on Piedmont
yogurty smell, spice, fruity, mango, heavier, strawberries, lingers on the tongue
5) 2006 Firesteed Pinot Noir $14.99 @ World Market
LIKE this one, fuller flavor, darker color, best flavor, current, juicy
6) 2007 Grateful Red Pinot Noir $16.99 @ The Winery (off Savoy Drive)
shampoo smell, vanilla hint, oaky, light buttery, oily finish, lingery
7) 2006 A to Z Pinot Noir - $18 @ Kroger in Toco Hills
garnet, purple color, bland flavor, anti-climatic, blah
8) same as number 4
earthy, cranberry, jammin', nip/zippy, flavorful, tart, acidic, good
9) 2007 Cloudline Pinot Noir - $21.99
someone said smells of peanut butter? earthy, nutty, tastes light and fruity but long finish.
10) 2007 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir $20.99 @ Ansley Kroger (aka "Kro-gay")
plummy, rhubarb pie, peppery, like this one
Wikipedia: About Pinot Noir.Red Wine. About Willamette Valley.
Food Pairings: poultry, beef, lamb, ham, pork, fish, mushroom, creamy sauces, spicy seasonings. This is a versatile wine
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
1) 2007 Soiree Pinot Noir - $17 @ Greens (on Buford Hwy)
clear, magenta red color, cranberry cocktail flavor, almost a dark rose color, tart fruity, cherry flavors, spicy, dry finish, light, slightly tannic
2) Kings Ridge Pinot Noir $17 @ Ansley Kroger
clear plummy color, candy-ish, very light, sweeter, apple flavor, more full bodied than the first one
3) 2007 Belle Vallee Pinot Noir $17 @ Sherlock Wine Merchant
grape juicy, mushroom and earth, cordial, funky, whole cluster fermentation
4) 2007 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir - Whole Cluster Fermentation $16.99 @ Tower on Piedmont
yogurty smell, spice, fruity, mango, heavier, strawberries, lingers on the tongue
5) 2006 Firesteed Pinot Noir $14.99 @ World Market
LIKE this one, fuller flavor, darker color, best flavor, current, juicy
6) 2007 Grateful Red Pinot Noir $16.99 @ The Winery (off Savoy Drive)
shampoo smell, vanilla hint, oaky, light buttery, oily finish, lingery
7) 2006 A to Z Pinot Noir - $18 @ Kroger in Toco Hills
garnet, purple color, bland flavor, anti-climatic, blah
8) same as number 4
earthy, cranberry, jammin', nip/zippy, flavorful, tart, acidic, good
9) 2007 Cloudline Pinot Noir - $21.99
someone said smells of peanut butter? earthy, nutty, tastes light and fruity but long finish.
10) 2007 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir $20.99 @ Ansley Kroger (aka "Kro-gay")
plummy, rhubarb pie, peppery, like this one
ISAW Wines - March 18, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Mina
ISAW Wines - March 18, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Mina
ISAW Website.ISAW - International Society of Africans in Wine - is a non-profit organization founded in January 2008 by sommelier Stephen Satterfield. Their focus is training and development of skills for South Africans. In addition to the training, a plus is that the wines are exported world-wide. The money raised through the sale of the wine, is reinvested in the facilities, farmers, and community.
Note: ISAW is also on Facebook (become a fan), and some of the wines were also auctioned off at the High Museum event later that month (March 2009).
You might find some of the ISAW wines at Whole Foods or Ansley Kroger. Ask your local Wine Merchant for more details or to carry these wines.
Distributer - Bacco Fine Wine
Wines: About Seven Sisters . About M'Hudi
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
We had the pleasure of Mr. Stephen Satterfield's presence as our own Wine Club Sommelier that evening. His eloquence and sharpened palate were a great honor to witness.
1) Seven Sisters - Yolanda (Chenin Blanc) - retails for approximately $14-15/bottle
pale yellow, smells like peachy/pear, light, moderate finish, dry, tart, good with cheese or fruit, late harvest, can grow in hot climate but also in cool climate to let acidity come thru.
2) M'Hudi Sauvignon Blanc (M'Hudi means "The Harvester") - retails for $16-17/bottle
sole black viticultural land owners in South Africa.
pale yellow/green, smells like green, light, sweeter, green/bitter, finish is dry,
Stephen says "herbacious"
pair with fruity/salty/fat content foods
3) 2006 M'Hudi Pinotage - retails for $17/bottle
scientist from South Africa, hybrid from Pinot Noir, first planted in South Africa.
dark burgundy color, tastes berry-like, blue and red berries, smoky, dried dill smell ? dry wine
pair with roasted or bbq chicken, something with sweet/tangy sauce
4) Seven Sisters - Dawn (Pinotage/Shiraz) - retails for $15/bottle
dry but nicely done, smells like strawberries, rhubarb, cooked/baked strawberries, floral notes maybe?
pair with roasted meats or bbq
5) 2008 Seven Sisters - Odelia (Bukettraube) - retails for $13-14/bottle
(pronounced 'boo-kuh-trobe') German grape but varietal usually found in South Africa, he has never had a German one.
clear, summery flavor, crazy aromatic, not too sweet, ripe fruit/peaches/honeysuckle smell, rose
pair with Blue Cheese or Thai.
ISAW Website.ISAW - International Society of Africans in Wine - is a non-profit organization founded in January 2008 by sommelier Stephen Satterfield. Their focus is training and development of skills for South Africans. In addition to the training, a plus is that the wines are exported world-wide. The money raised through the sale of the wine, is reinvested in the facilities, farmers, and community.
Note: ISAW is also on Facebook (become a fan), and some of the wines were also auctioned off at the High Museum event later that month (March 2009).
You might find some of the ISAW wines at Whole Foods or Ansley Kroger. Ask your local Wine Merchant for more details or to carry these wines.
Distributer - Bacco Fine Wine
Wines: About Seven Sisters . About M'Hudi
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
We had the pleasure of Mr. Stephen Satterfield's presence as our own Wine Club Sommelier that evening. His eloquence and sharpened palate were a great honor to witness.
1) Seven Sisters - Yolanda (Chenin Blanc) - retails for approximately $14-15/bottle
pale yellow, smells like peachy/pear, light, moderate finish, dry, tart, good with cheese or fruit, late harvest, can grow in hot climate but also in cool climate to let acidity come thru.
2) M'Hudi Sauvignon Blanc (M'Hudi means "The Harvester") - retails for $16-17/bottle
sole black viticultural land owners in South Africa.
pale yellow/green, smells like green, light, sweeter, green/bitter, finish is dry,
Stephen says "herbacious"
pair with fruity/salty/fat content foods
3) 2006 M'Hudi Pinotage - retails for $17/bottle
scientist from South Africa, hybrid from Pinot Noir, first planted in South Africa.
dark burgundy color, tastes berry-like, blue and red berries, smoky, dried dill smell ? dry wine
pair with roasted or bbq chicken, something with sweet/tangy sauce
4) Seven Sisters - Dawn (Pinotage/Shiraz) - retails for $15/bottle
dry but nicely done, smells like strawberries, rhubarb, cooked/baked strawberries, floral notes maybe?
pair with roasted meats or bbq
5) 2008 Seven Sisters - Odelia (Bukettraube) - retails for $13-14/bottle
(pronounced 'boo-kuh-trobe') German grape but varietal usually found in South Africa, he has never had a German one.
clear, summery flavor, crazy aromatic, not too sweet, ripe fruit/peaches/honeysuckle smell, rose
pair with Blue Cheese or Thai.
Organic Red Wines NSA - February 11, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Abbie
Organic Red Wines NSA - February 11, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Abbie
Information: Red Wines. NSA means No Sulfites Added.
OCA Info. Sulfites Info.Sulfites do not cause Wine Headaches unless you are allergic to Sulfites. To test this theory, eat some freeze-dried apricots. Apricots contain more sulfites than an entire bottle of red wine, if you have a reaction after eating the Apricots, you may have a Sulfite Allergy. However, in most cases, it is not the Sulfites in the wine that cause the headache.
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
Ultimately, we decided that, while we wouldn't toss it out with the garbage, Organic NSA wines were not our favorite. They taste like they are "missing" something...
1) Frey Red Table Wine $12 @ Minks
Dark Ruby/Purple Red, Tart & Tangy, astringent tannins, afterwards cottony, bitter after-taste. Mina says it's savory tasting, smells light, almost no scent, metallic
2) Frey Red Table Wine $11.99 @ Whole Foods
Dark Ruby, Purple Red, Astringent, tart also, grape juice-like, sweeter, like this one much better.
3) Frey Syrah $12.99 @ DeKalb Farmers Market
Lightly Smoky smell, slightly tangy, subtle flavor, light
4) Orleans Hill Lodi Syrah $11.99 @ DeKalb Farmers Market
earthy, peat moss, full bodied flavor, light finish, berry flavors, MY FAVE!
Information: Red Wines. NSA means No Sulfites Added.
OCA Info. Sulfites Info.Sulfites do not cause Wine Headaches unless you are allergic to Sulfites. To test this theory, eat some freeze-dried apricots. Apricots contain more sulfites than an entire bottle of red wine, if you have a reaction after eating the Apricots, you may have a Sulfite Allergy. However, in most cases, it is not the Sulfites in the wine that cause the headache.
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
Ultimately, we decided that, while we wouldn't toss it out with the garbage, Organic NSA wines were not our favorite. They taste like they are "missing" something...
1) Frey Red Table Wine $12 @ Minks
Dark Ruby/Purple Red, Tart & Tangy, astringent tannins, afterwards cottony, bitter after-taste. Mina says it's savory tasting, smells light, almost no scent, metallic
2) Frey Red Table Wine $11.99 @ Whole Foods
Dark Ruby, Purple Red, Astringent, tart also, grape juice-like, sweeter, like this one much better.
3) Frey Syrah $12.99 @ DeKalb Farmers Market
Lightly Smoky smell, slightly tangy, subtle flavor, light
4) Orleans Hill Lodi Syrah $11.99 @ DeKalb Farmers Market
earthy, peat moss, full bodied flavor, light finish, berry flavors, MY FAVE!
Champagne - January 21, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Jane
Champagne - January 21, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Jane
Wikipedia: About Champagne. Sparkling Wine.
Info: To anoint Kings!
Food Pairings: strawberries, mild cheese, poultry, desserts/fruit
Food Pairing specific to type of Champagne.
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
This was a special tasting in celebration of the New Year! Ms Jane purchased all the wine, and all the attendees split the cost.
1) Domaine Luquet Roger - Gremant Bourgnone $19.99 @ Total Wine
no smell, lightly alcoholic, off dry, crisp, light, not too tart, light golden yellow, some age, medium finish, clear
2) Louis Perdrier - Brut Excellence $10.00
This was a REAL Champagne - pale straw color, no scent, very light, crisp, hardly any flavor, bubbly air
3) Mumm Napa - Brut Prestige $20.00
smells astringent, tart, more flavor, some sour, straw yellow, crisp
4) Heidseick & Co. Champagne Monopole $29.99 on sale (usually $39.99)
smells like "getting a perm" to me, heavenly air, evaporates on your tongue.
5) Prosecco - Italian - Di Conegliano $20.00
dry, no scent, lightly sweet, just right.
Wikipedia: About Champagne. Sparkling Wine.
Info: To anoint Kings!
Food Pairings: strawberries, mild cheese, poultry, desserts/fruit
Food Pairing specific to type of Champagne.
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
This was a special tasting in celebration of the New Year! Ms Jane purchased all the wine, and all the attendees split the cost.
1) Domaine Luquet Roger - Gremant Bourgnone $19.99 @ Total Wine
no smell, lightly alcoholic, off dry, crisp, light, not too tart, light golden yellow, some age, medium finish, clear
2) Louis Perdrier - Brut Excellence $10.00
This was a REAL Champagne - pale straw color, no scent, very light, crisp, hardly any flavor, bubbly air
3) Mumm Napa - Brut Prestige $20.00
smells astringent, tart, more flavor, some sour, straw yellow, crisp
4) Heidseick & Co. Champagne Monopole $29.99 on sale (usually $39.99)
smells like "getting a perm" to me, heavenly air, evaporates on your tongue.
5) Prosecco - Italian - Di Conegliano $20.00
dry, no scent, lightly sweet, just right.
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