Saturday, December 1, 2018

Wines of Portugal and Blanc Elephant Gift Exchange - December 1st - hosted by Abbie & Matt

Wines of Portugal and Blanc Elephant Gift Exchange - December 1st - hosted by Abbie & MattWHEN:  Saturday, December 1st - 7 pm

THEME:  Wines of Portugal

BRING:  1) TWITs should bring $20/pp cash (or Venmo, Paypal, etc) to cover the cost of the wine.  AND 2) Each person attending should bring 1 wrapped gift under $15 for the Blanc Elephant Gift Exchange.  The gift does not need to be wine related.  We had some hilarious ones last year.


Portugal is a European country and part of the Iberian Peninsula.  Portuguese wine is the result of traditions introduced to the region by ancient civilizations, such as the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, and mostly the Romans. Portugal started to export its wines to Rome during the Roman Empire. Modern exports developed with trade to England after the Methuen Treaty in 1703. From this commerce a wide variety of wines started to be grown in Portugal. 

While there are 250 varietals in Portugal and many wine regions, we will focus on a sampling of these.  Tonight we will taste wines from Vinho Verde, Alentejo, and Porto e Douro.

The appellation system of the Douro region was created nearly two hundred years before that of France, in order to protect its superior wines from inferior ones. The quality and great variety of wines in Portugal are due to noble castas, microclimates, soils and proper technology.

QWPSR or VQPRD  - Quality Wine Produced in a Specific Region (QWPSR) or VQPRD - Vinho de Qualidade Produzido em Região Demarcada
These are the most protected wine and indicates a specific vineyard, such as Port Wine, Vinhos Verdes, and Alentejo Wines. These wines are labeled D.O.C. (Denominação de Origem Controlada) which secures a superior quality.
IPR - Wines that have more regulations placed upon them but are not in a DOC region fall under the category of Indicação de Proveniência Regulamentada (IPR, Indication of Regulated Provenance)
Regional Wine - Vinho Regional Carries with it a specific region within Portugal.
Table Wines - Vinho de Mesa carries with it only the producer and the designation that it's from Portugal.






Tasting Notes
Welcome wine:  NV Broadbent Vinho Verde $10.99 @ Brookhaven Wines
WINEMAKERS: Bartholomew Broadbent in collaboration with partners in Portugal.  The way to make a proper Vinho Verde is to suppress the malolactic fermentation and inject carbon dioxide at bottling to give the wine its characteristic spritz. We use pneumatic presses for gentle pressing to extract the free run juice and fermentation is around 16°C, which gives a slow fermentation that protects the character of the Loureiro grape. We use a special yeast QA21 which was developed in our vineyards and is now used all over the world. It gives a special character to our wines, which are produced at Quinta de Azevedo.  Bursting with tongue-tingling, spritzy, lemon zest & white peaches
GRAPES: 50% Loureiro, 40% Trajadura, & 10% Pedernã
ALCOHOL: 9%
REGION:  Vinho Verde - This region is mainly in the Minho province and is in the extreme north-west of Portugal. Vinho Verde derived its name from the fact that the grapes used are 'green' meaning slightly under-ripe. Vinho Verde wines are now largely exported, and the most exported Portuguese wines after the Port Wine. The most popular variety in Portugal and abroad are the white wines, but there are also red and more rarely rosé wines.
PAIRINGS: Creamy rice with hunks of cod or monkfish, or shrimp. White Vinho Verde is high in acidity, which makes it ideal for pairing with all forms of seafood, particularly when complimented by a rich sauce or a coating of fried breadcrumbs; pork and potato dishes would also work, etc.

2) 2014 Terra d'Alter Alfrocheiro (Alentejano) $17.99 @ Brookhaven Wines
WINEMAKER:  Peter Bright
GRAPES:  Alfrocheiro is sometimes called the Pinot Noir of Portugal for its smooth, red cherry flavors and sometimes earthy character. Those attributes are found in this cherry-flavored wine with its bright acidity and fruitiness. The whole effect is spoiled by a green edge that shows tight tannins at the end.
ALCOHOL:  14%
REGION:  Alentejo – This region’s wine is produced from grapes planted in vast vineyards extending over rolling plains under the sun which shines on the grapes and ripens them for the production. Some producers of this region still do wine in great potteries as in Roman times
PAIRINGS:  accompanies red meats, roast beef and grilled meats

3) 2013 Terra d’Alter Reserva Tinto $21.99 @ Brookhaven Wines
WINEMAKER:  Peter Bright
GRAPES:  30% Trincadeira, 30% Tinta Caiada, 20% Aragonez, 15% Alicante Bouschet and 5% Petit Verdot.
ALCOHOL:  15%
REGION:  Produced from grapes from the highest region of Alto Alentejo
PAIRINGS:  Beef, Venison, etc.

4) 2013 Quinta Das Carvalhas Douro Tinto $14.99 @ Total Wine
WINEMAKER:  Real Companhia Velha (the oldest wine company of Portugal)
GRAPES:  60% Touriga Nacional, 20% Touriga Franca, 20% Tinta Roriz (Single Estate Varietals, vines are post-phylloxera and a century old).  Decant before drinking
ALCOHOL:  14%
REGION:  Douro (left bank of the Douro River, in Pinhao)
PAIRINGS:  Cold cuts, cheeses

5) NV Porto Kopke Fine Tawny Port $19.99 @ Brookhaven Wines
WINEMAKER:  Pedro Sa, Kopke existed even before there was a Demarcated Region of the Douro. Established in 1638, the oldest Port wine house built an impeccable reputation based on the highest quality. A leader in the production of Port Tawny Colheita wines, including white port, Kopke has a remarkable range of special category Ports, also producing excellent DOC Douro wines.
GRAPES:  Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão, Touriga Franca
ALCOHOL:  19.5% 
REGION:  Douro.  Port wine vines need to grow in schist rich soil and require a specific micro-climate. It is produced through a unique vinification method. The red varietals are the most common. The wine is produced in the beautiful landscape of the Douro Valley in Alto Douro region, a region that is classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. The wine is exported from the city of Porto, thus acquiring the name Porto (or "Port" in English-speaking countries). There are several varieties of Port wine: some of the most popular are the Tawny, White, Ruby, and Late Bottled Vintage (L.B.V.).
PAIRINGS:  blue cheeses, desserts with caramel, coffee, apricots and dried fruits. caramelized nuts, tiramisu, hazelnut meringue pie and brie cheese.

To pair with the Port (dried fruits, buttermilk blue cheese)










Saturday, November 17, 2018

Bring Your Favorite Holiday Wine - November 17th - Hosted by Kathy & Jamie


Bring Your Favorite Holiday Wine - November 17th - Hosted by Kathy & Jamie

WHEN:  Saturday, November 17th - 7 pm

THEME:  Bring your favorite Holiday Wine - aka TWITsGiving!
Our hosts provided a smorgasboard of food including crudites, fromages, charcuterie, crackers, that amazing BLT dip, a turkey, cranberry sauce, baked brie, chex mix, brussel sprouts, roasted veggies, quiches, chocolates, tarts, and fruits.
This was a great way to discover some new wines that we could serve/drink during the holidays.  

BRING:  TWITs should bring 1 bottle of their favorite holiday wine (could be for any winter holiday, as we are approaching that time of year), within the suggested price range - $20/bottle for singles, up to $40/bottle for couples.




TASTING NOTES:  
1)  Welcome Cocktail:  Prosecco, cranberry juice, raspberries, w/a mint garnish.

2) NV Deutz Champagne Brut Classic  - $40 @ Greenes on Ponce
12% alcohol
sparkling, yummy, reminds me of Schramsberg, I love it!  Exactly what you want with a Champagne.  This was selected by Alexis, he says his family drinks it every year in France for the holidays.

3) 2009 Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvee Brut - $37 @ wine club direct
12.5% alcohol
67% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay 
slightly funkier nose, delightful, crisp, green apple, honey, stone fruit, citrus, black cherry, bright acid, long finish with meyer lemon zest.

4) NV Franciacorta Ronco Calino 'Radijan' Brut Rose - $34 @ Savi Provisions
13% alcohol
This is my JAM!

5) 2017 Clos de la Roilette Beaujolais - $25 @ Brookhaven Wines
13% alcohol
100% Gamay
French! "Nothing screams Fall like a Beaujolais!"  it's a turkey wine!

6) 2016 Stoller Oregon Pinot Noir - $27 @ Wahoo Wines
13.5% alcohol, Dundee Oregon
100% Pinot Noir
Guessing Pinot Noir, red fruits, strawberry, lingering finish, delicious

7) 2015 Gloria Ferrer Carneros Estates Pinot Noir - $50 @ winery direct
13.9% alcohol 100% Pinot Noir
jammy, peppery, olive brine, white pepper, cinnamon, a little bit o'cherry on the nose, very slight fireball on the end, Gravel Knob vineyard (RH had a funny joke about the meaning of Knob where he's from).

8) 2010 David Coffaro Zinfandel - $20 bought from a friend's cellar
15.9% alcohol, Russian River Valley
75% Zinfandel, 25% Petite Sirah
plum and spice (baking spices not pepper), cinnamon, winter spice, almost raisiny, "Imma chew on this one!" cola on the end.

9) 2014 Yoakim Bridge Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley - $20 bought from a friend's cellar.  14.8% alcohol
more alcohol, heat on it, earthy, chewy, pepper bomb, more fruit, love it!

10) 2016 Fortunati Napa Zinfandel - $38ish @ wine club direct
15.5% alcohol
light red, berries, that berries, gravel, dust, gravelly knobs (ha ha), brambly










Saturday, October 20, 2018

Autumn Reds - October 20th, 2018 - hosted by Rachel & Chris

Autumn Reds - hosted by Rachel & Chris

When: Saturday, October 20th, 7pm

Bring: TWITs should bring 1 bottle of red wine that reminds them of Autumn. within the suggested price range - $20/bottle for singles, up to $40/bottle for couples.

Tasting Notes:
Welcome Wine:  2014 La Crema Chardonnay ~ $17 @ Total Wine
13.5% alcohol

1) 2016 Domaine Loubejic Pinot Noir (Selection Barriques, Dundee, Oregon) - $23.99 @ Total Wine
13.8% alcohol
peppery nose, cherries, pepper bomb, sweet finish, white pepper, red fruits, lighter, I guessed pinot noir, lighter wine, medium body, "Chaddy" guesses New World.
We were both right.

2) 2012 Chalk Hill Pinot Noir - $40 @ Citi Wine and Spirits
14.5% alcohol
grapey, fruity, raspberry nose, richer, darker red fruits, currants, pepper finish,
I guessed it was a Trader Joes wine since it was so jammy, I was incorrect.

3) 2015 Freak Show Cabernet Sauvignon (Lodi, CA)  - $14.99 @ Trader Joes
14.5% alcohol
cassis, sweeter nose, jammy, jam jar, raspberry, dry finish, got grip, I like it better than the last one, inky, almost a port-like finish, my fave so far,

4) 2014 Michel-Schlumberger Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry Creek Valley) ~ $17 (due to close out purchase from winery if we purchased a case).
jammy, leather, olive brine, all the right things going on, caramel, bitter/briny finish, a hint of taint, not much on the nose, weird odor, not quite wet cardboard, tastes better than it smells, bell pepper, probably needs food, "No Chaddity"
https://shop.michelschlumberger.com/xe/xe.asp?page=viewitem&p=CSSA142&cat=reds 

5) 2016 Capitel della Crosara Valpolicella Ripasso (Verona, Italy) - $19.99 @ Total Wine
14% alcohol
rich, pepper, earthy, suede, top grain, buttery, nice finish, "that's what she said", well balanced, yummy, rich

6) 2015 Tinazzi Tenuta Valleselle Aureum Amarone Acinum - $30 @ CostCo
15% alcohol
We decanted this one. alcohol nose, licorice, surprisingly faint, very rich, I want a steak right now, cherry on cherry, dense, shiraz-like, thicc, good.



  










Thursday, August 23, 2018

TWITs Chardonnay Showdown - August 23rd, 2018 - hosted by Mr. Matt & Ms. Abbie

TWITs Chardonnay Showdown - August 23rd, 2018 - hosted by Mr. Matt & Ms. Abbie

Finally we have a TWITs plan for August.  Hope you can make it.  We will be doing our usual blind tasting method, and tasting Chardonnays from various regions in the world.
NOTE: we will be capping attendance at 16 total people, so that we have enough wine for everyone.  
RSVP via email to reserve your spot.

WHEN:  Thursday, August 23rd, 2018 - 7:30pm ET

THEME:  Chardonnay Showdown - we will do our usual blind tasting method

BRING:  TWITs should bring 1 bottle of Chardonnay wine - a white wine varietal - (from any region in the world) within the suggested price range - $20/bottle for singles, up to $40/bottle for couples

Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used in the production of white wine. The variety originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France, but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand. For new and developing wine regions, growing Chardonnay is seen as a "rite of passage" and an easy entry into the international wine market.

The Chardonnay grape itself is neutral, with many of the flavors commonly associated with the wine being derived from such influences as terroir and oak. It is vinified in many different styles, from the lean, crisply mineral wines of Chablis, France, to New World wines with oak and tropical fruit flavors. In cool climates (such as Chablis and the Carneros AVA of California), Chardonnay wine tends to be medium to light body with noticeable acidity and flavors of green plum, apple, and pear. In warmer locations (such as the Adelaide Hills and Mornington Peninsula in Australia and Gisborne and Marlborough region of New Zealand), the flavors become more citrus, peach, and melon, while in very warm locations (such as the Central Coast AVA of California), more fig and tropical fruit notes such as banana and mango come out. Wines that have gone through malolactic fermentation tend to have softer acidity and fruit flavors with buttery mouthfeel and hazelnut notes.

Chardonnay is an important component of many sparkling wines around the world, including Champagne and Franciacorta in Italy.

Chardonnay's popularity peaked in the late 1980s, then gave way to a backlash among those wine connoisseurs who saw the grape as a leading negative component of the globalization of wine. Nonetheless, it is one of the most widely planted grape varieties, with 210,000 hectares (520,000 acres) worldwide, second only to Airén among white wine grapes and fifth among all wine grapes.
Source: Wikipedia

Tasting Notes:
Welcome Wine:  2016 Binyamina Yogev Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc - $19.99 @ Total Wine
13.5% alcohol.  Blend of 60% Chardonnay & 40% Sauvignon Blanc
"In Hebrew, Yogev means farmer, toiler of the soil. This label reflects the winegrower’s contribution to the production of quality wines. Yogev wines are aged in used barrels in order to preserve the natural qualities of the winegrowers’ fruit. The chardonnay forms a foundation of luxurious pear and tropical fruit, and the Sauvignon Blanc contributes herb and lemongrass notes plus a crackling acidity. In cooler months, Binyamina Yogev Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc is equally delicious served with cheese fondue or roast chicken."
TWITs Notes:  has viscosity, pungent earthy aroma, dark, rich, color is pale lemonade, a little green, punch bubble gum nose, acidic, good starter wine, but meh.

1) 2016 Domaine Chene Macon-Milly-Lamartine - $16.99 @ WTSO
13% alcohol
tropical fruit, passion fruit, citrus, tasty, like it, acidic, sauv blanc not chardonnay flavors, honeysuckle, sticky fruit, apricot, rich, oaked, creamy, pineapple, the "NOT" Chardonnay, peachy, stone fruit, sticky, not very acidic to some, Guesses:  Hawaii, Australia

2) 2013 Domaine Gerard Tremblay Chablis Grand Cru "Vaudesir" ~ $50 @ Brookhaven Wines
13% alcohol
flowers, hay taste, pepper, mild, lemons, tart wine, sweet tarts, it has grip, lemon bar, sawdust nose, fuzzy tongue, needs something salty or chunky to pair with, oysters w/salinity would be nice, chalky, limestone, guesses: coastal

3) NV Simply Naked Unoaked Chardonnay - $11.99 Buford Hwy Farmers Market
13.5% alcohol
pale color, light perfume, burst of flavor, butterscotch, banana creme, viscous, lemon meringue, salinity, finish drops off, apple

4) 2015 Yonah Mountain (Georgia) Estate Chardonnay ~ $40 from winery
13.2% alcohol
roast beef nose, mushrooms, meaty, funky, roasted nuts, syrupy like a Tokaji, wet dog, wet cardboard, pairs with blue cheese, Riesling-like, petrol nose, pair with roast chicken w mushrooms, young vintage, all kinds of edges.  Guesses: South America

5) 2015 Benedicte & Stephane Tissot Arbois Les Graviers Chardonnay, Jura, France ~ $50 @ Perrines
14% alcohol
smoky, honey, thicc (with 2 c's), agave, burnt edge, tar finish, oxidated, so burnt, hazelnuts, burnt nuts, rosemary, caramel palate, earthy, briny, more minerality & acidity, more freshness than the last one, warm, a gringo with cajones, winter white
Guesses;  Lodi? Italy?

6) 2014 Middleton Family Wines - Inconceivable Chardonnay "Queen of Tides" Santa Barbara County ~ $20 @ Ansley Wine Merchant
14.1% alcohol
toasty bread, well-balanced, classic chardonnay,
Guesses: California? Pouilly Fuisse?

7) 2016 Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis - $31.99 @ Toco Giant
12.5% alcohol
classic chardonnay, tangy, dried fruit salad, stone fruit, urine, chalky, lemon and lime
Guesses:  standard California Chardonnay?

8) 2016 Banshee Rickshaw Chardonnay ~ $16.99 @ Hop City
13.5% alcohol
pork, meat, savory, ramen, dry, Tahitian vanilla, oysters
Guesses:  Pic-Poul?

9) 2016 Leese & Fitch Chardonnay ~ $12 @ Buford Hwy Farmers Market
13.5% alcohol
pale nose, apricot, citrus, crisp, beach friendly, starter wine, too light, not too oaky, SOLID.

10) 2016 Game of Thrones Chardonnay - $18.99 @ DeKalb Famers Market
13.5% alcohol
herbaceous, green, kissed by angels, very pleasant, creamy & buttery, dragons, Winter is Coming, warm

11) 2015 Keefer Ranch Failla Chardonnay - $44.95 @ Brookhaven Wines
13.8% alcohol
kissed by ALL the angels, pork belly, celery root nose, good viscosity, citrus, eagles freedom, red white and blue, mature, stone fruits, smells like crepes, tastes like French





Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Clement Rhum tasting at SOS Tiki Bar



They provided the Space Force complimentary.





With Ryan Pines of Clement Rhum

making the Ti'Punch










Tuesday, August 7, 2018

SelectioNaturel Tasting w Eric Brown at Vinoteca

SelectioNaturel tasting w Eric Brown

Eric & Matt


a Friend & Susan (one of our TWITs)




SelectioNaturel tasting w Eric Brown:  
NV Cellario È Bianco! Vino Bianco (1 Liter) (2017)
Vinified in stainless steel, this blend of organically farmed Arneis from Roero with a dash of Muscat, is a lively white with enough flavors of stone fruit, citrus, and minerality to satisfy just about all white wine drinkers. The fresh acidity makes it a highly versatile white and the one liter bottle under crown cap pretty much of makes it the perfect pool/patio wine!

NV Cellario È Grino! Vino Rosso (1 Liter)  (2017)
This organic Italian guzzler is made of 100% Grignolino vinified in cement tank by Dolcetto masters, Fausto & Cinzia Cellario. Grignolino is a native Piedmont grape that yields lighthearted, fruity, ruby-colored reds. This juicy summer red is perfect for fans of Beaujolais/Gamay, Poulsard from the Jura and other northern Italian light reds like Schiava...also in one liter bottle under crown cap!

NV Furlani Rosato Frizzante Trento
Sparkling rosé (Pet-Nat) made from traditional Trentino grapes including Pinot Nero and spontaneously fermented in cement before racking into 54-liter demijohns for about seven months. It is bottled with a bit of the remaining residual sugar leftover from the shutdown of Initial fermentation with the arrival of winter temperatures, allowing for bottle re-fermentation. The whole process is done without any temperature control or sulfur additions and the wine is not fined or disgorged. These folks make some of the best sparkling wines in Italy!

2017 Lamoresca 'Nerocapitano' Terre Siciliane
Nerocapitano is the local name for Frappato and Filippo’s vines are surrounded by wild mint, oregano, dill, and a 300 year old carob tree, all of which seem to find its way into the wine via wonderful aromatic lift. The wine is made from some 40 year old Frappato vines and others that were planted in 2005 from cuttings that came from COS in Vittoria. The fruit is hand harvest in mid-September through mid-October. Spontaneous fermentation takes place in plastic “tini” without temperature control, with maceration on the skins for four days and natural malolactic fermentation before maturing in cement vats for twelve months.

2016 Cantina Ribelà ‘Rosso’ Lazio 
This red is made from 100% Cesanese, one of the rediscovered red grapes in central Italy. It comes from Lazio—the wine region of Rome, and is farmed biodynamically in a "secret garden" vineyard in Frascati on sandy, volcanic soil with southern exposure. Chiara Bianchi and Daniele Presutti are young growers, both Roman born and raised, that made their first vintage in 2014, Chiara (a former philosophy professor) and Daniele (a former architect) are making wines with real balance, freshness with incredible texture. The Rosso is fermented spontaneously in stainless steel vats and macerated on the skins for ten days before six months of aging in resin (fiberglass) tank.