February 15th - Date Night Wines - hosted by Crissy & Steve

February 15th - Date Night Wines - hosted by Crissy & Steve

When?   Saturday, February 15th @ 7pm ET

Theme:  Date Night Wines - TWITs should bring a bottle of their favorite date wine!  What date night wine would you bring to WOW a date or your significant other?  I'm hoping for some funny anecdotes to go with your bottle, if you have a story to share.

Tasting Notes:
Welcome Wine:  Mauro Sebaste Moscato d'Asti ~$18 @ Total Wine
sparkling wine, slightly sweet

1) 2015 River Road "Stephanie's Cuvee" Pinot Noir, Green Valley of Russian River Valley ~ $25-28 @ Total Wine
14.3 % alcohol
"Any pinot is a good date wine for me." this one was curated, Stephanie (may be) the wine producer's daughter.
bromantic, berries, rufanol forward on the nose (ok guys), spicy w a hint of roofie, eucalyptus, fermented grapes, chocolate notes, light, viscosity, solid pinot noir.

2) 2014 Michel-Schlumberger Merlot Dry Creek Valley ~$45 from winery (albeit they do really great sales on a mixed case twice a year, and you can get them for almost $12/bottle then)
14.7% alcohol
Abbie & Matt visited this winery/vineyard in Dry Creek, and had a fantastic time sipping wine, snacking on appetizers, sitting on their patio in the sunshine overlooking the property.  Lovely place!
spicy, has heat on it, tart on back of tongue, cherry, cedar, academia adjacent, hint of brandy, makes my tongue taste like the Sahara Desert, needs some greasy food w it, lamb bolognese would be a good pairing.

3) 2018 "The Dreaming Tree" Pinot Noir ~ $12 @ Kroger or Publix
13.5% alcohol
"I was dreaming of a date"
soft pinot, tart cherry, easy drinking, cocoa powder, milk chocolate

4) 2017 Shroud Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $18 retail (but she got it on a subscription trial offer via National Geographic so it probably evens out to $5/bottle)
13.2% alcohol
(fictional story), met a guy at the National Geographic Museum (does this even exist? ha ha), they had epic sex, and then drank this amazing wine.  (cue "Bad Touch" music by the Bloodhound Gang).  many jokes of "Night at the Museum" come to mind now.
eau de sewage, sweet broccoli, tart, dry, thin flabby finish, it already died, why did they dig it up? tastes like a museum next to a sewer, "subscriptiony"

5) 2016 SLO Down Wines "Sexual Chocolate" ~ $25 @ CostCo or $40 @ Whole Foods
14.5% alcohol
Syrah, Zinfandel Blend
"When you see a bottle with this name, you buy it.
And drink it on date night.
and then again and again
and give it to your friends."
smells like pizza, tastes like pizza, its almost sweet and chocolatey, chocolate berries, a berry blend, decent, too sweet for me

6) 2016 Orin Swift "Machete" Saint Helena ~ $55 @ Caps & Corks
15.7% alcohol
Petite Sirah, Syrah, Grenache,
First Date, look at the label, he died happy, whoever he was.
sharp, dangerous nose, very short bit of sweet on the finish, full bodied, inky purple, pepper notes, white pepper, a lil tart, machete mama, cassis, no bra, subtle minerality,

7) 2017 Francis Ford Coppola "Directors Cut" Cinema ~ $45 retail, but was on sale $25 @ Kroger
14.5% alcohol
Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Petite Sirah
"All the wine at Brandy & Louis' wedding was Coppola wine, but they have not tried this bottle yet.  Their date nights usually involve red wine and chocolate, and so tonight they brought some Lindt 70% extra dark Lindor Truffles for us to pair with this one"
rich, smooth, velvety, pairs with chocolate very well, red hots, delicious!

8) 2017 Kenwood Zinfandel Jack London Vineyard Sonoma Mountain  ~ $35 retail but was on sale for $15 @ CostCo.
15.6% alcohol
It has a Wolf on the label, reminds her of Shakira's She Wolf song
chewy, berries, clean nose

9) King Vineyards "7" Virginia ~ $30 from winery
dessert wine 17% alcohol
Merlot port
delicious, not too sweet. Pairs delightfully with the hazelnut chocolate ganache pie.

Bonus wine:
2017 Fortunati Fortivo Proprietary Red Bordeaux Blend Napa Valley ~ $46 from Winery
14.8% alcohol
fortivo means strong

TWITs - We Aren't Done Yet - Red Wines from Washington State - October 12th, 2019

TWITs - "We Aren't Done Yet" - Red Wines from Washington State - October 12th, 2019

Hosted by Ms. Vicki
Menu:

• Turkey Chili
• Spicy Cornbread & Regular Cornbread
• Baked Brie
• Pate & Crackers
• Manchego & Crackers
• Foie Gras with Cranberry bread
• Roasted Carrots with Balsamic glaze
• Braised Oxtail Lasagna
• Apple Pie Bites
• Salted Chocolate Bites

Tasting Notes: 
Welcome Wine:  NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut - Columbia Valley ~ $13
Varietals:  Blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier,
12.3% alcohol

1) 2016 Andrew Will Merlot - Vashon, Washington, Columbia Valley - $38 @ Ansley Wine Merchant,  100% Merlot,
14.5% alcohol
powdered chocolate, herbacious, baking chocolate, smooth, rustic rough edges, touch of tannins, good starter wine, goes w lasagna perfectly, sage

2) 2014 J. Bookwalter "Readers" Merlot ~ $20 @ Hinton Wine Store
80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Syrah,
14.8% alcohol,
spicy, peppery, slides across the tongue, dark chocolate, good viscosity, pairs with cheese

3) 2015 Double Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon - $25 @ Toco Giant
14% alcohol
light, fruity, sweetness, fruits, bitter finish, cherries, chocolate, soft, needs food pairing

4) 2015 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon - Columbia Valley ~$34 @ Ansley Wine Merchant
14.2% alcohol
green chile nose, licorice, toasted coconut, like sun tanning oil, sea oats, volcanic ash on after-taste, burnt, charred wood, graphite, minerality,

5) 2017 Stormchaser - Wild Ride Red Blend - $7 @ Aldi's
13.2% alcohol
no nose, cherry pie, manure, bitter, luscious, soft

6) 2014 Hedges Family Estate - Descendants Leigeois Dupont - Red Mountain Syrah - $28.99 @ Brookhaven Wines
14.5% alcohol
fruit forward, opens up with caramel chocolate, some spice, not too much, delicious, pairs with the turkey chili and cornbread

TWITs Pool Party & Cookout - June 22nd - hosted by Ms. Crystal

TWITs Pool Party & Cookout - June 22nd - hosted by Ms. Crystal

WHEN:  Friday, June 22nd, 2018 - 7:00 PM
THEME:  Pool Party & Cookout  NOTE: we will be capping attendance again
BRING:  
1) A bottle of wine to pair with the food on the menu - within our usual suggested pricing.
2) Your swimsuit and a towel - if you are swimming

Menu:
Beef burgers with Gruyere Cheese & Arugula
3 Bean Salad
Shrimp & Tilapia Ceviche
Fruit Tart
Ice Cream Cones

Well we got rained out, but it was still a fun night.  Tasting notes and photos below.

Tasting Notes:
Welcome Wines:  We had White Sangria & Red Sangria (homemade)

1) NV Union Wine Co. Underwood Rose Bubbles - $6.99/can @ Brookhaven Wines
Varietal Unknown.  11% alcohol
Tasting Notes:  Wild strawberry, fruit cocktail, and tart cherry

2) 2016 Domaine Franck Besson Rose Granit - $11.99 @ Brookhaven Wines
100% Gamay, 12.5% alcohol
Tasting Notes:  lively, delicious, dry, bubbly,

3) 2017 Francis Ford Coppola Sofia Brut Rose ~ $18 @ Total Wine
50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay, 12% alcohol
Tasting Notes:

4)  NV Union Wine Co. Underwood Rose - $6.99/can @ Brookhaven Wines
Varietal Unknown.  12% alcohol
Tasting Notes:  Strawberry, Peach, Watermelon

5) 2017 Chateau Paradis Coteaux d'ain en Provence Rose ~ $13.99
90% Cabernet, 10% Shiraz/Syrah, 12% alcohol
Tasting Notes: crisp, dry, refreshing

6) 2014 Napa Cellars Zinfandel - $19.99 Toco Giant
100% Zinfandel, 14% alcohol
Tasting Notes: bright aromas of fresh blackberries, tart cherry and hints of black tea. The aromas lead to lush flavors of ripe jam with notes of mocha, spice and sweet notes of oak on the finish. This wine is medium-bodied with bright acidity and a smooth, juicy and lasting mouthfeel. Winemaker Joe Shirley recommends pairing this wine with barbequed ribs or a well-seasoned steak topped with fresh basil

7) 2014 Banshee Pinot Noir Sonoma ~ $23.99
100% Pinot Noir, 13.6% alchol
a beautiful balance between both red and blue fruits, notably Bing cherry and Asian plums. Interwoven with the fruit characteristics are coastal moss, fresh wild mushrooms, and spice. The wine has good carry-through from front to finish, with lively acidity to keep it light on its feet.

Outlander Wines - Dec 10th, 2017

Outlander Wines - Dec 10th, 2017

As any good Obsession-nach Wino would do, I had to try the Outlander Wines.

There are six wines total in the set, with three devoted to Claire's monikers (Sassenach, Mo Nighean Donn, and La Dame Blach) and three to Jamie's (Red Jamie, Mac Dubh, and A. Malcolm).

I'm picky when it comes to my wine, and I have thus far avoided trying "themed" wines for TV shows.  However, these wines were mostly French (with the exception of the California Pinot Noir), which gave me better confidence that they would be tasty.

We opted to share the La Dame Blanch Pays d'Oc Viognier and the Sassenach Languedoc-la-clape Rose with my husband's family for Thanksgiving.  These were both delicious and showed well.  Later one night, we opened up the Mo Nighean Donn California Pinot Noir, and this was also quite tasty. 

We saved the Jamie-named wines for the Outlander Season 3 Finale episode viewing.  I would say of these three wines, only 1 was decent, and I was verra disappointed in the quality.  I buy Red French wines regularly, and these could have been SO delicious, given the regions the grapes were grown in.  However, they tasted more like a Trader Joes Charles Shaw wine.  We still drank them, but I wasn't moved.  I feel they "done Jamie wrong" with these wines.

La Dame Blanche Pays d’Oc Viognier
Description: “She is given the name La Dame Blanche by her husband as a clever ruse, but in truth Claire does possess some of the cunning powers of this mythological figure, using them to turn fortunes her way. This French Viognier is similarly persuasive in its nature, with a heady floral aroma that leads to peach and apricot flavors on the palate, all lifted by a vein of acidity. Upon first sip, you’ll find yourself hopelessly enchanted.”

Sassenach Languedoc-la-clape Rosé
Description: “As a visitor of a time and place that’s not her own, Claire is a true outsider until Jamie Fraser draws her into his world and bestows upon her the playful nickname Sassenach. This rosé is Provençal in style, but, like Claire, it comes from an unexpected place — Languedoc-la-clape, where the limestone-rich soil lends the wine its flavors of strawberry, white peach, and grapefruit, racy minerality, and clean finish. Sometimes a fresh new perspective is exactly what’s needed.”

Mo Nighean Donn California Pinot Noir
Description: “‘My brown-haired lass’ is what Jamie affectionately calls his charming new bride in Gaelic, and there’s no better wine to embody that side of Claire than this earthy, seductive Pinot Noir. Exhibiting flavors of black raspberry, forest floor, and tea, this complex and balanced wine will make anyone fall in love with its alluring qualities immediately. Don’t bother attempting to resist its delightful and immensely appealing ways.”

Mac Dubh Pays d’Oc Syrah
Description: “Even as a prisoner at Ardsmuir, Jamie retains a commanding presence, rallying the other prisoners and earning their respect as a leader. They give him the nickname Mac Dubh, or ‘son of the black’ — and it’s this earthy, brooding French Syrah that embodies this dark version of Jamie. With plenty of concentration and blueberry flavor, this is an intense wine that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go.”

A. Malcolm Languedoc-la-clape Rouge
Description: “A fugitive after the Jacobite rising, Jamie Fraser must become Alex Malcolm and begin anew as a printer in Edinburgh… yet under this simple facade lies the same complex and passionate man who captured Claire’s heart. Equally unassuming, at first, is this red wine from a small appellation in southern France. It becomes clear after experiencing the pure, black-red fruit nuances, however, that this is a charming, formidable wine — one you won’t easily forget.”

Red Jamie Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Description: “Whether he’s fiercely defending the love of his life or charging off to war alongside his clansmen, the notorious Jacobite Red Jamie is a force to be reckoned with — as is this dynamic Côtes du Rhône named in his honor. With a vibrant acidity and tannic structure keeping the flavors of red plum and blueberry in check, this red blend of 70% Syrah, 15% Carignan, and 15% Grenache will have you surrendering after just a taste.”

Another review, if you are interested:
https://media.bookbub.com/blog/2017/11/09/outlander-wine-collection-review/

December - Benefit for Vineyards Damaged by California Wildfires - hosted by Matt & Abbie

December - Benefit for Vineyards Damaged by California Wildfires  - hosted by Matt & Abbie

When:  Wednesday, December 6th, 2017 7:00pm ET

Theme: Benefit for Vineyards Damaged by California Wildfires

Bring:  TWITs should bring 2 items:
1) A wine from a vineyard damaged by the 2017 California Wildfires - within our usual price range (Up to $20/bottle for Single Attendee, between $20 - $40/bottle for Couples, couples only expected to bring 1 bottle per couple)
2) AND wrapped gift for our Annual Blanc Elephant Exchange ($15 suggested price range).

We will take up a collection if anyone wishes to help.  Tax Deductible Donations will go to Habitat For Humanity of Sonoma County (501c3), project "Rebuilding Sonoma County from Wildfire Disaster" - Abbie's employer will match up to $1000 of our donations.

Here is the list of vineyards damaged in the fires: 
Napa County wineries:
Signorello Vineyard
Stags’ Leap Winery
White Rock Vineyards
William Hill Estate Winery
Darioush
Hagafen Cellars
Helena View Johnston Vineyards
Segassia Vineyard
VinRoc

Sonoma County wineries:
Paradise Ridge Winery
Ancient Oak Cellars
Sky Vineyards
Nicholson Ranch
Chateau St. Jean
Mayo Family Wineries
Gundlach Bundschu Winery

Mendocino County wineries:
Frey Vineyards Winery
Oster Wine Cellars
Golden Vineyards
Sources: http://fortune.com/2017/10/10/california-wine-country-fire-vineyard/
http://fortune.com/2017/10/11/napa-wineries-damaged-by-fires/
http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/California-Wine-Fire-Road-Ahead

Tasting Notes:
Welcome Wine:  2015 Frey Chardonnay ~ $13.99 @ Total Wine
13.5% alcohol

1) 2015 Darioush Napa Valley Chardonnay ~ $52.00 @  Total Wine

2) 2016 Dirty & Rowdy Mourvedre ~ $29.00
13.3% alcohol

3) 2016 Frey Pinot Noir ~ $17.00
13.7% alcohol

4) 2013 William Hill Estate Winery Central Coast Merlot ~ $13.00

5) 2013 Gundlach Bundschu Sonoma Valley Merlot ~ $29.99

6) 2014 Stags Leap Napa Valley Merlot ~ $30
14.1% alcohol

7) 2015 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $60
14.5% alcohol

8) 2013 William Hill Estate Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $34.99

9) 2013 Gundlach Bundschu Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $40.00

10) 2013 William Hill Estate Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $34.99

11) Spann Vineyards Lot 12 Betsy's Backacher ~ $24.00
48% Merlot, 39% Syrah, 6% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Sangiovese
13.4% alcohol

Lesser Known Italian Wines at Brookhaven Wines

Lesser Known Italian Wines 
at Brookhaven Wines

When:  Thursday, September 21st, 2017 - 7:00pm

Bring:  TWITs paid $20/person and everyone brought a potluck side dish to go with the wine

Theme:  Lesser Known Italian Wines - Eddie from Brookhaven Wines curated the wines for us

Menu:
Lamb Bolognese
Gluten-Free Baguette
Bruschetta Spread
Italian Cheese
Salami
Heirloom tomato salad with basil, onion, and balsamic vinegar dressing
Italian Olives
Saksuka
Arancini with spicy tomato sauce

Tasting Notes:
1) NV Cinzia Sommariva Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore
100% Prosecco (Glera), 11.5% alcohol

2) 2014 Benanti Etna Biano
100% Carricante, 12% alcohol
Carricante, grown as alberello (free standing bush). This indigenous vine is cultivated only on Etna. Its name seems to be attributed by the vine-growers of Viagrande because of its characteristics of allowing a good, constant production over the years. The bunches, at ripeness are of average length, usually scattered; the grape is medium-sized with very pruinose skin and a green-yellowish color. 
The pulp is juicy and the taste is simple and sweet.

3) 2015 La Miraja Grignolino D'Asti
100% Grignolino, 13% alcohol
Grignolino is a red-wine grape from the Monferrato hills of Piedmont. The pale red wine that Grignolino grapes produce is a local curiosity (particularly in eastern Piedmont), and its lack of depth and charm means it has very few fans outside the region. The name Grignolino derives from the Piedmontese dialectal term grignolo, which means "pip". It serves as a warning that the variety produces grapes abundant in pips, and therefore tannins. The name does not, however, give any hint as to the grapes' searing acidity. Naturally high levels of tannin and acidity might suggest that Grignolino could rank alongside Piedmont's two most successful red varieties, Nebbiolo and Barbera, whose tannin and acid structure is a key element in their success. But this has not proven to be the case. The absence of warmth and intrigue in Grignolino wines has left the variety as a kind of back-up; it performs a similar role to Dolcetto (a fill-in wine to provide something to drink while the "proper" wines develop in barrel and bottle). If Grignolino had Dolcetto's depth, or if Dolcetto had Grignolino's acidity, things might be quite different, but fate has consigned these two grape varieties to the lower echelons of Piedmont's red wine grapes.  Despite the current lack of demand for Grignolino wines in general, there are two DOC titles devoted to the grape: Grignolino d'Asti and Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese.

4) 2013 Lechthaler Teroldego Rotaliano
100% Teroldego 13% alcohol
Intense ruby red. Bright nose of ripe black cherry, distinct sweet earth and tobacco. Smooth texture with notes of cherries, black raspberry, earth, and a touch of spice with ample acidity and medium tannins. Pairs well with vegetarian dishes, fish, poultry, pork and beef

5) 2008 Isole e Olena Syrah Collezione Privata, IGT
100% Syrah, 13.5% alcohol
"The 2008 Syrah Collezione Privata jumps from the glass with expressive, pungent aromatics and waves of super-expressive dark red/black stone fruits. Mint, sage, tobacco, rosemary and plums all develop in the glass, adding further dimensions of complexity. An intensely floral, savory finish laced with lavender, violets, rose petals and spices rounds things out. At six years of age, the 2008 Syrah remains fresh, vibrant and impeccable in its purity. In particular, the interplay of dense fruit and cooler, varietal Syrah notes is compelling. 94 points"
–Sept 2014, Antonio Galloni - Vinous Media

6) 2010 Tenuta Castelbuono 'Carapace', Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG, Italy
100% Sagrantino, 15% alcohol
"Intense, slightly mature garnet. Pleasurable nose of black berry fruits, orange peel and fine spices. Robust, full palate that is still fairly reticent and supported by a robust structure. Vegetal presence marks the finish. Promising. " Gilbert & Gaillard

Spooky-good-to-be-true Bargain Bin Wines - Saturday October 8th, 2016

Spooky-good-to-be-true Bargain Bin Wines - Saturday October 8th, 2016

Happy HalloWine!  

When:  Saturday October 8th, 2016 - 2 pm - 5pm ET   

Theme:  Spooky-good-to-be-true Bargain Bin Wines

Where:  

Le Caveau Fine Wines

5256 Peachtree Rd. 
Suite 102

Atlanta, GA 30341
770-837-0710

Recipe:   Chilled Creamy Cucumber Soup - Deb said she didn't need to add water to it.
All cheese purchased at CostCo, Whole Foods, Kroger (on Hammond in Sandy Springs)

Cheese to Wine Scale:
(Affinage is French term describing the aging and maturity level of cheeses)
Soft Cheeses  <------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Hard Cheeses
Fresh, High water, milky                                                  Affinage                                     Moisture evaporates - leaves
delicate,                                                                                                                                        behind the fat and protein (flavors) 
                                                                                                                                                       older more rich and savory

Delicate Wines  <-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Bold Wines
Young wines have primary                                                                                                      Time spent in cask or bottle knit
notes: fresh, spirited, lively aromas                                                                                       together and acquire nuance.
bright flavors of fruits, flowers, citrus,                                                                                  Secondary notes of oak, toast, 
herbs and spice                                                                                                                           earth, oxidation, minerals, umami
                                                                                                                                                        more complex and savory


Tasting Notes:
1) 2014 La Grange Tiphaine 'Noveau-Nez' Petillant Montlouis-sur-Loire - $28
13% alcohol,
100% Chenin Blanc farmed organically (certified ECOCERT in 2008) practicing biodynamic.  Damien and Coralie Delecheneau are based in Touraine-Amboise but work many vineyards in Montlouis.  This petillant naturel is made in the typical, minimal-intervention manner. The grapes were picked at a potential alcohol of 13.8%, Still in fermentation, the wine is bottled with 14 g/l of residual sugar after which secondary fermentation happens naturally in the bottle.  In the glass it has a vibrant gold with a fine yet plentiful bead.  There is a nose of grilled peaches and rose petals, peppered with nuances of marzipan and a touch of baked apple, yet despite this, it feels fresh with bright and powdery edges.
Cheese Pairing:  Blue Castello St. Agur

2) 2015 Chateau Ducasse Blanc Bordeaux  - $17
12% alcohol,
60% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Muscadelle.
Made from 45+ year-old sustainably farmed vines planted within the Graves appellation of Bordeaux in limestone and clay soils, the wine is a blend of 60% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc, and 5% Muscadelle.  Aged entirely in stainless for 6 months before bottling, the wine displays fresh fruited, lively mineral character.  Fresh citrus, honeysuckle, and a bevy of tropical fruits, green mango, papaya, passion fruit, plantains.  The finish is long and oily lingering for some time.
Cheese Pairings:  Dubliner Aged Cheddar, Lancashire, Mahon, Derby, Brie

3) 2015 Domaine du Couron Rose Ardeche - $ 11
14% alcohol
100% Grenache
Jean_Luc and Marie-Lise Dorthe produce this dry rose exclusively from their 39-year old, sustainably farmed vines of Grenache.  The juice is rested on skins for precisely 8 1/2 hours to get this exact color and fresh-fruited aromas of strawberry, watermelon, and citrus.  With a rich, fresh-fruited palate and a slightly honeyed texture, it is easy to understand why this was handily our best-selling rose last summer, selling out in 3 weeks.
Cheese Pairings:  Oussau-Iraty, Azeitao, Tete des Moines, Gruyere, Cheshire

4) 2013 Bodega de Pinoso 'Flos de Pinoso' Alicante - $13
14% alcohol
100% Monastrell
Vinified from 100% organically farmed Monastrell entirely in stainless tanks, the 'Flos de Pinoso' boasts a remarkably perfumed, fresh-fruited nose.  Wild red and black berries along with dark spice, combine with integrated tannins and acidity on the palate.  Decidedly fresher and more toned than a lot of the chewy, dense Monastrell coming from this eastern Spanish region, the wine is an easy match with BBQ
Cheese Pairings:  Manchego

5) 2015 Domaine Duseigneur 'La Chapelle' Cotes du Rhone  - $14
14% alcohol
50/50% Grenache/Syrah Blend
composed of equal parts biodynamically farmed old-vine Grenache and Syrah, this delightful fruit-driven Rhone is easy to love.  The grapes are sourced from clay hills above the Rhone river, just across from Chateauneuf du Pape.  Fermented entirely in stainless, the wine has wonderful freshness. Founded in 1967, the domaine's principles of respecting soil and environment lead it to be among the first to embrace organic farming in the Rhone.
Cheese Pairings:  Dubliner Aged Cheddar, Cheshire, St. Nectaire, aged Gruyere, Manchego, Gouda

6) 2010 Quinta do Mondego 'Mondeco' Tinto Dao  - $11
13.5% alcohol
Blend of Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen & Baga
Made from hand-harvested Tinta Roriz (aka: Tempranillo), Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen & Baga.  Fermentation in small stainless steel tanks, with 10% of the blend aged in French Oak casks for 12 months.  Intense, dark garnet color and elegant aromas of fresh dark fruits with a touch of mint and cigar box.  A full bodied palate of rich, ripe dark fruits is balanced with good acidity and firm tannins.  91 pts from wine enthusiast.
Cheese Pairings:  sharp cheddar, Azeitao, Mahon, Manchego

(not planned, but Marnie brought a bottle to share)
7) 2014 Cooper & Thief Cellarmasters Select Red Wine Blend  ~ $30
17% alcohol
Cooper & Thief is a dark and jammy red blend comprised of 38% Merlot, 37% Syrah, 11% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% other red varieties, and loaded with bourbon-inspired flavors and aromas. Aging for three months in ex-bourbon barrels gives way to soft velvety tannins, with a subtle heat. The combined result is a rich flavor with a long, lingering finish.
Reminded me of Orin Swift's The Prisoner but with more Port-like notes.
Cheese Pairings:  Blue cheese

Photos:

Farewell to Marnie at Kaleidoscope Bistro

January TWITs:

When:  Saturday, January 16th, 2016 6:30pm ET

Theme:  Farewell to Marnie at Kaleidoscope Bistro

Where:  

Kaleidoscope Bistro and Pub

Village Place Brookhaven

1410 Dresden Drive Suite 100

Atlanta, GA 30319

          404-474-9600 
Wines:
 We tasted 
"Parallele 45" Cotes du Rhone
Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, La Marca

Champagne, Laurent Perrier 

Friday, November 20th, 2015 - Au Rendezvous

Friday, November 20th, 2015 7pm ET at "Au Rendezvous Bistro"

Theme:  Wines from France and some lovely affordable French Cuisine!


Bring:  TWITs should bring a bottle of wine from France.  The wine could be a red, white, or sparkling wine.  It is up to you.
Au Rendezvous does charge a $4/person/visit corking fee.

Where:  Au Rendezvous Bistro
4102 Clairmont Rd
Chamblee, GA 30341
Tel. 404-303-1968 or 404-343-4983

RSVP:  Please email the TWITS mailbox to RSVP so we can give a headcount to the restaurant.
appetizers will be provided, but there is a full menu if you would like to have dinner there.  I hope you will find, as we did, that this is a rare, affordable French restaurant, a hidden gem in Atlanta.

Tasting Notes:
1) 2013 Domaine Romaneaux-Destezel Herve Souhaut L'Ardeche ~ $ unknown.
70% Viognier, 30% Rousanne, 12% alcohol
peaches, orange blossom, dune blosson, burnt candy

2) 2012 Domaine de la Pinte Arbois Pupillin Jura Chardonnay Fonteneille ~ $30 @ Le Caveau
Chardonnay
orange cream, unfiltered, smells like a church with flowers, hyacinth, a dead church, gladiolis (which is apparently a funeral flower in Germany)

3) 2014 Domaine Jean-Paul Dubost "Recolte" Beaujolais Villages Tracot ~ $20 @ Le Caveau
100% Gamay
tart, oranges, cranberries, buttery, brick color, tastes like turkey

4) 2012 Domaine Vinci Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes ROC ~$23 @ Le Caveau
70% Carignan, 30% Mourvèdre, 12.5% alcohol
funky, saddle just been wiped down, barnyard, licorice, sourdough bread a foot away

5) 2010 Domaine du Pesquier Cotes du Rhone ~ $20
56% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 14% Carignan. 14.5% alcohol
delicious, dark fruits and berries

6) 2014 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Cotes du Rhone - $12.99 @ Whole Foods Briarcliff
60% Grenache, 40% Syrah
13.5% alcohol
smooth and balanced, fruity, dark berry, garrigue, spicy, lavender