Thursday, February 14, 2013

Tasting Notes - 2013 - February


Romance with Sparkling Wines


Presented by Deb Mortillaro from Dreadnought Wines
Hosted by Metha Hillard and Leanna Ryba



This tasting featured six sparkling wines and Champagnes provided by Dreadnought Wines in the Strip District.  The wines were from California, Italy, Spain, and of course, France.   To compliment the bubbly, we had:

o   Gorgonzola Dolce from Italy
o   Brebiou from the French Pyrennes with smoked paprika chocolate crackers
o   French bread with ham loaf
o   Roasted fingerling potatoes
o   Shortbread heart cookies with rosewater icing
o   Raspberry dark chocolates

The wines presented were:
 Kiara Sparking Wine                     Paso Robles, CA              $17.86
o   A semi-sweet sparkling wine with a hint of green apple.  Perfect for any occasion
 Carra Pulcinella Prosecco               Veneto, Italy                   $14.79
o   A crisp sparkler with apple fruit flavours and good body preceding a dry finish.  With less alcohol and fewer bubbles, this is an ideal aperitif.
 Monmousseau Brut Etoile            Loire Valley France           $16.49
o   Refined, persistent bubbles with a pale gold color.  The nose is fruity, lively and fresh.  The palate is well balanced and displays aromas of white fruit.
Pares Balta Cava Brut                   Penedes Spain                 $14.79
o   58% Parellada, 25% Macabeo, and 17% Xarello.  Soft, yellow green in color with fine bubbles.  It has an enticing nose of white peach, apple, pear, melon and lime.  Crisp and bright, dry with medium body.
Aubry Brut                                   Champagne France           $48.79
o   This non-vintage brut is a pretty, graceful wine layered with expressive red fruit, dried roses, and sweet herbs.  The finish is round, caressing and inviting.  25% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, 45% Meunier, and 5% other grapes.
 Rene Geoffroy Brut Rose             Champagne France           $77.29
o   The non-vintage Brut Rose de Saignee Premier Cru is cool, mineral and reserved, with power to burn.  This wine really needs another 6 to 12 months on the cork to recover from its relatively recent disgorgement, but it is a jewel.

To order any of the above wine, please visit www.dreadnoughtwines.com.