May 11, 2009

May Wine Tasting

May Wine Tasting
Friday, May 15th, 3:30-7:30pm.
Freeport Cheese & Wine


It's FREE! From 3:30-7:30pm!

Duelling Distributors!

Featuring wines from Argentina, Chile, France and Spain! Geoff Sturgess from Nappi Distributors will be here and he just returned from a trip to Argentina and Chile - so, we'll taste wines from places he visited! Tim Wissemann from Mariner Beverages will also be here with wines that are brand new to Maine!

The Wines

Geoff's Wines (Nappi)

Whites
  1. Cono Sur Vision Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Chile) Reg. $13.99 Sale $12.99 - This is somewhat of a cross between New Zealand and California. It has some of those gooseberry/citrus notes that New Zealand has, but not as much grassiness. This is crisp and vibrant. Nice acidity. Drinks well with lighter dishes and without food.
  2. Dona Paula Estate Chardonnay 2005 (Argentina) $13.99 - nice value Chardonnay from Argentina! Aromas and flavors of pears, apples, figs and toast. Wine Spectator, 89 points.
  3. Errazuriz Wild Fermentation Chardonnay 2007 (Chile) $22.99 - What does Wild Fermentation mean? It means that no yeast is added to the grapes....that only the yeast naturally on the grapes starts the fermentation - this results in a slower fermentation. That means the flavors are more complex, subtle and layered.
  4. Cono Sur Vision Gewurztraminer 2006 (Chile) Reg. $13.99 Sale $12.99 - aromas and flavors of lychee nuts and pink grapefruit. A pleasing, subtle bitter note on the finish.

Roses

  1. Alta Vista Malbec Rose 2007 (Argentina) $10.99 - as a rule, Malbec roses are darker than most French ones - they spend more time in skin contact. This adds weight and tannins to the wine, so you don't have to drink them at as young of an age - they hold up better.
Reds
  1. Cono Sur Sustainable Agriculture Pinot Noir 2007 (Chile) $12.99 - nice bright color! Very aromatic. This is juicy and fresh tasting. Notes of cherries, raspberries, strawberries, plums and a little smokiness. Drink with mushrooms and dishes with Provencal herbs, fish, etc.
  2. Dona Paula Malbec 2007 (Argentina) $14.99 - Rich, dark wine! Notes of currants, chocolate, coffee, dark berries and herbs. Wine Spectator, 90 points
  3. Montgras Reserva Carmenere 2008 (Chile) $13.99 - This has some of the green bell pepper aroma that typifies Carmenere, but it is not in the flavors! Merlot mouthfeel - smooth and rich! Flavors are more Syrah-like - peppery, spicy, dark fruit! NY Times #1 rated Carmenere!
  4. Montgras Quattro 2007 (Chile) $18.99 - We love this! Blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, 25% Syrah and 15% Carmenere. Big and rich and lush!T

Tim's Wines (Mariner) - these are all brand new to Maine!

Whites

  1. Domaine Sallies Viognier 2008 (Languedoc, France) $11.99 - clean, beautiful wine. Nice and fragrant (which Viognier should be!). Unoaked.
  2. Domaine Sallies Chardonnay 2008 (Languedoc, France) $11.99 - not oaky. Sees some malolactic fermentation so it picks up a bit of creaminess. Lighter, cleaner style of Chardonnay!
  3. Schoenheitz Pinot Blanc 2006 (Alsace, France) $18.99 - I love this! Dry, minerally with nice fruit. This just screams for some shellfish, smoked fish or ham.
  4. Juan Luis Cana Rioja Blanca 2007 (Spain) $16.99 - Rich white from Rioja! Notes of stone fruits (peaches), vanilla and toasty oak! Also, hints of nuts, lemons and a crisp finish! Great with seafood paella!
Roses
  1. Domaine Begude Pinot Noir Rose 2008 (Languedoc, France) $15.99 - Another wine we love from one of our favorite new importers, Didier Boutet! Didier has some gems from France.....at great prices!
Reds
  1. Domaine Sallies Malbec 2007 (Languedoc, France) $11.99 - Really nice medium-bodied wine! This is a style of Malbec that is "dialed back" some from most Argentine Malbecs. Nice dark fruit, but its not "jammy" like some Argentine Malbecs nor is it oaky. You should try this and compare it to Geoff's Malbec and the Quattro!
  2. Porta dos Cavaleiros Reserva 1997 (Portuguese) $19.99 - When the new owners of moved into Porta dos Cavaleiros, they found this Reserva in a dark and dusty corner. It's just reaching its maturity! This is from the Dao region, Southeast of Porto. The label is made from cork. The color shows a little brick at the edge, which is appropriate for a wine its age. The fruit is more like stewed or dried berries than fresh. It has a little meatiness to it. Great with game, venison, casseroles.
  3. Vinedos y Bodegas Pablo Menguante Garnacha 2007 (Spain) $10.99 - This is more about being a subtle wine with dark fruit and minerals than it is being a "fruitbomb." They farm biodynamically. The vines are 80-100 years-old.
  4. Red Car Boxcar Syrah 2007 (California) $21.99 - This is a big, rich California Syrah without being to overblown! Loads of flavor! Earth, white pepper, dark fruit and cherries. About 25% of this sees oak.

Freeport Cheese & Wine
27 Bow Street
Freeport, ME 04032
(207) 865-3993
http://www.freeportwine.net/

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Wine Tasting & Art Gallery Opening

Wine Tasting
Tuesday, May 12th, 5:00-7:00pm.
Hilton Garden Inn, 5 Park Street, Freeport

The Freeport Square Satellite Gallery at the Hilton Garden Inn invites you to a GRAND OPENING! Specializing in showing the work of Maine artists, this unique collaboration brings some of the artwork out of the gallery directly to guests of the inn and locals! Artists showing include James Chute, Dennis Stein, Diana Washburn, Mea Zamora, Valerie Paul, Shelley Snodgrass and Sebastian Meade. Artwork includes acrylic and oil painting, watercolor and pastels, photography, prints and mixed media.

Meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments, a wine tasting with South Portland Wine Company. If you prefer a beer or other beverage, the Hilton has a bar! All this is FREE! At 7PM, join us in the lounge/bar to listen to the sounds of the Tony Boffa Trio! Call the Gallery (865-4758) or the Hilton (865-1433) for more info.
The Wines
All of these wines are from one importer, Grapes of Spain. They only deal in Spanish wines - and they excel at finding great tasting ones at great values! Wine reviewers such as Robert Parker, Wine Spectator, Jancis Robinson, Food & Wine and others rave about Aurelio Cabestrero's ability to find good wines at great prices.

Sparkling:

Conde de Subirats Brut Rose Cava (Penedes, Spain) $12.99 - Light pink with fine bubbles! Aromas of strawberries, red berries and a hint of fresh bread, baking spices and pepper. Flavors of lighter red fruit and a touch of fresh bread yeastiness. 90% Trepat and 10% Pinot Noir. From the heart of Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, the birthplace of Cava. Stainless steel fermentation. Aged 18 months in the bottle on lees before disgorging. Then the dosage is added to make the wine "bubbly." This is the same time-consuming, expensive method as Champagne and it results in finer, better, longer-lasting bubbles.

Flare Moscatel (Valencia, Spain) $12.99 - Moderately sweet bubbly that is great for a brunch or picnic or party! Aromas of apples, pears, flowers, anise and herbs. Flavors of apples and pears. Starts out sweet and then finishes with impression of dryness. 100% Moscatel (Muscat of Alexandria). Unfortified. Fermentation is stopped at 7.5% alcohol by chilling the tank and then filtering the yeast. Carbonation is created through the Charmat (Metodo Italiano) method - the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in the tank - this creates the bubbles - and then it is bottled.

Whites

Nessa Albarino 2008 (Rias Baixas, Spain) $14.99 - This is delicious! Spain’s best wine wine grape! Albariño! Wonderful aromas of peaches, pears, citrus, flowers & minerals. Flavors of white peaches, minerals & a wonderful, zippy acidity that has a little saline quality to it! It's medium-bodied & dry. Estate grown grapes. Stainless steel fermentation. Aged 1 month on lees to soften the texture. Food pairing - Great paired with fresh Maine seafood, especially shellfish! Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 88 points

Las Colinas del Ebro Garnacha Blanc 2007 (Terra Alta, Spain) $11.99 - Nice lighter citrus and orchard fruit flavors that are rich and intense, but not heavy. Aromas of pears, lemons, minerals and baking spices. 100% Garnacha Blanca from 100 year-old vines. Stainless steel - sees no oak. Hand-harvested. Aged on lees for 2 months to add complexity. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 88 points

Bodegas Pedro Escudor Fuente Elvira Verdejo 2007 (Rueda, Spain) $14.99 - Delicious! This is a perfectly bright, fresh and crisp wine. Great value! Aromas of grapefruit and herbs such as chives and freshly mown grass. Flavors of tangerines & tropical fruits. Well-balanced & integrated acidity. Finishes crisp, clean & dry. Rueda is best known for producing dry wines from the Verdejo grape. This is a great example! Single vineyard with vines that average 40 years. Think of this as a Spanish Sauvignon Blanc! Food pairing – oysters, sharp goat cheeses, green olives, lighter poultry dishes, smoked fish, etc. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 89 points

Red

Bodegas Tintoralba Almansa Higuerela Grenache 2008 (Almansa, Spain) $9.99 - We love this! Perfect summer red! We call this wine "Higgy" for short! This is one outstanding wine! It has nice, big, soft fruit (red & dark berries, plums)....a touch of pepper, but not too much. It's done completely in stainless steel - so the fruit is bright & fresh. Sees no oak. From Almansa. Food pairing - Try it on its own or with chicken, grilled veggies, salmon, etc.

El Talud Rioja 2006 (Rioja, Spain) $14.99 - Straightforward tasty wine showcasing fresh raspberry/boysenberry fruit. The tannins are round and soft. Nice length on the finish. Easy-drinking wine! 100% Tempranillo. Made from grapes from several micro-vineyards (about 2.5 acres each) from vines that are 40-78 years-old in the village of Cenicero in Rioja Alavesa. Fermented at cold temperatures in stainless steel - no oak.

Prima Toro 2006 (Toro, Spain) $22.99 - Lovely wine with a lingering finish that is loaded with soft, fresh fruit. Dark color. Aromas and flavors of cooked cherries, blackberries, minerals and fresh flowers. Some notes of baking spices and leather in the aromas. Smooth texture. Fine-grained tannins. Mouth-coating. 90% Tinta de Toro, 10% Grenache. Hand-harvested. Stainless steel fermentation. Aged 12 months in 2nd & 3rd use French and American oak barrels. Unfiltered. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 90 points; Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 89 points

Neo Vivir, Vivir 2007 (Ribera del Duero, Spain) $11.99 - 100% Tempranillo from 20-60 year-old vines in La Horra. Produced by J.C. Conde who makes Neo Sentido, a "WOW" high-end wine! Aged in tank (not oak) for 10 months before bottling. Deep, dark color. Aromas & flavors of minerals, baking spices, dark cherries & dark berries. Smooth texture. Drink over the next 3 years. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points, "Spain's Top 100 Wine Values"
Freeport Cheese & Wine
27 Bow Street
Freeport, ME 04032
(207) 865-3993
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