Chocolate & Wine Tasting at Wilbur's

Wilbur's is hosting a chocolate and wine tasting Thursday afternoon, from 4:30-6:30.

Any of these wines that you purchase from Freeport Cheese & Wine will be 10% off!

The Wines

The White Wines:

Flora Springs Chardonnay 2007 (California) Reg. $16.99, Sale $11.99 – We sold out of the 2006 and National sent us 5 cases of the 2007! This has really nice toasty aromas of pineapple, pears and peaches. The wine does not go through malolactic fermentation so it has a lot of bright, fresh acidity. The wine does have the weight, texture and heft of a buttery, creamy Chardonnay due to its aging on lees for months. This is a well-balanced Chardonnay. This is not overly oaked. Balanced, balanced Chardonnay. Organically farmed. Solar-powered winery. 50% aged in French oak that is 1/3 new barrels, 1/3 2^nd usage and 1/3 3^rd usage (what all that means is that the wine is not oaky – the 1^st time you use an oak barrel, you leech out 80% of the oaky flavors and aromas). Food pairing – roasted chicken, lobster, scallops.

Cantina Girlan Pinot Bianco San Martino 2006 (Italy) Reg. $17.99, Sale $8.99 - We just tasted this two weeks ago with Art from National and we really liked it. It has a depth and complexity that comes to good white wines after a couple of years in the bottle. This is from the Alto Adige in Northeastern Italy, an area renowned for excellent white wines. This is one of them. This area is also known as the Sudtirol. This has aromas of apples, flowers, citrus, tropical fruit and peaches. The wine has a rich, soft texture to it and a smooth finish. 100% Pinot Blanc. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Food pairing – Pinot Biancos are extremely versatile wines when it comes to food. Pair with fish, Thai food, Sunday brunch, shellfish, creamy soups, etc.

The Red Wines:

TAZ Pinot Noir 2007 (Santa Barbara, California) Reg. $24.99, Sale $12.99 – I first tasted this wine about 4-6 months ago. I liked it a lot. At the same time, in this economy, I was thinking, “What am I going to do with an unknown $25 Pinot?” Well, it’s no longer $25 and it is still unknown and it still tastes good! Aromas of strawberries, black tea, black cherries and baking spices. Flavors of vanilla, baking spices, red cherries, dark berries and a bit of earth. The founder, Bob Steinhauer, is nicknamed the “Tasmanian Devil.” 100% Pinot Noir from 2 distinctly different vineyard areas. One is in the Santa Maria Valley and these grapes add a silky, soft texture with red fruit and floral notes. The second is the Fiddlestix Vineyard and that is a weightier Pinot with more dark fruit. Each lot of grapes is vinified separately and aged in French oak (40% new) for 9 months. Food pairing – roasted or grilled poultry, salmon, leg of lamb, lamb chops.

Tuttobene Toscano Rosso IGT 2006 (Italy) Reg. $14.99, Sale $7.99 – Blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Canaiolo from the highly acclaimed Tuscan winery Tenimenti Angelini. This winery is a Tre Bicchieri winner producing wines in the 3 major areas of Tuscany: Chianti, Montalcino and Montepulciano. Tuttobene means “All is well.” This has that classic Sangiovese red brick color. It’s medium-bodied with soft tannins. The Sangiovese brings that red fruit characteristic and the Merlot adds a soft roundness to the wine. Aromas and flavors of red currants, raspberries, plums and Tuscan herbs. Crisp acidity. Food pairing – lighter dishes, roast chicken, pasta, pizza, Pecorino Toscano or Manchego.

Boekenhoutskloof “The Wolftrap” Syrah/ Mourvèdre/Viognier 2009 (South Africa) $11.99 - A fantastic wine and a great value! Aromas of red berries, bacon, spice, plums & vanilla. Flavors of mocha, dark & red berries, vanilla and plums. Nice earthiness and soft tannins. 65% Syrah, 32% Mourvèdre & 3% Viognier. Aged up to 8 months in 90% French oak. Pays tribute to the early pioneers on the Cape who built a "wolftrap." Alas, no wolf, real or mythical, has ever been seen here! Food pairing – A+ everyday wine! Tops with roasted & grilled meats, stews & hearty vegetarian dishes!

The Dessert Wine:

Chocovine Chocolate Raspberry Wine $12.99 - If you like Bailey’s Irish Cream, give this a shot! Tastes like a rich chocolate raspberry sauce with a little kick! Rich dark chocolate from Holland blended with good Cabernet Sauvignon from France. Rich and chocolaty. Drink over ice or use it to make a chocolate martini! Or, come up with your own drink with it!

CHAMBERS Rutherglen Muscat NV (Australia) $17.99 - Ohhhh…my goodness…this is good…nectar of the gods good…Truly great…wonderful, HEART-WARMING to drink! Wonderful aromas…silky, supple feel… it goes down as smooth as it smells and starts. Often a dessert wine; try it as an aperitif, particularly on a cool day. A small glass goes a long way – warming the soul as well as the stomach. This wine will keep for months after opening, providing you recork it after each serving. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93 points