Wine Tasting, Flavors of Freeport

Wine, Beer & Spirits Tasting
Flavors of Freeport
Hilton Garden Inn
5 Park Street, Freeport
(207) 865-1433
Saturday, Feb. 7th
1:00-4:00pm

This is the 2nd Annual Flavors of Freeport (link).

Who is there?

• Cold River Vodka
• Gritty's (you should see the moveable wooden bar they have for events!) - try their new 21 IPA (its their 21st year!) and a Red Ale made especially for this event!
• SOPO Wines
• Wicked Wines and Beers
• Mariner Beverages (wines and beers)
• National Distributors

There will be a dozen or more beers, 25+ wines, a cider or 2 and Cold River Vodka to taste.

Tickets are $15/person.

The Wines: (I'll update this with info through the night)

Sparkling Wines:

• Scagliola Moscato D'asti "Primo Baci" (means "First Kiss")
• Villa Cornaro Prosecco

Whites:

• Sun Garden Riesling 2007 (Germany)
• Marchetti Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2006 (Marche, Italy) $13.99 - This is one of the best Mediterranean whites under $15 I've ever tasted! Wonderful citrus and mineral flavors and aromas. This also has notes of green apples and tropical fruits. Vibrant acidity and loads of minerality throughout the wine. Picks up a little nuttiness (almonds?) on the finish. Long, crisp finish! Maurizio Marchetti, the winemaker, only uses the best grapes (most years he gets no more than 1/2 a bottle from a single vine). 2,100 cases. Food pairing - seafood, shellfish, swordfish, etc. Great with poultry. Organic Farming
• Touraine Sauvignon Blanc (France)
• Joseph Drouhin La Foret Blanc (France)
• Peter Lehman “Layers” (Australia) - brand new to Maine!
• Franciscan Chardonnay (California)
• White Oak Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (California) Reg. $16.99 Sale $13.99 - This is AWESOME! A tasty, yummy, aromatic wine from the Russian River Valley. Aromas and flavors of nectarines, grapefruit and melons. Just a touch of vanilla on the finish which is clean and crisp with hints of citrus. 100% cold-fermented in stainless steel. Aged “sur-lie” to add complexity & roundness. 5,838 cases made. This is White Oak’s Flagship wine! Food pairing - Great choice with shellfish, lobster, fish, lighter chicken dishes, etc.
• R. Stuart & Company Big Fire Pinot Gris 2006 (Oregon) $13.99 - Yum! This wine is crisp and delicious with flavors of pears, apples and delicate blossoms. Aromas of honeysuckle. Finish is big and crisp! Food pairing - Wonderful wine with Maine shellfish! Thai food, sushi, salads, spicy grilled shrimp.....Wine Enthusiast, "Best Value Oregon Pinot Gris"

Reds:

• Pietra Santa Winery Sacred Stone Master’s Red Blend Cask #4 (California) $10.99 - Delicious! Smooth! Rich! Soft! Juicy! Loads of ripe plums and cherries. Dark and lush! Crisp acidity and a rich, soft finish! Blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Dolcetto. 18,088 cases made. 24 months in French and American oak. Food pairing – great wine for a party – your guests will thank you for serving this! Drinks well with or without food. Grilled foods! Barbecue. Pizza. Pasta. Poultry. Mushrooms. Etc.
• Cantine La Quercia Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2006 (Italy) Reg. 15.99, Sale $11.99, By the Case $9.99 - Delicious wine from Italy! Medium-bodied with lush, ripe red and dark berries in the aromas and flavors. Spicy notes in the flavors. Smooth and soft drinking! Dusty tannins that don’t overwhelm the flavors. 100% Montepulciano. 4-6 months bottle aging and 4-6 months barrel aging in 10 year-old oak barrels. 2,000 cases made. Organic farming. Food pairing – meats, roasts and pasta dishes.
• Maestre de Campo Malbec 2004 (Argentina) $14.99 - Well-balanced wine with real nice tannins (they've smoothed out) and dark fruit with notes of mocha and chocolate. 100% Malbec. Aged 12 months in French and American oak barrels. Vinedos Los Maitenes is the work of 2 close friends with a background in winemaking. They founded this estate in 2001. One characteristic of this winery is that they hold wine at the winery until it is ready to drink - so you can pull the cork on this and be confident is has sufficient barrel/tank and bottle aging! Food pairing - steak, beef, lamb, pasta dishes, lasagna, etc. Luigi Bosca Malbec (Argentina)
• Olympic Cellars Handyman Red (Washington)
• Moillard “Les Violettes” Côtes du Rhône 2007 (France) $11.99 - An AWESOME wine & a great value! It’s hard to think of a wine that gives you more “bang for the buck!” Aromas of dried cherries, berries, pepper & herbs. Flavors of plums, red & dark berries & peppery spice. Subtle minerality. It has a warm, soft feel in the mouth. Bright, fresh smooth finish. Soft tannins. Food pairing – Mushroom dishes, grilled or roasted meats, pizza, hearty meals. Drinks well on its own, too! Organic Farming
• Michael Pozzan Annabella Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
• Joseph Drouhin La Foret Rouge (France)
• Angeline Pinot Noir (California)
• Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz 2005 (Australia) Reg. $17.99 Sale $14.99 - A “killer” Shiraz at this price! Aromas of berries, cherries, toffee and herbs. Flavors of intense plums, bittersweet chocolate, Moderate tannins. Clean finish with nice length. Aged in French and American oak hogsheads for 12 months. Not an “oaky” wine – the time in oak just softens the wine! Food pairing - Excellent choice for just drinking, a good steak, lamb chops & aged cheddar! Wine Spectator, 91 points
• X Winery Red X (California)
• X Winery Syrahtica (California)
• The Red One (Australia)

Dessert:

• Trentadue Chocolate Amore (California)

Beers & Cider:

• Fuller’s London Porter (England) - Brand new to Maine!
• O’Hara’s Irish Stout (Ireland) - Brand new to Maine!
• Erdinger HefeWeizen Dark (Germany) - Brand new to Maine!
• J.K. Scrumpy Cider (USA)
• Kwak (Belgium)
• Lion Stout (Sri Lanka)

Freeport Cheese & Wine

Freeport, ME 04032

(207) 865-3993

July 31st Wine Tasting

July 31st Wine Tasting

Freeport Cheese & Wine

27 Bow Street

Freeport, ME 04032

Where: Hilton Garden Inn

What: Wines from South America

When: 5:30-7:30pm

How: $10/person to taste this flight of wines!

The focus is on wines from the South America - Chile and Argentina!

The Wineries

Maipe (Argentina) - Maipe is a family-owned winery in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The vineyards are at 3,000 feet elevation. The vineyards are in Agrelo and Lujan de Cuyo, the 2 best growing areas in Mendoza. They farm organically. The warm days and cool nights in the high deserts help the grapes fully ripen over a long growing season. Maipe was the "Lord of the Winds" for the ancient Andean people. Argentines still invoke his name to clear the skies after a heavy rain or to ease the summer heat.

De Martino Winery (Chile) - De Martino and its winemaker, Marcelo Retimal, have been voted "Winery and Winemaker of the Year" in Chile for 5 years in a row by the Chilean wine guide, "Guia Vinoes de Chile." The family has produced wine in Chile for over 70 years and today they are considered one of the driving forces behind the rising quality of Chilean wines in the world market.

Fabre Montmayou (Argentina) - Owned by Domaine Vistalba, Fabre Montmayou is in the Lujan de Cuyo region of Mendoza. Its vineyards are well above 3,000 feet elevation. They make their wines in a more restrained and less "modern" style (not "fruit-forward"). Herve Fabre was in the first wave of French winemakers to arrive in Mendoza. His estates have been producing wine in Mendoza since the early 1990's.

Ricardo Santos (Argentina) - Ricardo Santos was the first Argentine winemaker to export Malbec to the USA over 30 years ago. He's the former owner of the Norton Winery. He left a career in architecture, convinced that Argentina could produce wines equal to anywhere in the world.

The Wines

Whites

Maipe* Torrontes 2007 (Argentina) $11.99 - We LOVE this! It’s AWESOME! Aromas of oranges, fresh white peaches, pears, green apples, melons and roses! Flavors of peaches, green apples, pears and minerals. Nice weight to this. Fresh and refreshing. Nice acidity. Long, dry finish with a bit of spiciness to it. 100% Torrontes. Torrontes is a cross of Muscat and Mission (Paies in Chile & Criolla in Argentina). Hand-harvested. Maipe farms organically. Stainless steel fermentation. Food pairing – seafood, spicy foods, smoked meats, mild-to-medium strong cheeses. Drinks well without food.

De Martino* Organically-Grown Grapes Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Chile) $15.99 - This is a tasty Sauvignon Blanc! Rocking good and distinctive! It's bright, fresh & young & you should drink it that way! Lots of fresh lemon in the aromas and flavors, but it isn't tart...nice combination of minerals and fruits in the flavors & minerality. Long finish that is crisp and clean...the finish is driven more by minerals than fruit. Well-balanced acidity. 100% stainless steel fermentation. Organically grown grapes. Natural yeasts. Food pairing - shellfish, lobster, chicken roasted with lemons, pasta primavera (veggies with a cream sauce). Gold Medal Winner, 1st "International Green Wine Competition"

De Martino Legado Reserva Chardonnay 2006 (Chile) $15.99 - WONDERFUL! A "Baby Kistler!" Big aromas & flavors. Pears, green apples, minerals, vanilla, spice, oak, subtle buttery, creamy feel...all of these components are well-balanced. Crisp & bright in terms of fruit & minerality. From the Limari Valley - a cooler area than Maipu & it is BONE dry...the soil is clay, limestone & large riverbed stones. 100% French oak barrels; 50% new oak. 1 year in the barrel, sur lies, before bottling. 4,270 cases made. Food pairing – roasted chicken, salmon, creamy pasta dishes, etc. Wine Spectator, 89 points

Rosé

Fabre Montmayou Rosé of Malbec 2006 (Argentina) $13.99 - Delicious rosé from South America! Aromas and flavors of violets, raspberries, strawberries and red cherries! Nice acidity to balance the fruit in the wine. Dry finish that lasts! Stainless steel fermentation. 100% Malbec. Food pairing - drinks well on its own. Great with tuna, grilled chicken, green salads, pasta and spicy Asian dishes.

Reds:

De Martino Legado Reserva Carménère 2005 (Chile) $15.99 - Wonderful! A bang-up, fabulous wine! It's soft & rich in the mouth! Aromas of black cherries, black plum, red berries, hints of vanilla & cocoa. Soft, supple texture. The flavors are similar to the aromas. This just drinks so nicely! It's a treat. Aged 12 months in French oak barriques. 37% of the barrels are new. 100% Maipo Valley fruit. Food pairing - roasted and grilled meats. Mushroom dishes. Lasagna. Drinks well on its own! Wine Spectator, 88 points, "100 Great Value Wines!"

Maipe* Mendoza Malbec 2007 (Argentina) $11.99 - Excellent wine & a great value! Aromas and flavors of flowers, ripe figs, dark berry fruit and more! Wonderful floral aromas at the start. Soft, integrated tannins. Nice length on the finish! I’ve tasted this immediately after opening it & a day or two later – it’s been good both ways; decanting will open up the flavors & aromas! 10% aged in oak for 3 months. Organic farming. Food pairing - drinks well on its own. Great with roasted & grilled meats, rich pasta dishes, etc.

Ricardo Santos La Madras Vineyard, Mendoza Malbec 2006 (Argentina) $18.99 - We loved this wine when we tasted it recently – big, rich, tasty, interesting! Aromas of dark fruit, dark semisweet chocolate & figs…a little “funky” aromas at the start. Soft, rich fruit at the start. Peppery spice mid-palate. Nice “legs” in the glass. Well-balanced acidity & tannins. Long, long finish. Aged 6 months in French & American oak. Hand-harvested. Gently pressed. High altitude vineyard; single vineyard. Food pairing - Drinks well with roasted or grilled meats, aged cheeses such as Parm or Piave Vecchio…drinks well on its own if you like bigger wines. Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points, "Editors' Choice"

De Martino Legado Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2005 (Chile) $15.99 - Brand new to Maine and to me....looking forward to trying it....I've like everything this winery has made!

Sparkling

Rashi Moscato d'Asti 2005 (Italy) $15.99 - This is a delightful sparkler of 100% Moscato showing similar aromatic characteristics of Torrentes - white peaches and honeysuckle. Because of its low alcohol, only 5.5%, it's the perfect wine on a hot summer day!