Blind Tasting Buddies, by Medium Plus

Charcuterie Party: Blind Tasting Buddies

Wine Tasting, June 6th, 2019

In this session, we celebrate the wonders of cured meats, from all over the world. Proscuittio, Foie Gras, Terrines, Pâté, and more! Some fruits-de-mer might be included too. Nick will be sourcing a full spread of goodies, so come prepared to eat, drink, and learn a few things. Discussion will be focused on the process of winemaking and food preservation, along with tips on food and beverage pairing.

R. López de Heredia – Archetype Tasting

Wine Tasting, May 29th, 2019

In the world of fine art, a Triptych is a three-panel image, often presented in large format display. Our tasting this week will reflect a similar concept, in presenting three individual wines of special prestige, from a single producer. I had the pleasure to visit Lopéz de Heredia in July of 2017, and the occasion remains among my most treasured wine experiences.

As Neal Martin describes below, the winery is very traditional in operations, with the welcome foyer being the most modern aspect of the whole winery. Barrels are produced at the winery’s own cooperage, hundreds of which are squirreled away in the deep caves of the Bodega. Bouncy black cellar mold lines the walls, and a sweet funky odor wafts in the subterranean air. Truthfully, the taste of the wines reflect this cellar terroir, as is the case with all wineries, clean or rustic.

One notable aspect of their winemaking is that the barrels are not new, at least for wines that are destined for market. Pressing juice is used to neutralize the wood, with at least three years for the new oak. Coconut and dill are common terms used for “American Oak” notes with Lopéz de Heredia wines, although my suspicion is that these aromas come more from oxidation, than from Lactone impact itself. Other producers may use some portion of new oak, either American or French, but the practice is varied. As with every region in the wine world, traditions and “classic styles” are ever-changing, and often beyond straightforward condensation.

Regardless, in the case of Rioja, the results are consistently delightful, as the wines from this week will surely indicate.

Nick Davis, May 2019, Seattle

Côte d’Azur and Occitanie: Blind Tasting Buddies

Wine Tasting, May 16th, 2019

Wine List:

• Florensac, Picpoul de Pinet
• 2015, Domaine d’Aupilhac, Les Cocalières, Languedoc
• 2017 Domaine Mas Cremat, Muscat de Rivesaltes, Vin Doux Naturel, Roussillon
• 2018 Minuty, Côtes de Provence Rosé
• 2017 Clos Cibonne, Cuvée Spéciale des Vignettes, Tibouren Rosé, Côtes de Provence
• 2015 Domaine Tempier, “La Tourtine” Bandol Rouge, Provence
• 2015 Les Vignes Oubliées, Terrasses du Larzac
• 2016 Les Vignes Oubliées, Terrasses du Larzac
• Hecht & Bannier, Syrah Grenache Carignan, Languedoc
• Château La Roque, Cuvée les Vieilles Vignes de Mourvèdre, Pic Saint Loup
• Domaine Olivier Pithon, Le Colt d’En Olby
• 2014 Domaine d’Aupilhac, Le Carignan
• 2011 Domaine de Trévallon, Alpilles Rouge
• 2014 Domaine de Trévallon, Alpilles Rouge
• 2015 Betz Family Winery, Clos de Betz, Red Wine Columbia Valley, WA
• 2015 Betz Family Winery, Père de Famille, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, WA

Sauvignon Blanc Comparison – Blind Tasting Buddies

Wine Tasting, May 8th, 2019

Wine List:

• Mohua Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand
• Domaine de Marcé, Coulée Galante Touraine Oisly 2016, White wine from Touraine, France
• Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Sauvignon Blanc from North Coast, California
• Marco Felluga Russiz Superiore Sauvignon Collio, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
• 2016 Chateau de Fontenille, Bordeaux, France,White wine from Entre-deux-Mers, France
• 2018 Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
• Francois Chidaine Touraine Blanc, Loire, France
• 2016 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
  Ryans Vineyard
• 2017 Merry Edwards Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, USA
• Didier Dagueneau (Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau), White wine from Pouilly-Fumé, France
• Paolo Bea, Pagliaro Montefalco Sagrantino Secco, Red wine from Montefalco Sagrantino, Italy
• Dow’s Fine White Port, Port wine from White Port, Portugal
• Cossart Gordon, Rainwater Medium Dry Madeira, Port wine from Madeira, Portugal

Sauvignon Blanc wines:

• France
  • Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Péssac-Leognan, Bordeaux
  • Château d’Yquem, “Y de Yquem”, Bordeaux Blanc Sec
  • Didier Dagueneau, Blanc Fumé de Pouilly, Pouilly-Fumé, Loire
  • François Cotat, “La Grande Côte” Sancerre
  • Domaine Ricard, “Tasciaca” Touraine-Chenonceaux, Loire
  • Henry Pellé, “Morogues” Menetou-Salon, Loire
  • William Fèvre, Saint-Bris, Burgundy
• United States
  • Merry Edwards, Russian River Valley, CA
  • Peter Michael, “L’Après Midi”, Knights Valley, CA
  • Duckhorn Vineyards, “Sauvage”, Napa Valley, CA
  • Matthiasson, “Ryan’s Vineyard”, Napa Valley, CA
  • Avennia, “Oliane”, Yakima Valley, WA
  • Guardian Cellars, “Angel”, Red Mountain, WA
• Chile
  • Veramonte, “La Gloria”, Casablanca Valley
  • Errazuriz, “Costa” Single Vineyard, Aconcagua
  • Concha y Toro, “Terrunyo”, Casablanca Valley
• Italy
  • Cantina Terlan, “Quarz”, Alto Adige
  • Radikon, “Oslavje”, Friuli
  • Gaja, “Alteni di Brassica”, Langhe
  • Ornellaia, Toscana Bianco
• New Zealand
  • Cloudy Bay, “Te Koko”, Marlborough
  • Craggy Range, “Te Muna Road Vineyard”, Martinborough
  • Ata Rangi, Martinborough
  • Mt. Beautiful, North Canterbury
  • Te Mata, “Cape Crest”, Hawke’s Bay
• Austria
  • Tement, “STK Zieregg”, Südsteiermark
  • Polz, “Therese”, Südsteiermark
  • F.X. Pichler, “Smaragd”, Wachau
  • Nigl, Kremstal

Attendance:

• Rachel B.
• Nick D.
• Rachel F.
• Victor F.
• Xin F.
• Sam G.
• Alberto Martinez I.
• Carolyn J.
• Lauren O.
• Jason S.

Big Personality with Sauvignon Blanc
Diverse in expression, this grape finds a home in dry an sweet wines alike, now cemented as a truly international grape. Along with father Cabernet Franc, she gives life to Cabernet Sauvignon, with aromatic intrigue and lift.

Origins stem from the Loire Valley in France, with close connections to Savagnin, Chenin Blanc, and Sémillon too. The earliest mention in the Loire dates back 485 years, to 1534. Bordeaux comes later, in 1710 from Margaux. 

Of the aromatic white wine varieties, SB is unique with its herbal influence, contributed by the Pyrazine compound, thus separating the grape from aromatic Terpene-driven varieties. Such herbal character is found primarily in cooler (read: less ripe) regions, contrasted due to warmth by the fruity, less-herbal wines of Napa and Bordeaux.

Concerning the latter region, a certain savory element finds a link with Sauvignon Blanc, primarily when oak-ageing is involved. The furfuryl mercaptan compound has links to oak ageing, and although the connection is not deeply understood, such onion and leek aromas are classic for top Bordeaux dry whites.

Sweet wines of Bordeaux find another echelon altogether, with note to Sauternes and Barsac specifically. The influence of Botrytis cinerea on grapes is prized from Tokaj to Alsace and beyond, with frosting-laced treasures produced in Bordeaux in blends with Sauv Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle. Incidentally, the Muscadelle grape finds even more prominence in the unique Monbazillac region of Southwest France. 

And what of New Zealand? Perhaps the most famous of contemporary SB examples are made there, with no shame in the verbose perfume and sharp drive that these wines express. Curiously, sparkling Sauvignon Blanc is a popular new style, with Villa Maria producing a tasty label.

Regardless of style and origin, Sauvignon Blanc continues to be prized around the globe. Further interest in the grape is found in Chile, Italy, Austria, and beyond. Perhaps the biggest challenge is choosing between Cotat, Gilette, or To Kalon. Perhaps all three?