Dinner- Zeppoli's Blind Tasting

I went to my first wine dinner last weekend at Zepolli's, a small restaurant located across from the math emporium. The dinner and wine was only $13 so it's definitely a great value. The theme for this particular tasting was a blind tasting. They wanted to see if we would be able to assign varietals to individual wines without just by tasting and smelling them. We were given a sheet with 9 different wines and we had to fill it in with the varietal, year, alcohol percentage, price, tasting notes, and score. One by one they poured us a glass from a single bottle and gave us time to sit and taste the wines with our individual foods. As we tasted the wines, tasting notes were read out loud by our host and then the popular vote on the varietal was taken. I found that assigning the wines to a certain varietal was challenging, and so did most of the other people participating in the dinner because we managed to get most of the answers incorrect.

 At the end of tasting we were shown the bottles of wine we were tasting. The wines we had were:

• Lison Pramaggiore Pinot Grigio 2010
• Sierra Cruz Sauvignon Blanc 2010
• Leese-Fitch Chardonnay California 2009
• Opera Prima Moscato Spain NV
• Kenwood Yulupa Pinot Noir 2010
• Poggio Vipere Chianti DOCG 2009
• Hope Merlot Hunter Valley Australia 2009
• Cholila Ranch Malbec Fatagonia Argentina 2010
• Chasing Lions Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast California 2008

Overall the people at my table agreed that the Cholila Ranch Malbec was their favorite.

Tasting- Estrella

Estrella

Merlot

Napa, California

2009

$5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: "This ruby colored Merlot has raspberry jam aromas with a subtle hint of spice, layers of vanilla, plum and fig are revealed that linger ever so slightly."

My review: This wine had some berry aromas on the nose but it wasn't too strong. The wine tasted of plums, strawberries and vanilla as stated in the tasting notes. This wine did have a taste of vanilla that lingered a bit after tasting. I also had a taste of oak that lingered after with this wine. I didn't have this wine with any food.

Tasting- Doural

Doural

Red Tinto 

Portugal

2009

$8.95

Vintage Cellar Review: "This Portugese tinto(red) blend exhibits a deep red color with violet hues. The nose is vibrant and fruity. The palate offers notes of spice, cherry, and dark berry supported by good structure. Pairs well with red or game meat, cheeses and fish."

My review: The nose of this wine was chocked full of berry aromas. The wine tasted of raspberry and cherries. The wine was smooth and easy to drink. I typically enjoy wines of this style and I would have enjoyed a wine like this with a steak or spaghetti if I was given the opportunity, but I tasted this wine at the Vintage Cellar.

Tasting- Oxford Landing

Oxford Landing

Viognier

Australia 

2009

$7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: "Bright and lively, this wine is appealing for its pear, lychee and sweet spice character, which comes smoothly against a silky texture."

88 points Wine Spectator

My review: I didn't get much out of the nose of this wine, possibly due to comparing the strong nose on the multiple wines I had previously tasted. I got a hint of a cinnamon spice while tasting this wine but I had difficulty assigning any of the other flavors I tasted. I enjoyed this wine and I had never tried a Viognier before. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting- Tierra de Luna Torrontes

  Tierra de Luna Torrontes

  Chardonnay

 Argentina

2009

$7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: "Fresh and crisp, with floral aromas and flavors of quince and pear, this wine is a versatile companion to informal meals and is excellent as an aperitif."

My review: I couldn't pinpoint many floral aromas on the nose but it was absolutely there. I only noticed a hint of pear flavors but there were many different fruit flavors present. The wine was easy to drink and had a crisp finish. I didn't have this wine with food but as stated it would go great as an appetizer or even with some cheese.

Tasting- Simonet Blanc de Blancs

- Simonet Blanc de Blancs

- Champagne

- France

- No Vintage listed

- $7.95

- "On the nose, there is some bread-yeast and some toast, same on the palate. Great for an everyday bubbly or mimosas!!"

- I personally enjoyed this wine, mainly because I like champagne. This wine isn't technically from the region "Champagne, France" so technically the varietal I listed is incorrect. I enjoyed the finish on this wine and for the price I would say it is a decent purchase. 

- I did not try this wine with foods but I could see this wine going well with some cheese and crackers.