Wine tastings - events and information

I will be bringing along a spare

OK thanks for that!

@Winegirl: would like to join as well. What time at your place?

gosh i didnt think i knew so little about wine. It surely took a while to get use to the high wine diction (leg, ppm,etc) used by winegirl and the other well trained students (crawlie for eg ) . Finally learnt how to get the smell right after i got over green apple. now i can show off with my french freinds who boast about their little knowledge.
thanks so much winegirl. was surely a fruitfull session.

Sounds like fun, if you ever do one again, would like to attend!

Yes, late thanks, but thanks none the less for organising it Winegirl.

The next tasting is Friday, May 20th at 7pm at my place. The theme is Rhone blends. I will buy all the wine and split the cost between those attending. The cost should be about 10 euros for wine. I think it will work out best if I take care of the food as well. So I will also split that cost. Awesome about 15 euros for the night, but it may end up being a few euros more or less.

I am purchasing more of the large glasses I use during the tastings. Anyone is welcome to use them but I do have to set the rule that if you break it you pay for it. Otherwise bring a glass.

PM me if you would like to come and ned directions. Please don't post to the thread.

The wine list from the last tasting will be posted Tuesday or over the weekend.

Rhone blends are some of my top favorite wines! I'm really looking forward to this tasting and shopping for it!

Just a reminder that if you would like to attend PM me. I was shopping around downtown for wines this weekend and found some great stuff. This will be a really good tasting

I will be attending of course!

great! will be there with bells on, just got back

Here are the tasting notes from our last Wine tasting. I write down everything that is said even if only one person smells or tastes that quality in the wine. To the best of my memory this was the order we tasted in. The Chianti would normally be served before the Syrah's but it was a late arrival.

Alois Lageder 2003 Pinot Grigio
Alto Adige, Italy, Alc: 12.5%
Nose: lychees, fruity, green apple, citursy, sharp, minerally
Taste: sharp acidity, woody, tart, green apple, lemon, minerally, strongly acidic, longer lasting flavor than next wine
over-priced at €10

Fruili 2003 Pinot Grigio (inexpensive white for comparison)
Grave, Italy, Alc: 12%
more golden in color
n-fruity, sweet, light nose, not acidic, caramel, yeasty, green apple, perfumey, cloves
Taste: tastles, weak, water down, sweetness, lingering acidity, too much alcohol for flavor, boring (only bottle to not be finished, aside from Shiraz that was oxidized due to cork problem)

Heger "Q" 2003 Grauburgunder (white label with a big silver Q)
Baden, Germany, Alc: 13%
Nose: musky, fruity, banana, maro-rasberry, woody, mineral, citrus, pear
taste:more flavor w/o acidity of previous, more sweet than acidic but still dry, bigest finish of 3, very fresh flavors, pear, acidic on sides and back of tongue, light body but bigger mouth feel than other 2, unanimous favorite of whites

Delas 2003 Syrah
Rhone, France, Alc: 12%
Color: cherry, light for syrah, bit pink
Nose: wood, fruit, grassy, slight pepper, tar, smokey, acidic, tutty-fruity, bubble gum
Taste: tannins on finish, woody, berry, will be nice, light Syrah with age, needs 3 years in bottle

Ruffino 2003 Chianti
Italy, Alc: 12.5 %
Slight orange, brick color
Nose: light, alcohol, tannin, slight cherry, anise-tar smell
Taste: light flavors, lacking fruit for Chianti, touch of sweetness, very dry, touch of anise, acidicity does not stand much for Chianti

Stellenzicht "Golden Triangle" 2002 Shiraz
S. Africa, Alc: 15.5%
Color: cloudy, dark, can't see through, brick red
Nose: tannins, cherries, wood, earth, alcohol, jammy
Taste: alcohol burn on finish, pepper, vinegar, long finish, fruit: deep cherries, blackberries, round taste, needs food, gets better as you drink and taste buds adjust to wine, too much alcohol

Wolf Blass 2002 Shiraz
South Aus.
Nose: peppery, a bit sweaty, fruity, acidic, thick-round nose, wood, blackberry, don't get alcohol as much as previous
Taste: touch of sharpness, blackberry, huge black pepper, slight burn on finish, dark chocolate, very drinkable, nice, well-liked

Peter Lehman 2002 Shiraz
Barossa, Aus., Alc: 14.5%
Nose: strong berry, blackberry, slight citrus, eucalyptus, touch of dk. chocolate, touch of muddy eath, velvety, slight metallic, touch of cinnamon
Taste: blackberry liqour, very peppery, round mouth-velvety, woody, plum, tannic, very good, will improve with 2 years aging

Bleasdale 2004 Shiraz
Bremerview, Aus. Alc: 14.5%
Nose: verry bery, black pepper, eucalyptus, dark chocolate, smalls dry, sandy-dusty, oak, slight alcohol
Taste: strong taste of Alc., blackberry, light tough of chocolate, easy drinking, uncomplicated, numbing affect, young fruit-needs to settle

Rosemont Estate 2002 Shiraz
SE Aus., Alc: 14%
Nose: peppery, berry, similar to last, port-like fruit smell, thick
Taste: chocolate cinnamon, minerally, sweet, peppery, not as velvety, finish not as long, not as complex, a bit tangy, drink now wine, low tannins

ohhhh I love this! Very helpful in choosing wines even though I didnt get to go! Thank winegirl!

Which seemed to be the fav. of the reds?

Thanks Winegirl, that is a good thing to have!

@Nicole33
I really liked the Bleasdale 2004 Shiraz, and the Peter Lehmann seemed to be liked by everyone. Try them both I guess!

Hi,
you all sound like wine experts - are beginners also allowed?
How often do the wine tastings take place?
i don't think i will be able to make this weeks, but am definitely interested in future events (as long as not so proficient people are allowed!)

Yeah thanks Winegirl. I remember each wine again now.

I agree with Greg's "findings" although personally I put the Wolf Blass above those two.

Edit: Hi HRC, I was going to answer that but maybe I should leave it to Winegirl to say that of course "beginners" are allowed. Just learn the vocabulary first

I liked the Lehmann or the Wolf Blass.
Also the South African one was good.
Of the whites, I liked the German Q wine best.
Look forward to the next outing

Would love to go to the next one - when is it? I love red wine but always end up ordering the same ones cos I know I like them. Time for horizons to be broadened.

Next one is TOMORROW, Friday 20th. Check Winegirl's post (#57 in this thread for details)

@HRC, I am a wine maker but pretty much everyone else at varying stagers of beginners. I hold them to teach people about wines so of course beginners are welcome! I'll be holding 2 more in June.

The current list for tonight is:
MAM
Showem
Greg
JB +1
Treehugger +1
helena
NicNZ
Ski
Chewy
Crawlie
Me

There are a few maybes from last night also. If you want to come PM me BEFORE 1:30 today as I'm leaving work early today. After that please PM Crawlie.

I have 13 large glasses. Right now that works out perfect. I also have an additional 5 small glasses. If anyone has a large glass please bring that.

Wow, cool group for tonight! Can't wait.

I'll bring 2 large glasses... and 2 alcoholics (i.e. me and my flatmate Orsa)

let me know if you need more glasses, I've bought 2 big boxes of Leonardo wine glasses (48 of the cheeky chappies)

And if anyone wants to practice their German or Swedish, wander in my direction and I'll introduce Orsa to you, she'd mad and lovely (and also wants to practice her english) ...

Hey winegirl!
was told you were in murphy's last night, but somehow i never made it round to the other side of the well!!
am looking forward to the next wine tasting, seeing as i won't be able to make it tonight!

I haven't been able to make a tasting session yet...but I just wanted to thank Winegirl (and all those participating) for putting up these reviews. Now I can shop with some idea about what I am getting when I pick up a bottle! It's a great thread.

For some reason I'm not on the list, but I pm'd you a couple of days ago that I wanted to come... I guess you just forgot me

I'm gonna show up anyway. Hope that's OK.

Topsy not on the list! Don't worry dear, you are always welcome to share mine.

Here are the tasting notes from the Rhone Valley wines and blends tasting. You'll notice that the last 2 wines are from Australia, but these are classic Cotes du Rhone blends so they were included in the tasting. All the other wines are from the Rhone Valley in France. If the area was on the bottle it is indicated as the AOC.

Saint Estere 2003 White wine
Viktualienmarkt corner cheese stand €12.90
nose: light, off-smell (sour milk), minerally, very slight lemon
taste: alcohol, pear, round front, acid finish, minerals, dry wine, very minerally finish, clean wine

La Bastide 2004 Rose (probably from Grenache)
Viktualienmarkt corner cheese stand €8.90
nose: champagne-like, slight minerals, red delicious/fugi apples, strawberries
taste: round front, vegetal finish, nice fruit on front, too much acid in middle front, more interesting smell than taste

Paul Jaboulet Ainé 'Paralléle "45" ' 2001 Grenache Syrah
Alc: 13.5%, Cotes du Rhone
Garibaldi Bar €8.20
nose: dark Chocolate, blackberry, light pepper, oak, slight orange
taste: very dry, tannic (but not overly harsh), light jammy fruit on finish, changes a lot in glass, fruit comes out, age 2-3 years

Chateau Mourgues du Gres "Les Galets Rouges" 2001 Syrah Grenache
Alc: 14%
Garibaldi Bar €6.30
nose: very oaky, goaty-farmy, smokey, berries, brambley
taste: tannins on finish, goat cheese total cuts tannins and brings out fruit and wood taste

Coudoulet de Beaucastel 2001 Cotes du Rhone
usually Mourvedre Grenache Syrah but not certain about this year
Alc: 13.5%
Dallmayer €18.80
nose: earthy, mineral, tannins, berries, touch of orange, initially tannic, fruit come out a lot in glass
taste: smooth, balanced acidity, blackberry, plums, very tannic, doesn't go as well with goat cheese as others, touch of chocolate, smokey, will be great in about 4 years
*this wine was openned and poured into another wine bottle the night before then poured back into it's original bottle a few hours before the tasting. This is a slower way to let a wine breathe when you don't have a decanter but it doesn't work quite as well

Chateauneuf du Pape 2003
Alc: 14%, Chateauneuf du Pape AOC
Tengelmann's €9.99
nose: earthy, mushroom, light pepper, muddy (forest floor), light berries, blackberry, slight mint
taste: big on tannins and alcohol, after goats cheese superb, rich cherries, red fruit, syrupy, cheese really brings out fruit, will be great in 2 (with decanting) to 5 years
*this wine was openned and poured into another wine bottle a few hours before the tasting then poured back into it's original bottle. Would've also done it the night before but didn't have time.

Comte de Rybois 2002 Syrah
Alc: 12.5%, Crozes-Hermitage AOC
Münchner-Freiheit Karstadt €8.99
color: light touch of orange
nose: musty, mothballs (camphor), anise, oaky, fruity but under pepper
taste: acdic, fruit on front, rasin, has acidity but not tannic, strawberries, not much oak, raspberries, chocolate on finish, goes fabulous with goat cheese becomes very fruity, very good after it opens, should be decanted for an hour, but orange color indicates that it might not age well

Peter Lehmann 2002 Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre
Alc: 14.5%, Barossa, Aus.
Galeria Kaufhof Marienplatz €10.99
nose: alcohol unerneath tannins, very oaky
taste: oaky, fruit underneath, comes out alot ->fruitier, caramel-fudge, cinnamon, peppery, strawberries, dark chocolate, needs about 3 years and a meal (steak), taste gets better but nose doesn't improve, I really liked once it openned

The Stump Jump 2002 Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre
Alc: 14.5%, McLaren Vale, Aus.
Dallmayr €9.50
nose: tar, eucalyptus before it opens goes to peppermint, toffee, barnyard, pepper, biggest nose of the night, becomes very complex as it opens, intense on nose
taste: very smooth, blackberry, very light touch of dark chocolate, great structure, nose more complex than taste, easy drinking wine, lots of black pepper, good for big meat meal, will improve over next 6 months but not a long term aging wine

Here is the info sheet from the Rhone Tasting that I made for the last tasting.
-----------------------
Rhone Valley, France
Split into Northern and Southern Rhone

Northern Rhone – relatively small appellations compared to the South, also produce much less wine
Best regions for red wine are Côte Rôtie and Crozes-Hermitage

·Côte-Rôtie AOC - reds with syrah and up to 20% viognier, good vintages will be at their best with 15-20 years of aging
·Condrieu AOC - whites with only viognier, best enjoyed young (within a few years of bottling)
·Château-Grillet AOC - whites with only viognier, one of the smallest appellations in France, single domaine, generally over-priced
·Saint-Joseph AOC - reds with syrah and up to 10% ~ 15% marsanne and roussanne, whites with only marsanne and roussanne , can be a good value wine
·Crozes-Hermitage AOC - reds with syrah and up to 10% ~ 15% marsanne and roussanne, whites with only marsanne and roussanne
·Hermitage AOC - reds with syrah and up to 10% ~ 15% marsanne and roussanne (but generally 100% Syrah), whites with only marsanne and roussanne, reds can age like Côte-Rôtie AOC reds, whites can age more than Condrieu wines
·Cornas AOC - reds with only syrah, dark and intense wines for very fair prices
·Saint-Péray AOC - whites with only marsanne and roussanne, unexciting wines

Southern Rhone – more varied selection of grape varieties allowed (total of 23)with Grenache most widely planted.
Best region is Châteauneuf du Pape with Gigondas as second

·Châteauneuf du Pape- 13 different grapes allowed in blend, although most top wines use only 3-4, typically Grenache with Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsualt, and/or Carignan, small percentage of white wine of lesser interest
·Gigondas – dominated by Grenache
·Lirac and Vacqueyras - produces mainly red wines, with a small amount of white and rosé, reds are dominated by Grenache, affordable wines but not great
·Tavel - only appelation in France to permit only rosé wines, dominated by Grenache, drink young
·Beaumes-de-Venise, renowned for a sweet wine, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, inexpensive and sometimes good value dessert wine. Red or white wines produced under this appellation are sold as Côtes du Rhône Villages.

Two noteworthy appellations for sparkling wine are St. Peray and Clairette de Die

Côtes du Rhône AOC is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée that covers both the northern and southern sections of the valley. Typically it is only used if the wine does not qualify for a more prestigious appellation. Produce from vineyards surrounding certain villages may be labeled Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOC.

Rhône Valley has been fortunate with a recent run of good vintages in 2000, 1999 (north better), and 1998. 2001 was excellent in the south, whereas floods ruined the 2002 vintage. 2003 is excellent for the South even topping 2001 for quality.
Other good vintages include, for the north, 1995, 1994, 1991 (Côte Rôtie and Cornas only), 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1983, 1982, 1980 and 1978.
For the south, 1995, 1994, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1985 and 1978.

great review !

The next tasting will be Friday, June 10th. It will be 7pm at my place. I will buy everything again as that seemed to work quite well last time. The cost last time was 16 per person, so assume approximately that. I haven't picked a theme yet. My future wine business partner, Chris04, will be visiting then and I'm going to let her pick the theme. PM me if you would like to come.

The theme for the tasting is going to be Spanish wines. I will e-mail directions to all those who've already PM'd me today or tomorrow. Anyone else who would like to come just send me a PM.

Okay so far the attendee list for this tasting is
Me
Chris04 + friend
Crawlie
Jeeves
Showem
Greg
Tinap
Codemonkey

I feel like I'm forgetting people. Anyone who still wants to attend PM me.

Also I'd like to have a going away (i leave on the 22nd ) wine tasting on Friday June 17th, so mark that date. I'm thinking of doing a bit more expensive tasting so the cost would be more like €20/person. I'm not going to have a theme but rather look for some favs. Same location and start time (7pm). PM if interested in that (be sure to indicate which tasting so I don't get confused).

I am pretty sure I can make this one (17th) so count me in

CONFUSED ! Thought Chris04 was back in Stockholm on 13th ?

Wine Tasting is this Friday. Theme - Spanish wines. Chris04 will be present. we will probably display her in a little glass cabinet in the corner of the room for all to inspect...

Farewell (well almost, she is coming back in December) Winetasting is on the 17th. A kind of "best of".

This will not mean the end of Wine Tastings. We will continue in Winegirl's absence and keep the tradition alive...

That will teach me, read the whole thread, hmm..

Hopefully will have time to go to this. We'll see.

I'm in for the 17th, definite. Shall I bring some delicious samples from the Garden of England with me, for us to taste?!

Once more many thanks to Winegirl (and Crawlie!) for staging this event. It must have been a lot of effort: much appreciated. Hope that relative order has been restored to the chaos we left behind.
It certainly opened my eyes, nose and mouth to the possibilities of Spanish wines! Not just rhubarb, rubber and any other r's but some good complex stuff.
Good of you to let Chris04 out of her glass cabinet for the occasion too.

I'll second that, Jeeves. Thanks to Winegirl and Crawlie for a fun time, good food, good wine, and some interesting topics of converstation ("beer, beer, beer,", "where's my little pink thing" "peeing in the woods", as well as educated wine talk.

TinaP

I'll add my thanks to Winegirl and Crawlie too, a great evening. My first 'proper' wine tasting - at least I know what 'minerals' are now. Not so sure about the rubber business though, Jeeves

thanks again Winegirl and Crawlie - i don't think i can make it to the "best of" but we'll try to find some new wines for you to try when you come back.

loved the Pesquera

I'll be there for the big going away tasting on the 17th!

See you there...

Here is the information sheet I made for the Spanish Wine tasting. Sorry the tables are not formated properly in the post. But I think everyone can figure them out.

Spanish Wine
More than 50 wine regions areas which are classified and recognized by the "Denominación de Origen" label

Ageing Table for Spanish Wines

Type Region/Type Starts Downhill After
==== =========== ==================
Red
Ribera de Duero 15-20 years
Rioja 15-20 years
Bierzo, Valdeorras 10-12 years
La Mancha, Navarra 5-10 years
Valdepenas, Penedes 5-7 years
Carinena, Borja 5-7 years
Tarragona, Emporda 5-7 years
Utiel-Requena 5-7 years
Priorato 5 years
Jumilla, Alicante 5 years
Cabernet-Sauvignon 10-25 years

Type Region/Type Starts Downhill After
==== =========== ==================
White
Oak aged 10-15 years
Alella type 5-10 years
Fruity 2-3 years
Chardonnay 5 years
------------------------------------------------------------------
Roses all regions 2 years
------------------------------------------------------------------
Sherries Fino 1 year
Amontillados 30-40 years
Olorosos "
other sweet wines "
-----------------------------------------------------------
Major Grapes of Spain: Reds: Tempranillo (Temp-prah-neeh-you), Garnacha (Gar-nah-chah), Graciano (Grah-thee-ah-no), Monastrell (Mataro in Australia, Mourvedre in the rest of the world), Cariñena (Carignan in France). Whites: Viura (Vee-ooh-rah), Malvasia (Mahl-vah-see-yah), Xarello (Chah-rayl-lo), Parellada (Par-eh-yah-dah)

Rioja Classifications
Crianza red wines are aged for at least two years of which one in cask, whereas for whites and roses it is required a minimum time of six months in cask. Red Crianzas are characterized by fresh and fruity aromas as well as pleasing aromas of vanilla and are generally produced with good quality grapes even though not exceptional.

Reserva wines are usually produced in particularly favorable years with grapes harvested in quality areas, they usually are more concentrated than Crianza even though they do not always have a higher structure. Because of the prolonged aging time, aromas and flavors of Reservas are more complex. Red Reservas are aged for three years of which at least one in cask, whereas for whites and roses the aging time is of at least two years of which at least six months in cask.

Gran Reserva are produced in exceptional years only and represent the best of Rioja wines. These wines, produced with grapes harvested in the best vineyards only, are however pretty rare and represent less than 10% of total production.Gran Reserva red wines must age for at least five years of which at least two in cask, whereas for white and rose wines the minimum aging period is of at least four years of which at least six months in cask. It must however, because of the Rioja tradition of aging wines for long times, producers usually decide to age their wines for pretty longer periods than the ones set as a minimum requirement by the disciplinary production.

Region 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 OO O1 O2 O3
Rioja G * * E G E G G E F G
Penedés E G G E E E E E E F G
Ribera del Duero F E * * G E * E * F G
Valdepeñas G G E E G E G E E F G
Rueda G G G E E E E E G F G
Rias Baixas F G E F F - G G G F G
Navarra F E G F G - E G E F G

Ratings: p=Poor, f=Fair, G=Good, E=Excellent, *=Outstanding
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Didn't think I would be around for the "best of" evening, but realised it was a miscalculation. I'd love to come, I really enjoyed the last one and Winegirl goes to some effort to put it together. This will be 4 out of 4 tastings for me!

Here are the collective wine comments from the spanish wine tasting. n = nose, t = taste, c = comments, sl. = slight

Gran Vina Sol, 2003
85% Chardonnay 15% Parellada
Alc 13%, Kaufhof Marienplatz 7.99
n: green, apple, hint of alc, vanilla, sl. citrusy lemon, minerals
t: huge minerals, pears, sl. creamy butter, lemons, smooth, vanilla
c: very nice, medium bodied chard, go well with salmon with a citrus sauce, chicken, turkey, salad

Burgans, 2003
Albarino (this is the grape)
Alc 12%, Alc 13%, Kaufhof Marienplatz 8.99
n: green pears, orange, minerals, more fruity, floral, musky, fuller-richer than last
t: thick mouth feel, oily feel, mineral (especially finish), unripe pear, strong but not sweet cherry at front of tongue, nice acid to balance creamy mouth feel
c: very good, go well with grilled scampi, strong seafood

Riscal, 2000
Tempranillo
Alc 13%, Hertie HBF 8.99
n: butter, chocolate, yeast but goes away with swirling, cherries, blackcurrant, typical spanish wine nose but not as strong
t: yeast, wood tannins on finish, nice light body, cherries and blackcurrant, slight milk chocolate, will improve with 1-2 years

Palacio De La Vega, 1999 Crianza
Cabernet Sauvignon/Tempranillo
Alc 13%, Hertie HBF 6.99
n: leather, acetaldehyde (oveerripe fruit, plastic), sweet berries, smoke, wood
t: tannin, mineraly, lots of tobacco especially on finish, fruit underneath, will have nice berry flavors affter it ages a bit
c: man's wine, steak wine, nose improved a lot by switching to a bordeaux glass (from Burgundy glass), looses leather and acetaldehyde

Oro, 2000
Tinto de Toro
Tempranillo
Alc 13.5%, Hertie HBF 10.99
n:really great rich smell, tobacco, smokey, woody, alcoholic, deep black cherries, strawberries
t: thick fruit, tannins, sl. coffee towards finish, bit of dark chocolate
c: good wine but needs 3 years aging

Pesquera, 2001
Tempranillo (primarily)
Alc 13.5%, Hertie HBF 23.49
n: in burgungdy glass: roasted coffee, berries, dk.chocolate, meaty, in bordeaux glass: gentle, smooth, berries
t: everything comes together nicely, most well blended, smooth chocolate finish, balanced berries, bit of tannins on finish, touch of cinnamon
c: excellent wine, most peoples favorite

Hecula, 2002
Monastrell (aka Mourvedre, Mataro)
Alc 14% Hertie HBF 7.99
n: anise, overripe berries, wood, black papper, grape tannina, jammy cherry
t: thick fruit, anise, acid, grape tannins on finish, eucalyptus, vanilla
c: blue cheese goes really great with it, brings out fruit and cuts harshness

Also don't forget Friday is my special wine tasting. Cost will be approximately 20. Start time is 7pm. If you'd like to attend, PM me.

So far attending:
Topsy
Showem
Greg
Treehugger
JB
greenlakechris
NicNZ
Crawlie
Winegirl

Greg won't make the special wine-tasting, he's off to Swisherland for the weekend.

mmmmmmmm I feel a glass of wine coming on... I have that friday feeling

just bought the cheese and bread...I'm making fondue!

I just can't make it this week... I feel the irreversible drive to sleep... and then she starts talking about fondue...
I WILL be good to my body...