Easter Greetings;
I had the privilege last Saturday of putting on a two hour wine presentation at the Thetis Island Community Hall. It was part of what we call on the Island a 'Neighbour to Neighbour' series. Thanks again to Bev Greene, of Thetis Island, for suggesting the presentation and for all her work to set it up. We had a great turn out of about 25 folks...including Kelsey, and her boyfriend Rafael, and Monica, with her boyfriend Eric. Ellen was a great assistant, running the PowerPoint presentation.
It was a very enjoyable and fun afternoon, please see attached PowerPoint presentation.
One of the highlights was pealing a grape and eating the flesh first and then the skin...and noticing the acidity (in the flesh) and tannins (in the skin). Then, by comparison, we tasted a whole grape and got a sense of the 'balance' of grapes.
But that wasn't near as much fun as the wine tasting part. The group was just clamouring to get on with the tasting, and were mortified when I told they could not swallow any wine until all of them had been tasted. Yes, we all had little spittoons to spit into.
We tasted a New Zealand Riesling, a Spanish Rosé and a California Zinfandel. Please see the notes below...but before you read that...
Here are some Easter dinner wine ideas...Red: Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Merlot; White: Viognier, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer...
Villa Maria Riesling Private Bin 2006
Price: BC $17.95
UPC: 9414416216077
Score: 88/100
Remarks: 'The fruit comes from two distinct regions in Marlborough: the higher plains of the Awatere Valley and the old river bed of the Wairau Valley. Lime, floral, smoky slate, green apple, peach pit aromas. Round, fresh, crisp, moderately dry and elegant palate. Slate, lime, green apple skin, guava, light diesel and nectarine flavours. Good intensity, aftertaste, balance and very good value'. This was a great start to the tasting...the apple and peach flavours jumped out of the glass. This would go very well with your Easter dinner.
Torres De Casta Rosé 2006
Prices: $12.99 (I managed to get it on sale at $9.99)
UPC: 08410113002020
87/100
Remarks: 'The Torres pink is masterful blend of garnacha tinta and cariñena begun in 1941. The nose is clean and fresh, bursting with black raspberry and cherry scents. On the palate it is agreeably round and crisp with the perfect touch of sweetness. Floral raspberry fruit flavours hold your interest throughout. Perfect with a salade niçoise or corn on the cob'. Once I showed everyone how to cleanse their 'nose', by smelling their shirtsleeves, (no not under your arm, but the crook of your sleeve) we were off on the second tasting. A delicious 'pink' wine that is very affordable.
WINGNUT ZINFANDEL 2006, CALIFORNIA
Price: $19 Available at Everything Wine...
UPC: 894509005105
Score: 88/100 (for the '05 vintage)
Remarks: 'The ’06 version is much like the ’05 if not a touch fresher and maybe a bit glossier. The fruit is spicy and warm with mixing black cherry jam, cedar, sweet plums and vanilla with a dusting of tobacco in the end. A fun hedonistic style that offers fair value'. This was the third wine served and almost everyone really enjoyed it. I even heard some folks say it was the best of the day. A good bet for that Easter turkey.
Remember, if you do not want to receive these notes anymore, just send me a quick note back...
Have a great weekend...
Keith
Keith Rush
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