Reported by Jane Pope
The tasting of unusual wines was a real challenge for the participants with four flights arranged in groupings that got progressively deeper in colour and bigger in taste. There were no noble or international included in the tasting so a wide knowledge of grape varieties and characteristics was called into play in identifying the grape and county.
The first flight was made up of five wines all of which would have been better with food because of the acid levels. The Haggipavlu Aghiorgitiko was floral, light coloured and would go well with tapas or chicken. The Izadi Rioja Reserva was slightly tannic, ruby coloured, medium bodied and improved after it was open a while. The Kellermeister had a candied taste and was peppery. The Rubino Marmorelle was described as tasting like “leaf rot”, and coffee grinds, had a lovely deep colour and was the wine most people liked in this flight. The Boutari had high acid, was astringent with high heat, was very volatile and had the best bouquet of the group.
Flight two was interesting and except for the Delheim Pinotage had people guessing about the grapes and countries of origin. The Pinotage was described as smokey, leathery, and fruity with deep colour and lots of flavour. One person said it had the smokey characteristics of a Pinotage and he was right. Several people spoke disparagingly about the Pinotage grape but found this wine better than most made with it. It would match up well with very spicy food. The Marques de Marialva was described as smelling like “wet concrete” and being very earthy. It was felt that 5-8 years of aging would improve it. Sogrape Callabriga was acidic, fruity, and designed to be stored for 5-8 years. This wine is blended to appeal to the young, new consumers.
The third flight was more complex and D’Angelo Canneto was acidic, and astringent with a salty mineral taste reflecting the volcanic slopes where it was grown. The Gladiator Primitivo di Manduria was complex with a cedar— acid taste that was very perfumed with enough fruit to have a deep colour. The Rosenblum Zinfandel drew comments of tea, raspberries, grappa, and lots of alcohol before being identified as a Zinfandel from California. The fourth flight drew lots of comments. The Don Pascual had lots of tannin with a chocolate-cherry flavour. The grape, Tannat, used to be grown in South-west France but is now grown in Uruguay where this bottle came from. It doesn’t store well but was the cheapest bottle of the night at $11.15. The Punta Nogal Carmenère Reserva had a strong overtaste identified as skunky by one taster. It was very fruity with a deep colour. The Franschoek Cellars Reserve Petite Verdot had a burnt taste and was very concentrated and deep red with a new world flavour that was mysterious. There was a lot of conversation amongst the participants, who at the end congratulated organizer Rutha Astravas on presenting such a challenging group of wines.
Flight 1
- Haggipavlu Aghiorgitiko, 2003, Nemea Greece, 12.5% alc. $16.15
- Izadi Rioja Reserva, 2002, Rioja, Spain (Tempranillo), 13.5% alc. $28.95
- Kellermeister Privat Kremsler Zweigelt Trocken, 2005, Krems, Austria, 13.5% alc. $16.95
- Rubino Marmorelle, 2004, Puglia, Italy (85% Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera), 13.1% alc. $13.95
- Boutari Grand Reserve, 2000, Nouassa, Greece, Xynomavro $15.15
Flight 2
- Delheim Pinotage, 2003, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 13.5% alc. $19.95
- Marques de Marialva Baga Tinto Reserva, 2003, Bairrada, Portugal (Baga, Moreto de Cantandehe), 12.5% alc. $14.95
- Sogrape Callabriga Douro Tinto, 2003, Douro, Portugal (Tinto Roriz (or Tempranillo), Touriga France, and Touriga National), 13.5% $18.95
Flight 3
- D’Angelo Canneto, 2001, Basilicata, Italy (Aglianico), 13% alc. $18.95
- Gladiator Primitivo di Manduria, 2004, Puglia, Italy, 14% alc. $16.95
- Rosenblum Zinfandel, 2003, California, 15.7% alc. $18.95
Flight 4
- Don Pascual Reserve Tannat, 2005, Uruguay, 12% alc. $11.85
- Punta Nogal Carmenere Reserva, 2004, Valle Colchuagua, Chile, 14% alc. $15.15
- Franschoek Cellars Reserve Petite Verdot, 2003, Franschoek, South Africa, 14.3% alc. $30.95
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The National Capital Sommelier Guild strongly supports moderate and responsible consumption of wine and spirits. Guild dinner events allow a designated driver to attend at a reduced price. The designated driver will not be served alcohol. Guild tasting events provide and encourage the use of spit buckets.