The Vine Diary: Barbera d'Asti

Date: May 17th, 2014
Host: Andrea
Served: Stuffed flank steak, proscuitto breadsticks, caesar salad, potato medley, hummingbird cupcakes

Arquero Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (Spain) 13% alcohol, $6.50 at Piggly Wiggly

Andrea says (16.5): A very pretty ruby-berry color. The first thing that I could smell was alcohol. But eventually I could smell berries, raisins, currant, and spices. The taste was nice, strawberry, raspberry and raisin. A good wine, I'd drink it again, but nothing to write home about.

Christine says (14): Smelled of sweet spices, cherries, plums, and a little bit like toasted marshmallows. Some herby taste, cherries, thinner body, medium finish.

Kim says: Well, on orders from my neurosurgeon, I was to abstain from alcohol for six months to allow a reasonable amount of time for my brain to heal from my stroke. But I could still eat Andrea's delicious food! This was an amazing meal, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Christine says: Lookit these little cuties! We were dying of cuteness overload looking at them. Too bad they grow up.

Date: December 31st, 2012
Host: Kim
Served: veggies, dips, cheese and crackers, sloppy joes
Bonus bottles: a French sparkler (thanks, Christine!) and tequila margaritas

Mission Point Pinot Noir 2011 (CA, USA), 13.8% alcohol, $9ish? at Trader Joe's

Kim says (12): Well, my notes say that I thought this wine was "thin in color." I think I probably meant that it was fairly translucent, which I usually don't comment on unless it's extreme (very translucent like the Domaine de la Terrière Beaujolais, as pictured here; or so dark that it seems to suck in the light around it, like the Terre des Chardons Marginal, mentioned here). Also noteworthy was the distinct aroma of pepper, mint and blackberries which is so interesting that I would like to try this wine again.

Andrea says (15.5): A nice ruby color with pale edges. Smelled like raspberry, blackberry, cranberry, strawberry, plus black pepper and brown sugar. Tasted nice with good body. Jammy with grass and mint flavors. I would drink it again.

Christine says (14): Looked thin; pale ruby. Jammy, raspberry, blueberry, brown sugar, and slightly peppery vanilla. Tasted like jam, and then minty in the mid-palate and finish. I got it for free at my company holiday party. So the price was right, but the wine was just barely OK.

Araldica Albera Barbera d'Asti 2009 (Italy), 14.5% alcohol, $14 at Whole Foods

Kim says (14): Athough I apparently thought this wine smelled like asphalt & honey and tasted like dead leaves, I found it to be appealing and overall felt it was good. It seemed to suffer in the categories of bouquet and color but was well-balanced and had a nice finish.

Andrea says (15.5): Pretty raspberry, fushia color. Smelled a little bit like rubber, but then blackberry, mint, jam and vanilla. Tasted smokey with a tart jammy taste. Good body and tannins. I liked it a lot.

Christine says (13): Dark, intense purple. Smelled like tires, burning rubber, some mint, vanilla, very slight honey. Full-bodied taste, with tobacco, mint and jam flavors. Not a complex taste. Earth and alcohol finish.