Wine Club 68:

Date: March 28th, 2015
Host: Andrea
Served: baked brie, cous cous, green bean almondine, chili-crusted tilapia, coconut-crusted tilapia, pie

Sandstone Ridge Frontenac Gris NV (Wisconsin, USA), purchased at Wisconsin State Fair

Andrea says (15.5): Golden yellow, very transparent. Smelled like minerals and green apple. Nice fruity flavor - green apple, cherry and peach. Nice acid. I'd drink it again. went well with the fish.














Laya Almansa 2013 70% Garnache + 30% Monastrell. 14% alcohol, purchased at Otto's.

Andrea says (17.5): Dark purple and opaque. Smelled like vinegar, but good, aged, balsamic. Nice, smokey and peppery aromas. Also smelled of dark fruits - blackberry and black cherry. I liked the flavor! Tangy - pepper, vanilla, blackberry. I really enjoyed it. Also went well with the fish.














Yalumba Viognier 2013 (South Australia) 14.1% alcohol, purchased at Otto's.

Andrea says

Wine Club 65: Italian Meal at Andrea's

Date: August 22, 2014
Host: Andrea
Served: Marinated grilled chicken, Crudite, Cheesy pull-apart bread, Tuscan spinach bean soup

Rizzi Azienda Vitivinicola Dolcetto d'Alba 2012 (Alba, Italy) 13% alcohol, $15 at Otto's

Christine says (11): Dark burgundy color; aromas of cherry, strawberry, very slight herb. Very subtle smell, almost a non-smell. Blueberry taste, light body, moderate acidity. Good with the chicken. 

Kim says (15): Bright edges and smelled like... wine. Shocker, I know! I felt this was a solid, straightforward wine. Likened this to Wolftrap but slightly more refined. I enjoyed this Rizzi more than the Ensemble even though this scored lower, and I agree with Christine... went really well with the chicken!

Andrea says (14.5): I liked this wine more that my score reflected. Cranberry color with long legs. Sort of a dull earthy smell with some hints of strawberry and cocoa. Nice acid and a little tart. Flavors of strawberry, cranberry and blueberry.









Ensemble Red Wine 2010 (CA, USA) 13.6% alcohol, $6 at Otto's

Christine says (13): Claret color. Jammy smell of dark red fruits, definite savory undertones...could it be carrots? Tart cherry taste, plus strawberries, nice and puckery, little finish. Very fruity. Super-short finish, somewhat reminiscent of beer. I liked it with the soup.

Kim says (16.5): smelled like pectin, peach baby food, adhesive, dark berries, sugar and sediment. Fruit forward without being too sweet. Tasted like Welch's grape juice and was excellent with the bread and soup.

Andrea says (16): Brick red, bloody color. My first impression of the smell...feet! Second impression was a little better. Jammy, strawberry and floral. Smelled a little like baby food? Also had some yeasty-bread and alcohol aromas. I liked the taste! Very sweet, vanilla and cherry.

Wine Club 63: We're Back, Bitches!

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.

Wine Club 32: Alamos Malbec, Luzon... um, varietal unknown.

Date: January 10th, 2013
Host: Andrea
Served: "Made Up" Stir Fry, Fortune Cookies

 Alamos Mendoza Malbec 2011 (Argentina) 13.7% alcohol, $17

Andrea says (17.5): A pretty fushia-burgandy color that smelled like raspberry, strawberry and cranberry, yet also smokey. Very jammy with tobacco notes. Very smooth mouth feel, good body, tasted like strawberry jam. I like this very much. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luzon Red Blend 2010 (Jumilla, Spain) 14% alcohol, $9

 

Andrea says (13.5): Ruby colored, more red than pink. The wine had a musty, earthy, smokey smell. Almost smelled like suede. Also some strawberry and vanilla aromas. The taste was fairly tart, cranberry and strawberry. I marked this down in the sugar, balance and overall catagories. I liked the Malbec better.

 

Wine Club 59: Blau vs. Blau

Date: November 22nd, 2013
Host: Andrea
Served: steak chili, grilled 3-cheese sandwiches
Bonus bottle (from the host's personal inventory): J.W. Morris Gewurtzraminer 
Bonus bottle (provided by Kim because this year's Beaujolais Nouveau just hit the shelves yesterday): Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau 2013

Blau #1

We had previously tried the Blau Red Blend 2010 and enjoyed it so much (scored a ♥ love love love!) that we decided to try the oaked version from the same vintage, side by side. While possibly not a true comparison as the proportion of grapes is markedly different (the unoaked Blau was 50% Syrah, 25% Mazuelo, 25% Garnacha blend), it was an interesting battle nonetheless.

Andrea says: Nice body, tart and fruity, good acid level. I loved both Blau Blends and even though I scored the new one slightly lower that the first one, I think I liked the new "oaked" one better.

Eye-catching labels

Christine says: Very berry. More acid than I remembered. Part of me wonders if this bottle suffered some temperature abuse? Because I adored this the first time around, giving it a perfect score. This time, I only gave Blau #2 a 14.5, but I wound up preferring it over Blau #1. Though Blau #2 did go best with the meal.

Kim says: I have to agree with Christine. I keep the cooler for my reds at 65° so I know it didn't suffer in my care... it must have been beforehand. This particular bottle of wine had higher acidity than I like. We thought maybe it just needed time to breath but several hours later, there was no improvement.

Blau #2

Can Blau Red Blend 2010 (Spain), 40% Mazuelo + 40% Syrah + 20% Garnacha,  14.5% alcohol, $17 at Otto's

Andrea says (19): Ruby red color. Smelled like cocoa, red berries, perfume, as well as dirt and alcohol smells (that sounds bad, but I liked the smell). Nice taste, rich and smooth. Tasted like blackberry and raspberry. Nice tannins. This Blau was lighter in acid when compared back-to-back, which I thought improved it. I think the oaked Blau had a richer, darker flavor.

Christine says (14.5): More intense, deep ruby color and less translucent than the first Blau. Plush smell! Violets, orange peel and very slight cherries. Blackberry taste, nice green stemminess, some acid in a finish that wasn't great. It smelled good, though it was hard to ID many flavors. A little thin and light up front, and too much acid in the mid-palate and end. But it was SO GOOD with the chili. Win!

Kim says (16): Much preferred this one over the unoaked version but that opinion is specific to this bottle. And mark the history books... for once, I gave this wine full points for bouquet! Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, black licorice. Smelled so good- deep and calming. Fantastic finish, nice and long with strong tannins. My suspicion that this would be a good match for the chili proved right on, especially since Andrea used such flavorful meat in her version!

Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau 2013 (France), 12.5% alcohol, $12 at Otto's

Andrea says (16): I think I maybe wanted to like this Beaujolais more than I actually did, and I probably inflated the score more than it deserved. It was a pretty ruby/garnet/fushia color. I really liked the aroma - floral, vanilla, almond and cake! Tasted like berries, chocolate, licorice, floral, banana. Medium tannins

Christine says (12.5): Very pretty, light clear raspberry color. Aroma of red berry and floral. Light, slight banana flavor, short finish. Although I liked it better than the Duboeuf we had in February, I rated this one lower (Duboeuf got a 13.5). I guess my scoring is getting tougher. I also think my curiosity for Beaujolais Nouveau has fully run its course.

Kim says (9): Not impressed.Very festive color (of course), and the initial smell brought something familiar and yummy to mind but I couldn't put my finger on it. However it made me pucker as if I had just sucked on a lemon, and I only allowed it 1 point in Appeal simply because it was so pretty.

Christine says: The most amazing grilled cheese I've ever had. On Texas toast to hold all the cheese!

Mom's Chili:

4 T. Oil                                        2 - 15oz Cans Pinto Beans
2 Large Onions                            2 - 16oz Cans Baked Beans
4 Cloves Garlic (minced)              6T. Chili Powder
4 lbs Lean Stew Beef (cubed)       3t.  Cumin
3 lbs Pork Sausage                     1T. Oregano
2 - 16oz Cans Diced Tomatoes     2t.  Salt
2 - 6oz Cans Tomato Paste          2t.  Sugar
2 - 150z Cans Kidney Beans        2T. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

In your largest soup pot heat the oil, saute onions and garlic until soft. Add beef and sausage, cook until brown - drain. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, dry ingredients and baked beans. Simmer partially covered for 2 hours (add water if too dry). Add pinto beans and kidney beans (I don't drain any of the cans). Cook 30 minutes longer. I only made half of the recipe and still had leftovers for weeks. Freezes well. 

Giant Grilled Cheese:

Texas Toast
Butter
Sharp Cheddar
Havarti
Muenster

I cook these with the lid on the pan, trap in the heat to melt the cheese.

The last of J.W. Morris.
Sad face!

Andrea says: The end of J.W. Morris Gewurtztraminer! No longer in production and this was my last bottle. We loved it the first time around, still good the last time around.

Wine Club 56: Fall Brunch

Date: October 20th, 2013
Host: Andrea
Served: Pumpkin latte pancakes, fried eggs, sausage, caramel apple cider

The Seeker Riesling 2012 (Mosel, Germany) 10.5% alcohol, $11 at Otto's Wine Cask

Andrea says (16.5): Very pale wine, almost a mint green color. Smelled like honey, apples, and a dusty mineral smell. Smooth mouth feel, tart, nice body. taste of honey and lemon.

Kim says (16): Yep, I decided to let my geek flag fly on this one. In a nod to Terry Goodkind's Legend of the Seeker series and of course, dual recognition to Once Upon a Time and our own The Vine Diary, these two wines made my inner sci-fi/fantasy fan and wine geek smile! Anyway, this wine smelled perfectly of a crisp, autumn day... like granny smith apples and slightly dusty. The taste was a study in contrast- smooth, tart, acidic, sweet. Like Christine said- honey and lemons. Very well-balanced, even with the bit of pucker on the finish... yum! Unfortunately, clashed with breakfast.

Christine says (13): Very pale appearance, like water. Smelled like flowers, lemon, apples and maybe lime peel. Bright and green smell. A bit puckery, but had a rich, viscous mouthfeel. Tart finish.



Once Upon a Vine The Fairest Chardonnay 2011 (CA, USA) 13.5% alcohol, $8 at Otto's Wine Cask

Andrea says (14.5): I loved the title of this wine! Cute name. This wine was also very pale, but more of a lemon/lime color. Smelled like pear, floral and a little smokey. Also a little yeasty which sometimes I describe as a "baby food" smell. This wine was smooth and sweet, smokey, nice body, tasted like tart apple.

Kim says (10): Not the warm, rich, gold color I think of with a chardonnay- a pale, almost greenish cast. Something funky on the nose... sweet potato skin? Lacking in bouquet and body, I also found this chardonnay to be high acid and low sugar. How do I really feel about this one? Ambivalent.

Christine says (15.5): Light pale greenish gold, with very small bubbles. Smelled of yeast, pears, slight vanilla and a little sweat. Alcohol taste, viscous, green apples and a sharp taste (of oak?). Pretty long finish. It didn't taste frizzante, despite the bubbles. Good for the price!




I could eat breakfast food all day...

Always some wildlife at Andrea's!
Christine identified this guy as a cormorant.







Wine Club 53: Hello, New Apartment

Date: September 14th, 2013
Host: Andrea
Served: mozzarella sticks, caesar salad, white lasagna, cake truffles
Bonus bottle (from the host's personal inventory): Bandit cocktails

Torres Viña Esmerelda Moscato 2010 (Catalunya, Spain) 11.5% alcohol, $13 at Otto's

Andrea says (16): A pale yellow color with a lime tint. My first thought on the aroma was shampoo. I could also smell floral, vanilla, peach and honey, even a little banana when I swirled the glass. The taste was nice, sweet and mild with good body. very smooth. I liked it and think that it complimented the lasagna.

Christine says (12.5): Pale lemon color. Floral and peach bouquet, with slight citrus. Wow! More tart than expected. Lemon-lime taste, medium body, medium-long finish, but not very complex. Going back, I also smelled cat urine. Though I was excited to try another 2010 Spanish wine, I was disappointed here.

Kim says (17.5): Like Andrea & Christine, I smelled peaches. Also vanilla and banana Runts... it smelled rich, creamy and smooth. I'm not sure how something can smell like a texture, but this did! When I swirled, I actually caught a whiff of alcohol which is interesting, given the alcohol content is so low. This little emerald tasted like it smelled (but without the banana). I would definitely buy this again!
 


Cantina Terlan Terlaner 2012 (Alto Adige, Italy) 60% Pinot Bianco, 30% Chardonnay, 10% Sauvignon Blanc, 13.5% alcohol, $17 at Otto's

Andrea says (16): Golden yellow. Smelled like pear, vanilla, banana, honey and floral. Higher acid than I had expected, but it was nice. Good body and nice flavor. I liked this one a little bit better than the Moscato, yet still scored them the same. Hmmm.

Christine says (19): Light, bright lemon appearance and looked a little frizzante, but it wasn't. Warm pear and baking spices, floral, very slight honey in the bouquet. It smelled SO good! Medium body, well balanced, nice streak of acidity. Very good!

Kim says (14): Smelled like lillies and upon swirling, faintly of pear. I thought this wine had stronger tannins and acid than the Esmerelda and... uh, well that's all I wrote. Maybe it deserved a higher score because I was apparently too busy drinking it to write anything down!

Kim says: I bought a box of Bandit Sangria as a mini-housewarming gift for Andrea, who was generous enough to share it! And after the first round, magical Christine whipped up some killer cocktails! Such a wonderful treat... good thing that everything she rattled off the top of her head, Andrea had in stock!

Wine Club 50: We Are Golden

Date: July 20th, 2013
Host: Andrea at the lake house
Served: Buffalo turkey burgers, salad, brownies

Toad Hollow Unoaked Chardonnay 2011 (Mendocino County, CA, USA) 13.9% alcohol, $10 at Otto's

Andrea says (16): I really liked the image on this wine bottle. It reminded me of the illustrations from "The Wind and the Willows" book that I had when I was a kid. The wine was a pale lime color and very clear. The smell was of tart, green apple, with musty, mineral scents. The taste was tart, high in acid, but I liked it.

Christine says (16): Very light pale lemon color with green hints. Good, strong and distinct bouquet: I smelled grassiness, peaches and minerals. Tasted like peaches and minerals, with some creaminess from the lees (or so I'd guess). Medium body and finish. Kinda lacking mid-palate, and it stung the tip of my tongue. Still, I liked the wine and would definitely buy it.

Kim says (14): Not the rich, warm color of a Chardonnay- more like a cool, pale Sauvignon Blanc. But like Christine said... this one is unoaked. Almost a greenish cast and smelled vaguely of honey. Slightly on the thin side for body and I docked it half a point for high acid.

Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend 2011 (CA, USA) Zinfandel + Merlot + Syrah + Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% alcohol, $9 at Otto's

Andrea says (20): I LOVED this wine! I'm usually not the one to give a wine a shockingly different score from Kim and Christine, but I could find no faults! Nice ruby, fushia color. The smell was fantastic! I could smell chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, cherry, brown sugar and pomegranite. It was like drinking berry pie! Raspberry, strawberry and chocolate flavors. Very jammy. Reminded me a lot of the Honey Badger. Delicious.

Christine says (12): Burgundy color, but translucent. Smelled like vanilla and cream soda.  Kim picked up on brown sugar in the bouquet, which I think was spot-on. Taste was thin, with a light body. Short finish. Just OK to me.

Kim says (13): Aroma of chalk and vinegar at first but after swirling, brown sugar. Taste? Meh. Thin body, slightly off on balance, finish was all tannins. I felt ambivalent about this wine and scored it average overall.

Andrea says:  Tons of fun. A great weekend away with friends! A super way to celebrate our 50th Wine Club!

Christine says: Awesome lake house. Beautiful surroundings. Fabulous cocktails. Peace and quiet! Incredible dinner. Fun games. Tasty breakfast. Hot sauna. Delightful getaway!

 Kim says: First order of business upon arrival? Gin and tonics, of course!

Andrea gets settled in and fires up the grill... amazing turkey burgers with bleu cheese, shredded carrots and buffalo sauce on biscuits. Yum!