RIMBEY MUNICIPAL LIBRARY

Big BBQ Reds Wine Tasting

July 16, 2011

TASTING GUIDE…

Sight, smell, body, taste, aftertaste

Discuss as you like, don’t be shy

Please score your wines just for fun!

WINES TONIGHT…

9 wines

7 different countries

10 different grape varietals

6 single varietal, 3 blends

Between $13 and $150

RIBERA DEL DUERO, SPAIN

WINE #1

VINA MAYOR RESERVA 2004

Region: Ribero Del Duero, SPAIN

Grapes: Tempranillo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempranillo

Rating: 93 WS, 2010 Top 100 #38

Cost: $23

Notes: “This red shows focus and depth,

with admirable purity to its black cherry,

mineral, tobacco and tar notes. Offers and

excellent balance of firm, well integrated

tannins and clean acidity. Rock-solid.

Drink now through 2016.” WS

MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

WINE #2 PASCUAL TOSO MALBEC 2009

Region: Mendoza, ARGENTINA

Grapes: Malbec

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malbec

Rating: 89 Wine Align, Top 50 LCBO

Cost: $13

Notes: “Colour is purple to ruby. Aromas

are complex, earthy, with hints of

mushroom, barnyard, red berry. Palate is

old world in style, light to medium-

bodied with soft tannins and a good

mouth-feel.” Wine Align

REVIEW OF INTRO NIGHT…

Learn about wine tastings in general

Different types, blinds, varietals, regions, vintages, horizontal, vertical

Provide a brief history of wine

Origin of discovery, appearances in history, archaeological finds

How to taste wines

Sight, smell, taste, body, aftertaste

Cover some general wine terms, information

Vintage, tannin, aromatics, new vs. old world, styles, regions

labeling, sulfites, common red and white wines, glassware, aging wines

Check out food pairing strategies

Weight matching, contrast vs. compliment, drink what you like!

LODI, CA, USA

WINE #3

BRAZIN OLD VINE ZIN 2008

Region: Lodi, CA, USA

Grapes: Zinfandel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinfandel

Rating: 87 WS, 90 Cellar Tracker

Cost: $25

Notes: “Zesty, with spicy dried cherry

aromas and appealing smoky plum and

licorice flavors. Drink now through

2015.” 34,000 cases made. WS

BAROSSA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA

WINE #4

JACOB’S CREEK RESERVE SHIRAZ 2007

Region: South Australia, AUSTRALIA

Grapes: Shiraz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrah

Rating: 88 Snooth, 86+ Cellar Tracker

Cost: $19

Notes: “It really got better after being open for 2 hours. It's an easy drinking wine with lots of vanilla on the nose. Actually, it smells vanilla mixed with strawberries and whipped cream. On the palate, it lacks in fruit, astringent and thin on the mid-palate with short aftertaste. It is better on the nose than it's on the palate. A simple and nice everyday wine.” 86+

OKANAGAN VALLEY, BC, CANADA

WINE #5

ROAD 13 FIFTH ELEMENT

Region: Okanagan Valley, BC, CANADA

Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon,

Cabernet Franc

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bordeaux_wine

Rating: 93 Cellar Tracker

Cost: $38

Notes: “Dark ruby with a little brick around the edges. Off the twist, the nose is crazy, crazy peppers, mostly the green varieties. As it eventually tones down, we start to get some smoky leather, and a smidgen of pepperoni and meatiness. The elusive fruit aspect of this hard core vegetal wonder consists of some dark dusty berries and a whiff of plum. The meat, earth, bacon, pepperoni, minerals and hint of tomato also become more apparent as we go along eventually achieving a savory synergy.”

PUENTE ALTO, CHILE

WINE #6

CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA

CONCHA 2008

Region: Puente Alto, CHILE

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabernet_Sauvignon

Rating: 90 WS

Cost: $22

Notes: “Rock-solid, with nicely integrated structure for the vintage, allowing the full - bodied core of loam, blackberry, fig sauce and raspberry to stretch out, with lingering mint and cocoa notes on the plush, fleshy finish.” WS

CAMPANIA, ITALY

WINE #7

TERRA DI LAVORO GALARDI 2002

Region: Campania, ITALY

Grapes: Aglianico and Piedirosso

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aglianico

Rating: 93-98

Cost: $80 - 150

Notes: “It’s hard to know what to write next about this fabulous wine, which demonstrates why Falernum, the wine produced in this area under the Roman Empire, was considered the greatest of the ancient world, capable – according to Petronius – of lasting 100 years. To the owners of the Galardi estate, and to winemaker Riccardo Cotarella, the only possible words which can be expressed are those of simple gratitude for this unexpected miracle which appeared out of nowhere in 1994 and has not ceased to amaze ever since...” WA

Only 750 cases made

TUSCANY, ITALY

WINE #8 BRANCAIA IL BLU 2007

Region: Tuscany, ITALY

Grapes: Sangiovese, Cabernet

Sauvignon, Merlot

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangiovese

Rating: 94 WS

Cost: $75

Notes: “Lovely blueberry and blackberry

aromas lead to a full body, with super-

silky tannins and a chocolate,

blackberry and currant aftertaste. Very

tight and attractive. Racy, balanced and

seductive. Best after 2011.” WS

APALTA VALLEY, CHILE

WINE #9 MONTES FOLLY 2006

Region: Apalta Valley, CHILE

Grapes: Syrah

Rating: 94 WS, WA

Cost: $75

Notes: “Rich and lush, but with superb poise, this offers a huge core of crushed plum, raspberry ganache and macerated currant fruit that easily absorbs its dark, coffee-tinged toast and muscular, loamy undertow. The finish is powerful, but well-knit. Should age nicely. Syrah. Best from 2010 through 2014. 4,500 cases made.” WS

“The 2006 Folly is a world class Syrah (not only because of the superb Ralph Steadman label). It is sourced from a ridiculously steep vineyard in Apalta and aged for 18 months in new French oak. Inky black in color, it reveals a super-expressive nose of toasty new oak, pepper, lavender, game, incense, and blueberry. Voluptuous on the palate but not heavy, it has gobs of sweet fruit, layers of flavor, a firm structure, and 5-7 years of aging potential. Drink this impeccably balanced, lengthy effort from 2015 to 2026.” WA

WINES TONIGHT…

May be available at Side Street Liquor Store,

depend on interest

All were purchased from Chad Jones at The

Liquor Store in Ponoka

Some in very limited quantities…

FURTHER INTERESTS? QUESTIONS?

Resources…

THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING!

Please drive safe.