SSG - Wednesday February 23rd - Riesling

SSG members present:  Craig, Cynthia, Doug, Holly, Jackie, Jane, Nita, Peter, Robin and me, Éva.

Wednesday February 23rd was this month's Sommelier Study Group (SSG) gathering.  the star of the evening was Riesling.  funny/surprising thing was, no one brought German nor Austrian nor French Riesling; in fact, all but one was New World Riesling.  who would have thunk it?  these are all available at LCBO.

to start (not a Riesling but Sparkling):  JANSZ PREMIUM SPARKLING ROSÉ, VINTAGES 37499 | 750 mL bottle, Price: $ 24.95, Wine, Sparkling Wine, 12.5% Alcohol/Vol., Sugar Content : 1, South Australia, Australia - Tasting Note:  "The Premium Non-Vintage Rose is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay receiving 2.5 - 3 years on its lees. With a very pale salmon color, it reveals aromas of rose petals, strawberries and crumbled biscuits plus subtle notes of peaches and honeysuckle. A nice backbone of high acidity is balanced by 9 g/l of dosage and some autolytic richness lending pleasantly toasty/creamy flavors. Drink now." - Jansz Premium Sparkling Rosé

the group noticed that the colour was very pale salmon indeed; barely perceptible.  lovely floral, fruity & biscuit aromas that followed through on the palate.  I now look forward to trying the "other" sparkling from Jansz (to be released March 5, 2011) - NV Jansz Premium Brut Cuvée

to start our Riesling tasting ... JASZBERENYI RIZLING LCBO 836 | 1000 mL bottle, Price: $ 8.95, Wine, White Wine, 11.5% Alcohol/Vol., Hungary - Tasting Note:  "Straw yellow colour; delicate peach, pear and melon aromas and palate; well balanced with refreshing acidity." - Jaszberenyi Rizling

I offered this one up thinking that no one would pick a Hungarian Riesling (Rizling) ... and I was right.  But it is not bad at all.  it is very "delicate" - nothing over the top here, at all.  we all decided that we would not choose Riesling if presented with blind tasting.  I would serve this in the summertime, very chilled.  I would be confident at a large gathering that it would offend no one.  please note that it is 1 litre bottle for $8.95 ... hard to beat that for a summer sipper!  side by side with other Rieslings, it might get lost.

JOSEF CHROMY RIESLING 2008 VINTAGES 162966 | 750 mL bottle, Price: $ 20.60, Wine, White Wine, 12.7% Alcohol/Vol., Australia - Tasting Note:  "Floral, citrus and hints of slate on the nose, this dishes up a lovely mouthful of flavour - racy lemon-lime, ripe ruby red grapefruit and spiced yellow plum. It's mid weight with a gorgeous palate-coating texture and a well-balanced lengthy finish that adds on a layer of complexity with ripe juicy tree fruit flavours. Give it a go alongside crab cakes or your favourite blue-veined cheese. Score - 4 1/2 Stars (out of 5). (Vic Harradine, www.winecurrent.com, Feb. 6, 2010)" - Josef Chromy Riesling 2008

we enjoyed it with a couple of blue-veined cheeses ... it's a definite match!  someone mentioned to keep a look out for JOSEF CHROMY PEPIK PINOT NOIR 2009 VINTAGES 162990 | 750 mL bottle, Price: $21.95, Wine, Red Wine, 13.7% Alcohol/Vol. - Josef Chromy Pepik Pinot Noir 2009

 

PIKES TRADITIONALE RIESLING 2009 VINTAGES 66894 | 750 mL bottle, Price: $ 19.95, Wine, White Wine, 12.0% Alcohol/Vol., South Australia - Description:  "Pure, vibrant and very lively Riesling from Pikes Vintners, one of Australia's Riesling specialists. This peach- and lime-scented number is equally enthralling on the palate. Dry, racy and fruity, with wonderful verve. Cellar it 3-5 years or enjoy it tonight with pan-seared scallops and green beans." - Pikes Riesling 2009

we found it to be very refreshing.  I guess that's what they mean by, "wonderful verve".  must note that there is citrus/grapefruit pith on the palate; the aromas don't quite follow through ... but that can still be a good thing; it's just not necessarily expected. 

KONRAD RIESLING 2009 VINTAGES 179796 | 750 mL bottle, Price: $ 13.95, Wine, White Wine, 12.5% Alcohol/Vol., New Zealand - Tasting Note:  "The 2009 Konrad Riesling opens with a lovely floral and orchard blossom nose, followed by pure peach notes. There is nice intensity on the palate as the fruit replays against the refreshing acidity. Dry, with just a suggestion of residual sugar offset perfectly by the racy acidity and tangy fruit. This well-balanced Riesling will pair well with a moderately spicy Asian dish. (VINTAGES panel, Jan. 2010)." - Konrad Riesling 2009 

we paired it with curry chicken and rice as well as cheeses, bread, ... lovely Riesling.  I would buy this one especially at $13.95 - I don't think anyone would guess the price.

INNISKILLIN WINEMAKER'S SERIES TWO VINEYARDS RIESLING 2008 VINTAGES 105387 | 750 mL bottle, Price: $ 17.95, Wine, White Wine, 12.0% Alcohol/Vol., Ontario - Description:  "Enjoy this racy wonder with planked salmon or grilled prawns.  Tasting Note:  Straw-lime colour with an aromatic bouquet of grapefruit and honey with a floral grace note. Light to medium-bodied, off-dry with a spicy (almost Gewurztraminer-like) flavour of grapefruit and tangerine. Good tension between sweetness and balancing acidity. Score - 89. (Tony Aspler, www.tonyaspler.com, A Wine Lover's Diary, April 20, 2010)" - Inniskillin Winemaker's Series Two Vineyards Riesling 2008

this Riesling can hold its own with the other Rieslings tasted.  the one thing that stuck out for me was apple juice flavours along with citrus, mineral, other typical flavours.  maybe the acidity wasn't quite there for me.

 

PELEE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE RIESLING VQA LCBO 145417 | 750 mL bottle, Price: $ 10.95 Limited Time Offer Was: $ 11.95 Now: $ 10.95 Save: $ 1.00 Until Feb 27, 2011, Wine, Still Table Wine, White Still Table Wine, 12.5% Alcohol/Vol., Ontario - Tasting Note:  "Bright pale yellow colour; aromas of citrus, peach, ripe apple and mineral; off-dry, medium bodied, crisp and lively, with flavours of ripe apple, peach and lemon-lime." - Pelee Island Lighthouse Riesling VQA

"delicate peach" stands out for this one.  a touch of residual sugar noticeable on palate (and nose).  sugar code of 2 so not "sweet" by any means.  lovely.  note the price!!! - $10.95.

to end the evening, we also tasted a white blend Craig brought from Peru:  TACAMA GRAN BLANCO - "The pale yellow colour of this wine gives it a lovely presentation. The freshness of its bouquet is revealed on first contact with the nose. Both flowery and fruity, with highly agreeable citric notes, its flavours give it a particular finesse." - TACAMA GRAN BLANCO

a blend of: 41.9% Sauvignon Blanc, 27.8% Semillon, 13% Chenin Blanc, 10.8% Chardonnay, 6.5% Viognier.  no Riesling.  13.5% alcohol.  to add, we found elements of minerality and brine.  very easy-drinking.  thanks for sharing Craig!

there you have it - some of our thoughts on mostly New World Rieslings.

bottoms up!

Éva

* check out ...
Robin's blog - Pull Corks
Holly's blog - Wine Out Loud
Holly & Nita's blog - Imbibery

Jean and me tasting wine ~ February 11, 2011

my dear friend, Jean, is an emerg nurse at CHEO - bless her soul.  it is often difficult for our families to gather so when we do ... we thoroughly enjoy each others' company, eat some yummy apps, delicious dinner, usually a scrumptious dessert that Jean has made, and, of course, we drink wine.  usually quite a bit of variety.  after all, we have to share our current faves and new finds.  we may even share wine with our husbands.


to start, we gobbled baba ghanouj with pita.  it's a good thing I had chilled PELEE ISLAND WINERY PRIVATE SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA 2008 (not found on their website; wine via Savvy Selections, Dec 2010).  it's crispness was perfect and refreshing.

Jean's neighbour, Dave, asked us to sample a bottle.  he knows the winery and wants our honest opinion.  the wine:  LIFT HAUS Pinot Noir 2007.  we were very curious indeed to sample a Pinot Noir from Prince Edward County.  general consensus:  aroma of tart berry (raspberry) with a sense of sweetness; on the palate: there is that tartness but no sweetness, fuller-bodied than expected, good acidity and tannins.  it may be a good one to stump wino friends!  we sent the remainder home to Dave for his opinion.

for dinner:  spaghetti and meatballs (a kid-pleaser).  with it, we enjoyed RAVAZZI CHIANTI RISERVA 2007 VINTAGES 135657 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 15.95.  I can't say it any better than this LCBO review, "Food-friendly and superbly structured, this dry, medium-bodied delight is laden with notes of chocolate, red fruit and spice. A super-value wine that will earn rave reviews when served with a cheese lasagna." ... or spaghetti with meatballs!

after dinner, we enjoyed NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY MERITAGE VQA 2005, $37.95 (wine via Savvy Selections).  NCT website - http://www.nctwinery.ca/shop/red/meritage2005.html

excerpt from NCT website ... Wine Description:  "Dark ruby with black inkiness in colour with a stunning nose of intense cassis jam, hints of eucalyptus and vanilla. Underlying nuances will emerge as the wine develops in bottle. The flavour emanates from ripe jammy fruit. Medium-soft tannin fills the mouth and suggests a long life for this wine"

there you have it.  another enjoyable evening with good friends.  unfortunately, only one of these wines is readily available so you might just have to trust me until you can taste the other three.

bottoms up!
Éva

The National Capital Sommelier Guild - upcoming events that intrigue me

The National Capital Sommelier Guild (Ottawa)

The National Capital Sommelier Guild Events

Established in 1993, The National Capital Sommelier Guild is a non-profit member-run organization committed to serving the needs and interests of the Ottawa region’s food, beverage and hospitality industries.

Their Mission:  The Guild is dedicated to the appreciation of fine wines and spirits and to the advancement of professionalism in all aspects of the sales and service of such products. It pursues these goals by:

• broadening and deepening the knowledge of fine wines and spirits of the world—including their creation, characteristics, availability, and harmony with varied cuisines.
• promoting standards of excellence for Sommeliers and all other professionals in the food, beverage and hospitality industry.
• fostering skills in all aspects of wine and spirit management—including purchasing, storage, marketing, sales and service.

below are upcoming events that captured my interest.  anyone care to join me???

Vintages Pre-Release Tasting—Cabernet
Thursday, 17 February 2011 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Vendange Institute, 440 Albert St, Suite C108

Members and Invited Guests: $56.50 (incl HST)
To register, please go to eventbrite

Sherry All the Way
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Play Wine and Food, 1 York St

Members: $90.40 (incl HST) Invited Guests: $101.70 (incl HST)
To register, please go to eventbrite - Sherry All the Way

Vintages Pre-Release Tasting—Spain and Portugal Feature— Have Your Say!
Thursday, 17 March 2011 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Vendange Institute, 440 Albert St, Suite C108

Members and Invited Guests: $40.68 (incl HST)
To register, please go to eventbrite - VPR Spain & Portugal

Fromage Face-off: Canada’s Cheeses VS the World’s ... and Wines to Go With Them
Sunday, March 27, 2011 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Beckta Dining and Wine, 2nd Floor Private Dining Room, 226 Nepean Street

Members: $65.54 (incl HST) Invited Guests: $76.84 (incl HST)
To register, please go to eventbrite - Fromage Face-off

* not sure about this one ... 2011 California Wine Fair
Date: Wednesday, April 6, 2011 Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

Place: The Westin Ottawa, Governor General Ballroom, 11 Colonel By Drive
The hottest ticket in town—year after year. Over 100 California wineries pouring more than 350 wines with light hors d’oeuvres all for one admission price! Many winery principals present. No tickets are sold at the door.
Book your tickets now; they hang up the ‘SOLD OUT’ sign annually
Admission: General Ticket Price: $70.00 Members of the National Capital Sommelier Guild: $65.00
To reserve your space now visit www.calwine.ca.
For more information: Phone: 1-800-558-CORK (2675) Email: calwine@sympatico.ca Web: www.calwine.ca Facebook: California Wines in Canada

please let me know if you would care to join me at any of these events.  I will most likely register soon for Fromage Face-Off and Spain & Portugal VPR (so many values there!).  I am wavering about Sherry All The Way (I love sherry so I am very intrigued by pairings).  I am still gun-shy with most cabs (especially heavy ones) so I am leery re: California VPR and Cali Wine Show.  don't ask ...

bottoms up!

Éva

why blog about it?

there are many wine blogs out there so why create another?  wine is so very subjective.  no matter what your level of expertise, it all comes down to preference.  simply put, you like it or you don't.  I will post and hope for replies to discuss the wine at hand.  otherwise, you are stuck with me.  so now get ready to sit. sip. savour.

bottoms up!
Éva