The debut of Vinho Verde Wines of Portugal on TasteLive

Nice little tasting this evening featuring some fun fruity wines from the Wines of Vinho Verde Team making their debut on Tastelive. Our host this evening was Brand Ambassador Laura Maniec and she lead us on a 4 bottle tasting. The vinho verde region is one of the oldest in Portugal and has been producing wine for over 2000 years. The juice is typically released 3-6 months after harvest and known for their low alcohol content along with vibrant fruit.

Wine 1 was the Adego Ponte de Lima Adamado 2011 treated the palate and nose to cantaloupe, honeydew melon and citrus zest. I commented how good this would taste at lunch time with a fresh bowl of fruit. Joel Q of Creative Furnace kept wanting to drink these wines on the coastal beach area. I'm with you Joe! We are off to a great start.

Wine 2 Lagosta Vinho Verde 2011 White Wine. Loads of lemon/lime at times zesty with fresh peach and hints of grapefruit rounding out the aromas/flavor. Crisp little fun wine and could see myself sipping this by the pool.

Wine 3 Quinta de Gomariz Loureiro 2011. Nice floral bouquet with loads of fresh melon. The flavors of apricot, melon, orange peel, lemon and lime were terrific. I had a bit of brie cheese with this wine and thought it paired well. Yes Joel we know you want to sip this on the coast LOL.

Last wine of the evening and a tasting wouldn't be complete without Great Sense Vinho Verde Rose` 2011. Excellent color and aroma with fresh cut roses, ripe strawberry and a perfect balance of citrus. The flavor the same with the juicy strawberry and citrus and a touch of mineral on the finish.

There you are readers your introduction to the Wines of Vinho Verde. Cailyn, Joel, Laura and Melanie thanks for the invite and some crisp refreshing tasty treats. Want to learn more about the wines and region click the link Vinho Verde

Cheers
Dan

Visit The Iowa Wino Store for your wine accessories!

2005 La Sirena Syrah Barrett Vineyards on TVTuesday Live Cellars Of Sonoma

The goddess of winemaking graced the camera on Cellars of Sonoma TV Tuesday Live. We were treated to an hour of wine knowledge from Heidi Barrett owner/winemaker of La Sirena while sipping this beautiful 05 Syrah and pelting her with questions. I'm still trying to figure out how she manages any down time with all her wine projects!

Pop the cork and the aromas explode from the bottle. In the glass black raspberry, ripe plum, dark cherry, nice herbal notes giving the wine a woodsy feel, with a touch of oak. Rich aromas and so pleasing to the nose you could swirl this wine all evening and soak in the layers of perfection.

Nicely done Heidi. Plum and red raspberry treat the palate with pomegranate, spice, fresh thyme followed by a hint of smokey oak. Love the long soft finish which showcased the fruit. One fine Syrah!

Scott another excellent selection this evening and what a super guest. Folks stop by Cellars Of Sonoma and enjoy a bottle of La Sirena. Your palate will thank you.

Cheers
Dan

2011 Stepping Stone Corallina Rose of Syrah by Cornerstone Napa Valley

Stepping Stone by Cornerstone in lovely Napa Valley always produces a consistent wine with vibrant fruit. What I love about these wines along with their flavor is the versatility, you can use them as conversation wines, pair them with food, enjoy as an everyday wine all of which are a perfect match. The Corallina Rose was so refreshing exactly what I was looking for to sip and cool off during our hot streak.

Love the nose with fresh ripe strawberry, raspberry, fresh cut roses, cinnamon spice, creamy vanilla, citrus and floral notes. So crisp and sets your senses in motion.

Outstanding flavor with creamy strawberry, ripe raspberry, hints of cranberry and a wonderful cinnamon spice. The finish is long and juicy and really showcases the strawberry/raspberry/cranberry combination. Love the middle of the taste with its creamy character. Rose at it's very best!

Craig three cheers to Stepping Stone by Cornerstone for producing top notch juice. Folks do not miss the chance to stop by the tasting room in Yountville for your Cornerstone and Stepping Stone wines. Relax, taste and buy some of this tasty wine. Cornerstone Cellars Napa

Cheers
Dan

2011 St Supery Sauvignon Blanc for #SauvBlanc Day 2012

My visit a couple years ago to the St Supery Estate Vineyards and Winery was memorable so having the opportunity to join in the #SauvBlanc day fun virtually.... no brainer. Beautiful facility, exceptional wine and a friendly staff its a must visit whenever in Napa. In case you missed the post St Supery Visit

The winemaker has nailed this sauvignon blanc perfectly and captures the essence of the vineyard in each bottle. Right from the start citrus both lemon and lime barrel ( no pun intended) from the glass. Next a tropical sensation of apricot, grapefruit with a slight hint of melon tickle the nose.

I believe a comment I had tweeted was "Oh St Supery how I miss you" as I tasted and enjoyed this delicious treat. Grapefruit with hints of the apricot start the taste off. Follow that fruit up with a long lemon soft finish and you have a wine that is made for sipping or pairing. Naturally I tasted prior to dinner and with a lemon pepper chicken breast during. Many of you know when it comes to sauv blanc if the grapefruit overpowers, I'm not a fan but the fruit and citrus combination from St Supery is a perfect balance. Bravo!

Next time your in Napa and driving on 29 check out St Supery for a tour, tasting or both. You will enjoy the visit. Jenna thank you so very much for including me in your #SauvBlanc Day celebration.

Cheers
Dan

2011 Caves D'Esclans Whispering Angel Rose France

Originally scheduled to be discussed on tastelive, the wine ran into a shipping snafu and arrived late. A blessing if you ask me because with the hot summer midwest temps, cool refreshing rose hits the spot. Whispering Angel will treat your palate.

Wonderful creamy rich vanilla on the nose with a blast of fresh strawberry followed by hints of cut roses. Continue to swirl and red raspberry appears.

The mouth is really nice with ripe strawberry and raspberry leading into a creamy vanilla finish. The vanilla is a perfect compliment to the fruit and a crisp minerality begs you to fill the glass again. Keep a bottle or 2 of this on hand, your friends will love it.

Cheers
Dan

2010 Aveleda Fonte Vinho Verde

Fresh herb chicken strips and corn on the cob paired with tonights Aveleda Fonte from Portugal. Light, crisp and fruity my wife even enjoyed a glass with me.

Citrus, melon, grapefruit, apricot on the nose. Apricot, pear, grapefruit and minerality in the mouth with a fair amount of sweetness. Nice inexpensive sipper especially before or after dinner. Diggin this fruit from the Vinho Verde Region of Portugal.

Cheers
Dan

Kunde Family Estates Presents KundeLive

I enjoyed the opportunity to join in the fun once again as Kunde Family Estates hosted several bloggers both in house and across the country for KundeLive wine tasting. Informative with a little bit of ribbing (Marsha and Jeff the sister/brother comedy act) along with winemaker Zach Long as the moderator, we are treated to quality, affordable wine/food pairings. Tonights lineup included a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc Magnolia Lane, a wonderful blend Red Dirt Red (one of my personal favorites) and an equally tasty Reserve Cabernet to complete the night.

First wine of the evening the 2011 Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc. The wine screams crisp and tropical with aromas of lemon citrus, melon, vanilla, pear, with hints of grapefruit. The flavor is equally outstanding with the perfect amount of acidity complimenting the grapefruit, melon and lemon citrus. As the wine warms I get a nice ripe peach treat. The wine was awesome with a lemon poppy seed dressing drizzled over fresh lettuce.

Next the 2009 Red Dirt Red a wonderful blend which showcases the ripe fruit in each of the varietals. Love how the complexity of the wine changes with each vintage. Aromas of raspberry, cherry, blackberry, blueberry, licorice and a nice peppery spice. The flavor exquisite with ripe cherry and raspberry. Towards the middle of the taste blueberry/blackberry with a perfect pepper spice and the finish is silky smooth. Paired with bbq pulled pork, the wine was my favorite of the evening.

Finishing the night off the 2009 Kunde Family Estates Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Blackberry, vanilla, molasses, spice, butterscotch with hints of plum and oak. I agree with Zach the wine is very young and needs a few years to age but the flavors are still darn good. Raspberry and creamy carmel, blackberry with hints of earthiness/spice on the finish. I want to re taste this in 3-5 years. My pairing a crustini with roast beef and a dollop of creamy horseradish.

Marsha, Jeff, Zach and Ed my sincere thanks for including me in tonight's tasting. We learn more about the winery, history and wines each show watched. Quality wines, affordable prices, everyday juice it must be Kunde Family Estates Pick up a few bottles today and stop by the winery for a visit.

Cheers
Dan