July Wine Night - Sauvignon Blanc

Host

Alissa

Date

July 9, 2010

Bottles

2006 Gordon Brothers Cellars - Kate
2008 Rapura Springs - Tom
2008 Chamarre Grand Reserve - Evan & Jess
2008 Bogel - Wil
2008 Nobilo Regional Collection - Ari
2008 Monkey Bay - Selina
2009 Francis Ford Coppola - Jon
2009 Puerta Viejo - Amanda
2009 Monkey Bay - Jamie
2009 Rock Rabbit - Derek & Joe
2009 The Infamous Goose - Tara
2009 Groth Vineyards - Sean & Tara
2009 Oyster Bay - Nicole
2009 Les Jamelles - Arianna
2009 Tablelands - Kait & Mike
2009 Monkey Bay - Dane
2009 Hay Maker - Nick

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape gets its name from the French word sauvage ("wild") and blanc ("white") due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France. It is now planted in many of the world's wine regions, producing a crisp, dry, and refreshing white varietal wine. Conversely, the grape is also a component of the famous dessert wines from Sauternes and Barsac. Sauvignon blanc is widely cultivated in France, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil and California.

Depending on the climate, the flavor can range from aggressively grassy to sweetly tropical. Wine experts have used the phrase "crisp, elegant, and fresh" as a favorable description of Sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley and New Zealand. Sauvignon blanc, when slightly chilled, pairs well with fish or cheese, particularly Chèvre. It is also known as one of the few wines that can pair well with sushi.

Along with Riesling, Sauvignon blanc was one of the first fine wines to be bottled with a screwcap in commercial quantities, especially by New Zealand producers. The wine is usually consumed young, as it does not particularly benefit from aging, except for some oak-aged Pessac-leognan and Graves from Bordeaux that can age up to fifteen years. Dry and sweet white Bordeaux, typically made with Sauvignon blanc as a major component, is the one exception.

The Results

WINNER: 2009 Les Jamelles Winery - 131 points out of 190
Producer: Les Jamelles Winery
Vineyard: Les Jamelles Winery
Country/State/Region: Vin de Pays d'Oc, France
Price: $11.99
Aroma: Citrus
Appearance: Lemon
Body: Light
Nose: Butter, Apple, Lemon
Taste: Green Apple
Finish: Short
Individual Points: 8, 9, 8, 6, 7, 5.5, 8.5, 7.5, 4.5, 5.5, 8, 8.5, 7, 9, 8, 6, 5.5, 1, 8.5


2009 Tablelands Wine Company - 130.5 points out of 190
Producer: Tablelands Wine Company
Vineyard: Tablelands Wine Company
Country/State/Region: Martinborough, New Zealand
Price: $11.99
Aroma: Floral
Appearance: Lemon
Body: Light
Nose: Butter, Honey, Apricot, Rose
Taste: Rose, Honey
Finish: Long
Individual Points: 7, 7, 6, 3, 6, 6, 6, 7, 6.5, 9, 8, 8, 7, 8, 6.5, 6.5, 7.5, 7

2009 Monkey Bay - 121 points out of 190
Producer: Monkey Bay Wine
Vineyard: Monkey Bay Wine
Country/State/Region: Monkey Bay, New Zealand
Price: $9.99
Aroma: Citrus
Appearance: Lemon
Body: Light
Nose: Lemon, Apple, Honey
Taste: Lemon, Honey, Apricot
Finish: Short
Individual Points: 7.5, 10, 6, 8, 5, 5, 3, 5, 6, 6, 2, 6, 6, 7, 7, 6, 8.5, 8, 9

2009 Hay Maker - 116.5 out of 190
Producer: Mud House Wines Ltd.
Vineyard: Mud House Wines Ltd.
Country/State/Region: Riverlands Estate, New Zealand
Price: $11.99
Aroma: Citrus
Appearance: Lemon
Body: Medium
Nose: Pear, Grapefruit, Honey
Taste: Grapefruit, Honey, Lemon
Finish: Long
Individual Points: 7, 2, 5, 5, 7, 2, 1, 7, 6, 5.5, 9, 5, 10, 10, 9, 6, 7, 5.5, 7.5

2008 Rapaura Springs Ltd. - 115.5 points out of 190
Producer:Rapaura Springs Ltd.
Vineyard: Rapaura Springs Ltd.
Country/State/Region: Spring Creek, New Zealand
Price: $16.99
Aroma: Citrus
Appearance: Lemon
Body: Medium
Nose: Pear, Grapefruit, Orange
Taste: Grapefruit
Finish: Short
Individual Points: 3, 4, 4, 4, 7, 8, 6, 5, 7, 9, 5, 8, 8, 5, 6, 7, 5.5, 6, 8

2009 Groth Vineyards - 104 points out of 190

Producer: Groth Vineyards and Winery
Vineyard: Groth Vineyards and Winery

Country/State/Region: Oakville, California

Price: $18.99

Aroma: Floral

Appearance: Lemon

Body: Light to Medium

Nose: Blue Cheese, Rose, Butter, Brass, Hay, Cheddar

Taste: Cheddar, Almond, Vinegar

Finish: Short

Individual Points: 5.5, 10, 9, 7, 6, 5.5, 5, 3, 4, 6, 7.5, 5, 6, 6.5, 5.5, 6.5, 4, 2, 5

2009 Oyster Bay - 102 out of 190
Producer: Oyster Bay Wines
Vineyard: Oyster Bay Wines
Country/State/Region: Oyster Bay, New Zealand
Price: $13.99
Aroma: Floral, Citrus
Appearance: Lemon
Body: Medium
Nose: Rose, Orange
Taste: Orange, Vanilla, Grapefruit, Lilac
Finish: Short
Individual Points: 4, 5, 6.5, 8, 7, 2, 2, 6, 3, 2, 10, 5, 7, 6, 6, 5.5, 7.5, 6.5, 3

2008 Chamarre Grand Reserve - 99.5 points out of 190

Producer: Chamarre/EMB

Vineyard: Chamarre/EMB

Country/State/Region: Vin de Pays d'Oc, France

Price: $16.99

Aroma: Citrus

Appearance: Lemon

Body: Light

Nose: Grape, Apple, Lime

Taste: Apple, Butter

Finish: Long

Individual Points: 4.5, 5, 8, 4.5, 2, 1, 7, 2, 1, 5, 7, 8, 4, 8, 7.5, 6, 6.5, 6.5, 6


2008 Bogel - 99.5 points out of 190

Producer: Bogel Vineyards
Vineyard: Bogels Vineyards

Country/State/Region: Clarksburg, California

Price: $13.99

Aroma: Citrus, Oak, Floral

Appearance: Lemon

Body: Light

Nose: Butter, Oak, Rose, Honey

Taste: Butter, Oak, Lime

Finish: Short

Individual Points: 7, 9.5, 4.5, 6, 2, 6, 2, 6, 9, 4, 6, 6, 4.5, 5, 6.5, 4, 4, 3.5

2008 Nobilo Regional Collection - 98. 5 out of 190
Producer: Nobilo Wine Group Limited
Vineyard: Nobilo Wine Group Limited
Country/State/Region: Auckland, New Zealand
Price: $13.99
Aroma: Citrus
Appearance: Lemon
Body: Full
Nose: Grapefruit, Lemon, Grass
Taste: Pear, Grapefruit

Finish: Long
Individual Points: 3, 5, 8, 6, 6, 2, 2, 4, 3, 2, 5.5, 5, 7.5, 6, 7, 7, 6, 8

2009 Francis Ford Coppola - 97.5 points out of 190

Producer: Francis Ford Coppola

Vineyard: Francis Ford Coppola

Country/State/Region: Geyserville, California

Price: $14.99

Aroma: Floral

Appearance: Lemon

Nose: Pine, Rose

Taste: Lime, Apricot, Sour Apple

Finish: Short

Individual Points: 3, 2, 3, 6.5, 7.5, 7, 7.5, 2, 7, 8, 5, 6, 5, 6, 5, 6.5, 5, 7.5, 6.5, 7, 5

2009 Puerto Viejo - 93 points out of 190

Producer: Vina Requingua
Vineyard: Vina Requingua

Country/State/Region: Curico Valley, Chile

Price: $12.99

Aroma: Citrus

Appearance: Lemon

Body: Medium

Nose: Butter

Taste: Coconut, Pineapple

Finish: Short

Individual Points: 2, 3, 1, 2.5, 1, 1.5, 5, 4, 8, 5, 6, 8, 6, 7, 6.5, 4, 7, 8, 7.5

2009 Monkey Bay Wine - 91.5 out of 190
Producer: Monkey Bay Wine
Vineyard: Monkey Bay Wine
Country/State/Region: Monkey Bay, New Zealand
Price: $9.99
Aroma: Spice
Appearance: Lemon
Body: Medium
Nose: Apricot, Jalapeno, Honey
Taste: Apple, Jalapeno
Finish: Long
Individual Points: 6, 2, 6, 6, 6, 2, 8, 1, 0, 6, 8, 5, 1, 6, 6, 6, 8.5, 6, 6.5

2009 Rock Rabbit - 90 points out of 190

Producer: Rock Rabbit Winery

Vineyard: Rock Rabbit Winery

Country/State/Region: Graton, California

Price: $9.99

Aroma: Citrus, Floral

Appearance: Lemon

Body: Medium

Nose: Lime, Grapefruit, Lemon, Butter, Rose, Nectar

Taste: Butter, Grapefruit, Lemon, Sour Apple

Finish: Short

Individual Points: 6.5, 8, 7, 9, 1, 1, 1, 5, 3, 4, 6, 7, 5, 5, 6, 4, 5, 3, 3.5

2009 The Infamous Goose - 81.5 points out of 190

Producer: Mother Goose Wines Ltd.
Vineyard: Mother Goose Wines Ltd.

Country/State/Region: Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Price: $12.99

Aroma: Citrus

Appearance: Lemon

Body: Medium

Nose: Lime, Grapefruit

Taste: Pineapple, Pine, Grapefruit

Finish: Long

Individual Points: 4, 5, 2.5, 2, 2, 2, 3, 5, 3, 2, 4.5, 4, 8, 3, 5, 7, 5, 6, 6.5

2008 Monkey Bay Wine - 79 out of 190
Producer: Monkey Bay Wine
Vineyard: Monkey Bay Wine
Country/State/Region: Monkey Bay, New Zealand
Price: $9.99
Aroma: Floral
Appearance: Lemon
Body: Light
Nose: Pear, Grass
Taste: Grass, Butter, Sour Apple, Earth, Hay
Finish: Long
Individual Points: 2, 2, 6, 7, 5, 3, 2, 5, 3, 5, 4, 5, 2, 5.5, 5, 6, 5, 2, 4.5

2006 Gordon Brothers Cellars - 19 points out of 190

Producer: Gordon Brothers Cellars Inc.

Vineyard: Gordon Brothers Cellars Inc.
Country/State/Region: Pasco, Washington

Price: $14.99

Aroma: Spice

Appearance: Lemon

Body: Light

Nose: Sea Salt

Taste: Oil, Acetone

Finish: Long

Individual Points: 2, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1.5, 0, 0, 0, 0.5, 3, 0, 0.5, 1, 4, 5, 2, 1, 0, 0

Comments

By far the largest wine night we've ever had, with over 25 in attendance and 19 votes. (Derek and his friends left early because they were too cool for us, so their votes didn't count.) I have to say - we definitely hit the max amount of pours per bottle. 20 odd pours tapped each bottle out with a little more than a sip for each person.

Still, as evidenced by the photo above, everyone managed to still get pretty sloppy. And then they went in the pool! And then that ended really well! Just kidding - drunken swimming is safe and fine. You're sure to only have one concussion per. (WINK).

Jesse made his wine night debut - with a bottle of cider which he sneakily entered into the running. I mean, I thought it tasted great. A bit like green tea Snapple and I was all over giving that shit a 9.5. But Jamie and Evan weren't tricked. They both gave it a 0. Sauvignon Blanc doesn't taste like this, they said. (SNOBS) Still, the bottle came in FIRST PLACE. It was only then that Jamie read the label - 100% GRAPE JUICE.

Thanks, Jesse. Thanks.

19 Fabulous White Wines From The Kitchn

There are certain grape varieties and wine regions that I associate with summer days, such as Albariño from Rías Baixas in Northern Spain, Kabinett style Riesling from Germany, any white wine from Greece, Italy the South of France as well as their neighboring Mediterranean Islands. Torrontes from Argentina is also a great summer sip.

The possibilities are many, and this is not intended as a prescriptive or exhaustive list of worthwhile summer white wines, but rather a personal musing that I hope stimulates some discussion on what wines you like to drink over the summer.


Click through to read more!

Announcement for August Wine Night

For August's Wine Night:

Theme: Syrah/Shiraz
Date: August 13th, 2010
Time: 8:00
Location: Selina's

You are all invited to Selina's house on the aforementioned date and time for our ninth wine club gathering. The night's theme will be SYRAH or SHIRAZ, a dark-skinned grape grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce powerful RED wines. As such, every couple/uncoupled individual is responsible for bringing a bottle of SYRAH or SHIRAZ, which you can find at any liquor store for under $25, to the tasting. Selina will be providing food pairings to accompany the wine. Also, bring your bathing suits, as her pool will be open for drunken swimming.

GET EXCITED FOR ROUND 9 YOU CRAZY WINOS!!!

Don't forget to respond to our Facebook invite!

A Message From Our President

Just a reminder that you are all invited to Alissa's house on Friday, July 9 at 8:00pm for our eighth wine club gathering. The night's theme will be SAUVIGNON BLANC, a French-originated WHITE wine that is now most known for its cultivation in France, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil and California. As such, every couple/uncoupled individual is responsible for bringing a bottle of SUAVIGNON BLANC, which you can find at any liquor store for under $25, to the tasting. Alissa (and Nicole) will be providing food pairings to accompany the wine. Also, bring your bathing suits, as her pool will be open for drunken swimming.

GET EXCITED FOR ROUND 8 YOU CRAZY WINOS!!!

Meet This Crazy Wino - Alissa

Name: Alissa
Alias: Li, Li-Marie, Li-Mir
Occupation: Server/Waitress/Barmaid

When you brag, you brag about: I like things like LOTR, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and comic books. Some people think that's really nerdy, I think that's really cool.

What would you do if money was no issue? Buy myself a nice place to live, have super fun designing/decorating. Then travel the world with no worries.

Favorite Vintage: Bogel Chardonnay
Why? It's a delicious buttery smooth white wine that won't give me heartburn.

Your First Wine Experience: I was never a big drinker, but when I was underage and all the kids were going crazy I felt more relaxed drinking a glass of wine. When my sister (Nicole) was awesome enough to order me a glass when we were out, I'd always ask for a glass of red. She used to think me ordering red and not white was courageous and daring. This made me feel really chic.

What makes you a crazy wino? What happens in the meadow at dusk?

Favorite Quote: "Today you are you that is truer than true. There is no one alive more Youer than You." - Dr. Seuss

Personal Motto: It's not 'you should', it's 'you could'.

Top 3 items on your Bucket List: Get married, have a child, see the new 7 wonders of the world?

Top Choice Actor to play you for Our Monthly Wine Club - The Movie: Katherine Heigl

June Wine Night - Chardonnay

Host

Evan & Jess

Date

June 25th, 2010

Bottles

2004 Beaulieu - Inna & Max
2007 Cambria - Nicole
2007 Les Compagnons - Selina
2007 Francis Coppola - Tom & Kristal
2007 Brooklyn Oenology - Tara & Sean
2007 Vina Casa del Tamaya - Evan & Jess
2008 Bogel - Alissa
2008 Fetzer Valley Oaks - Brett & Katie
2008 Kendall-Jackson- Alissa
2008 Don Quixote - Timmy

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is believed to have originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand. For new and developing wine regions, growing Chardonnay is seen as a "rite of passage" and an easy segue into the international wine market.

The Chardonnay grape itself is very neutral, with many of the flavors commonly associated with the grape being derived from such influences as terroir and oak. It is vinified in many different styles, from the elegant, "flinty" wines of Chablis to rich, buttery Meursaults and New World wines with tropical fruit flavors.

Chardonnay is an important component of many sparkling wines around the world, including Champagne. A peak in popularity in the late 1980s gave way to a backlash among those wine drinkers who saw the grape as a leading negative component of the globalization of wine. Nonetheless, it remains one of the most widely-planted grape varieties, with over 400,000 acres (175,000 hectares) worldwide, second only to Airén among white wine grapes and planted in more wine regions than any other grape – including Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Results

WINNER: 2007 Cambria - 104.5 out of 140
Producer: Cambria Winery
Vineyard: Cambria Katherine's Winery
Country/State/Region: Santa Maria Valley, California
Price: $15.99
Aroma: Oak, Citrus
Appearance: Gold
Body: Medium
Nose: Butter, Caramel, Butterscotch, Pineapple
Taste: Caramel, Pineapple, Pear, Vanilla
Finish: Long
Individual Points: 10, 8, 8, 7, 7, 6, 6, 6.5, 5, 6, 8.5, 7, 9.5, 10

2008 Bogel Vineyards - 99 points out of 140

Producer:Bogel Vineyards

Vineyard: Bogel Vineyards

Country/State/Region: Clarksburg, California

Price: $10.99

Aroma: Citrus, Oak

Appearance: Gold

Body: Light

Nose: Butter, Butterscotch, Pineapple

Taste: Pineapple, Butter

Finish: Short

Individual Points: 6.5, 6, 6, 4, 6, 8, 8, 8, 6, 6, 8, 9, 8, 9.5

2008 Fetzer Valley Oaks - 92 points out of 140

Producer: Fetzer Vineyards
Vineyard: Fetzer Vineyards

Country/State/Region: Hopland, California

Price: $10.99

Aroma: Citrus

Appearance: Gold

Body: Light

Nose: Pear, Lemon, Lime, Butter, Apple

Taste: Lemon, Grapefruit, Apple

Finish: Short

Individual Points: 3, 4, 8, 7, 8.5, 9, 7, 6, 7, 6, 5, 6, 10, 5.5

2008 Kendall - Jackson - 92 points out of 140
Producer: Kendall Jackson
Vineyard: Kendall Jackson Vineyards & Winery
Country/State/Region: Santa Rosa, California
Price: $15.99
Aroma: Citrus, Oak
Appearance: Gold
Body: Medium
Nose: Pear, Butter, Oak
Taste: Melon, Honeydew, Pear, Butter, Pineapple, Mango, Papaya, Sour Apple
Finish: Long
Individual Points: 6, 7, 6, 6, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 6, 8, 7, 6, 8.5, 7

2008 La Senda de Don Quixote - 85.5 points out of 140
Producer: Cruzares, S.A.
Vineyard: La Tierra de Castilla
Country/State/Region: Ciudad Real, Spain
Price: $5.99
Aroma: Citrus, Floral
Appearance: Lemon
Body: Light
Nose: Pineapple, Butterscotch, Floral, Butter
Taste: Sour Apple, Flowers
Finish: Long
Individual Points: 6.5, 2, 4, 5, 9, 9, 5, 7, 7, 6, 6, 7, 8, 4




2007 Les Compagnons - 80 points out of 140
Producer: Les Compagnons
Vineyard: Les Compagnons
Country/State/Region: King City, California
Price: $14.99
Aroma: Citrus, Oak
Appearance: Lemon
Body: Light
Nose: Pear, Lemon, Lime, Green Apple
Taste: Pear, Pineapple, Lemon, Lime
Finish: Short
Individual Points: 5, 7, 5, 2, 6, 7.5, 5, 8, 8, 5, 5, 6, 5, 5.5


2007 Francis Coppola - 80 points out of 140
Producer: Francis Coppola Diamond Collection
Vineyard: Francis Coppola Winery
Country/State/Region: Monterey County, California
Price: $15.99
Aroma: Citrus, Oak
Appearance: Lemon
Body: Light
Nose: Lemon, Lime
Taste: Lemon, Lime, Sour Apple, Creme Brulee, Pear, Windex
Finish: Short
Individual Points: 4, 4, 3, 3, 7, 6, 4, 7, 7, 7, 8, 4, 9, 7

2007 Brooklyn Oenology - 79 points out of 140
Producer: Brooklyn Oenology
Vineyard: Brooklyn Oenology
Country/State/Region: Long Island, New York
Price: $18.99
Aroma: Citrus
Appearance: Gold
Body: Medium
Nose: Honey, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Pineapple, Peach, Quince, Tapioca
Taste: Sour Apple, Apricot, Mineral, Walnut
Finish: Long
Individual Points: 6, 2, 3, 5, 7, 5, 7.5, 5, 3, 5, 7, 9.5, 8, 6




2007 Vina Casa del Tamaya - 63.5 points out of 140
Producer: Vina Casa del Tamaya
Vineyard: Vina Casa del Tamaya
Country/State/Region: Lamari Valley, Chile
Price: $14.99
Aroma: Citrus, Floral
Appearance: Lemon
Body: Light
Nose: Flowers, Butter, Honey, Lemon, Pineapple, Vanilla
Taste: Raspberry, Lemon, Butter, Caramel, Fig, Honey
Finish: Short
Individual Points: 4, 6, 7, 5, 6, 5.5, 5, 4, 5, 2, 2, 4, 6, 2



2004 Beaulieu Vineyard - 5.5 points out of 140
Producer: Beaulieu Vineyard
Vineyard: Beaulieu Vineyard
Country/State/Region: Napa Valley, California
Price: $13.99
Taste: This wine had turned. So it tasted awful, basically.
Individual Points: 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 2, .5, 0, 0. 2, 0, 0

Comments

This time around, Evan and Jess decided to pair the wine with a popcorn bar. Which was totally yum. Evan had also cut up some apples and pears and had a butterscotch dip for the fruit. TO DIE FOR. I'm going to start dipping everything in butterscotch. Including myself.

You'll notice that one of the wines tasted like Windex. It seriously did. I basically had to hold Evan at gunpoint to get him to write that down. Windex, he said, isn't a boursgie adjective. This night of wines scored even worse than Cabernet Francs (ha!) ended with poor Inna & Max's wine which had probably turned back in 2004 when it was made. It was seriously the worst, but the awesome picture of Donato and I above was the amazing result.