Wine Appraiser

Tonight, we are talking tannins. What are they, why are they in wine, are they important, do I want them in my wine? We will attempt to answer all of these questions and more!Tannins are complex compounds that are found in many trees and grapes. In wine, tannins mostly come from the grapes, but can also come from the wood barrels during the aging process. In the grapes, most of the tannins are found in the skin, seeds, and stems of the grapes. So, the amount of contact the juice has with these components will ultimately affect the level of tannins in the wine. Tannins are responsible for astringency in the wine. This is a bitterness and is similar to that experienced in an over-steeped black tea. Tannins are important for wine aging. During the aging process, tannins form polymerize and ultimately precipitate as sediment and at that time, do not cause any astringency or bitterness on the palate.Tannins will cause a drying sensation in the mouth. The tannins bind with the saliva to make the mouth feel dry.A lot of tannins are found in the color compounds of wine. So if you like dark deep colored red wines, You probably like wines with greater amounts of tannin. Tannins are important to the aging process, and if you like wines that age and mature over time, you probably like wines with tannins. Tonight, we are going to look at some wine varieties with high tannin levels. First is a Tannat. This variety gets its name from tannin. It is a deep-black-berried grape variety. It is most famous or known to come from two areas. First is the Madiron area of Southwestern France. Second, is the South American Country of Uruguay. The wines are often blended with other varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot, or Pinot Noir.Second is Petit Verdot. Another black grape with thick skins and is one of the Bordeaux grapes. Bordeaux wines are blended wines. Petit Verdot is actually becoming a more popular blending option. It is popular because it adds to the color of the wine, and it adds tannins and the ability for the wines to age. It is also becoming more popular in Washington State and in California blends.Tonight, we are tasting:2022 Cashflow Red Mountain Washington Petit Verdot. The winery says the wine was aged for 24 months in 40% new French and American oak, It is made of 95% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of raisins, figs, currants and blackberry bramble. Flavors of mushroom, white pepper, sage, raisins, dates, concord grapes. It has 14.5% alcohol. Pairs with pulled pork tacos, pastrami sandwich, or creamy pasta salad. I purchased this from Gateway Market for around $30.00.2022 Garzon Reserva Tannat. This wine is from Uruguay. The wine has dark-fruit aromas and is full-bodied. Flavors of black and red fruits with firm tannins. Notes of herbs and graphite. The wine received a 90 rating from the Wine Enthusiast. It has 14.0% alcohol. I purchased the wine from Gateway Market for $18.00.Tannins pair with fatty, protein-rich, or savory dishes. Fat and protein will soften the tannins. Grilled steaks, aged cheeses, lamb, or dark chocolate.We liked both wines and rated both a 3. Next week we will continue our discussion of tannins.

Tonight we are tasting an Australian white wine. While not one of the major whites, Semillon is a fairly popular white wine produced in Australia. For the second straight week, our wine comes from the Barossa wine region.The Barossa wine region has two subregions or (GI's – Geographical Indications).Barossa ValleyEden ValleyBarossa Valley produces big red wines and bold whites. It is a warmer weather area.Eden Valley is located in a chain of hills called the Mount Lofty Ranges. The higher elevation makes Eden a distinctly cooler climate leading to wines with a tart and intense acidity. It is also where most white wine grapes are grown in Barossa.Two things to learn from tonight's show. Higher acidity in wine helps the wine age well. However, high-acid wines may need to be aged longer to mellow out the acid.Despite the two areas being closely located. They produce distinct wines.Tonight, we are tasting:2025 Torbreck Woodcutter’s Semillon, Barossa Valley. The bottle says the wine is made from grapes from old vines. The winery was #24 on “The Real Review” best wineries of Australia. Aged in stainless steel (60%) as well as seasoned French barriques (40%) for three months. It typically shows complex notes of smoked almonds and honeysuckle as well as buttery textures from the natural malolactic fermentation. Grapes are hand-picked over several days. It is unfined and unfiltered. Fresh and bright citrus and green-apple notes, and a subtle waxy richness on the finish. Enjoy now or cellar for 10 to 15 years.Other flavors mentioned. Brioche, French pastry, lime, grapefruit, lemon, aromatic perfume.Pairs with seafood, light white fish dishes, or Mexican or Asian salads.We loved the wine. I scored it a 4 and Denise a 5. I will definitely purchase more.

Australia is best known for its Shiraz. Big bold Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Coonawarra. These are all from South Australia.We have talked about Western Australia (Margaret River) known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.Yarra Valley in Victoria is a cooler region known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.Tasmania is off the south Coast of Australia and is an island. This is a cooler region and produces sparkling wines, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.Riesling is normally dry and crisp and best known for coming from the Clare Valley and the Eden Valley. Barossa Valley: Famous for bold Shiraz.Coonawarra: Renowned for rich Cabernet Sauvignon.Margaret River: A key region for elegant Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc blends.Clare Valley: Known for world-class, dry Riesling.McLaren Vale: Produces excellent Grenache, Shiraz, and GSM blends.Yarra Valley: A cooler climate region well known for quality Pinot Noir. Tonight, we are tasting:2020 Koonunga Hill, Shiraz Cabernet. Penfolds Wines South Australia. The winery is one of the best known in Australia and was established in 1844. Deep purple color, sweet dark dense berries, chocolate. Medium acidity, full-bodied, 14.5% alcohol. Flavors of vanilla bean creaminess and warm spice. Dried rosemary and sage might give appearance of earthiness. I purchased at Costco for $8. I mostly saw this wine running around $11, but I did see an online clearance sale (at Fine Wine and Good Spirits) for $4.33 (it said $11.26 off). The wine comes from the South Australia, but is a multi-regional blend. 65% Shiraz and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon.2020 Max’s Shiraz Cabernet Penfolds. I purchased this wine at WineStyles for $17.00. Wine Enthusiast says aromas of blackberry jam, cherry cordial, pencil shavings and sweet vanilla bean-and-dark-chocolate oak influence. Rich, balanced acidity with tannins in the background. Could benefit from a few more years of aging. The wine scored a 92 from Wine Enthusiast. 70% Shiraz and 30% cabernet Sauvignon. 14.5% alcohol.2021 Bin 28 Shiraz Penfolds. Purchased at Wall to Wall Wine for $30. Wine Enthusiast says dense, ripe and powerful with quite a bit of oak. Chocolate with dark fruit and pepper spice on the nose. Flavor is rich and luscious, muscular tannins support rather than overpowers. Could age for a few more years. The wine was scored a 93 from the Wine Enthusiast. The wine is aged in American Oak for 12 months. 14.5% alcohol.We both liked #2 Max's Shiraz/Cabernet the best, and we thought this was the best buy of the night. I also liked #3 Bin 28 Shiraz, a very powerful fruity-oaky wine. I felt it lost a little balance because of the amount of oak, Denise didn't care for it's finish. Neither of us really cared for #1 Koonunga Hill, Shiraz/Cabernet. Next week we are exploring white wines of Australia.

Tonight, we are tasting another new wine. It’s Gruner Veltliner. Sometimes just referred to as Gruner. These wines have primary flavors of lemon, lime, grapefruit, and nectarine; followed by notes of white pepper, iris, green bean, radish, tarragon, ginger, and honey.The best Gruners are perfumed, dry, and full-bodied with high acidity. This is the number one wine grape in Austria. It can be made into a light fruity wine, a heavier bodied dry wine, and a sparkling sekt.Serve well chilled, near refrigerator temperature.We are tasting with a Riesling which I'm guessing will be fairly similar to the Gruner.Tonight, we are tasting:2024 Doris and Leopold Gruner Veltliner. Purchased at Trader Joe’s for $5.99. Wine Enthusiast rated it an 88. Bright and lively, with zesty citrus, orchard fruit, white pepper spice, and a touch of macadamia on the finish. Clean and refreshing. 2025 Rieslingfreak No. 33 Reverence of Riesling. I purchased this wine from Costco for $14.99. It comes from Clare Valley, Australia. This winery has Rieslings that have scored upto 98. Fine Wine and Good Spirits called the wine highly perfumed bouquet of lemon thyme, lime, rosewater. This is a dry, fruity, and perfumed Riesling. The winery says it is made for immediate enjoyment. 10.5% alcohol.We both scored the Gruner a 3 and the Riesling a 4. We would highly recommend both of these wines.Next week we are exploring Australia.

What is a Pet-Nat?They will often have a bottle cap on top. They are sparkling, but not at the level of a Cava, Prosecco, or Champagne. They are lightly fizzed. They are natural wines made without much intervention. They use natural yeasts and without many additives. Pet-Nat’s normally have a little lower alcohol. I’ve read that they can be kind of funky, not sure what to expect.They use the “Methode ancestrale” – without intervention.Tonight, we are tasting::2024 Amuse Bouche Pet-Nat. I purchased this at Trader Joe’s for $12.99. It has no added sugar, yeasts, or sulfites. The wine has 12.5% alcohol. 100% Grenache from the Languedoc region. Notes of Raspberry and grapefruit, as well as some white peach notes by the nose. On the palate. The wine is moderate in acidity and has a good mouthfeel due to the fine and delicate bubbles. It contains no added yeast, sugars, or sulphites. Pairs with summer salads, seuteed shrimp.We did not like the wine. Denise rated it a 2 and I had more of a dislike and gave it a 1. Neither of us would buy this wine again.

Tonight, we are tasting two Merlots from different price points.The movie Sideways came out in 2004, and is now over 20 years old. When the movie was released, Merlot was the number #1 wine in the US, at about 15% of the total market. Greater than Cabernet Sauvignon at around 12%. By December of 2006, Merlot's market share was down to 12%, and by 2014 it was down further to 9%. California Merlot production also saw a huge reduction, going from 305,000 tons in 2000 to 220,000 tons in 2019.Merlot production in California’s (Napa/Sonoma) regions dropped 55-60% between 2000 and 2019, and new plantings of Merlot in California as a whole declined 35% from 2004 and 2023.But is Merlot set to rebound? It is still the top wine choice for Millennials in a 2016 survey. Merlot is still the most planted grape in Bordeaux. East Coast wine production is taking off, and Merlot is the number 1 grape in many of these areas.Tonight, we are tasting:2023 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Merlot. I purchased the wine from Trader Joe’s for $14.99. It comes from Napa Valley. It has 14.8% alcohol. The Reverse Wine Snob says aromas of dark fruit, lots of cedar, and other notes of barrel aging, such as a little spice. It gives it a recommended buy.2021 Markham Napa Valley Vineyards Merlot. I purchased the wine from Wall to Wall Wine for $29.00. It has 14.5% alcohol. The Wine Enthusiast, which scored it a 90, says, Juicy palate of cherries and plums drizzled through with chocolate and violet candy accented by fresh herbs. As usual, we blind-tasted the wines. Many times we find wines of various price ranges have only minor differences. That was not the case tonight. These wines are very different, especially in flavor. While I found the Trader Joe's wine to have a pleasant aroma, I found the taste simple and lacking substance. It had notes of fruit, spice, and herbs; but was overall a light taste and had a quick finish. Also, for having such light flavors, the tannins were pronounced. Denise scored this wine a 2, and I put it at a 3.The Markum was vastly different. It had a wonderful warm aroma full of berries, vanilla, and spice. The flavor was packed with berries, vanilla, spice, and chocolate. Smooth tannins and had a nice finish. Denise really liked this one but stayed at a 3. I really enjoyed it and gave it a strong 4.Scoring: 1-won't drink; 2-won't buy again; 3-nice drinkable wine; 4-buy again; 5-won't share Next week, we are going to learn about and taste our first Pet-Nat.

Tonight, we are tasting two Sauvignon Blancs.My favorite Sauvignon Blancs are from Sancerre, part of the Loire Valley in France. Bright but with a lot of minerality.Some people prefer the bright acidic Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand.We purchased two wines, a New Zealand wine from Trader Joe’s for $10, and a Napa Valley wine Costco for $28.Tonight, we are tasting:2024 Kono Sauvignon Blanc. I purchased the wine from Trader Joe’s for $10. It comes from Marlborough, New Zealand and received a 90 rating from the Wine Enthusiast. It has 13% alcohol. They say passionfruit, lime and grassy. Dry and zippy. The winery says aromas of citrus, grapefruit, passionfruit, and lemongrass. Taste of ripe lemon and lime, green apple, pineapple. Fresh and bright acidity. Pairs with seafood, scallops, mussels, oysters, white fish, salad, and vegetable dishes. Goat cheese. https://www.konowines.co.nz/2023 Beaulieu Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. This comes from the Rutherford region of Napa Valley. I purchased the wine from Costco for $28. The winery says aromas of meyer lemon, white peach, orange blossom, and bright pineapple, along subtle oak notes of brioche toast and marzipan. Flavors of ripe citrus fruits. Round and luscious, and very well balanced. Crisp and lively. Pairs with charcuterie platter, mixed salads, mixed salads, and lighter fish or chicken dishes.Wine Enthusiast rated this wine a 92. The wine spends 5 months in new French oak to add structure. https://www.bvwines.com/We both enjoyed the Kono. I scored a 4 and Denise a 3. The Beaulieu was not our favorite. I scored it a 3 and Denise a 2. I would definitely recommend the Kono. This wine was bright, but well balanced and packed with flavor. Next week, we are jumping into Merlot.

Tonight we have two Chenin Blanc-Viognier white blends. We have talked about both of these varieties before. Both of these wines are about 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% is Viognier. This is a typical blend because Chenin Blanc is bright and acidic and Viognier is fuller-bodied with a hint of sweetness (eventhough it is a dry wine).Chenin Blanc is a very versatile grape that can be made into late harvest sweet dessert wines, dry white wines, sparkling wines, and oaked or unoaked wines.While versatility could be a good thing, it may actually be a bad thing because people don’t always know what the wine is going to be like when they get a Chenin Blanc. We have also talked about Viognier before. Viognier in France comes mostly from the Rhone Valley. Outside of France it can be found in North and South America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.It has some similarities to Chardonnay because it can make a full-bodied white wine. It requires a long growing season to develop, and is known for having lower yields. Viognier has flavors of tangerine, mango, honeysuckle, rose, and peach. Serve slightly chilled from 45 to 55 degrees. Pair with white meats or fish, especially if they are nut encrusted. Tonight, we are tasting:2024 Mbali Chenin Blanc-Viognier. I purchased this at Trader Joe’s for $5.99. It is made up of 79% Chenin Blanc and 21% Viognier. The Reverse Wine Snob says it has bright fruit guava, melon, lychee, and honeyed tangerine. Mbali is the Zulu word for flower. The Cheap Wine Finder says this is a wine to buy multiple bottles of. I like his line “keep it cheap”. The wine is unoaked and has 13.5% alcohol.2024 Pine Ridge Vineyards Chenin Blanc-Viognier. I purchased this at Trader Joe’s for $13.99. It is made up of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier. It’s vegan friendly, gluten free, no pesticides, lower alcohol, and has less than 1 gram of sugar per glass. They use a lighter bottle which is better for the environment. Pairs with light salads, seafood, and foods with a bit of spiciness. Great pair with appetizers. Aromas of Kiwi, melon, key lime zest, white flowers, honeysuckle, and jasmine. Flavors of Lychee, orange blossom, peach, citrus, crisp acidity. Clean and bright with no oak and no malolactic fermentation. Fruit comes from Clarksburg, CA. Was voted the #27 Best Buy by the Wine Spectator.We loved the Pine Ridge and scored it a 4. The Mbali was also good and we both gave it a 3. Next week, we are having a Mystery Show. Can we tell what we are drinking. Most importantly, we will go through the reasoning for our guess.

It is Austria’s most planted wine grape. Named after Dr. Zweigelt who developed the variety in 1922 from a cross of Blaufrankisch and St. Laurent. The wine is known for being bright, tart, and fruity. Zweigelt can also make great rose’ sparkling wines. In Austria sparkling wine is known as Sekt.People say the wine compares to a Pinot Noir.Tonight, we are tasting:2020 Johann Schwarz “The Butcher” Zweigelt. I purchased the wine from Gateway Market in Des Moines for $21.99. It is 100% Zweigelt and has 12.5% alcohol. It comes from Burgenland region of Austria and received an 85 rating from the WineEnthusiast. Aromas of cherry, dark berries, herbs, and spices. Balanced palate with firm tannins and flavors of cherry and oak.We both unfortunately did not like this wine and rated it a 2. We did not get the tart and acid that is described and found it to be flat and flabby. We promise to give the variety another try later. Next week, we are having a tasting that I am super excited for. We have two Chenin Blanc-Viognier blends. Both are inexpensive, but one was listed as #27 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines.

Tonight, we are tasting three wines. Two will be around $10, and a third wine will be over $20. Can we taste the difference?Tonight, we are tasting:2022 Epicuro Aglianico from Puglia, Italy. Purchased from Trader Joe’s for $5.99. Blackberry and cherry with light spicy notes. Smooth and velvety. 13% alcohol. Single varietal wine, fermented in stainless steel tanks followed by maturation on the lees for several months before bottling. Does have some residual sugar. 2023 Tribunal Red Wine from the North Coast of California. Purchased at Trader Joe’s for $12.00. Bold and full-bodied. Jammy fruit forward wine with lots of spice. People say it can be a little hot, but pairs well with burgers, pizza, and tacos.2017 Skylark las aves from the North Coast of California. This was purchased from Wine Styles for around $25. Mendocino County California. A Spanish inspired blend of 33% Carignane, 27% Syrah, 26% Grenache, and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. Received a 92 rating from Wilfred Wong. Aromas of red cherry and raspberry, floral violet, and forest floor.Denise liked the $12 wine, the Tribunal. I preferred the $25 Skylark. However, if you like fruity, jammy, oaky red wines, and are looking for a bargain. You might want to try the Tribunal. I can really indorse the Skylark. I found this to be very smooth with good acidity and very well balanced. Next week, we are having our first Austrian wine, a Zweigelt.

Tonight, we are tasting a Champagne and celebrating the past year. We are drinking a LeMesnil Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru Brut Champagne. It is 100% chardonnay and comes from the Grand Cru vineyards of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. It is a dry wine with flavors of citrus (lemon & orange), white flowers, peach, almond blossom, brioche, pie crust, biscuit, chalky minerality, and a creamy finish. It is aged on the lees for years and the grapes are grown in chalky soils. It costs around $50.Best show moment – top three count down.12/17/25 Dennis the wine grape going into the wine press.10/1/25 Ned and Mertal started the show.5/7/2025 Mothers Day we did 70’s slang.Next week we will have the first show of the new year. Budget show with 2 wines from around $10 and one at around $20.

Tonight, we are recapping some of our favorite wines of the past year.The winner for the best buy would be from our 6/26/2025 show on Italian wines. A 2022 Madia Torre Zambra Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. We purchased this wine from Costco for $7.99. We both loved the wine and scored it a 4.We also loved the Stone Hill Dry Rose which we tasted on our 5/28/2025 show about Rose'. We purchased this wine from the Winery in Missouri and paid $13.00. Again, we both loved the wine and rated it a 4.My favorite overall wine came from the 7/23/2025 show. It is a 2020 Infinito Monastrell that was purchased at Costco for $14.99. I loved the wine and scored it a 4, Denise was less enthusiastic and rated it a 3. We also had some Honorable Mentions. Oregon Pinot NoirCalifornia Petite Sirah Sonoma Old Vine ZinfandelTonight we are tasting two Cabernet Sauvignons from Chile. They are.2019 Santa Ema Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva from the Maipo Valley, Chile. It received a 90 rating from the Wine Spectator. Aromas of cherries and prunes with notes of menthol, tobacco, and toast. Ripe tannins and tremendous structure. Perfect for grilled meats. 13.5% alcohol. I purchased this wine from Costco for $7.99.2019 Vivendo Cabernet Saquvignon. It is also from the Cachapoal Valley, Chile, but comes from high altitude vineyards. (1600 meters) 14.0% alcohol and comes from the Calyptra Winery. Notes of black cherries, fresh plums, blueberries, along with a floral hint. Smooth tannins and juicy acidity. Tank-aged for 12 months and then bottle-aged for a least 12 months. I purchased this wine from Winestyles for around $20.00.We both liked this wines. Denise rated both wines a 4 and I gave them both a 3 rating. Very different wines, but both are good. The Santa Ema (#1) is a darker and very fruit forward wine. The Vivendo (#2) is dark fruit, but lacks the spiciness and oak of #1. However, the Vivendo is probably a more complex and earthy Cabernet.Next week, its New Years so we will be tasting some Champagne and talking about the past year. Things we are thankful for, list of things we have learned about wine this year, and what's in store for 2026.

Tonight, we are tasting and learning about the red-wine blend Amarone della Valpolicella.This wine is a dried-grape wine. It’s a red wine blend. I’m not going into the varieties because I’ve never heard of them.Amarone has to be aged for at least two years, four for wines labeled riserva.Until the 1950’s this wine was not really exported, but is now popular in Scandinavia, Germany, and the United States.By law the grapes must be dried at least until the first of December. The drying process results in a metabolization of the acids and a polymerization of tannins in the skins. (The wine becomes smoother) In normal language, the wine goes from bitter and tart to creamy.In recent years, the trend has been toward wines with less oak, less residual sugar, and less alcohol. Tonight, we are enjoying:2021 Tutela Amarone della Valpolicella. I purchased this wine from Costco for $30.99. The wine comes from the DOCG region which is from Veneto region of Italy, near the town of Verona. The grapes used are dried for 120 days on their clusters before a long fermentation process. the wine has 15% alcohol and a deep dark ruby red color. It has aromas of chocolate, herbs, tobacco, and currants. Full-bodied wines with pronounced tannins and a long finish. Drink now through 2038. Scored a 91 from the wine enthusiast.We both loved this wine. Denise scored it a 4 and I gave it a 5.Next week, its Christmas and we will do some recapping of the past year and talk about our favorite wines.

Tonight, we are tasting and learning about the red wine grape Blatina, and doing a quick overview of Bosnian wine.Blatina is a red wine grape variety mostly grown in Herzegovina region of Bosnia-Herzegovina. It was traditionally used as a blending grape with Alicante Bouschet, Merlot, and Trnjak. With the main grape being Trnjak. It produces a dark red wine and is made both in stainless steel and oak barrels. It often has spicy and coffee notes, and developes more chocolatey flavors with age. It does not self-pollinate, so it has to be planted with other varieties to produce fruit.Tonight, we are enjoying:2020 Vinogradi Nuic Blatina Barrique. I purchased this wine from a local wine store Gateway Market for $32.00. It is made from the Blatina grape variety and comes from the Nuic Winery in the Mostar Wine Region. It is aged for 12 months in barrique and 3 months in stainless steel. The wine has 15% alcohol and a deep dark ruby red color. It has aromas of chocolate, herbs, tobacco, and currants. Full-bodied wines with pronounced tannins and a long finish.  Next week, we are having a new wine for us, Amarone della Valpolicella.

Tonight, we are tasting and learning about the red wine grape Petite Sirah.In the past, I thought Petite Sirah must be just a small grape variety of Syrah. I was wrong. Well then, what is it?The grape is also known as Durif, that is a cross between Syrah and Peloursin. The grape has thick skins which give the wine a dark color. Today California has about 12,000 acres planted to Petite Sirah, making it the 6th most planted red variety. California is the main location where the grape is grown. You will also find some in Australia, but very little remains in Europe. Petite Sirah is known for having lots of fruit flavor, full-bodied, high tannins, and high alcohol. Acid is normally medium. Cooler climates will give you similar characteristics as Syrah such as pepper, cured meat, and violets. I read the grape was many times misidentified before DNA testing showed what it really was. Pairs with tomato-based dishes. Also pairs well with sharp cheddars, pecorino, or Parmigiano Reggiano. Tonight, we are enjoying: 2021 Criss Cross Wines Petite Sirah. I purchased this wine from a local wine store Gateway Market for $15.99. Aged in French and American Oak. 99.5% Petite Sirah, 0.5% other varietals. Comes from Clarksburg, California. 4.4 g/L residual sugar and has a 3.89 pH. Aromas of Black plum, cassis, chicory, spice. Flavors of black strawberry, raspberry, cinnamon, blood orange zest, mineral, bittersweet chocolate, and silky tannins. It received a 92 rating and a “best buy rating” from the Wine Enthusiast.  2021 Foppiano Estate Grown Petite Sirah. The wine comes from the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. I purchased the wine at Gateway Market for $24.99. It received a 91 rating from the Wine Enthusiast. They say Juicy blackberries and black cherries are lightly accented by mint and chocolate. It is a full-bodied dark-colored wine. Tannins merge with fruit to produce a well-balanced wine.  We really enjoyed both of these wines. If you like a dark, fruit-forward, earthy, spicy wine – you should give these wines a try. Both wines received very good scores from the Wine Enthusiast, and we both agreed and gave both wines a 4-rating. Next week, we are having a Bosnian wine.

Tonight, Denise selected our wine because of it’s unique label, but it is also a new variety for us to taste. We have never had a single variety Macabeo. This grape variety is normally used in blends, and is one of the main grapes used in Cava.The wine comes from a newer winery, Parajes del Valle that started in 2018. The winemaker is just 28 years old, but it seems she is very well regarded. They are Certified Organic. One website said the wine is excellent with crab legs.Tonight, we are enjoying:2023 Macabeo Ecologico. It is described as having juicy pear, green apple and citrus with bright acidity and a fresh mineral edge. The grapes are hand-picked, fermentation is started in stainless steel tanks with wild yeasts, and is finished in concrete for 15 days. Minimal sulphur is added after fermentation. The wine is stored in the concrete tanks until bottling. Bright; clean and crisp white fruit on the nose with yellow apple; crunchy pear and a bit of ripe green citrus. The palate is super clean and fresh with heaps of upfront acidity; lime and crisp yellow apple. There is a subtle floral note at the back and a little softer pear and melon. Mouthwatering.Denise liked the wine a lot, but thought it really needed to be paired with some food. I was less of a fan, but mostly because it just isn't my type of wine. We both gave it a three rating, Denise being a high three and close to four, and myself a low three close to a two.Next week we will taste and learn about Petite Sirah.

Tonight, we selected our wine because of it's beautiful label. Oak Farm Vineyards is from Lodi, California. The wine is estate-grown. The bottle is clear with a small plaque identifying the wine, with a black sketch of a tree growing around it. The tree is a mass of branches, limbs, and leaves growing around the plaque. Albarino is one of the main Spanish white wine grapes. Characterized by high acidity and thick skins. Albo means white in Spanish. The grape does well in hot climates and can also withstand humidity. Most Spanish Albarino wine has an alcohol level below 12.5%, but tonight’s wine is 13.5%. Albarino is also known for its minerality, which makes it great for pairing with seafood. Tonight, we are enjoying:2022 Oak Farm Vineyards Estate Grown Albarino. It is described as a crisp, medium-light-bodied white wine with floral aromas and citrusy flavors. The wine was purchased from the Gateway Market, in Des Moines for $20. It has flavors of grapefruit, honeydew melon, and a bright, minerally finish. I believe it was fermented in stainless-steel tanks with a bit of lees aging. Next week, we are having the second of Denise’s label shows, a wine she picked because of it’s unique label. It is the 2023 Parajes del Valle Macabeo Manchuela Ecológico.

Tonight, we are tasting and learning about the hybrid wine grape Baco Noir. This is a French Hybrid wine grape. Baco Noir is an easy-to-grow grape that produces a medium to full-bodied wine with fresh acidity and dark fruit flavors hinting of black pepper and tobacco. Wines made of Baco Noir can also have notes of licorice, cedar, and smoke. Normally it will have medium tannins.Pairs with tomato-based dishes. Also pairs well with sharp cheddars, pecorino, or Parmigiano Reggiano.Tonight, we are enjoying:2020 Heron Hill Vineyards Baco Noir Reserve. This is from the Finger Lakes region of New York, specifically the vineyard is located on the western slope of Keuka Lake. I purchased it from Wine Styles in West Des Moines for approximately $25. Aromas of plum, black cherry, and dried blueberry. Medium to full-bodied. 13.9% alcohol, pH of 3.55, and 0% residual sugar. It is aged for 10 months in neutral French oak, and has medium-to-full body. The winery says this wine is great to be cellared for up to 15 years. 2023 Chloe, Monterey County Pinot Noir. Notes of strawberry and black cherry. This is around a $15 bottle of wine and can be found at many of the major retail stores. Subtle hints of clove and vanilla. Silky mouthfeel and soft finish. 14.0% alcohol. Neither of us cared for the Chloe Pinot Noir and both scored it a 2. We finished our glass but would not purchase this wine again. We both enjoyed the Heron Hill Winery Baco Noir. I gave it a 4 and Denise scored it a 3. I agree with Denise that it is not the most complex wine, but I just loved the easy and pleasing aroma and taste. It is very fruit forward with flavors of plum and blueberry. I got some earthiness and spice on the nose, but flavor is mostly over-powered by the fruit.Next week, we are having Denise’s show, a wine she picked because of it’s pretty label. It is the Oak Farm Vineyards 2022 Albarino.

Tonight, we are trying a Kabinett Riesling from Mosel, Germany. Just for some added fun we also have an Emma Reichart Dry Riesling from Rheinhessen, Germany. So what is a Kabinett (Cabby – Net) and what are other words used to describe the sweetness in German wines. Trocken is the German word for dry. Kabinett has crisp acidity, green apple, citrus and delicate floral notes. Good for an aperitif and pair nicely with light seafood dishes and salads. Dry to a little sweet. Spatlese is a late harvested wine so will have riper stone fruit, touches of honeyed and tropical notes, and acidity. These wines pair well with spicy foods and soft cheeses. Auslese is made from fully ripe fruit and may even have some “Nobel rot”. It has flavors of apricot, honey, and caramelized apple. Pairs with desserts and strong blue cheese. Hint: you can often tell the level of sweetness from the alcohol level. Anything over 11% alcohol will typically be dry. Less than 11% will probably have some level of sweetness. Tonight, our two wines are: 2023 Karl Kaspar Riesling Kabinett. It is an off-dry Riesling with a classic Mosel profile. Intense mineral and floral aromas, low alcohol and a wonderful balance between sweetness and crisp acidity. The grapes come from two single vineyard sites of stoney, slate soil. Grapes of different ripeness levels are used. 45% Riesling Spatlese from middle Mosel and 55% Riesling Kabinett from the lower Mosel. Fermented in stainless steel tanks. Serve well chilled. Excellent aperitif or with fish or poultry. 2024 Emma Reichart Dry Riesling. This wine was purchased from Trader Joe’s for $5.99 and comes from the Rheinhessen region of Germany. Flavors of peach, citrus, and slate. Crisp. The wine received a Bronze Award and a score of 88 from Decanter. This is considered a medium-dry wine with residual sugar from 5 to 18 g/L. It has 11.5% alcohol.We both liked the wines and gave them a three rating. Denise liked the Emma Reichart, but I found it to be a little sweet and lacked the balance of the Karl Kaspar. Next week, we return to the USA. We will taste the hybrid wine grape Baco Noir. The wine comes from New York, and we will also talk about its wine industry.

Champagne must be made in the traditional method.A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The wine comes from the grand cru village of Verzenay in the Champagne region of France.Tonight, we are tasting:NV Kirkland Signature Brut Champagne. It is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. The grapes come from the grand cru village of Verzenay. Matures in the bottle for 15 months. It is made by wine maker Manuel Janisson who doesn’t really market his wines in the US, but his least expensive wines range from $40 to $50 per bottle. The wine has a rich texture and has notes of gingerbread, orange, peaches, and citrus. The Reverse Wine Snob reports aromas of lime, lemon, apple, and a bit of freshly baked bread and some floral. Flavors of creamy yet crisp lemon zest, lime, and green apple. Also has some minerality.  Pairs with salty foods, white meat, and sweet potatoes. We both loved this wine and rated it a 4. Sparkling wine is not our go to wine, but we will buy this again. If you haven't tried it, put it on your list. Next week, we are trying a wine that is new to us. It is a German Riesling Kabinett. We will find out what that means and see if this will be our Thanksgiving wine.