A German Rosé

A German Rosé: Wine Reviewed
Winzergenossenschaft Königschaffhausen Pinot Noir Rosé Trocken 2011 12.5 % alcohol about $12

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Description : The name may be hard to pronounce but this is a rosé that is very easy to enjoy. It shows plenty of authentic Pinot Noir character in a refreshingly light style. Tasting Note : Pretty nose of red cherry, strawberry, and mineral with notions of peach and watermelon. Quite dry, with laser-focused acidity. Juicy strawberry and sour cherry echo on the palate. Crisp, lingering finish. Pair with summer salads, stuffed peppers, or chicken skewers hot off the barbecue. (VINTAGES panel, March 2012)” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was quite acidic, but not excessively, and showed a touch of sweetness. In the presence of Japanese rice crackers the drink was long, tasting of strawberries. My first meal centered on an omelet perked up by garlic powder, black pepper, dried basil, and crushed chilies. In response the libation offered raspberries and sour cherries with pleasant acidity. The sides each had their own impact. Paired with a Jerusalem Artichoke the wine responded with raspberries. Zesty guacamole made it taste lightly metallic, and roasted eggplant brimming with garlic rendered the liquid long with good acidity.

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A Mateus Rosé

A Mateus Rosé:

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed
Sogrape Mateus Rosé no vintage 11% alcohol about $9

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Pale salmon color; fragrant strawberry and raspberry fruit aromas; off-dry, cherry fruit flavors, with a soft finish. Serving Suggestion : Great picnic wine, chilled with cold cuts & mild cheese.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was pleasantly sweet with good acidity. In the presence of Japanese rice crackers the drink’s acidity stepped up a bit and was lightly metallic. My first meal centered on an omelet perked up by garlic powder, black pepper, dried basil, and crushed chilies. In response this libation was moderately forceful; it was refreshing. The sides each had their own impact. Paired with a Jerusalem Artichoke the wine’s sweetness picked up; it was round. Zesty guacamole muted the wine, but roasted eggplant brimming with garlic rendered the liquid sweet and long.

This review of A Mateus Rosé:continues on my web site.

An Efrat Israeli Merlot

An Efrat Israeli Merlot: Wine Reviewed
Efrat Israeli Samson Merlot Kosher for Passover Merlot 2010 13% alcohol about $15

There were no marketing materials so let’s start with the back label. “Our Merlot is round and fruity grown in our vineyards in Dir Rafat. It offers aromas of ripe blueberries and raspberries. Medium bodied with smooth texture, it is complemented by hints of spices and oak.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was mouth filling and upbeat with lots of plums. In the presence of Japanese rice crackers the drink presented round tannins and balanced acidity. My first meal centered on barbecued chicken with a paprika-dusted skin. This libation was presented some chocolate and acidity that really cut the leg’s grease. In the presence of the breast its acidity and chocolate intensified. The accompanying roasted eggplant salad (mayo, mayo, mayo) made our French friend’s acidity drop but its tannins were round.

This review of  An Efrat Israeli Merlot: continues on my web site.

A Merlot From Languedoc, France

A Merlot From Languedoc, France: Wine Reviewed
B & G Partager Reserve Merlot 2010 13.5% alcohol about $10

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Dark ruby color; aromas of raspberry, currants, and a hint of herbs; dry with medium body. Serving Suggestion : Drink now with roasted red meats, vegetable ragout, or tourtiere.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was mouth filling, with round tannins and good length. In the presence of Japanese rice crackers the drink sweetened. My first meal centered on barbecued chicken with a paprika-dusted skin. This libation was plummy with good acidity showing no difference when paired with the breast or the leg. The accompanying roasted eggplant salad (mayo, mayo, mayo) cut our French friend’s acidity while keeping the fruit.

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A Spanish Tempranillo Rosé

A Spanish Tempranillo Rosé:

Wine Reviewed
Faustino V Tempranillo Rosada Rioja DOC 2010 13 % alcohol about $12

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Description : Faustino Martinez's Rosado is made with 100% Tempranillo. The fruit macerates only 8-10 hours at low temperatures before the free-run juice is bled off. The wines are then fermented and matured in stainless steel. Look for aromas of blackberry, raspberry and strawberry. The fruit notes continue through the tasting, culminating in round, zippy flavors and a refreshing finish. Try this medium-bodied rosé today with pasta arrabbiata. » And now for my review.

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A New York Cream Rosé

A New York Cream Rosé: - Sent using Google Toolbar

A New York Cream Rosé

Do you like your wine sweet and low (alcohol)?...

New York Cream Rosé

I think this is my first New York State wine. Despite, or perhaps because of the unseasonably cold spring weather, I have decreed this to be rosé week and am reviewing a cream (read sweet) wine made from undisclosed grapes. The vintner, Allied Wine of Monticello, New York, is a family owned and operated company with over 50 years experience in Kosher winemaking and distillation. Their web site includes FAQs on Kosher wine. The companion wine is another rosé; made in northern Spain from the country’s signature red grape costing a few dollars more.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Armon New York State Cream Rosé no vintage 9 % alcohol about $10

There were no marketing materials and the back label was essentially silent, so we go straight to my review.
At the first sips the wine presented pleasant, soda pop sweetness and was slightly metallic. My first meal centered on a dry, honey and garlic sesame-barbecued chicken breast. The liquid responded with some citrus and some raspberry but was definitely too sweet. When paired with the side dish of a Tuscan three bean medley containing sundried tomatoes the drink’s sweetness became cloying and it provided virtually no fruit. The meal’s other accompaniment was an eggplant salad with lots and lots of mayonnaise. Now my glass spoke with more acidity and less sugar. Fresh honeydew for dessert rendered our New Yorker syrupy with good acidity but too much sugar.

This review of A New York Cream Rosé: continues on my web site.

A Sicilian Nero D'Avola

A Sicilian Nero D'Avola: Wine Reviewed
Tasca d’Almerita Lamuri Angel Nero D’Avola IGT 2009 13,5 % alcohol about $14

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : The 2009 Lamuri is Tasca's mid-range Nero d'Avola, although it is a wine that regularly overdelivers for its price. Sweet candied fruit, herbs and flowers meld together nicely in this polished, mid-weight red. The 2009 is a somewhat firm Lamuri that will require at least 6-12 further months in bottle. I especially like the intensity and drive of the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. From top to bottom this is an impressive set of wines from Tasca d'Almerita. The estate seems to have honed in on a refined style across the entire range. Score - 91. (Antonio Galloni, at the E Robert Parker web site, June 2011)”. And now for my review.

At the first sips the wine was sweet and chewy, offering leather and a fine finish. Japanese Wasabi crackers rendered the acidity light. This liquid was long. My first meal centered on slow-cooked round steak. The meat managed to weaken the wine, which responded with the taste of chocolate. When paired with the accompanying potatoes the NDA’s acidity was somewhat harsh and sweetish. The chocolate continued. Green beans in tomato sauce intensified its chocolate. The delicious side of roasted eggplant brimming with garlic rendered our Sicilian friend round and long. The meal finished with praline-filled bittersweet Swiss chocolate and my glass responded with the taste of black cherries that lasted and lasted.

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An Organic Sicilian Red

An Organic Sicilian Red:

Angel Giorgio and Gianni Nero D’Avola IGT 2010 13 % alcohol about $10

There were no marketing materials and the back label was essentially silent, except for listing the organic certification. So we go straight to my review.

At the first sips the wine offered dark acidity and fleeting harshness. It was slightly sweet. Japanese Wasabi crackers really thinned this liquid. My first meal centered on slow-cooked round steak. The wine bounced back tasting of dark cherries. When paired with the accompanying potatoes the NDA continued to step up and yet remained rather thin. Green beans in tomato sauce rendered it forceful and somewhat metallic. But when I enjoyed the delicious side of roasted eggplant brimming with garlic, our Sicilian friend lost his way. The meal finished with praline-filled bittersweet Swiss chocolate and my glass responded with a tinge of dark cherries.

This review of An Organic Sicilian Red: continues on my web site.