District 7 Chardonnay Monterey County 2010

The wine is a light to medium 14-Karat gold color.  On the nose the aromas are slightly elusive ranging from an initial tangerine to "movie theatre" buttered popcorn.  See what you think.  On the palate the wine is dry, medium-bodied with mouth-watering acidity.  The flavors are light intensity of, once again, elusive fruit (maybe citrus, baked apple or unripe pineapple).  The finish is clean with a short length that is refreshing.  There is some lingering very slight hints of possible baked apple and pineapple.  Serve chilled between 45F and 50F.

Wine & Food:  Casual get-togethers and meals.  Due to the wines relatively neutral character it would pair with almost any food.

Approximate Retail Price: US$13.00

--Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Carmine's Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie IGT 2010

Carmine's is NYC's legendary family style Italian restaurant.

In the glass the wine is a pale wheat/pale yellow color.  On the nose there is a very light intensity of an eleusive tropical fruit and melon.  The wine is dry, light-bodied with mouth-watering acidity with a very slight hint of tropical fruit flavor on the palate.  The finish is clean with a very short length with no lingering flavors although there might be a very SLIGHT hint of unripe pineapple.  Serve chilled 45F to 50F.

Wine & Food: Any very casual get-together for appetizers or meal.  This is a "quaffing" wine.

Approximate Retail Price: US$10.00

-- Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Gérard Bertrand Réserve Spéciale Viognier 2011 Vin de Pays D'Oc

A pale yellow gold or yellow straw color in the glass that is consistent to the rim.  On the nose you are greeted with slight hints of orange peel, dried apricot and an undefined floral/blossom.  On the palate the wine is dry, medium to full bodied with mouth-watering acidity.  The flavors are light intensity of an elusive tropical fruit/citrus quality along with a very slight hint of unripe to medium ripe yellow peach.   The finish is clean with a short length dominated by the citrus quality.  Serve chilled between 45F to 50F.

Wine & Food: Serve as an aperitif or with a fish or seafood main course.

Approximate Retail Price: US$13.00

--Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Jean-Pierre et Pascal Lafond Roc-Epine Tavel Rosé 2011

In the glass the wine displays a light salmon color core that moves to a wide lighter salmon pink rim.  On the nose there is pronounced ripe crush raspberries with a sweet red cherry candy quality.  There is a slight hint of ripe peach.  On the palate the wine is dry, medium-bodied with mouth-watering acidity.  The flavors seem to be light to almost a medium intensity (not very concentrated or intense) of ripe raspberry and medium-ripe peach. The flavors on the palate are not The finish is clean with a slight lingering melange of the peach and raspberry for a moderate time.

Special Note: With the glass empty, having a very small amount of wine left at the bottom, there is an aroma with pronounced intensity similar to raspberry cheesecake.  It has a thick and lush creamy quality.

Wine & Food:  Rosé wines are refreshing and food friendly during all the seasons of the year. Goat cheese along with other soft cheeses (brie, camembert, etc.). As with many Rosé wines you can pair with Barbecue hamburgers and ribs, grilled or broiled salmon, ham, lobster, wide assortment of omelets for brunch, vegetable salads with seafood or chicken.

Approximate Retail Price: US$18.00

-- Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Forth Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Sanford Ranch Mendocino County 2010

A pale wheat color in the glass.  On the nose there is an initial hint of a "yeasty" quality (could even be "dry baled hay") combined with fresh floral, citrus and melon notes.  On the palate the wine is dry, light to medium bodied with mouth-watering acidity.  The flavor is citrus, particularly lemon that is medium intensity.  The finish is clean, with lingering sharp citrus (lemon) fro a moderate amount of time.

Wine & Food:  Cheeses such as Goat, Brie, Feta, Fontina, Buffalo Mozzarella.  Seafood (shell fish or fish), Chicken, and Salads.  I would use complementary ingredients to highlight the wines citrus flavor such as capers, green olives, lemon, mushrooms, and certainly fresh green herbs.

Approximate Retail Price: US$16.00

-- Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Producer;s Comments about Kenn's Tasting Notes:

Kenn,

 

I think you captured it beautifully.  Thank you for featuring our wine.

 

Best regards,

 

Gerry
-- 

Gerry Forth
Forth Dry Creek Estate LLC
Forth Vineyards
Winery:  18850 Hassett Lane
Geyserville, CA 95441

Newman's Own Chardonnay 2009

Pale gold color.  On the nose there is a medium intensity of minerality, pineapple with a hint of floral notes.  On the palate the wine is dry, full-bodied (creamy) with a low intensity of flavor -- hints of citrus.  The finish is clean with a short length with little lingering flavor.  Serve chilled between 45F to 50F.

Wine & Food: Informal gatherings needing an informal quaffing wine.

Approximate Retail Price: US$11.00

-- Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Newman's Own Pinot Noir 2010

In the glass the wine displays a "dusty" cherry color of medium intensity.  The aromas have a pronounced ripe red cherry with a hint of cinnamon spice.  On the palate the wine is dry, light-bodied with low tannins and mouth-watering acidity.  The flavors are hints of unripe red fruit.  The finish is clean and short with only the refreshing acidity remaining.  Serve slightly chilled about 55F.

Wine & Food:  Informal gathering for appetizers, Barbecue, or reading with chips.

Approximate Retail Price: US$11.00

-- Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Da Vinci Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie IGT 2011

In the glass the wine offers a pale gold color constant to the rim.  On the nose there is a pronounced intensity of citrus (lemon, grapefruit) or even lemon zest.  On the palate the wine is dry, medium-bodied with mouth-watering acidity.  The flavors on the palate are citrus/tropical fruit, lemon/lemon zest, and moderately ripe pineapple.  The finish is clean with a short length offering lingering lemon/citrus flavors.  Serve chilled between 45F and 55F.

Wine & Food:  An all purpose wine for Appetizers and lunches.  Cheeses might be Goat, Rocotta, Mozzarella or Fontina.  Dishes with seafood or fish seasoned with citrus (lemon or lime), capers, and green herbs.

Approximate Retail Price: US$14.00

-- Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Da Vinci Chianti DOCG 2010

In the glass the wine has a deep cherry core moving to a narrow dark pink rim.  On the nose there is a very slight hint of ripe red cherry.  On the palate the wine is dry, light-bodied with a low level of soft tannins and a medium level of mouth-watering acidity.  The flavors are low intensity of elusive black fruit  -- maybe blackberry or  or blueberry.  The finish is clean with a short refreshing finish dominated by the acidity.  Serve between 55F and 60F.  If warm outside you might even chill to 50F to highlight the refreshing acidity.

Wine & Food:  Informal Italian cuisine - pizza, pasta.  Also good for informal Barbecue.

Approximate Retail Price: US$14.00

-- Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Da Vinci Opula 2010 Red Blend Toscana IGT

In the glass the wine is a deep purple with bluish highlights moving to a narrow dark pink rim.  On the nose there is a medium intensity of semi-sweet dark chocolate with hints of red cherry and cedar.  On the palate the wine is dry, medium to full-bodied, medium fine grained tannins and mouth-watering acidity.  The flavors on the palate initially might be described a "dusty" (chalky) sensation followed by semi-ripe black cherry with hints of dark semi-sweet chocolate.  The finish is clean with a short length of lingering hints of the dark semi-sweet chocolate and the refreshing acidity.  Serve between 55F and 60F.  Due to its informal style you might even chill to 50F for quaffing)

Wine & Food:  Pizza, pasta, Italian hard cheeses.  Simple and informal Italian cuisine or Barbecue.

Approximate Retail Price: US$14.00

-- Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Fontana di Papa 100% Trebbiano Bianco 2011

In the glass the wine displays a pale, almost water-white color.  On the nose the wine offers a light intensity of tropical fruit similar to ripe grapefruit or ripe pineapple.  On the palate the wine is dry, light-bodied with mouth-watering acidity.  The flavors seem to be ripe melon and ripe pineapple.  There is a slight hint of sweetness/fruitiness although the wine is dry.  The finish is clean with a short length of lingering melon and pineapple.  Serve chilled between 45F to 50F.

Wine & Food:  Best with simple food preparations.  Pasta and risottos, fresh seafood and fish, salads and other light foods prepared with a minimal number of ingredients. It might work with some Italian hard cheeses and cured meats but experiment.  Remember keep it simple.

Approximate Retail Price: US$8.00

--Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Vallana Spanna 2009 Colline Novaresi DOC

In the glass the wine displays a deep cherry color core moving the a narrow dark pink rim.  On the nose the wine offers a hint of mint and pine forest.  On the palate the wine is dry, medium-bodied with soft fined grained tannins and mouth-watering acidity.  The flavors are hints of pepper spice and fresh plum (tart/sour and slight sweetness).  The finish is clean with a short to medium length of lingering hints of fresh plum fruit.  Serve between 55F and 60F.

Wine & Food: Serve with Italian hard cheeses, cured meats, ham and sausage, a Tuscan style antipasto, pasta dishes with a tomato based sauce, meat dishes (beef, veal, lamb as the base ingredient).

Approximate Retail Price: US$16.00

--Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Producer's Comments about Kenn's Tasting Notes:
Dear Kenn, 

I would add the following to the nose: a hint of mint and pine forest, cherry and floral notes of violet.

I love the comment on the tannins and the mouth watering acidity!

I agree for all the rest a part from the tomato based sauce for the pasta: I would rather suggest something like a ragout, where there is a hint of tomato but not so "evident" on the taste. To my personal taste, I think that tomato based sauces tend to taste better with something "rounder" like a bonarda dell'Oltrepo', a Frejsa or a beaujolais nouveau...as most of the times I think that the acidity of the tomato needs something "sweet" in the wine...but then may be Italian tomatoes are generally more acidic than the FABULOUS NJ tomatoes??

Let me know your thoughts!

Ciao, Marina

I agree on everything

A to Z Rosé 100% Sangiovese 2011 Oregon

The wine displays a in the glass a bright red rose petal or dark pink rose petal color that is almost consistent to the rim. On the nose there is a pleasant rose petal aroma along with some pronounced intensity of crushed ripe raspberry or crushed ripe strawberry. On the palate the wine is dry, light-bodied with mouth-watering acidity. The flavors are of medium to pronounced intensity similar to the nose. The ripeness of the fruit lends itself to a very slight perception of sweetness (raspberry or strawberry sorbet). The finish is clean with a medium length of lingering flavors of the ripe crushed red fruit. Serve chilled between 45F and 50F.

Wine & Food: Rosé wines are refreshing and food friendly during all the seasons of the year. Goat cheese along with other soft cheeses (brie, camembert, etc.). As with many Rosé wines you can pair with Barbecue hamburgers and ribs, grilled or broiled salmon, ham, lobster, wide assortment of omelets for brunch, vegetable salads with seafood or chicken.

Approximate Retail Price: US$13.00

--Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Producer's Comments about Kenn's Review:

Kenn,

Your notes and food pairings look great.  The only correction I would mention is that the fruit is not Organic.  We use the tag line “Oregonically Grown” which could be where the confusion came from.  We do have sustainability requirements for all of our contract growers and tend all of our estate vineyards to Biodynamic standards, but in this case the certification is not applicable. 

Thanks again for featuring our wines!  The Rosé is a favorite and this year sold out in just two days from the winery.  I’m glad you got your hands on some!

Best,

Katie Wilson 
A to Z Wineworks  •  REX HILL

Georges Duboeuf Mâcon Villages 2009

Transparent pale wheat color in the glass.  The aromas are medium intensity displaying citrus peel and pineapple with hints of an elusive floral scent.  On the palate the wine is dry, light-bodied with a high level of mouth-watering acidity.  The flavors primarily are pineapple core and pineapple with hints of lemon.  There is a slight perception of sweetness but not due to any ripe fruit characteristic. The finish is clean with a short length dominated by a lemon zest flavor.  Serve chilled between 45F to 50F.

Wine & Food:  This is a wonderful quaffing wine suitable for almost any informal social event - appetizers, salads, fish and seafood dishes, luncheon sandwiches or light flavored cheeses.

Approximate Retail Price: US$12.00

- - Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Producer's Comments about Kenn's Tasting Notes
Dear Kenn,

Thanks for your interest in Mâcon-Villages and great work on the tasting notes, which are very accurate. I have made a few minor adjustments.

MÂCON - VILLAGES 2009

The Mâcon-Villages sports a clear and brilliant pale, gold color. Its bouquet suggests complex, subtle aromas of white Spring flowers, such as acacia, lilies and hawthorn, as well as typical citrus notes. On the palate the wine is dry, light-bodied with a high level of mouth-watering acidity. The finish is clean, mineral with a good length dominated by a lemon zest flavor. Serve chilled about 54F.

Food pairing:

The Mâcon-Villages is a food friendly wine. This is a wonderful quaffing wine suitable for almost any informal social event - appetizers, salads, fish and seafood dishes, luncheon sandwiches or light flavored cheeses.

Best Regards,

JULIE QUERE

La Vielle Ferme 2010 Ventoux AOC

In the glass the color is a deep transparent cherry core that moves to a medium dark pink rim. The nose offers a brambly black currant with hints of black licorice. There is a elusive minty or medicinal but pleasant quality in the background. On the palate the wine is dry and medium-bodied with a low intensity of soft-fine grained tannins. There is a medium level of mouth-watering acidity. Although the flavors are medium intensity they are elusive displaying a ripe sweet black fruit quality with hints of pepper spice. The pepper spice quality is fleeting and does not linger on the palate. The finish is clean and medium in length with the elusive ripe black fruit lingering for some time.  Serve at 55F to 60F.

Food & Wine: Soft cheeses with surface mould, like Brie or Camembert , or Goat Cheese. Full-flavored grilled meats (Lamb, Pork and Veal). Fish dishes (Salmon or Tuna). Even Pizza and Pasta dishes.

Approximate Retail Price: US$10.00

- - Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Producer's Comments about Kenn's Tasting Notes
Hello Kenn,
This looks good to me.

thank you and best regards

MP (Marc Perrin)

Bodegas Pedro Escudero Platon Valdelainos Verdejo Rueda D.O. 2009

This wine shows a bright light gold color in the glass. The aromas have hints of pineapple, dried fruit (maybe apricot) and melon. On the palate the wine is dry, light-bodied with a high level of mouth-watering acidity. The flavors of citrus (lemon, tart grapefruit or tart pineapple) are of medium intensity. The finish is clean with a short length of lingering tart citrus (lemon). Serve chilled between 45F to 50F.

Wine & Food: Simple and light dishes that have fresh herbs seasoning the fish or seafood.

Approximate Retail Price: US$12.00

-- Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2010 Marlbough, New Zealand

The color is a light transparent garnet core surrounded by a wide light to medium salmon colored rim. The nose offers a medium intensity of mint and green herbs. There are slight and elusive aromas of sweet red fruit, maybe raspberry jam, and black licorice. On the palate the wine is dry, light bodied with a very low level of tannin (almost non-existent) along with a medium level of mouth-watering acidity. The flavors are very slight hints of green herbs. The finish is clean with a short length of the refreshing acidity at the end. Serve slightly chilled at 50F to 55F.

Wine & Food: This is a wine that would fit with grilled poultry and fish. Salads served with chicken or seafood would work along side this wine. Some complementary ingredients might be sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic, portobello mushrooms or any green herb.

Approximate Retail Price: US$20.00

-- Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")

Azienda Agricola Cesani Vincenzo Chianti "Colli Senesi" D.O.C.G. 2010

The color a transparent deep cherry that is almost consistent to the rim. On the nose, the initial impression seems to be slight hints of a "gamey-like" aroma (i.e. lamb, dark meat turkey) and sour cherry. On the palate the wine is dry, medium to full bodied with a medium level of firm tannins and mouth-watering acidity. The flavors are slight hints of sour cherry and red fruit with none of the game-like flavors presented by the aromas. The finish is clean with lingering hints of cherry and mouth-watering acidity lingering. Serve between 55F to 60F (even slightly cooler if you desire).

Wine & Food: Cheeses such as Mozzarella Bufala, Pecorino, Pecorino Romano, Provolone. A very amicable partner for tomato-based sauces as well as grilled meats, sausage, poultry, and game. Think Tuscan foods with garlic, olives, beans, and tomatoes. As always, use fresh herbs to highlight this wines "country-like and informal" personality. I think this wine seems to fit well with social occasions filled with laughter.

Approximate Retail Price: US$10.00

-- Review by Kenn Pogash ("the guy wearing the bow tie")