Wine Tasting - Echo Bay

 Wine Tasting - Echo Bay Sauvignon Blanc 3/26

This is the 2021 Echo Bay Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough New Zealand. It retails from around $15 a bottle. 

Wine Express gave this wine a 4.5/5 and Drizzly wrote about this wine and reviewed that "The bright, pure flavors of Echo Bay Sauvignon Blanc echos the beauty of New Zealand's South Island. This white wine has floral and tropical notes of citrus, figs, melon and passion fruit. A beautiful, light straw color with a tint of green with vibrant, fresh and aromatic notes." (https://drizly.com/wine/white-wine/sauvignon-blanc/echo-bay-sauvignon-blanc-white-wine-750ml-wine-bottle/p18453) 

The Wine Folly text says "Sauvignon Blanc is a wonderful pairing partner with herb-driven sauces, salty cheeses, light meat"(wine Folly, p.165). Its a very light wine with fruity flavors and aromas. Its not usually very expensive either. The text also points out that "Sauvignon Blanc is New Zealand’s most important grape and Marlborough is the top region for this variety. Wines offer more green tropical fruit notes that are often supported with a touch of residual sugar to help counterbalance the high acidity." (p. 166)

I thought this wine was very refreshing. A lot of the reds I have been trying are bold dark and tannic. This wine was quite the opposite and paired well with cheese and lighter snacks. I tasted more on the dry side with heavy citrus undertones. 

Wine Tasting - Jacob's Creek

 Wine Tasting - Jacob's Creek Shiraz 3/23 

This is the Jacob's Creek 2020 shiraz from the Southeast region of Australia. The grape variety is Shiraz/Syrah and retail for less than $10. 

Empire Wines gave this wine a 2.5/5 and reviewed that it is a "Spicy red berry with subtle mocha and vanilla oak influence. Soft red berry and rich plum with a spicy cedar finish. This wine is a great example of the approachable style of Jacobs Creek Classic wines. Enjoy on its own or with roast leg of lamb or hard cheeses such as Cheddar." (https://www.empirewine.com/wine/jacobs-creek-shiraz-2020-h3414/)

Wine Folly points out that syrah is a "A rich, powerful, and sometimes meaty red wine that originated in the Rhône Valley of France. It’s the most planted grape of Australia, where it’s called Shiraz."(p. 172). It has notes of dark berries and "Darker meats and exotic spices bring out the fruit notes of Syrah."(p. 172). 

I thought this wine wasnt very good. It had an overwhelming tannic taste and the all I really picked up on was heavy dark fruits like plum and berries. I didn't get any 'meaty' senses and i had this wine by itself. Perhaps a meal would have made it better, especially a pairing recommended in the Text. 

Wine Tasting - La Petite Perrière Rosé

 

Wine Tasting - 622 North on 3/19

This is the La Petite Perrière Rosé. It is made from Pinot Noir grapes and comes from the Loire Valley in France. It is the 2017 vintage and retails for around $12.99 per bottle (restaurant was $8 per glass...)

Grizily wine rates this wine a 4.7/5 and reviews this prosuct by saying "Pinot Noir is a fragile and demanding grape, but it produces rosé wines of great finesse. This uncommon rosé is best young, full of fruit and freshness. With notes of sour cherry, raspberry, gooseberry with hints of spiciness, it is a jaunty and original wine that will leave you thirsty for more. To drink as an aperitif with summer salads or grilled chicken but also with Chinese dishes." (https://drizly.com/wine/rose-wine/saget-la-petite-perriere-rose/p18294) 

This wine was very light and citrus flavored. It had hints of grapefruit (Wine Folly, P.31) and was very light bodied. The book als said that with pinot noir grapes they are "Low astringency wines. If you do detect tannin, it’s likely from grape stems or oak." (p. 19) which I thought was on par for this wine. 

I personally picked up hints of grapefruit and thought the wine was okay but nothing spectacular. I probably didn't pair it right with my meal seeing that I ate a heavy hamburger. Over I would give this wine a 5/10.

Wine Tasting - Volere Volare Primitivo

 Wine Tasting - Osteria da Nino Restaurant on 3/13/23

This is the Pietraventosa Volere Volare Primitivo Red Wine from the 

Primitivo grapes out of Gioia del Colle region in Southern Italy. 

This vintage was 2018 and retails for around $20-$30. 

Wine-Searched described this wine as "Aromas of tilled earth, geranium and Mediterranean scrub ride over a pure, concentrated core of fresh blackberry and currant in this wine. It's smooth and supple on the palate, with a polished, easy feel to the crunchy berry flavors and earthy accents. This is a harmonious Primitivo that shows the grape's savory, fresh side." and scored it a 90/100. 

(https://www.winesearcher.com/find/pietraventosa+volere+volpare+primitivo+puglia+igp+italy/1/usa-va-y#t3) 

When I tried this wine I defiantly picked up on the more earthy tones and dark berry flavors. I picked up on black pepper  and red currents (Wine Folly, p.31). I almost want to say I tasted fig too. It was medium to full body and more on the dry side (p.13-15). Wine Folly described Primitivo wines as bold wines with strawberry, leather, candied currant, dried herbs, spiced orange notes (p. 190). 

I really enjoyed this wine and had this with a Bolognese sauce and pasta. I think the two paired nicely and would recommend this wine and dish. I enjoyed tasting the balance between earthy notes as well as dark berry flavors and even a hint of spices.