Tasting Notes - Masciarelli Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

Name: Masciarelli Montepulciano D'Abruzzo
Producer: Masciarelli
Region: San Martino, Abruzzo, Italy
Grape Varieties: Montepulciano
Vintage: 2013

Overall Rating:  ★★★★☆



Pairing: Chicken Riggies!  This is a pasta specialty from my hometown, Utica, NY.  It's a creamy pink sauce with chicken and hot peppers, and this Montepulciano D'Abruzzo was a perfect pairing.

Sight
Color: Dark Purple



Aroma
Intensity: Moderate
Age: Some Age
Scent: Spicy, dried cherry and light plum

Palate
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Body: Medium
Acidity: Fresh
Tannin: Low/Medium
Flavors: Cherry and leather
Finish: Long(5-7 sec)

Tasting Notes - Frappato Vittoria

Producer: Paterno di Vittoria

Region: Sicily, Italy
Grape Varieties: Frappato
Vintage: 2013
Overall Rating:  ★★★★☆

Pairing: This was an unfamiliar grape that was recommended by the waiter at Mozzarella & Vino.  It was a fresh, well-balanced red, with cherry flavors and some herbal/spicy notes.  It was easy to drink while waiting for our entrees and then complemented both the ravioli and the sausage that we ordered.

Sight
Color: Ruby Red


Brightness: Dull

Aroma
Intensity: Low-Moderate
Scent: Cherry

Palate
Dry/Sweet: Dry/
Body: Light-Medium
Acidity: Fresh
Tannin: Low
Flavors: Cherry and Herbs/Pepper

Tasting Notes - Grooner Grüner Veltliner

Name: Grooner
Producer: Weingut Meinhard Forstreiter
Region: Austria
Grape Varieties: Grüner Veltliner
Vintage: 2014
Overall Rating:  ★★★★☆






Pairing: Refreshing and crisp this paired nicely with our Catfish Ramen dish from Blue Apron.  The citrus flavors and acidity complimented the Asian spices, and the aroma of apple and hint of bell pepper gave it a nice balance.


Sight
Color: Straw Yellow


Brightness: Day Bright

Aroma
Intensity: Moderate
Scent: Green Apple and Bell Pepper

Palate
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Body: Light
Acidity: Fresh
Flavors:  Citrus and Green Apple

Tasting Notes - Rosso di Romagna

Name: Rosso di Romagna
Producer: Maestro di Pomidoro
Region: Emilia Romagna, Italy
Grape Varieties: Sangiovese
Vintage: 2013
Overall Rating:  ★★★☆☆
Pairing: This wine was alright; kind of a strong alcohol burn to it.  However, I loved the tomato man on the label, and we drank the whole bottle with a NY thin-crust pizza.

Sight
Color: Purple


Brightness: Dull

Aroma
Intensity: Moderate
Scent: Plum and Cherry

Palate
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Body: Medium
Acidity: Smooth
Tannin: Low
Flavors: Fruit:Apricot/apple/plum, very juicy
Finish: Long(5-7 sec)

Tasting Notes - Nero Scuro

Name: Nero Scuro
Producer: Fattoria Laila
Region: Rosso Piceno DOC
Grape Varieties: 80% Montepulciano/20% Sangiovese
Vintage: 2013
Overall Rating:  ★★★★☆

Pairing:  CHEESE!  I've really been enjoying Montepulciano wines lately.  They're easy drinking and seem to go with everything, and as I like to say... wine goes with everything! :-p



Sight
Color: Purple


Brightness: Dull/Opaque

Aroma
Intensity: Moderate
Age: Some age
Scent: Plum, berry, earthy

Palate
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Body: Light-Medium
Acidity: Tart/Crisp
Tannin: Low/Medium
Flavors: Jammy plum and berries

Tasting Notes - Riverstone Chardonnay

Name: Riverstone Chardonnay
Producer: J. Lohr Estates
Region: Arroyo Seco, CA
Grape Varieties: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2014
Overall Rating:  ★★★☆☆

Pairing:  I'm not usually a fan of California Chardonnays, but this was very drinkable.  The oaky-ness was relatively moderate, so it complimented (and didn't overpower) our tortellini with roasted mushrooms and romanesco.

Sight
Color: Yellow


Brightness: Day Bright

Aroma
Intensity: Moderate
Age: Youthful
Scent: Citrus and Pear

Palate
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Body: Medium-Full
Acidity: Fresh
Flavors: More citrus and pear, and some buttery, vanilla flavor from the oak.

Lioco Indica - Tasting Notes

Name: Indica
Producer: Lioco
Region: Mendocino County, CA
Grape Varieties: Carignan
Vintage: 2012
Overall Rating:  ★★★★☆

Photo bombed by the cat - I think he wanted some wine, too!

Pairing:  My husband grilled up some burgers and zucchini to enjoy one of the last warm evenings of summer.  The Indica was a great match for the burgers.  It had enough acid and body to stand up to the burger, but was very easy drinking and would have also been delicious without food. We finished off the meal with some Ghirardelli dark chocolate, which was a lovely pairing as well.

Sight
Color: Purplish/Ruby


Brightness: Dull

Aroma
Intensity: Moderate
Age: Youthful
Scent: Dark fruit and leather

Palate
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Body: Medium
Acidity: Fresh
Tannin: Medium
Flavors: Blackberries (a bit jammy) and more earthy, than leather on the taste
Finish: Medium (4-5 sec)

Di Calla Sauvignon Blanc - Tasting Notes

Producer: Di Calla
Region: Venezia, Italy
Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2014
Overall Rating:  ★★★☆☆

Pairing: Pizza and a hot summer night!  This wine hit the spot on a hot summer evening, but didn't really have much of a flavor profile.  The acidity gave it a refreshing crispness, but the aromas and flavors were all quite light. 





Sight
Color: Straw-Yellow


Brightness: Day Bright

Aroma
Intensity: Moderate
Age: Youthful
Scent: Floral and Apricot

Palate
Dry/Sweet: Dry/Off-dry
Body: Light
Acidity: Crisp
Flavors:  Melon, Apricot, hint of something floral
Finish: Medium (4-5 sec)