Upcoming and Past Meetings

August 17, 2012 - White Wines

Barb Perkins says it's too hot for reds so she has some lovely whites chosen. You won't learn much, but the tasting will be fun.

June 22, 2012 - Italian Wines

Bonner Guilford guides us through the details of Italian wines.

Cantine Maschio Prosecco Brut VSQ ($12).

Attems Pinot Grigio 2010 Venezia Giulia IGT ($19)

Feudi di San Gregorio 2008 Sannio Falanghina DOC ($18)

Costantini Pecorino 2010 Colline Pescaresi IGT ($19),

Frescobaldi Nipozzano 2008 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG ($21)

Villa Medoro 2008 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC($19)

La Giaretta 2007 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso DOC ($21)

Mazzei Zisola 2005 Sicilia IGT ($30).

 

April 27, 2012 - A Grape by any Other Name

What do Primativo and Zinfandel have in common?   How was Merlot confused with Carmenere?  What is Steen?   If Zinfandel and Pinot Noir are red grapes, where do the white wines made from these come from?   What's the difference between a hybrid, a cross, and a clone. An exploration of some of the stranger aspects of wine varieties.  A tasting of red and white wines related to the subject.

Social Wines (a trio, well it was supposed to be a trio) of white wines from red grapes:

Gilbert 2011 Rose of Mouvedre ($15, from the winery)

Silver Coast White Merlot (this is the one we broke $15, from the winery)

Louis Bouillot Cremant de Burgougne Blanc de Noirs ($16, Total Wine)

Muldersbosch Steen / Chenin Blanc ($16, Total Wine)

Dry Creek 2010 Fume Blanc ($8? Total Wine)

Silver Coast Seyval Blanc ($15, from the winery)

Wanger Niagra ($8, Total Wine)

Vistamar 2010 Sepia Reserve Carmenere (9.99, Total Wine)

Horton 2009 The Tower Norton

Matane 2008 Primativo ($12, Dolcetto)

Heartstrings 2010 Zinfandel (from the Vintner -- Ron Natalie)

Ron also handed out application forms for the Wine Century Club.   If you have been to all four tastings you have tasted 34 different varietals.   You're already a third of the way there!    The list of varietals tasted each month is available here:   Catawba Cenury


March 16, 2012 - Spring into Summer!

Margy Natalie led this tasting.    Even though we haven't had much of a winter it's time to think about putting the heavy reds away for the summer and pulling out some lighter, more refreshing wines.  Join us for this sneak peak at summer as we explore some old favorites and possibly discover some new friends!  

All wines for this tasting came from Wine Maestro in Mooresville.

Social wines Red and White Sangria.   The white was made with Montpelior Viogner ($5) and the Red with the Wisdom Southern Sweet Dornfelder ($6)

Arca Nova Vino Verde ($8.99)

Rodolfo Torrontes  ($11.69)

Wilhelm Watch Pinot Grigio ($11.69)

Cline Vigonier ($10.79)

Hopler Gruner Veltleiner ($15.29)

Les Jamielles Pinot Noir ($9.89)

Guigal Cotes Du Rhone ($13.99)

Wisdom Southern Sweet Dorfelder ($5.99)

To RSVP

February 17, 2012 - Introduction to Wine Judging

Jane and Rege walked us through the essentials of wine judging with paired wines from the old world and the new world.   

Social wine:   La Vielle Ferme (blanc), 2010  Rhone, France.   Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Roussanne and Ugni Blanc.   $6.99 Total Wine

(Wines below from Cornerstone Wines and Gifts, Hickory)

Licia.  2010 Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain.   

RayLen 2005 Pinot Grigio, Yadkin Valley, NC.    $13

Farnese 2010 Multepulciana d'Abruzzo.  Abruzzo, Italy.  $12.50

Round Peak, 2006 Reserve Sangiovese.   Yadkin Valley, NC.   $17.50 

Obalo Crianza 2007. Rioja Spain (Tempranillo).   $21

Childress 2005 Cabernet Franc.   Yadkin Valley, NC   18.50

January 20, 2012 - Bordeaux Wines and Things Like It

Wines from the four major Bordeaux styles were tasted along with American wines in similar style side by side.   Seven mystery wines were set up for pre-presentation tasting.    Three whites labeled A, B, and C and four reds labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4 (the latter in a decaner) with the labels covered up.   The identities were revealed later in the meeting:

A.     Barboursville Virginia Sauvignon Blanc $13.99 Total Wine
B.     Mouton Cadet  2010 Bordeaux $6.97 Total Wine
C.     Shelton 2010 Sauvignon Blanc.   Yadkin Valley.   $12.99 Teeter

Tasters were divided between the Mouten Cadet and the Shelton as to which was their favorite.

1.     Chateau Bellevue  2009 Bordeaux $9.90 Total Wine
2.     Childress Pinnacle Meritage NV.   North Carolina.   $15 Target.
3.     New Kent Winery Virginia Meritage  $19,99 Total Wine
4.     Bandit Cabernet Sauvignon.   California.   $9.99/1L  Teeter

The Childress was the suprise winner here.   Many people however did like the New Kent and the Bandit, the latter was decanted because it came out of a one liter box.

The following wines were presented in the main tasting (all were purchased at Total Wine)

DRY WHITE

Chateau Tour de Bonnet, 2010.   Entre Deux Mers.  $12.99
50% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Semillon, 10% Mascadelle
This one was a popular favorite of those in attendance.

Volker Eisele Gemini, 2008.   Napa Valley $24.99 
82% Semillon, 18% Sauvignon Blanc.   WS 84

RIGHT BANK (Merlot dominated)

Chateau Garraud, 2009.   Lalande de Pomerol  $29.99
69% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
WS 90-93

Decoy, 2009.   Napa Valley  $22.99
52% Merlot, 46% Caberent Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot

LEFT BANK (Cabernet sauvignon dominated)

Chateau Peyrabon, 2009.   Haut-Medoc, Cru Bourgeois.   $29.99
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
WS 89-92

Lyeth Meritage, 2009.  Sonoma County $13.99
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot

SWEET WHITE

Chateau Doisy-Vedrines, 2008.   Sauternes Deuxieme Cru $19.99 (375ml)
85% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc (Botrytis)
WA 91-93 WS 91

Apex Cellars, Apex II Late Harvest Semillon 2009.
Yakima Valley $9.99 (375 ml)