Wine Tasting January 28th, 2010

VITIANO BIANCO, UMBRIA, ITALY $9.99
Umbria is located in the middle of Italy. This bianco is a blend of Vermentino and Verdicchio, 50% each. Vitiano Bianco is a balanced, delightful, and fresh wine that offers a rich bouquet of herbs, lime, and ripe pears. A great Italian value wine, it is the perfect accompaniment to pasta with shellfish, risotto, white meat casseroles, salads, and vegetables.

WALLACE BROOK PINOT GRIS, WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON $9.99
Crisp, bright flavors have always been the hallmark of Wallace Brook Pinot Gris. It shows a lovely floral bouquet. Pear, peach and apple flavors dominate the fruit profile, with a bit of spiciness. This wine has incredible versatility, pairing with everything from very spicy foods (Thai) or strongly flavored foods (such as ceviche) to the more classic poached salmon, shellfish, bisques, and a traditional oven-roasted turkey.

SAN SILVESTRO BARBERA, PIEDMONT, $9.99
This Barbera is so easy to drink! And are you kidding me, a wine from Piedmont for under $10, hello!!! Deep, bright ruby red, with a fresh opening; bursting with hints of ripe berries, with cherries and jam making it soft on the palate. It will pair well with cold meats, cheeses, pasta, red meats, grilled meats and pizza.

TORRES SANGRE DE TORO, CATALONIA, SPAIN $9.99
The Torres winery is one of the oldest, & most respected in Spain. Voted European Winery of the Year in 2006, Torres is one of the first Spanish wineries to export their wines to America and the World. The name Sangre de Toro was inspired by Bacchus, the Roman God of wine, known in ancient times as the 'son of thebull'. The wine is a blend of Grenache and Carinena. It is aged for six months in oak. Rich and complex Mediterranean aromas with exuberant notes of spices and blackberries. Velvety tannins are noted on the palate with elegant flavors of licorice and small dark forest fruits (blueberries and blackcurrants). Pairs well with steak, stews and wild game.

MCMANIS PINOT NOIR, RIVER JUNCTION, CALIFORNIA $9.99
This winery is a gem. It is the only winery in the River Junction AVA. This winery flies under the radar with some of the best valued wines in California. It is medium garnet in color and aromas of cherry, strawberry, and raspberries are accompanied by a bouquet of vanilla and cocoa. Round and soft in the mouth, with bright red berry flavors, the fruit and the 6 months in oak, balance out this fairly substantial wine.

MORANDE CARMENERE, MAIPO VALLEY, CHILE $9.99
Remember the Carmenere, this will be the next big thing in wine circles soon to follow in the footsteps of Malbec, and not to long ago Pinot Noir. This is the lost Bordeaux grape, discovered in Chile where it thrives and produces fruit forward, earthy wines with hints of herbs and spice. You can literally taste the floor of the forest where you would find wild blackberries, and strawberries all around your feet. The flavor is full and elegant. Enjoy the red wine of the future with pizza, pasta, burgers, steak, cheeses, & cold cuts.