It wasn’t like the days of yore when I could stay up all night during Beach Week, go out for blueberry pancakes at 4 a.m., wake up three hours later greeted with Bloody Marys, and do it all over again. Four couples gathered this weekend in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin with Mr. Grape Experiences and me to enjoy a getaway. Whereas it was snowing in France during the weekend, the snow was melting here in the Midwest. Thwarted were the grand endeavors of the snow sculptors at the annual competition or any of us who wanted to snowshoe or ski. Plan B was quickly put in place…the guys went trap shooting and the ladies went shopping. Then, I think you know what came next ~ appetizers and alotta wine!
Having decided on an Italian theme, we kicked off the night with tastings of 2010 Fontana d’Italia Pinot Grigio and compared it to a 2010 Benessere Pinot Grigio. We then continued with a 2009 Capestrano Montepulciano d’Abruzzo with a comparison to the 2008 Benessere Napa Valley Sangiovese Estate.
My tasting notes follow with friends’ comments as well.
***2010 Fontana d’Italia Pinot Grigio – With a pale yellow color and aromas of bright fruit, this well valued wine at $11.00 was very drinkable. From the northeast region of Venezie, the high acidity was well balanced with the concentrated fruit and alcohol content (12%). Medium bodied, I tasted melon, some minerality, and citrus on the palate. There was a short yet satisfying finish.
Friends’ comments: “Will not overwhelm dinner” “Clean, good, dry finish” “I’d buy it” “Drinkable, light, not overwhelming” “Could drink without food” and of course, “If I liked white wine, I would buy it!”
***2010 Benessere Pinot Grigio (sample) – Crisp and clean, this 100% Pinot Grigio exhibited floral and mineral like aromas with a bit of citrus. On the palate, the high acidity was in balance with the fruit and alcohol (13.9%). With a refreshingly delicate finish, I loved this wine and it paired nicely with our dinner of chicken tetrazzini. Cost is $22.00. Note: This wine received a Bronze Award at the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition in the class “Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio $15.00 and over”.
Friends’ comments: “Dry, good, enjoyed the little spice, delicious with food, nice body” “Would make excellent complement to a fish course” “Very good” “Like it for a white wine” “Great with food” and naturally, someone had to write “Great with Cheetos” ~
***2009 Capestrano Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – From Tuscany, this 100% Sangiovese wine was another value at $12.00. With a light plum color, its aromas of cherry, spice, dark plum and black raspberry led to flavors of more black raspberry, and other rich dark fruits on the palate. This dry wine presented medium tannins, 13% alcohol, and a smooth finish. Delicious!
Friends’ comments: “Excellent flavor with Italian food” “Smooth, nice finish” “Dry, smooth” “Good with a nice steak or chop” “Very delicious, good with Italian red sauce” ” and there he goes again with… “Good with spaghetti and/or to get drunk with my wife”
***2008 Benessere Napa Valley Sangiovese Estate (sample) – Consisting of 100% Sangiovese grapes and 14.5% alcohol, I appreciated the ripe cherry aromas with some roasted nuts and floral notes! With medium body, tannins and acidity which were balanced, and tastes of rich fruit, toasted meat, and some earth this is a keeper. And I’m not going to lie – this wine was terrific with the chicken tetrazzini as well. Price is $28.00 and well worth it. Note: This wine received a Bronze Award at the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition in the class “Sangiovese”. More congratulations!
Friends’ comments: “Strong finish, taste matches price – terrific!” “Would drink with dinner or alone” “Rounded” “Love this” “This wine will go with anything” “Classy”
After our tasting, we had dinner, poured more wine, ate, laughed, played games, and watched a silly, very entertaining movie. I actually managed to stay up til 1 a.m. though, but didn’t have the Bloody Mary in the morning. I waited a bit later before I poured myself a glass of….
Cheers to great friends and wonderful wine! ~ Cindy
