Challenge Your Senses. Take your Wine Experience to the Next Level. April 30, 2018 BENEFITING THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN S CENTER

Transcription

1 Challenge Your Senses Take your Wine Experience to the Next Level April 30, 2018 BENEFITING THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN S CENTER

2 SPONSORS TONIGHT S SCHEDULE 6:00 PM Guest check in and self-guided aroma quiz & tasting 6:15 PM 6:45 PM 7:15 PM SENSORY 101 presentation times: drop in as you like. Presented by Sean Beck. 6:30 PM Welcome: Denise Ehrlich, WOW President 7:45 PM Aroma sniffing winner announced and prize awarded Thank you to our event committee volunteers Rebecca Hill Nicole Willis Sean Beck Rhett Shumpert Donna Giles Carl Chargois Ingrid Harris Lauren Galleymore 2 3

3 TABLE 1: FRUIT, EARTH & SPICE 2014 CRŪ Montage Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands The unique nose of cherry-cola, cedar and forest floor makes a great first impression. On the palate, this wine shows complexity and depth with flavors of blueberry, pomegranate, cranberry, and infused tea that is nicely balanced with hints of toasted oak Bridlewood Pinot Noir, Monterey Aroma of dark berry, caramel and vanilla. The palate is an elegant expression of Monterey County, offering notes of raspberry, black cherry and subtle oak notes. With each sip, silky tannins and a firm acidity build a smooth texture and long finish Gainey Vineyard Merlot, Santa Ynez Rich purple color. Deep but lovely on the nose, with juicy plums, rich black cherries, the fruit smells so pure and it s topped with loamy soil, sweet eucalyptus and vanilla. Dark roast coffee, graphite, loamy soil and eucalypts on the palate, accented with well-knit elements of vanilla and toast Morlet Family Syrah, Bennett Valley This wine reveals a complex and spicy bouquet. Intense violet, hints of lavender, black cherry, fresh leather and spicy flavors (white pepper and clove), rich and concentrated with a lingering spicy finish J. Lohr Estates Wildflower Valdiguie, Monterey This wine is deeply pigmented, red-purple in color with profuse, black cherry and lilac aromas. The juicy palate is coated with pomegranate and blueberry fruit, leaving a sweet and mildly astringent finish Dry Creek Heritage Zinfandel, Sonoma Delicious and beautifully balanced, you will find enticing aromatics of black cherry, boysenberry and plum with a hint of toast and white pepper. On the palate, brambly flavors of black raspberry and dark chocolate come forward. TABLE 2: EARTH, SPICE & HERBACEOUS 2014 Jigar Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek The nose on this wine has earthy, almost leathery, notes to it. With a rich mouth-feel, you can taste the mocha and chocolate covered fruit dance on your palate Butera Nero D Avola, Sicily The bouquet is broad and persistent, in which one finds almond blossom notes, intense spicy hints and red berries. Flavors are wellstructured and extremely rounded with very complex fruit flavors. Flavors that are reminiscent of cherries preserved in brandy, mingled with a very appealing spiciness Campo Viejo Reserva, Rioja A classic blend of Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (10%) and Mazuelo (5%). The complex aromas show a great balance between the fruit (ripe cherries, black plums, and blackberries) and the wood characteristics (clove, nutmeg, vanilla and coconut). On the palate you find lush fruit, baking spices, tobacco and toasted oak Marques de Riscal Proximo, Rioja This blend of 93% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and 2% Mazuelo delivers aromas of strawberries and red cherries. On the palate there are flavors of ripe fruit with a delicious savory character and a hint of toast on the finish Ricossa Barolo DOCG Only the best Nebbiolo grapes are selected to produce Barolo. This wine has a bright garnet color with brick-orange hues and the scent of alcohol-drenched fruit. On the palate, mulberry and sour cherry flavors abound with zesty acidity, chewy leathery tannins, and a persistent finish. 4 5

4 TASTING TABLE 3: FRUIT & FLORAL 2016 Martin Codax Albarino, Rias Baixas Albariño is full of crisp minerality and brisk acidity. Attractive floral aromatics are complemented by notes of pear, passion fruit, apple, and peach. Refreshing hints of lemon zest and subtle spice make this a truly versatile, food-friendly wine Famille Hugel Riesling, Alsace This bright, open-knit white shows a smoky, mineral-laced overtone and flavors of crunchy green pear and blanched almond, with hints of pine and lemon zest. Snappy finish Mondillo Riesling, New Zealand Pure, pristine Riesling in a crisp dry style with citrus, lime, a suggestion of tree fruit, apricot and salty mineral characters. An ethereal texture and lengthy finish add extra appeal Lange Twins Moscato, California Aromas and flavors of fresh white peach, apricot and orange blossom are balanced by a little sparkle giving the wine a light body and refreshing finish. A classic light Moscato with natural sweetness and crisp acidity. TASTING TABLE 4: CITRUS, FRUIT & OTHER 2015 Danzante Pinot Grigio, Italy The bouquet is refined and enfolding with well-ripened tropical fruit alternating with white peach and apple. The palate shows superb finesse and proportion, impressing with rich, emphatic fruit and a zesty crispness Babich Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough A nose of Gooseberry with lifted lantana and a hint of grapefruit. Mineral and herbal notes, white musk. The palate explodes with flavor of sweet blackcurrant followed up with lemon and spice. Medium weight and good texture good flesh with a zesty finish Brancott Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough Zesty aromas jump from the glass, with notes of passionfruit, lime flowers, melon and gooseberry. On the palate flavors of grapefruit, honeydew melon, and passionfruit contribute to the ripe fruit sweetness, balanced by yellow capsicum and crisp, flinty acidity Tamber Bey Chardonnay, Napa This wine delivers a rich nose that is dominated by butterscotch aromas mixed with notes of coconut shavings, vanilla and Mandarin custard. The mouth is rich and full-bodied, mixing buttery flavors with caramel and orange blossom. Notes of dry hazelnut linger in the long finish J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco The enticing aromas are reminiscent of peaches, tangerine, yellow floral, baking spices, vanilla, and cocoa. These aromas echo on the palate and are complemented by fresh orange and apricot, balanced with creamy texture from aging sur lie. Flavors of crème brûlée and a touch of oak can be found on the long finish. 6 7

5 GLOSSARY OF WORDS THAT FREQUENTLY OCCUR IN WINE DESCRIPTIONS GLOSSARY (CONTINUED) Aroma: The fragrances of wine which come directly from the grapes and the winemaking process. (See also bouquet). Balanced: Having the acidity, tannin, and other natural components of a wine in pleasing proportions. Big: Having a very full body. Often refers specifically to high levels of tannin, especially in red wine. Body: Relates to how the wine feels in your mouth and to the sensations of richness, thickness and heaviness that the wine creates. The fact is some wines just seem fuller, heavier or bigger when they are in your mouth Bouquet: The fragrances that develop in wine trough bottle aging. Complex: Having many different types of aromas or flavors, such as fruit, herbs spice and wood. Complex wines taste interesting and multi-dimensional. (Wines that do not are called simple as in simple jug wines. ) Creamy: Having a smooth texture in the mouth; can also describe actual aromas and flavors that resemble those of cream. Often used to describe Chardonnay, especially those that have been fermented or aged in oak barrels. Crisp: Pleasantly tart; having good acidity. Generally, but not exclusively, used for white wines. Dry: Having little or no sweetness (residual sugar). Finish: The finish or aftertaste is the final impression that the wine makes after you have swallowed it. Fruity: Having aromas or flavors of grapes or other fruits, such as apples, cherries, lemons or pineapples. Fruit in wine can often give the illusion of sweetness, even when the wine is completely dry. Herbaceous: Having aromas or flavors that resemble herbs, vegetables, grass or leaves. Often used to describe Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Hot: Having abnormally high alcohol content. Since alcohol creates a feeling of heat in the mouth for many people, high alcohol wines can actually seem hot. Soft: Generally refers to wines with little or no tannin. A textural effect in which the wine feels smooth in the mouth. Tannin: An astringent substance, found mostly in red wines, which comes from grape skins and seeds and from the barrels used for aging. Tannins give a wine complexity and aging potential, but high levels of tannin can give a harsh mouth feel, actually coating the teeth and tongue to create a rough, gritty sensation. Bottle aging enables tannins to soften over time. Soft Finish Approachable Wine Easy Drinking APPEALING DESCRIPTORS AND TERMS (Great to use when discussing wines you like with friends or sommeliers) Refreshing Complex Forward Fruit Smooth Finish Well-Rounded Flavors Velvety Texture Rich 8 9

6 Monday, June 11, :30pm 8:30pm Mercedes Benz of Houston Greenway 3900 Southwest Freeway, Houston TX WOMEN OF WINE CHARITIES BENEFITING THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN S CENTER MONDAY, OCT. 22, 2018 CRYSTAL BALLROOM AT THE RICE BENEFITING THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN S CENTER

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