VinCor Wine Tasting
Steve and I attended a wine tasting back in January, hosted by the Flamborough Mix & Brew House, along with 60 other guests. His friend Mike gave us the invite because he couldn’t attend (they were busy having a baby) but two of my Soroptimist friends were there, which was a great surprise!
There were four wine samples as part of their Cru Select, restricted line; a division of VinCor. I’ve asked one of the girls to go in on a batch of white with me (Piazza) and we planned to share a batch of red with Steve’s friend. I also liked the look of the Shiraz – it’s a personal favourite under normal circumstances – so I asked Gillian and Kerry to go in with me on one from California and another from France. The time has come that they are all finally ready for consumption, so I’ll be bringing a bottle to Christmas dinner.
Here are some of our notes:
Reds
Chile – Trek (Malbec Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot); Oak 2 Body 5 Sweetness 0
Opening with dark roasted notes of coffee and chocolate with a hint of blackberries and leather or black pepper, this wine balances the best of four classic varietals. Fermentation on Cabernet Merlot dried Genuwine Winery Dried Grape skins and French oak completes this monumental taste experience. $160 per batch of 30 bottles.
We sampled an Argentina Malbec. Ruby-raspberry in colour. Smelled plum and pepper. Good legs – stuck to the glass. It was the last wine served and paired with bittersweet chocolate. I finally see what Sandy loves so much about red wine and chocolate! It was enjoyable.
Food pairings: meat loaf, chicken pot pie, or chamberlin cheese, BBQ meats, braised lamb shank, baked or grilled eggplant, mushroom dishes, bittersweet chocolate. Recommended recipe: sliced strawberries tossed with sugar and coarsely cracked pepper corns. Top with marscapone cream and dark chocolate shavings.
California – Hang Ten (Syrah Zinfandel Barbera); Oak 4 Body 5 Sweetness 0
Intense fruit flavours of dried fruits such as dates are balanced by smooth chocolate and hints of vanilla. Your experience is enhanced with fermentation on Hungarian oak cubes and Shiraz Genuwine Winery Dried Grape Skins. $160 per batch of 30 bottles.
We sampled a California Syrah Zinfandel Merlot. Barbera in the mix gives it a spicy flavour. Ruby in colour. It was the first red we tasted but after the others, I made a note that I didn’t enjoy as much. However, it was served with a cheeseburger slider on a tiny bun with a button top. The burger was great but didn’t impact the flavour of the wine.
Food pairings: pizza, BBQ ribs, Italian sausage, meat stew, text mex. Recommended recipe: marinate your steaks with the “Broil King Perfect Steak Marinade.”
SPAIN TORO (Tempranillo Grenache); Oak 4 Body 4 Sweetness 0
This wine is an intense red characterized by cigar box and dark fruit on the nose, finishing with dates, prunes and cherry on the palate. Made in a Crianza style, toasted French oak completes the experience. $150 per batch of 30 bottles.
We sampled a Tempranillo, which has a mild body. It was paired with a slice of old cheddar cheese and kolbasa. The first sip had bite but the second was somewhat watery in flavour with no finish. The tasting notes were a violet colour with blackberry, leather and plum on the nose, medium tannins with a smooth earthy finish. I agreed with the earthy part.
Food pairings: spice dusted lamb chops, Spanish chorizo and manchengo cheese, eggplant and potato curry or paella.
Whites
Argentina – Tango (Pinot Grigio Chardonnay Torrontés); Oak 2 Body 4 Sweetness 0
Tango is a silky blend of three well loved Argentine white wines: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Torrentes. A perfectly balanced expression of style, notes of apricot and apple with a hint of spice dance on your palate. Graced lightly with toasted oak, this wine has a dramatic flair that will have you and your partner reaching for another glass. $150 per batch of 30 bottles.
We sampled a similar blend with a chevre and mango chuntey on a salty cracker.This was was not fruity in flavour but the description was – light straw in the bowl with honey, mineral and a citrus finish. I found it wasn’t fruity, smelled dry and had less character. However, it tasted much better with the food!
Food pairings: light seafood, grilled vegetables, roasted red peppers, grilled turkey, oven baked chicken glazed with honey, vegetable lasagna. Strongly recommended with baked brie with chutney, or any soft cheese for that matter.
ITALY PIAZZA (Chardonnay Garganega); Oak 0 Body 4 Sweetness 1
Enjoy this full-bodied white wine, which receives its luscious mouthfeel from fermentation on raisins in a white amarone-style experience. Note tropical fruit, peach and a touch of minerality on the nose, following through to a palate with a hint of raisins and elderflower. We really liked this wine a lot, especially with the pesto pizza. Absolutely delicious.
Pair your Piazza wine with grilled seafood salad, roasted chicken, or an assortment of hors d’oeuvres.
