Wine World was packed. The Red Table was quite popular
When I arrived at Wine World at 6:30 I was lucky to find a parking space. When I went inside I was lucky to find room. It was packed. This was one popular tasting and considering the six wines presented it should have been.
The one wine that received considerable praise from almost every taster I talked to was the Black Ridge Pinot Noir. This $9.99 wine is a bargain. The fruit forward aromas and flavors of ripe cherries, strawberry and blackberries are very apparent in this wine that doesn’t have the lighter mouthfeel that most Pinots have. This is a much heavier mouthfeel. One of the tasters, Molly, described it as “the best wine EVER. I’m just saying. I think I might get in line and get another taste.”
The first wine, the Dry Creek Chenin Blanc, was also very popular especially with tasters Jessica, Robyn and John.
Another nice surprise… although I said I was surprised the last time I had a Shelton wine at their May tasting…was having a North Carolina wine that I really like and made from traditional Old World grapes and not sweet American grapes. The Shelton Madision Lee Red is a blend that would go good with some nice Carolina BBQ (I’ll let you decide if that should be South Carolina or North Carolina). The Shelton Madison Lee White is a nice summer sipper and also uses some Old World grapes but is a bit sweeter that you usually find with a wine that is predominantly Chardonnay. Not a lightweight on the mouthfeel. A taste of melons is apparent. A bit creamy.
All of the wines except one were $9.99. (The Dry Creek is normally $12.99 and was on sale). The Drops of Jupiter at $10.99 is a nice little Petite Sirah that would be a fine addition to any grilling party.
Im not looking forward to their upcoming Third Thursday tasting.
Where: Wine World, 133 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, SC
803-279-9522
When: Friday, July 6, 2012, 5 to 8 pm
Cost: $5, with rebate on the purchase of 1 bottle of the featured wines.
Here are the wines to be presented (click to see more):
Dry Creek Chenin Blanc 2012
Shelton Madison Lee White NV
Stella Moscato 2011
Black Ridge Pinot Noir
Shelton Madison Lee Red 2007
Drops of Jupiter Petite Sirah 2009
Here are the detailed wine notes:
Dry Creek Chenin Blanc 2012
July White Wine of the Month. A refreshing long-time favorite. Peach, melon, pineapple and citrus aromas lead to flavors of apple, pear and citrus with notes of minerality. The lingering finish is balanced and fresh. Fermented in stainless steel at cool temperature; no oak. A good choice with salads, fish, chicken and pork, vegetable casseroles, spicy oriental dishes and curries. Quiche with asparagus.
Roast or grilled chicken, pasta with pesto, avocado & walnuts. (Dry Creek Vineyard has been making since its founding in 1972. The grapes are sourced from Clarksburg, which is known for its high-quality Chenin Blanc grapes, rather than from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, where their estate vineyards and winery are located.) Dry Crek calls it “summertime in a bottle.”
From: Clarksburg, California
Winery: Dry Creek Vineyards
Year: 2012
Madison Lee White
Shelton Madison Lee White NV
A lively blend of 86% Chardonnay, 11.5% Viognier, and 2.5% Sauvignon Blanc. “Fermented and aged at cool temperature in stainless steel tanks. it has citrus and tropical notes from the Chardonnay with honeysuckle and melon aromas from the Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. Madison Lee White presents a creamy mouth-feel balanced against food-friendly acidity supporting citrus and tropical fruit flavors perfect for sipping on a summer day. It compliments most salads, seafood, light meats and poultry.” –From their Website (Shelton’s proprietary wines, Madison Lee White and Red are named for Ed & Charlie Shelton’s two grandfathers, whose middle names were Madison and Lee.) A visit to the handsome Shelton Winery in Dobson, NC (near Mt Airy) is a fun excursion. You can tour the winery and vineyards, enjoy the walking paths or picnic spots and beautiful scenery, or dine at their Harvest Grill.
From: Yadkin Valley, North Carolina
Winery: Shelton Vineyards
Year: NV
Stella Moscato 2011
This Moscato is indeed a “star”! Inviting aromas of white peaches, flowers and tropical fruit lead to flavors of melon and notes of peach. Lightly sweet, with well-balanced acidity, this Moscato has a refreshing finish.A fine warm-weather sipper, Stella Moscato will pair well with lighter foods, especially preparations with a fruit component. It’s a fine match to lightly sweet desserts such as apricot tart, apple-cranberry tart and peach cobbler. Stilton with mango & ginger. Patio, beach, treehouse (or inside escaping from the heat!)—it’s a perfect companion. A Leonard LoCasio wine.
From: Sicily, Italy
Winery: Stella
Year: 2011
Black Ridge Pinot Noir
Fruit-forward aromas of fresh, ripe cherries, strawberries and blackberries enhance the nose of this lovely red. A well-balanced, youthful palate, with soft tannins leading into a long finish. From a multi-generation Italian wine family with vineyards in Lodi, this is a bold, robust, hearty Pinot Noir with light oak, heavier texture and a smooth finish. Salmon, ham, turkey, mushroom dishes. This fruity Pinot Noir will go well with grilled meats and hearty cheeses. Cablanca cheese.
From: California
Winery: Black Ridge Vineyards
Shelton Madison Lee Red 2007
Madison Lee Red is medium-bodied and very approachable with ripe red berry fruit and notes of vanilla and spice and an easy finish. The blend is Cab Sauvignon 37%, Tannat 33%, Merlot 14%, Cabernet Franc 8%, Syrah 5%, Petite Verdot 3%. Enjoyable as a sipping wine as well as a fine companion to hearty foods. A wonderful uncomplicated red wine that is terrific with pizza, burgers, ribs, wings and BBQ. Tillamook Extra Sharp Cheddar.
From: Yadkin Valley, North Carolina
Winery: Shelton Vineyards
Year: 2007
Drops of Jupiter Petite Sirah 2009
July Red Wine of the Month. Fruit-forward, full-bodied Petite Sirah, with soft, supple tannins and rich blackberry, boysenberry fruit. The wine is being produced by the Save Me San Francisco Wine Company and Concannon. Yes, it’s Train rock group’s label and a reference to their song “Drops of Jupiter.” Give ’em credit for knowing where to go for really good Petite Sirah. Concannon is a first-rate PS producer (and the first California winery to produce a Petite Sirah as a separate varietal). This a beauty with big fruit and beautiful flavors. Hearty dishes. Steaks,burgers. lamb kebobs, moussaka, ratatouille, grilled eggplant. Aged Gouda.
From: California
Winery: Save Me, San Francisco Wine Co.
Year: 2009