RECAP: Judgment of Paris

I thought I would post Lauren Calhoun's notes from our April wine club.

Judgment of Paris: battle of the whites! 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judgment_of_Paris_%28wine%29

We didn't strictly follow the historical challenge of burgundy v california chardonnays, but we stayed true to the spirit of the tasting with france v california whites. 

Here are the wines, in the order consumed:

Grape, Producer, Location, Vintage

• Viognier, Val de Salis, Pays D'Oc [Languedoc-Roussillon], 2009 FRANCE  
• Chardonnay, Glory Days, Central Valley - Lodi, 2007 CALIFORNIA  
• Chardonnay, Domaine Le Dieux Murs, Pouilly-Fuisse - Burgundy, 2007  FRANCE
• Sauvignon Blanc, Smoking Loon, (from a variety of CA appellations), 2007 CALIFORNIA
• Chenin Blanc, ??, Vouvray - Loire 2008 FRANCE
• Sauvignon Blanc, Three Candles, Black Mountain, 2007 CALIFORNIA

And the winner is ....
(drum roll)

...  the viognier!  vive la france!

TRADER JOE'S SESSION

A success!  May 12, 2010

Appetizers:

• wasabi peas
• hummus, red pepper and spicy
• pimento cheese
• pizza, cheese and caramelized onion
• cheeses, assorted goat
• cheddar cheese, jam and crackers
• salami
• spanakopita, mushroom and spinach and feta
• arancini bites, rice and cheese poppers :)
• cake love cake by laura andersen

Here is the wine, in the order consumed:

Grape, Producer, Location, Vintage

• Malbec, Santa Julia, Mendoza - Argentina, 2009
• Aglianico, Epicuro, Beneventano - Italy, 2008 
• Nebbiolo, La Loggia, Barbaresco - Piemonte - Italy, 2006
• Syrah, Trader Joe's Coastal, Central Coast - California, 2007
• Sauvignon Blanc, (120) Santa Rita, Valle Central - Chile, 2009
• Riesling, the Little Penguin, South Eastern Australia, 2008
• Sauvignon Blanc - Pinot Grigio - Muscat Canelli - Chardonnay blend (Synergy Blanc), Novella, Paso Robles - California, 2008
• Lambrusco (white), Le Grotte, Emilia-Romana - Italy, NV (non-vintage)

Post comments about your favorites!