April 2012 -- Labels!

Wine Schmine, Let The Label Shine!

So this month, we left the usual "pick a grape/region/color" theme (always a great way to actually learn something about said grape/region/color) for the less sophisticated, more random, label-based theme.  There was a little confusion about what to look for in the label, but the result was no less fun.  The first email instructed ladies to bring wines with labels that "remind you of someone or something you love -- whether a particular memory, time, person, place, etc." (mostly a thinly veiled ploy to tell the ladies that the hostess had recently gotten engaged, but there was a real theme in there too!)  A little closer to the actual tasting, the instructions broadened a little bit, advising the winos to "pick a label, any label.  Selections should be based on label design/name only -- the label should make you laugh, smile, etc."  So some brought love- or nostalgia-related, others brought fun or funky labels.  The result?  A rockin' Thursday, as always :)  

The spread:

Okay apparently I forgot to take a picture of the spread, but who cares.  The true star of the night was not William H. Macy, but John Wm. Macy -- cheese sticks, that is:

YUM!

Without further ado, the wines, in order of tasting:

 

1.            Angelina Sauvignon Blanc: $12.99 Whole Foods, 13.9%

Rating: 3.43

Nose: honeysuckle, melon, grass 

Taste:

• Angeline the Tangerine (Oh goodness, we’re only on bottle one!)
• Grapefruit
• Very drinkable
• Pairs really well with mango salsa

According to the label, the grapes were grown in the cool climate of the Russian River Valley.

**Inspiration**

Kristin took inspiration more from the actual wine than the label—she and her family have enjoyed Angeline for years, and it always reminds her of home, family, and outdoor dining with friends.  We were pretty honored to share a bottle with Kristin to add to the memories!

2.            The County Fair Chardonnay.: $7.99 Trader Joe’s, 13.7%

Rating: 2.93

Nose: honeysuckle, tropical fruits, grass

Taste: 

• Smooth
• Medium Body

The label suggested that this wine is perfect for occasions featuring bumper cars, cotton candy, and elephants – the circus!  According to the label, we should have experienced tropical fruits, lemon, green apple, and mango, with a touch of vanilla oak.  Oops!  Guess the wheels were already falling off the bus!  This is, after all, the point where we captured this fabulous quote: “F*** dogs.  We’ve had it with these men putting dogs before us.”  Amen, sister. (Say what?!) See the “Extras” below for more gems shared during this wild and wonderful wine :)

**Inspiration**

Elephants – Laura’s favorite animal – grace the playful label, which made it an easy choice for an artsy/inspired wine club!  

 

3.            Now & Zen Wasabi White, 2006: $10.99, Laurel Wine Shop, 13%

 Rating:  1.75

Nose: Christmas cake, minwax

Color is like melted gold/butter; like Yellow No. 5 (Moutain Dew).

Taste:

• Preserved Lemon
• Lemon Pine Sol 
• Cedar 
• Hamsters
• Sake

From Bridget, unprompted and out of the blue: “I miss Ricki right now.  GAWWWD.”  

**Inspiration**

The bottle and label were beautiful, to be sure, but we didn’t hear much more about the inspiration behind the label.  At least one review reports that this wine should have been enjoyed between 2008 and 2011, so that might explain it.

4.            Grigano Chianti 2006, 26 Euro from the Italian Winery, 13.5%

Rating: 4.14

Nose: dark fruit, plum, slight hint of oak, burnt caramel

Has nice legs!

Taste:

• Low tones
• Low hanging fruit (oh dear) 
• Slightly tannic
• Dry at the end
• Tastes a little tart

Right about here, we learned that Atif was busy “playing house” and making his World Famous Hamburgers – “World Famous only to him.”

 **Inspiration**

Perhaps more importantly, Julie explained her reason for bringing the wine to this month’s wine club.  She recently traveled to Italy with her sister and another friend, and tasted (and LOVED) this wine at the vineyard in Florence.  Kudos to Julie (with a little help from Accidental Tourist)  for recognizing and sharing this gem!  Julie was a little worried that she had been caught up in the moment, the atmosphere, the romance  of Italy, etc., and that the wine might not be as great as she had remembered.   We’re happy to report that her concerns were completely unfounded – her wine was not only amazing, but the clear winner of the night!

5.            Tryst 2006 Cab/Tempranillo/Zin, $10 at 17^th & L, 14%

Rating: 3.5

Nose: cherry/strawberry, green pepper

Taste:

• Berries
• It doesn’t taste the way it smells
• Spicy

**Inspiration**

Alyssa brought this South Australian wine because its label oozed love.  The label featured a glossy heart front-and-center, and suggested “Let your next rondevouz be a tryst.”  Why thank you, we will!  The label also noted that the wine had a “dollop” of zinfandel, and as for spice?  “You decide.”  Cheeky!  

At this point in the night, the lovely ladies took a time out to honor the 100^th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  Which of course sparked another fascinating conversation.  Did you know that an alarming number of people did not know that the Titanic was real?  Meanwhile, an anniversary cruise set sail for Nova Scotia to commemorate the occasion.  Is that really the best idea?  Clearly not, as the ship was forced to turn back.   

6.            Los Dos (2010): $10 Harris Teeter, 14%

Rating: 3.57

Notes: Plum, strawberry, jammy, cracked pepper

Taste:

• Sweet
• Molasses
• Fruit forward: cherry & blackberry

**Inspiration**

Terri brought this wine because she fell in love with red wine in Spain.  According to the label, Los Dos is 85% Grenache, and pairs well with pizza, hamburger, and pizza. 

7.            Tarot: $16 DeVine’s, 14%

Rating: 3.36

Nose: Berry, sweet, cotton candy

Taste:

• Alcohol burn
• Surprisingly dry

**Inspiration**

Tara brought this wine because the label was dark, mysterious, foreboding, and kitchy.   The “T” is obviously for “Tara,” but it’s also a Grenache (one of her favorite’s).

The Winner's Circle:

1.  Grigano Chianti
2.  Los Dos
3.  Tryst
4.  Angelina Sauvignon Blanc
5.  Tarot Grenache
6.  The County Fair Charonnay
7.  Wasabi

Added Twists (Lots of them tonight!)

• http://whatshouldwecallme.tumblr.com/
• The local version: http://whenindc.tumblr.com/
• Texts from hell
• 33 Animals Who Are Extremely Disappointed in You
• ITEM!  Did you know that James Van Der Beek plays himself – a washed up former Dawson’s Creek actor – in “Don’t Talk to the B in Apartment 23”?   
• Also, breaking news: in real life, he’s married to a REDHEAD!  Gasp. 
• Movie "Recommendations."
• Zac Efron – disturbingly hot in Lucky One.   
• Verbatim from Wine Club notes; “’Dear John’ is Channing Tatum porn.  Total JOKE, but super attractive.”  
• Song Recommendations.  (Apparently, as these songs/artists were scribbled in the margins.  It's really anybody's guess.)   
•  M.I.A. “Bad Girl”
• The Wheepies “World Spins Madly On"
• Fergie “Labels or Love”

See you next month, winos!!