Blind Wine Tasting

This past Saturday, Jonathan and I attended a blind wine tasting at The Corkscrew. There were nine different wines to taste, three whites and six reds. Each of different varietals and origins, it was challenging to say the least. Jonathan and I both took notes and compared afterward; they e-mailed the list of wines that were in the blind taste on Monday. Below are our notes, the wines and our favorites.

 

      1. Meinklang Gruner Veltliner (Austria)

-smell: citrus, peaches, grass and melons

-taste: extremely tart, lemons and limes

-dry, not a hint of sweetness.

-by far, our favorite white in the tasting and one of our overall favorites

-possibly a Sauvignon Blanc

 

2. Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay (Chile)

-smell: not nearly the citrus as one, more oak

-taste: sharper in taste and higher acidity than one

-creamier in texture than one

 

       3. Arintho White (Portugal)

-smell: strong peach smell

-very fruity

-lighter than the previous two – refreshing

 

       4. Reuilly Pinot Noir (France)

-look: rusty, brown, transparent

-smell: musty, mildew, tobacco, leather – not appealing

-lacks depth and finish

     

       5. Prairie State Cabernet Frac (Illinois)

-look: much darker than four – ruby, red

-smell: light berries, slight sweetness on the smell

-taste: earthy, but tart

 

       6. Legon Red (Spain)

-look: dark red color

-smell: leather, mild in smell

-taste: mild to medium finish, mouth-watering

-finishes more like a Cabernet Sauvignon, but does not taste like one

 

       7. Le Capannelle Rosso Maremma (Italian Sangiovese)

       -look: extremely dark, inky, almost opaque

-taste: oaky, strong finish, powerful, nicely balanced

-Jonathan liked this wine and he usually is not a Sangiovese fan!

 

       8. Graffigna Malbec (Argentina)

-look: dark and inky like seven

-smell: light fruits

-taste: more drinkable than seven, milder in taste, quicker finish, nicely balanced

-This was my favorite!

 

       9. Mr. Riggs The Gaffer Shiraz (Australia)

-look: slight rust color

-smell: cherries, raspberries and spices

-taste: spicy, we both thought this was a Shiraz

-This was Jonathan’s favorite of the afternoon!