Wine Dinner #2 - Zeppoli's

After my last Zeppoli's amazing experience I couldn't help but go back for the delicious food and wine. This time I brought more friends! Last Wednesday (April 5th) my three friends and I attended "Wine Tasting with Gine from Siema Wines." They served nine wines, and had an amazing buffet spread. 

Zeppoli's outside shot

Here are the eight wines we tasted, from left to right in the order they were served. We started out with the whites: Gateway Village Vihno Verde Spain, Vina Collado Macabeo, then Brecco Dei Tati Rose. Followed by the reds in order: Six Hats Pinotage, Nexo Garnacha, Vina Collado Garnacha-Syrah, Lora Tempranillo & Syrah, and then 901 Summit Zin. We finished up with a delicious Casa Larga Lilac Hill White Wine. 

Here are two of my friends!

The first wine we tasted was Gateway Village Vihno Verde Spain. This wine was very sweet and refreshing. It was acidic yet still refreshing with hints of apple and pear. I personally like this a lot with the sharp white cheese that we had. It was difficult trying to get a picture of the food because we ate it so fast!

I got this picture from the Zeppoli's Facebook. Unfortunately this is the one I got:

Too good we couldn't wait to dig in!

 The second wine we tasted: a 2014 Spanish, Vina Collado Macabeo. I personally loved this wine. It was a dry citrusy, semi sweet wine. It smelled more sweet than it tasted but it left an amazing aftertaste. I ended up buying this and love how it paired with the pesto manocotti.  



Third wine: Brecco Dei Tati Rose from Italy. This wine was my favorite and purchased this one as well. It is definitely the best rose I have ever had. It wasn't sweet but it had delicious scents of roses and peaches. It was emphasized by the crisp salad taste. 

Fourth wine: Six Hats Pinotage from South Africa 2014. This had a very strange smell, but tasted a lot sweeter than it smelled full of dark berries. I feel like I would've enjoyed it more with a red meat. 

Fifth wine: Nexo Garnacha from Spain. This wine tasted very similar to the previous red. It was very spicy and almost, Christmasy. I did not like this one very much. 


Sixth Wine: Vina Collado Garnacha-Syrah a 2015 from Spain. As the reds went on they got stronger and stronger with body. This one was not as bad as everyone said it was, it was very earthy and tasted of oak and almost caramel. I like the way it brought out the flavor in the mozzarella cheese. 

Seventh Wine: Lora Tempranillo & Syrah Spain. This blend of 3 varieties was very different. I really liked it, even though I did plasticy hints. It was very nice with a softer red pasta and I liked the different taste!

Eighth Wine: 901 Summit Zin from California in 2014. This wine had hints of fruits, like peach but it was also more acidic than any of the other wines. I like the lightness of body though that the others didn't. The hints of vanilla and cherry came out more with the stuffed mushrooms. 



Ninth Wine: Casa Larga Lilac Hill white wine. This was an amazing finish to cleanse my palate. It smelled of fresh flowers with a sweet, apple-like finish. Great way to finish off the tasting!

Zeppoli's has yet to disappoint and I'm even considering taking my parents here before graduation! My friends and I had a great time and I walked away with two wines. Glad I've found my favorite Rose thus far, and can't wait to come back!

My friends enjoying the tasting.

no food left!!

Vintage Cellar Wine Tasting - Clean Slate

Name: Clean Slate
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mosel
Country: Germany
Year: N/A
Price: $15 (Sale $(.95)

Product Description: "The balanced taste profile of Clean Slate is created by carefully selecting grapes from vineyards throughout the Mosel. Grapes from the Lower Mosel provide mineral notes, while grapes from the Middle Mosel create a hint of spiciness and grapes from the Upper Mosel supply fresh, peach flavors. The result is clean, fresh flavor that is delicious with food and perfect to share with friends."

My Review: This wine has a fruity scent with hints of spice. The taste was fruity as well with main flavors of mango and peach, with some cherry. It was very refreshing that was consistent with the name, very good. 

Name: Tabali 
Variety: Reserva Carmenere
Region: Cachapoal Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2012
Price: $15 (sale 7.95)

Product Description: "Dark, statuesque wine with concentrated, potent aromas of black olive, herbs and mulled blackberry. Tastes like textbook Carmenère, but without any jammy overripeness. Flavor of racy spiced berry, olive and  black pepper are all good, and there's that patented herbal, roasted quality on the finish, but not too much."

My Review: Scents of mineraly and and fruity, maybe some berries. It was slightly dry and I got earthy and spicy hints. 

Vintage Wine Cellar Tasting - Yellowtail Shiraz Grenache

Name: Yellowtail
Variety:  Shiraz Grenache
Region: Casella
Country: Australia 
Year: 2015
Price: $14 (Sale $5.95)

Product Description: "A classic blend of Shiraz and Grenache, with the raspberries, blackcurrant, lliquorice and spice characteristics of the Shiraz complementing the upfront cherry and cola flavors of the Grenache. The balanced wine offers earthy tones, strawberry aromas and vibrant acidity."

My Review: Very spicy smell. It was very acidic with a slight dry finish. The taste was almost candy-like, it also had spices especially cinnamon and cloves. It also had had hints of berries and slightly acidic.  

Vintage Wine Cellar Tasting - Closerie Saint Antoine

Name: Closerie Saint Antoine Champ de Carra Viognier
Variety: Viognier 
Region: Languedoc
Country: France
Year: 2015
Price: $13 (Sale $6.95)

Product Description: "Light yellow color with green reflection. At first, this Viognier exhibits some citrus and pine aromas, after some time in the glass, it develops peach and mango. 
In the mouth, it is quite lovely with a great fruit forward approach. It is intense and balanced at the same time. 
The finish is long and offers an array of flavors, such as ripe peach and pear  with creamy, lemony nuances."

My Review: Very fruity scent. I almost got a banana and pine tree scent. Tastes very fruity and slightly sweet with a buttery finish.  

Vintage Wine Cellar Tasting - Tabali

Name: Tabli Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Limari Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $15 (Sale $7.95)

Product Description: "89 Points – Robert Parker
The 2013 Sauvignon Blanc Reserva is un-oaked and without malolactic, from a selection from the Talinay vineyard and 20% from the Tabali vineyard. It has an herbaceous note of asparagus and peas, a chalky sensation, and a fresh palate with bitter and citric flavors. It’s a superb value."

My Review: This wine was very different than any I have had before. It had a very earthy smell very woody and dirty. The taste has a slight fruity and acidic taste. Almost a dirty kind of taste. Overall it was different but I enjoyed it. 

Wine and Cheese Pairing #2

One of my friends and our delicious spread.

Last Tuesday, my two friends and I decided to get together and have a wine and cheese pairing! We each contributed one wine and wine cheese and tried them together. The wines we brought were: Starborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Hedgeline Vineyards Merlot 2014, and a Yosemite Road Cabernet Sauvignon in which we paired with the cheeses: herb chevre goat cheese, creamy muenster, and a sharp cheddar. 

From left to right: Merlot, Cabernet
Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc.

From left to right: goat cheese,
 muenster, and cheddar cheese.

 The first pairing was the 2015 Sauvignon Blanc with the herb goat cheese. By itself, the Sauvignon Blanc had a very sweet and floral scent. The taste was very light and refreshing, with hints of tulip and pear. It had a medium acidity and was slightly dry. When paired with the creamy goat cheese the acidity was canceled out. The two paired very well together and I would definitely have these together again. 

The red wines: Hedgeline Vineyards Merlot
and Yosemeite Road Cabernet Sauvignon. 

 Next we moved on to the reds. The first red pairing was the 2015 Hedgeline Vineyards Merlot with the muenster cheese. I was very excited to try Merlot because, despite its popularity, I'm not too familiar with the crowd-pleaser. The smell was rather earthy and woody. The taste was full of spices, and dark fruits like cherry. It had a slightly dry finish, but it was very smooth. I am extremely fond of this Merlot and am looking forward to try more! When paired with the muenster, the flavors were enhanced. The muenster tasted even more buttery and the spices, like black pepper and cloves were heightened. This was my personal favorite out of the three pairings. 

My friend and I enjoying our wine
and cheese!

The last pairing was the Yosemite Road Cabernet Sauvignon and the sharp cheddar cheese. The Cabernet had aromas of dark fruit-cherry and blackberry and almost a plasticy tar scent. The taste was very sweet and fruity. The sharpness in the cheese definitely overpowered the wine, but it reduced the bitterness of the wine. I think the sharp cheddar was too strong for the wine, but it did bring out more of the spices in the wine. 


Overall we had a great time experimenting and hanging out. I'm so glad I got to try another Merlot and look forward to trying more wines and cheeses! :)

Vintage Cellar Wine Tasting - Ca' Bea

Name: Ca' Bea Sangue di Guida
Variety: 45% Uva Rara, 10% Barbera, 25% Croatina
Region: Oltrepo Pavese
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $9.95

Product Description: "Off-dry with a slight fizz, offering bright berry and mineral notes. Medium-bodied, with a clean, fresh palate and fruity finish. This is a rare, sweet red wine that is wonderful with desserts such as dry pastries, cookies and cakes."

My Review: This wine was very sweet. It smelled strongly of fresh berries with a earthy hint. It was very refreshing and the sweetness was not overpowering. I thought it was very smooth despite the slight bubbly-ness. 

Vintage Cellar Wine Tasting - Alvarez de Toledo

Name: Alvarez de Toledo Mencia Roble
Variety: Mencia
Region: Bierzo
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $14 (Sale $8.95)

Product Description: 91 Points – Robert Parker
“The 2009 Alvarez de Toledo was bottled just a week before the wine was presented but seems to be showing no symptoms of distress. Balsamic, leather, and black fruits are the principal notes struck by this suave effort that over-delivers in a big way. Like its older sibling, it can be enjoyed now but will have more to say in 2-3 years.”

My Review: This wine was the first that I could distinctly taste leather hints. It smelled slightly fruity and earthy. The taste was of dark cheery and worn leather. It was smooth on the mouth and surprisingly very good. 

Vintage Cellar Wine Tasting - Codirosso

Name: Codirosso Chianti
Variety: 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, 3% Colorino
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2015
Price: $13 (Sale $7.95)

Product Description: 87 Points – Robert parker
A heck of a value in Chianti, this delicious blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino offers up notes of licorice, new saddle leather, black cherry and berry fruit, loamy soil undertones and a touch of pepper and herbs. It is medium-bodied, savory and best drunk over the next several years."

My Review: The smell of this wine was very different than most I've tried. It was pretty woody and earthy. It tasted of dark fruits with earthy wood hints and herbs. 

Vintage Wine Cellar Tasting - The Royal

Name: The Royal Old Vines Steen
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $8.95

Product Description: 87 Points – Robert Parker
"The 2015 Chenin Blanc offers loads of melony fruit interspersed with hints of honeysuckle and peach. It is delicious, crisp, fresh, lively, and a dead ringer for a good Loire Valley Chenin Blanc. Drink it over the next year."

My Review: This wine had scents of strong fruity aromas, specifically peach and apple. The taste was fruity, but not as fruity as it smelled. I got hints of melon and some lemon. The body was light and slightly dry. 

Vintage Cellar Wine Tasting - Barão de Figueira

Name: Barão de Figueira Vinho Branco
Variety: Siria
Region: Beira
Country: Portugal
Year: 2014
Price: $12 (Sale $6.95)

Product Description: "84 Points – Wine Enthusiast
This wine is soft and rounded. It has lemon and light spiciness along with cool acidity. It is an easy wine that is ripe with apple and fresh lemon juice and ready to drink.
"

My Review: I thought this wine was very light and citrus tasting. It smelled of lemons and limes. I thought the acidity was a little overwhelming but the nice fruity taste balanced it out. 

Vintage Cellar Wine Tasting - Crane Lake Riesling

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Riesling
Region: California 
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Price: $5.95

Product Description: "Pale golden color. Ripe and dried peaches on the nose. Minerals and dried peach flavors. Nicely balanced, leaning towards lime acididty."

My Review: It smelled very very sweet, so I was surprised that it did not taste extremely sweet. It was medium-sweet with large hints of peach and apricot. It was slightly acidic with a nice refreshing finish. 

Vintage Cellar Wine Tasting - Vinedos Real Rubio Rioja Crianza

Name: Vinedos Real Rubio Rioja Crianza
Variety: Rioja
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $16 (Sale $9.95)

Product Description: "90 Points – Wine Enthusiast
Lightly baked berry aromas vie for attention with leather, spice and mild earth notes, and the result is disjointed. On the palate, this is tight as a drum initially, but more expansive as it unfolds. Cherry, plum, raspberry, vanilla and woodspice flavors finish pure, clean and easy. This is a fine yet manageable Rioja that’s not trying too hard. Drink through 2016."

My Review: This wine had strong herbal and earthy scents. It tasted of dark berries-specifically cherry and plum. It also had hints of wood that paired nicely with the berry flavor. It was medium bodied and easy to drink. 

Vintage Cellar Wine Tasting - Barao de Figueira

Name: Barao de Figueira, Tino Reserva 2013
Variety: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Franca
Region: Beira
Country: Portugal
Year: 2014
Price: $12 (Sale $7.95)

Product Description: "86 Points – Wine Enthusiast Best Buy
From vineyards at 2000 feet elevation, this is a rich and spicy wine that has a pure streak of fruit freshness and a firmly tannic core. It is perfumed from Touriga Nacional in the blend, with red berry and black plum flavors coming through strongly along, balanced by acidity. It will be better from 2017."

My Review: This wine was very plummy scented with slight hints of spices and dark cherry. The taste was very different then the scent. It was very smokey and woody. I got a hint of cigar smoke that was very interesting. 

Vintage Cellar Wine Tasting - Garnacha de Fuego

Name: Old Vines Grenache, Garnacha de Fuego
Variety: Grenache
Region: Aragon
Country: Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $10 (Sale $2.95)

Product Description: "The Garnacha de Fuego Rose is a solid effort that has a light salmon color to go with notions of cherry blossom, orange peel and herbs de Provence. Medium-bodied, supple, fresh easy-drinking, and an outstanding value at $3."

My Review: This wine was very light and bitter. It was very floral and slightly dry. I personally thought this wine was too bitter and not enjoyable. 

Vintage Cellar Wine Tasting - Ribolla Gialla

Name: Villa Vitas 
Variety: Ribolla Gialla
Region: Venezie
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $18 (Sale $6.95)

Product Description: "87 Points – Robert Parker
The 2014 Ribolla Gialla shows more minerality, nice quince, white currant and citrus oil notes, a dry, refreshing mouthfeel and a fragrant bouquet."

My Review: This wine had a very lemony, citrus scent. Taste was floral-like with hints of peach and spice (cinnamon or cardamon possible). It was light and fresh on the mouth.  

Wine Tasting - Wilson Creek Malbec

Name: Wilson Creek
Variety: Malbec
Region: Temecula Valley, California
Country: US
Year: 2009
Price: $55

Product Description: "This Malbec follows more in the traditional Bordeaux style with a clean leanness back by clear delicate fruit reminiscent of blackberries. Tannins are soft but controlled adding to the wines structure. This Malbec displays subtle light tones of American and French Oak - vanilla. Aromas of cedar, raspberry and rose are light to the nose."

My Review: This Malbec was very sweet, that had very nice vanilla flavors that balanced out the sweet fruit flavors. Smell consisted of very woody aromas and dark berry. Not very tannic with a smooth finish. Definitely enjoyed this Malbec. 

Wine Tasting - Candoni Prosecco

Name: Candoni Prosecco Brut
Variety: Sparkling wine: 100% Prosecco 
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: N/A
Price: $13

Product Description: "Delicate and fruity with a hint of honey, Candoni Prosecco is crisp and clean in the mouth. It has a pleasant acidity level that leaves behind a delicious and persistent freshness with a dry, well-balanced finish."

My Review: Smell of citrus and sweet fruit. Taste of apple and pear with high acidity. Very dry finish that is almost overpowering. Personally it was too dry for me as I prefer a sweeter Prosecco. 

Wine Tasting - J Pinot Gris

Name: J Pinot Gris
Variety: Pinot Gris 
Region: California
Country: US
Year: 2014
Price: $14.99

Product Description: "This wine truly represents some of the best California locations for Pinot Gris. This Pinot Gris offers a delightful bouquet of pear, Meyer lemon and tropical/pineapple fruit. The lush mouthfeel bursts with flavors of ripe pear and sweet orange blossom honey, then finishes with a distinct minerality. A swath of lemon-lime on the palate highlights the fruit and acid."

My Review: This wine was very refreshing. It had bursts of lemony and pear flavors. It was very light and fruity with a big sting of acidity. 

Wine Tasting - Louis Jadot Beaujolais

Name: Louis Jadot Beaujolais 
Variety: Gamay
Region: Beaujolais
Country: France
Year: 2014
Price: $13

Product Description: "This wine is fruity although it also has weight and a rich strand of spice and red plum-skin tannins. This 100% Gamay could age at least until early 2016, although one can just drink it now."

My Review: I loved this wine. It smelled of dark red cherry and plum with a hint of spice. Taste was smooth and of medium tannin. Tasted of berries, but not very sweet, slightly acidic. Left a semi-dry finish. 

Wine Tasting - Francis Coppola Black Label Claret

Name: Francis Coppola 2014 Black Label Claret
Variety: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot 
Region: Napa Valley California
Country: US
Year: 2014
Price: $21

Product Description: "Our prize offering, the ultra premium Claret, sports a label that honors the first Cabernet Sauvignon blended in a Bordeaux style by Gustave Niebaum in 1910. Claret is a term originally coined by the British to describe Cabernet-based wines. This Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc blend is alluring and sophisticated; it is memorably lush with a tapestry of smooth tannins and succulent flavors of wild berries, plum and anise. Borrowing tradition of European wineries, we add gold netting to bottle to signify outstanding quality of wine."

My Review: Had an aroma consisting of dark berries with hints of flower. Very smooth mouthfeel, strong tannins, with a slightly dry finish. Taste consisting of dark raspberry and cherry. I also got hints of an oaky and woody taste. Overall really enjoyed this bottle, and would recommend. 

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Alvaro Domecq Sherry

Name: Alvaro Domecq Aranda Cream Sherry
Variety: Sherry
Region: Jerez
Country: Spain
Year: N/A
Price: $20 (Sale: $9.95)

Product Description: "Youthful and raisiny, this is a fresh style of cream sherry. Appetising flavours of marmalade bread and butter pudding. Alcohol level: 18.00%"

My Review: Smell was overpowering of strong alcohol. Taste was surprisingly sweet with a nice creamy, buttery sherry to finish. Hints of dried fig, overpowered by sherry alcohol taste. 

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Layer Cake Garnacha

Name: Layer cake
Variety: Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $18 (Sale: $7.95)

Product Description: "Our Layer Cake Garnacha from Calatayud, Spain is rich and powerful, yet clean and balanced. Layered with aromas of ultra ripe black fruit. On the palate, the wine shows intense dark fruit with abackground of rich dark chocolate and fresh ground coffee with a long creamy finish. The intensity of flavor from these ancient vines is beautifully offset by the great freshness from the high-altitude vineyards; the Layer Cake Garnacha is not to be overlooked."

My Review: I got strong aromas of a rich chocolate, when I tasted it I got more of a dark chocolate palate with a side of raspberry. I also got hints of mocha--delicious. 

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Fossi Rosso

Name: Fossi Rosso
Variety: Merlot, Sangiovese, Negroamaro
Region: Fiesole
Country: Italy
Year: N/A
Price: $18 (Sale: $7.95)

Product Description: "Fresh, bright red fruit on the nose leads to clean flavors of black cherry and strawberry."

My Review: Smelled of raspberry and cherry. Taste was fruity--dark red fruits with hints of oaky or wood. 

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Nugan Chardonnay

Name: Nugan Pie in the Sky
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: South Eastern
Country: Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $15 (Sale: $7.95)

Product Description: "Pale straw with a youthful green hue. Crisp aromas of citrus and melon. Fresh, fruit driven palate of melon and white peach with all spice nuances and subtle hints of integrated oak leading to a crisp dry finish"

My Review: Smelled of citrus fruit with a more herby aroma. Taste was very buttery with hints of peach. Very dry finish on the mouth. 

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Invino Si Pinot Grigio

Name: Invino Si
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Lombardy
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $14 (Sale: $5.95)

Product Description: "The fashionable Pinot Grigio with a fresh, fruit driven style that’s crisp and refreshing. Easy to enjoy by itself, but pairs well with light dishes, seafood and cheeses."

My Review: Smelled sweet, citrusy. Taste was very crisp and slightly dry. Hints of apple and citrus.