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.