Graham and Lynn presented on three groups of Red and White wines produced from the same grape variety...
The grape varieties chosen were Zinfandel, Grenache Blanc, Cabinet Franc, each of which can produce a white wine or a red wine dependent on the production methods. The six wines were:-
Fetzer White Zinfandel 2010
Taste Bright coral in colour, with a delicious hint of sweetness, offset by a tangy acidity. The intense cherry and raspberry fruit burst enthusiastically onto the palate, with a fine natural spritz.
Drink with creamy curries or spiced fish dishes
From Majestic wine
Style Sweet
Product Type Rose Wine
Alcohol Level 10.0%
Origin California, Mendocino County. The winery is powered by renewable energy including a solar powered bottling plant and recycling waste water from vineyard irrigation
Dominant Grape Zinfandel
Cost £8.99 (2 for 6.99 each)
Bonterra Zinfandel 2009
Taste This formidable Zinfandel was 100% barrel fermented, resulting in brooding aromas of bramble, dark and red berries, white pepper and toasted oak. Powerful rich flavours of sweet plum, blackcurrant, and black pepper are rounded by soft sweet tannins and hints of vanilla.
Drink with grilled meat in blackberry sage sauce, barbecued meats and bittersweet chocolate & raspberry torte
From Majestic wine
Style Rich spicy reds
Product Type Red Wine
Alcohol Level 14.5%
Origin California, Mendocino County. Organic viticulture, Dry farmed 35-40 year old vines at 240 – 800 metres above sea level
Dominant Grape Zinfandel
Cost £12.99 (2 for £9.99 each
Grenache Blanc, Domaine du Bosc, 2011
White Grenache is relatively rare in the Languedoc. It is more widely planted further south of the Roussillon and is, of course, one of the permitted grape varieties in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It produces rich, full-flavoured wines that are perfect with food.
From The Wine Society FC22271
Style Dry
Product Type White Wine
Alcohol Level 12.0%
Origin Languedoc and Roussillon. Domaine du Bosc, owned by the Bésinet family, is situated near the town of Béziers at the heart of winemaking in the Languedoc. It has been an important source of sound, good-value wines for The Wine Society since 1982.
Dominant Grape Grenache Blanc
Cost £5.95
Cruz de Piedra Garnacha, Calatayud, 2010
Rich, densely flavoured exuberantly fruity and chunky. This wine was voted a 2012 Wine Champion at our annual blind tasting competition to find the best of The Society's range for drinking now.
From The Wine Society SP6471
Style Full Bodied
Product Type
Red Wine
Alcohol Level 14.0%
Origin Spain garnacha from an ancient vineyard planted high in the mountains of northern Spain.
Dominant Grape Grenache / Garnacha
Cost £5.50
Cabernet Franc, Vin de France, 2011 (Sébastien Ratron)
Cabernet franc vinified as a white wine. We felt this wine was not to be missed; stocks are low so members will be some of the few UK wine explorers to try it. Elegant, pure, fresh, this 2011 is a very serious maiden vintage.
From The Wine Society LO9781
Style Bone Dry
Product Type White Wine
Alcohol Level 12.0%
Origin Loire
Dominant Grape Cabernet Franc
Cost £9.50
Saumur-Champigny, Château de Targé, 2009
Some supplier visits inspire emotion and my first trip to Targé last summer was one, despite already having tasted the wines over many years. Calm pervades this beautiful spot, and the wines have a lighter touch than previously. I was
seduced by their classically framed Loire lover’s 2008, with the unadorned purity of the cabernet franc grape and freshness typical of the vintage. Needless to say it passed the ‘wet Monday morning in Stevenage’ test too, which was no
great surprise after it had breezed through a similar exercise in a damp Saumur campsite. The more concentrated, riper 2009 has needed a little more time in bottle but is now drinking beautifully, and has the added benefit of greater cellaring potential too. Joanna Locke MW
From The Wine Society LO9881
Style Medium Bodied
Product Type Red Wine
Alcohol Level 13.0%
Origin Loire
Dominant Grape Cabernet Franc
Cost £8.95
