This month's presentation was given by Jean and Stuart, who after extensive field work brought us as selection of wines from the USA...
Rose Wine
Beringer
Winery: St. Helena.
Region: Napa Valley, California.
Grape: Zinfandel.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 9.5%
Supplier: Morrisons.
Price £6.00
This wine is named after the founder of St. Helena winery Jacob Beringer in 1876 and has become one of the oldest operating winery in Napa Valley.
The wine is characterised by delicious ripe red fruits like Raspberry, Cherry, and Strawberries with refreshing acidity and balanced sweetness.
The White Wines
Spring Valley
Winery: Spring Valley, Seattle.
Region: Washington State.
Grape: Riesling
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 11%
Supplier: LIDL
Price : £4.99
This wine is off dry, pear scented delightful fresh and with a note of spritz.
Not a lot of information available from LIDL.
New York White
Winery: The Brotherhood.
Region: New York State.
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc/Riesling
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 12%
Supplier: Marks and Spencer
Price: £9.00
A fruity and crisp white wine with fresh lime and tropical fruit flavours.
The wine grapes come from the famous finger lakes within the Hudson Valley in upstate New York. The Brotherhood winery itself is reputed to be the oldest in the USA dating back to 1839.
The Red Wines
New York Red
Winery: The Brotherhood
Region: New York State
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 12%
Supplier: Marks and Spencer
Price: £8.49
This is a fruity soft red with black fruits and spice aromas.The grapes are sourced mainly from the warm Long Island area within the Hudson Valley of New York State where the maritime climate produces wines of great freshness and intensity.
Primarius
Winery: Primarius
Region: Oregon, Willamette Valley.
Grape: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 12%
Supplier: Tesco
Price: £9.99
A medium bodied wine tasting, Raspberry, Red Cherry and oak spice with a lovely fruit finish. Matthew Jukes of weekend Mail says " I was floored when I first tasted this wine I went back to it three times and each time I was more and more impressed.
"The Show"
Winery: Rebel Wine, Napa and St Helena.
Region: California
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon/Petite Syrah
Vintage: 2014
Alcohol: 14%
Supplier: Marks and Spencer
Price : £12.00
A big full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from California with lots of Black Cherry and dark Plum fruit flavour, rich hints of Vanilla, spice and toasty Oak
This red "The Show" is made by top producers Charles Bielefeld, Joe Gott,and Rodger Scommegna. M & S winemaker Belind Kleing was impressed by the wines depth of fruit as well as the spiced dark chocolate finish.
Dessert wine
Essensia
Winery: Quady
Region: Madera, San Joaquin Valley, California.
Grape: Orange Muscat.
Vintage: 2014
Alcohol: 15%
Supplier: Majestic
Price: £11.99
At the Quady winery they only make dessert wines, beginning in 1975 with California vintage port, then Essensia (which we are trying tonight) in 1980, followed by Elysium (from black Muscat) in 1983.
This Essensia is outrageously rich and delicious with vibrant peachy, orangey bouquet. Taste reminiscent of orange blossom and apricots, rich and sweet on the palate.
