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Written by Jordan Lee Wagner
Saturday, March 13, 2010 07:35 PM
Here are my informal notes on the ten wines we enjoyed at the wine-tasting event. All are for sale to benefit the shul. (Many other fine wines are also on the shul's sale list.) We are close to the ordering deadline, so email to place an order in time for Pesach. Here are the wines from lightest to heaviest, the order we drank them:-
Dalton: Canaan White
Dalton is one of the finest wineries in Israel. The Canaan White is a slightly sweet blend of sauvingnon blanc and chardonnay grapes. It has a hint of tropical fruit, even of lychee nuts in the aroma; would make an awesome sangria. -
Dalton: Unoaked Chardonnay
Unusual for a chardonnay, in that it is not aged in oak, and so is lighter and less buttery than others. Delicious white wine; would be great with dark, oily fish (like bluefish or mackerel). -
Borgo Reale: Sangiovese Di Puglia
Borgo Reale is a super Italian winery. The sangiovese grape makes lighter wine than chianti. Would be a good choice to serve a teenager who insists on getting real wine at the seder. This red wine is fruity, light, and easy drinking. It is low in tannins. Would make a great wine with pizza. -
Borgo Reale: Montepulciano
A bit more mineral-y than the previous wine. Would suit chicken cacciatore or other slightly spicier food. -
Dalton: Canaan Red
An entry level red wine, with slight sweetness and the funky aroma of petit sirah grapes. Makes a nice cocktail wine, and is a safe choice for a group. (This is not a big, intense red.) -
Borgo Reale: Primitivo Di Manduria
This is the original Italian wine from which Zinfandel was later developed. More intense than the previous wines, it is a medium body wine that would be great with veal, barbecues, pepper steak, etc. Anything where the beef itself is broken up, such as brisket in a tomato base. -
Dalton: Zinfandel
A spectacular zinfandel; everything a zinfandel should be. It features ripe floral aromas, and a striking peppery finish. Would be great with a big meaty roast. A word of warning: It doesn't last. When we re-opened the same bottle at kiddush three days after the tasting, it was still a good wine but much of the body and aroma had dissipated. About 15% alcohol. -
Kinneret: Cabernet-Merlot-Cabernet Franc
This Israeli wine is made in the Bordeaux style (and it's sold in a Bordeaux style bottle) with Cabernet Franc in the mix to give it structure (a.k.a., backbone, grip). Still just medium in weight; would be good for beef or lamb or prime rib. -
Dalton: Moscato
A sweet bubbly dessert wine. Very light and floral. Makes a delicious cordial by itself, or as a dessert wine with fruit compote or cake. Only about 5% alchohol. -
Borgo Reale: Moscato D'Asti
Another delicious moscato dessert wine. Not as floral as the last, more fruity, a bit heavier. I prefered the Dalton; I think I could drink more of it and enjoy it for longer. But many other folks preferred the Borgo Reale, which is much more Italian in style, more usual for a moscato. For them the Dalton was too soda-like. Both were delicious; the Dalton was more unusual. You can't really go wrong with either.
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