By Ronica Legette
In the stark whiteness of Studio 450 eight long tables for two have been set up with numbered placemats, each with nine glasses filled with various white and red wines. A small plate of hors d’oeuvres and a wine tasting booklet completed the setting for this daylong event of tastings and seminar.
Hosted by Snooth’s Editor in Chief, Gregory Dal Piaz, only the wine connoisseurs’, bloggers, and writers have been invited to this rare event. Wines from Chile, Spain, and Loire Valley were represented in the 4 hour long seminar. Guest speakers held presentations on not only the history of the area of the wines being tasted that afternoon, but what made the wines unique to their region, from climate to the wine-making process.
The seminar began with Wines of Chile. Tastings of Chilean wines were interesting, both the whites and reds, they were some of the most creative out of all. From the Elqui Valley to the Andes Mountains, we were able to taste and learn how climate affected the wine making process and made these regional wines distinctive. Lots of spice, some more than others, along with the use of vegetables, like bell peppers made many of these wines a sensation on the taste buds. Personally, I found the red wines more to my liking than the white wines.
Some wines presented were the Mayu Carmenere-Syrah 2012, a lovely barbeque wine that is well-balanced. The young and light Casa Silva Cool Coast, Sauvignon Blanc 2012 and the Tectonia Bodega Valcnes de Chile Pinot Noir from Bio-Bio Valley which were both memorable. The most expensive of the wines at $55 was Colchagua Valley’s (Luis Felipe Edwards) LFE 900 Malbec 2010. Dark colored, full-bodied and spicy, it maintained a long finish.
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After a 30 minute break the next presentation was Spain, particularly the Ribera Del Duero area. Nearly nine wines, all tempranillos, were tasted. Each one was remarkably different from the next and all were great. This was my favorite presentation by prolific speaker Roger Kugler.
Vinedos y Bodegas Garcia Figuero, S.L., Figuero Roble 2012, is a perfect drinking wine. The Portia Crianza 2009 and O. Fournier, S.L. Alfa Spiga 2006, as well as the Trus Reserva 2006 and Vina Arnaiz S. A. Vina Arnaiz, were great wines and a must to try. One of the best was a Vina Mayor Reserva 2008. This award winning wine was rich and full-bodied with a clean finish, a perfect dinner wine.
Vouvray, Loire Valley Wines were presented after another short break. Unfortunately, these wines were quickly rushed through so as not to take away from the party that would be continuing from 5-8 pm. Mr. Dal Piaz himself presented these exclusive 100% Chenin Blanc wines. I particularly enjoyed the Louis Armond Vouvray 2011 and the Thierry “Tuffeau” Vouvray 2011 these were absolutely delicious. Served with an array of cheeses and fruits, each wine burst with flavor after some were eaten along with them.
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[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ib-RI0pv0hk/U4YsXycaS8I/AAAAAAAAD64/v5E-qHQIBzw/s144-o/image.jpeg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/104976212412920751676/SnoothEvent2014#6018546739216796610″ caption=”Vouvray” type=”image” alt=”image.jpeg” pe2_single_image_size_format=”C” pe2_single_image_size=”w150-h150-p” pe2_gal_order=”1″ ]
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The Champagnes, Foreau Vorvray Brut 2008 and Monmousseau “Ammonite” Vouvray 2012 were dry, very crisp, and after eating fruit, it was well balanced on the palate. Surprisingly, certified organic wine Francois Pinon Vouvray NV was presented. Darker than most of the Chenin Blancs it was equally on par with the previous wines offered.
After the seminar, we were directed to go downstairs to the Tasting party were not only the wines we had just tasted were available, but a few that we hadn’t. Again, hors d’oeuvres of lamb meatballs with an orange zest and red sauce, lightly spiced miniature empanadas and potatoes with a unexplainable sauce over it, as well as an herbed flat bread was provided. Various cheeses, dried and fresh fruits, and crackers were also available to eat along with the wines that were being served. Added to the tasting party were Empire New York and a couple of Hudson Valley wines.
[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F-2fgr878BU/U4iyKx2r6KI/AAAAAAAAD8w/QpIoSowTHLY/s144-o/SN1.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/104976212412920751676/SnoothEvent2014#6019256800231811234″ caption=”Wines of Chile” type=”image” alt=”SN1.jpg” pe2_single_image_size_format=”C” pe2_single_image_size=”w150-h150-p” pe2_gal_order=”1″ ]
[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7mcE8t54ETE/U4iyK3OIFLI/AAAAAAAAD8w/OngRqsgCME0/s144-o/SN3.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/104976212412920751676/SnoothEvent2014#6019256801672303794″ caption=”Wine Tasting” type=”image” alt=”SN3.jpg” pe2_single_image_size_format=”C” pe2_single_image_size=”w150-h150-p” pe2_gal_order=”1″ ]
[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JUyfNRt_2U4/U4iyK4QXdOI/AAAAAAAAD8w/StHXAm4sOl0/s144-o/SN2.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/104976212412920751676/SnoothEvent2014#6019256801950135522″ caption=”Drink Spain” type=”image” alt=”SN2.jpg” pe2_single_image_size_format=”C” pe2_single_image_size=”w150-h150-p” pe2_gal_order=”1″ ]
Snooth Wine Seminars/Tastings are fairly new and are sponsored by some of the wineries and only given once to twice a year with hopes of gaining more interest. The wines presented on this day were all very good and with a median of $20 to 25, the costliest wine being only $55 gives even the novice wine lover the ability to try a bottle or two. Each wine was chosen with care and I enjoyed not only the wines themselves, but the education that was presented by the speakers who were both passionate and informative.
To Learn more about Snooth go to www.snooth.com
Ronica Legette is an independent and a contributing writer for rayspicksnyc.com
Twitter: @RL_IRRomance
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