Weekend Tasting-Vineyard-Mar. 5-6

Event: This weekend Vineyard featured all the Match Book products, plus a top 100 wine, The Stump Jump. Roger also featured a few select beers. Plus everyone welcomed John back.
Where: Vineyard Wine Market (map), 4414 Evans to Lock Road, Evans, GA. (706) 922-9463

When: Friday, March 5th, 2010, 4:30-6:30pm, Saturday, March 6th, 1-6pm

Here are the wines presented:

Fire Road Sauvignon Blanc 2008
What: From the label: “Marlborough’s worst ever fire, Boxing Day 2000, burnt 6000 ha, for over three days, killed thousands of stock and threatened the wine town of Blenheim, as well as as number of vineyards and wineries. Disaster was avoided by the brave residents, of what is now known as Fireroad, who battled the blaze, by using buckets and hand held hoses and were eventually assisted by a fortunate wind shift. The fire vineyard flourish in the same hot and dry climate that was the catalyst for such a might blaze. This Sauvignon Blanc is typical Malbourough with flavors of gooseberry, passionfruit and honeysuckle. An ideal wine with fresh seafood or white meat.
From: Marlborough, New Zealand
Winery: Fire Road
Year: 2008

Match Book Old Head Chardonnay 2008
What: Why Matchbook? As a farm kid growing up in the late 1950´s and early 1960´s John Giguiere was a confirmed pyromaniac starting various things on fire such as his father´s wheat field. At one point, fearing total ruin from his kids burning him out of the house and farm, his father took them to the city jail for an hour stay to impress upon his brother and him the futility of their fascination with fire. John and his brother answered at a later date by graduating from random fires to the launching of rockets which often blew up at some stage of the it´s journey resulting in more random fires and a call to the local fire department for help. They eventually grew out of this fascination with the “Matchbook” but still have fond memories of the power they possessed. About the Appellation
Matchbook has four products, all focusing on varietals that perform well in the warm Dunnigan Hills climate. We blend a percentage of coastal fruit to the Dunnigan Hills wines to add structure and intensify flavors. –From their Website
From: Lake County, California
Winery: Match Book
Year: 2008

Match Book Syrah 2006
From: Lake County, California
Winery: Match Book
Year: 2006

Match Book Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
From: Lake County, California
Winery: Match Book
Year: 2007

d’Arerberg The Stump Jump Red 2008
What: The Story Behind The Name: The name ‘Stump Jump’ pays homage to a significant South Australian invention – the Stump Jump plough. As well as clearing the land around McLaren Vale, it was adopted worldwide in the late 19th century because of its ability to ride over stumps and gnarled roots, saving valuable time and energy.

The Characteristics:
The nose is full of ripe and juicy red fruits and fresh plums mixed with dark cherry, rhubarb and cardamon.

The palate is approachable with juicy fresh red berries, mulberry and a hint of pomegranate. Underlying the generous fruit is a more subtle layer of plum stone, star anise and cinnamon which adds complexity and interest. The soft powdery tannins provide a gentle finish. –From their Website
From: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Winery: d’Arerberg
Year: 2008

Bastianich Friuliano
What: A typical Tocai Friulano, which expresses the history and terroir of Friuli. Medium bodied, with ripe, luscious pear flavors carried by a refreshing mineral flavor and zesty mouthwatering acidity that mixed together create a perfect wine to enhance food. The Tocai Friulano grape is also characterized by a slight almond edge. A classic match with Prosciutto. Try also with seafood and fish, veal, pork and Asian/spicy dishes. –From their Website
From: Friuli, Italy
Winery: Bastianich
Comments: High-End Tasting

Nepenthe Charleston PInor Noir 2004
What: The Nepenthe Charleston Pinot Noir is a vineyard and barrel selection, blended with an emphasis on approachability and vibrance of fruit, especially in the wine’s youth. Pinot Noir is known to be a fickle and difficult grape, in both growing and winemaking. However the variety is well-suited to the cool slopes and ancient soils of the Adelaide Hills. The Charleston Pinot Noir is crafted to be supple and approachable in its youth, but with real varietal character and serious structure.–From their Website

From: Australia
Winery: Nepenthe
Year: 2004
Comments: High-End Tasting

TriTono Malbec 2004
What: In 2003, New York restaurateur Joe Bastianich, Argentine vintner Matias Mayol and California winemaker Steve Clifton came together to create TriTono. Indeed, the label is aptly named: the three men bring to this Malbec their respective winemaking experiences and traditions, as well as a common love of food, wine and music. The result is the perfect harmony of fruit and spice, and a symphony of flavors that makes the palate sing!
The Name: A tritono (or tritone) is a musical interval of three whole tones and is the gap between two notes played in succession or simultaneously. In medieval and renaissance music, the interval was seen as dissonant and false, so was banned in music theory. Some writers called it “Diabolus in Musica” probably because it is devilishly difficult to teach singers not to sing it, rather than any work of the Devil, but the “Devil’s Interval” is now often found in music where it gives a sense of tension and intrigue.
Examples include the opening of Black Sabbath’s “Black Sabbath” and the two-note introduction to Hendrix’ “Purple Haze”. Most of the songs in “West Side Story” are underpinned with tritones, and the theme for TV’s The Simpsons uses a tritone in “The Sim-” choral.–From their Website
From: Mendoza, Argentina
Winery: TriTono
Year: 2004
Comments: High-End Selection

Here are the beers presented:

Michelob Irish Red
What: Toasted caramel malt produces the signature ruby color of this medium-bodied ale.
Distinguished by its exceptional balance, Michelob Irish Red Ale possesses a slight sweetness that yields to a clean, dry finish. –From their Website
From: St. Louis, Missouri
Brewery: Michelob

Yuengling Bock Beer
What: Yuengling Bock Beer to Return in 2010
Pottsville, PA, January 2010 – Last year, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc., celebrated their 180th Anniversary by re-introducing a late-winter seasonal classic, Yuengling Bock Beer. Available only in draft, it was the first time a Bock Beer was produced by Yuengling in nearly 40 years. The product was so well received, it will make a triumphant return in both kegs and bottles in January, 2010.

“Local taverns and pubs in our distribution area will once again become a destination for customers to enjoy this product on tap,” commented Lou Romano, Marketing Manager. “Last year, there were many loyal customers looking for Bock in bottles to take home and enjoy with family and friends, but it was not available. There’s a great deal of consumer excitement that it’s coming back in draft and package.”

With a deep amber color, pleasing malt base, and a refreshing hop aroma, Yuengling Bock Beer will be offered in 6-pack (12 oz) bottles, 1/4 barrels, and 1/2 barrels starting January 18, 2010, and will last for approximately 10-12 weeks.

The bottle label and package design is based on actual Yuengling Bock Beer artwork from 1941. It can be found on display in the Yuengling Museum and Gift Shop in Pottsville, PA.–From their Website
From: Pottsiville, Pennsylvania
Brewery: Yuengling

Magic Hat Howl Black and Night Lager
What: Born of dark and cold and snow in the marrow of the northeast’s longest night, HOWL comes in on wailing winds with winter-weary eyes burning holes in sunless shadows. In its darkened depths out inner voids are warmed. –From their Website
From: South Burlington, Vermont
Brewery: Magic Hat

Weyerbacher QUAD
What: A abbey-style quadruple ale! ig and delicious, QUAD is an elegant dark ale. Rich with complexity and flavor, try savoring it with a fine dinner. You also might enjoy it as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to a dessert, but QUAD stands alone quite well. We recommend enjoying QUAD in a brandy snifter or wineglass so you can drink in the aroma of this fine ale.

As with any higher alcohol beers, QUAD will be at its best after a period 12 months or so in the bottle, perhaps longer. We expect a shelf life of 3-5 years, but go ahead, we know you can’t wait. Enjoy one now, and another every month or two, and you’ll be truly amazed as QUAD gains smoothness and complexity over time as it ages.

Quad is available in November and December. –From their Website
From: Easton, Pennsylvania
Brewery: Weyerbacher Brewing

Wild Blue Blueberry Lager
What: Wild Blue is a blueberry lager that fuses the juice of nature’s perfect fruit – blueberries – with premium American and German hops, two row and six-row barley malt and cereal grains. Wild Blue has a full taste with a pleasant blueberry aroma and flavor, and contains 8 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).

Its fun, irreverent spirit is conveyed in every aspect of the beer, from the bottle label that features a bulldog kicking a blueberry to its full-bodied taste. Wild Blue is the perfect drink for adults who are thirsting for something new and will be available in sleek 12-ounce amber glass bottles.–From their Website
From: Baldwinsville, New York
Brewery: Blue Dawg Brewing