WineXpert Winexpert LE15

[sideways2]

YOUR LE15 WINES ARE:

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January 2016

Barbera

Piedmont, Italy

* One of Italy's most famous wine regions​

* Situated at the base of the Alps
* Piemonte in Italian means "at the foot of the mountains"
* Continental climate with hot growing season

Tasting Notes
* Higher acidity, lower tannins
* Approachable and food-friendly
* Earthy nose with aromas of sour cherry
* Flavors of cherry, cranberry and spice such as nutmeg and anise

Food Pairings
* Tomato sauce dishes - pasta, chicken, eggplant
* Prepared with fresh herbs like basil, and oregano
* Gourmet frozen pizza or La Sauvagine cheese with water crackers
* Chicken Ratatouille Tagliatelle

Sweetness: Dry Body: Medium Alcohol: 13.5%

January 2016

Pinot Grigio Verduzzo

Veneto, Italy


* Located just north of Venice on the Adriatic Sea
* One of three highly productive Italian regions known collectively as the Venezie
* Hot summers and cool winters

Tasting Notes
*Fresh and vibrant
*Citrus and pear from Pinot Grigio
*Honeyed ripe pineapple from Verduzzo
*Balanced acidity
*Crisp, clean finish

Food Pairings
* Delicate fish; pan-fried, poached or baked
* Simple chicken dishes
* Avoid spicy, sweet, salty, and tomato
* Grilled shrimp skewer or double cream brie
* Cod and Potato Cakes with Lemon-Herb Tartar Sauce
Sweetness: Dry Body: Light-Medium Alcohol: 13%

February 2016

Mosaic Red

Paso Robles, California



* Located between Los Angeles and San Francisco
* Long growing season of warm days and cool nights
* Produces vibrantly ripened grapes

Tasting Notes
* Merlot and Zinfandel bring round fruit notes
* Petit Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon provide structure and complexity
* Aromas of red fruit, smoke and spice
* Flavors of blackberry, raspberry and spice

Food Pairings
* Braised meats, rich sauces, game meats
* Foods with a rich pastry note
* Avoid spicy foods
* Grilled steak or aged Asiago cheese
* Bison Burgers with Balsamic Bacon Onion Relish
Sweetness: Dry Body: Medium-Full Alcohol: 14%

March 2016

Gewürztraminer Verdelho Muscat

Murray Darling, Australia



* Named for the two great rivers: Murray and Darling which weave through the region
* Long hot days with little rainfall
* Heat, irrigation and fertile soil produce grapes that create soft, generously flavored wines

Tasting Notes
* Floral notes from Gewürztraminer
* Verdelho contributes tropical notes
* Grapey Muscat
* Perfumed nose, vibrant pear, grapefruit and lime
* Hint of minerality
* Off-Dry

Food Pairings
* Lightly spiced chicken, pork or salmon
* Ginger, hoisin, oyster sauces
* Savory Asian fare
* Ginger sauces on chicken or Asian inspired frozen apps
* Hoisin Pork Tenderloin Sliders
Sweetness: Off-Dry Body: Medium Alcohol: 12%

April 2016

Fourtitude with Grape Skins

Riverland, Australia



* Woven around the Murray River
* Mediterranean climate
* Long days of sunshine
* Sun-kissed, vibrantly ripened grapes

Tasting Notes
* Full bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot
* Aromas of blackcurrant, cedar and spice
* Flavors of blackcurrant, plum, cherry and spice

Food Pairings
*Red meats - medium rare
*Meats with red wine reductions
*Avoid spice or heat
*Bacon wrapped beef tenderloin
*Aged cheddar
*Wine and Mustard Braised Leg of Lamb
Sweetness: Dry Body: Full Alcohol: 14.5%

 

[Boatboy24]

OK, those all sound really good.

But I have to wonder about one of the pairing suggestions for the Barbera: "gourmet frozen pizza"?

 

[the_rayway]

Right? Also some of those suggestions are pretty specific: Bison Burgers with Balsamic Bacon Onion Relish

What if I'm out of Onions? Or Bacon? (I never run out of balsamic).

That aside, these sounds amazing. I'm having a really hard time making a decision...

 

[sour_grapes]

Right? Also some of those suggestions are pretty specific: Bison Burgers with Balsamic Bacon Onion Relish

What if I'm out of Onions? Or Bacon? (I never run out of balsamic).

And, apparently, you never run out of bison burgers!

Yes, I agree, it is another case of those beautiful, incredibly specific descriptions on the back of wine labels.

I found it interesting that three of the wines specified what to avoid. (In each case, spicy foods!)

 

[jsiddall]

What if I'm out of Onions? Or Bacon? (I never run out of balsamic).

I never run out of bacon

 

[Boatboy24]

Right? Also some of those suggestions are pretty specific: Bison Burgers with Balsamic Bacon Onion Relish

Yes, I agree, it is another case of those beautiful, incredibly specific descriptions on the back of wine labels.

If I recall correctly, the WE site actually has recipes for these meals. I'll have to go back and check.

 

[the_rayway]

And, apparently, you never run out of bison burgers!

Yes, I agree, it is another case of those beautiful, incredibly specific descriptions on the back of wine labels.

I found it interesting that three of the wines specified what to avoid. (In each case, spicy foods!)

Ummm...I live in Canada!! Of course i never run out of bison. Silly Paul

Sad at the ones that say to avoid spicy food. I rarely eat anything that I don't add spice to either during cooking or afterwards.

 

[ibglowin]

Is not take out…….

Its Gourmet Frozen Pizza!

OK, those all sound really good.

But I have to wonder about one of the pairing suggestions for the Barbera: "gourmet frozen pizza"?

 

[jgmann67]

The reds are very interesting. I might do the Barbera and the Mosaic.

 

[jsiddall]

Seems strange only 1/3 of these has skins but I guess Vineco is only offering 2/4 this year which isn't much better

 

[heatherd]

Both the Australian wines sound extremely tempting! And it's not like we get access to the Australian harvest here in North America.

 

[ceeaton]

Heather, I think Presque Isle has Australian Juice, just a long drive for us.

 

[heatherd]

Good to know!

 

[Putterrr]

Seems strange only 1/3 of these has skins but I guess Vineco is only offering 2/4 this year which isn't much better

It was the same in other recent years so it's what you would expect from WE. I may do the Fourtitude as it sounds interesting and different. Of course, I only do skin kits so my choices are limited. The 2 skin kits from RJS are also on my list

cheers

 

[ibglowin]

I might do the White blend with Gerwurzt/Muscat/Verdelho. But if they charge Eclipse prices on these for a White wine I may just tell them to "fugetaboutit".....

 

[fabrictodyefor]

Do these have to be pre-ordered? If so, where? Thanks

 

[geek]

Gewürztraminer Verdelho Muscat for me....

 

[ericcif]

Now time to see what price fixing will have these priced at.

 

[sideways2]

Now time to see what price fixing will have these priced at.

Again...a comment like this was not called for...get your facts straight...it's not price fixing...it's Minimum ADVERTISED Pricing…doesn’t mean that you are going to “pay” that price…as stated by some other fine folks…it’s simply a way of making the playing field even between internet sellers and brick and mortar stores…the ma and pa stores we’ve grown to love and support…

Thank you

 

[roger80465]

Again...a comment like this was not called for...get your facts straight...it's not price fixing...it's Minimum ADVERTISED Pricing…doesn’t mean that you are going to “pay” that price…as stated by some other fine folks…it’s simply a way of making the playing field even between internet sellers and brick and mortar stores…the ma and pa stores we’ve grown to love and support…

Thank you

I understand what you are saying and certainly can't argue with it. However, what Wine Expert is doing (quite successfully, I might add) is making it more difficult for the consumer to do business with them. It is making the retailers jump through hoops to carry out their marketing plans and is costing them business in the long run. I received a catalog from Midwest Supplies today and noticed they are done with WE and have gone to RJS. I don't know if this had anything to do with it, but I suspect it may have contributed.

On the other hand, people are certainly talking about WE more than ever before. As the saying goes, 'there is no such thing as bad advertising'.