December: Guess the Chianti

[No silhouette targets were harmed in the shooting of this photograph.]

The assignment: Guess the Chianti: Everyone brings an Italian wine (not a Chianti), and I will supply the Chianti. -- idea snagged from a fun tasting I went to a few months ago.

The players: E, E, J, A, R

The discussion:

Wine1: "sophisticated" "more floral bouquet" "there's a lot to take in when you're breathing in the wine"

Wine 2: "tight, light, bright" "lemon peel" "citrusy" "could you think of yourself having pizza with this wine? I can." "A nice thin crust"

Wine 3: "more pinot noiry" "I think it's piemonese" "is it sweet or fruity" "it's sweet" "it's fruity"

Wine 4: "does this wine smell fishy to anyone?" "maybe it's just the octopus talk." "i'm looking for the ocean" "it just is salty to me" "hard to decipher"

The votes:

Almost everyone voted that Wine 2 was the Chianti. A decided to go with Wine 1, for good measure.


The unveiling:

Wine1: Peppoli Chianti Classico (Antinori) 2006. Toscana. 13% alc. vol.

Delivers ripe blackberry and raspberry, with pronounced floral and mineral notes. Almost meaty in character. Medium- to full-bodied, with a silky texture and lots of flavor. Finishes long, with an almost exotic twist in the end. Lots to enjoy. Drink now. 50,000 cases made. More.

Wine 2: Matteo Correggia Roero 2007. Piemonte. 14.5 % alc. vol.

Aroma: Fresh berries balanced with the oak of ageing, plus vanilla and roasted scents with touches of strawberry and cherry jams. Slightly reminiscent of rosemary, watermelon, pear and raspberry. Taste: Smooth and elegant flavor of very sweet tannins reminding raspberry jam. A fruity aftertaste mixed with touches of smoked oak. Very balanced and persistent in the mouth. More.

Wine 3: Michele Chiarlo Barbera D'Asti. 2006. Piemonte. 13% alc. vol.

On the nose it shows itself to be rich in ripe fruit and possesses a marked elegance; on the palate it is pleasantly easy to drink, harmonious and tasty. The aforementioned features make it a modern wine, highly successful and suitable for serving with the widest range of dishes. More.

Wine 4: Sesti Rosso di Montalcino 2007. Toscana. 13.5% alc. vol.

Beautifully juicy, plump and sweet fruit on the nose, suggestions of wild strawberries, menthol, and curiously, leather bottles. The palate is rich and extremely succulent, generous yet spiced, playful and somehow grown up. Good complexity here, finish of fresh roasted coffee beans, the inside suede of a well worn tobacco pouch, clove, sweet raspberry, redcurrant, black plum, sweet earth and ground mocha. More. (This is about the 2005 and from a blog, not Sesti's site; I couldn't find the homepage.)

Verdict:

Siamo scemi (we suck)! At identifying Chiantis, that is. If anyone is up for a makeup test, let me know. ;)


Note from the pre-party: Campo Viejo Reserva Rioja 2004 and Lafite Medoc Reserve Speciale 2005 (drunk with dinner, unblind, in case you were wondering).

The Pictures: 

Wine 2? 3? Losing count!

Peppole: the Chianti that wasn't, according to 4 out of 5 people polled. (Standard deviation 4. )
 

"I see hezbollah debriefings in your past and a teddy bear in your future..."

Dopo.

Next: Lucha Libre: Rioja versus Priorat -- bring in one or the other, and let's watch them duke it out. Non-experimental tapas will be provided. Viva Espana!