First Pour Wine: Episode 2

Nick

Welcome to First Pour Wine Episode 2.  This week we’re continuing our series on the noble grapes with 2008 Cupcake Vineyards Chardonnay and a Non-vintage Giant 47 Pound Rooster Pinot Noir from H.R.M. Rex Goliath.  In this episode:

  • Mouth Feel / Texture
  • The Next 2 Noble Grapes: Chardonnay / Pinot Noir
  • Corks

Mouth Feel / Texture

Talking about these wines, one thing that sure to come up is how does the wine feel in your mouth.  This doesn’t really mean how does it taste, or does it burn a lot (although this can be an accurate description), what it refers to is more a feeling of weight and coating.  The easiest way to think about this is with milk.

For individuals who have had skim milk after having whole milk, they’ll tell you that the skim milk just isn’t really all there.  It’s watery, unsatisfying as their palate has grown accustom to the thick coating quality of whole milk. This can also be vice-versa [i.e. Skim drinkers switching to Whole]. In the wine world though, satisfaction is just as much of a personal preference based on palate as milk.

In general reference:

  • Skim Milk = Light Body
  • 1% / 2 % = Medium Body
  • Whole Milk = Heavy Body

Now this can happen for a number of complex factors, but one reason to discuss the ABV [Alcohol By Volume] of a wine, is that sometimes, it can help to indicate the weight of a wine.  In general, although not always, the higher the ABV, the heavier the mouth feel.

Corks

Over the years many people have taken to sniffing cork.  There really isn’t a good reason to sniff the cork, in reality you’ll smell some wine, but it will also smell like the cork.  The purpose of the cork was actually to let you know you had the right wine.  This was so a restaurant could not just use an emptied of expensive wine bottle refilled with cheap wine and a new cork (they can’t use the old cork, it has a hole in it).  So, sniff the cork if you must, but you’re better off with the bottle!

So, without further delay, the wines:

2009 Cupcake Vineyards Chardonnay

Sight: Golden straw, with a mild green tinge.

Smell: Wafts of honeydew and papaya mix with moderate vanilla and light butter.  Touchs of green apple and lemon round out the bouquet.

Sip: Strong tones of butter and lemon pith mix with papaya.  A slight lime note with hints of vanilla and melon complete the heaviness of the wine. Somewhat acidic. [ABV 13.5%]

Savor: Papaya seeds are the predominate flavor.  Very bitter, but drops off relatively quickly.

Price: $8.95
Central Coast, California
http://www.cupcakevineyard.com/

Non-Vintage (N/V) H.R.M. Rex Goliath Giant 47 Pound Rooster Pinot Noir

Sight: Watery edge characteristic of pinot noir, but the color is slightly too brown.

Smell: Mushrooms and toasted tobacco barely allow the bright cherry and currants through. Primarily earthy.  Subtle green pepper smell, unexpected and unwelcome.

Sip: While the tannins are mild and don’t distort the wine, the toasted tobacco continues to overwhelm the currants.  The body is very light, and the flavor doesn’t leap forward.  Subtle and singular noted to a fault.[ABV 12.5%]

Savor: Dissipates quickly, no particular flavors to note.  Disappointing.

Price: $7.95
Italy
http://www.rexgoliath.com/