It was the hottest day of the year (to date!) -- and a perfect time for Cork Poppers to check out some wines to enjoy in the summer!
We gathered at Barb and Mike's house to celebrate the Summer Solstice and sample a variety of mostly whites.
We started out with Bob's Decoy Sauvignon Blanc, a very available wine, usually about $21 a bottle. "I've never had this before, and it's good!" Barb noted.
We tasted it very chilled but of course, we weren't gulping. (After all, it was the first!) "It tastes completely different as it warms up, Kate noted, and Clayton added "It gets more grape-fruity."
Roger was up next with "Villa Chambre d'Amour, a French wine from our local wine store at $16.50. This was a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng grapes. "This is a dessert wine!" I immediately noted. (Who would know from the label?) "It's too sweet," said Kate (and she pitched it. I joined her).
The alcohol level in this is only 10.5 but what it lacked in alcohol, it made up for in sugar. "I can feel my glucose level going up!" said Mike S., and we agreed that it tasted more like punch than wine.
Next up was Kate with a Michigan white called Marland Sauvignon Blanc, which she said was $22 on sale. It's a mix of Sauvignon and Semillon grapes.
"I like it!" Mike M. said upon first taste. " I gave it a "really nice" and Barb said "It has a great mouth feel, different from the other we had."
(It also had the best label! Very Rennie Mackintosh!) A Michigan wine from a small company might not be available in most states but if you're in Michigan it is a good find.
My Lago Cerqueira Vinho Verde Rosé was next. It had been a gift so I don't know the cost (the internet said $12), but I do know I liked it! "It's good!" I said. It had a very slight effervescence, enough to think it was special, but was dry, yet fruity and light. It would be great with fish, seafood or appetizers.
Lago is a Portuguese Rosé known for its light salmon color and slight effervescence. It offers a fresh palate with fruity aromas like strawberry, cherry, and citrus, as well as a mineral character. The wine is typically light-bodied and can be enjoyed with a variety of foods, particularly appetizer, light meals, fish and seafood
"I'm sorry you wasted this wine on all these people," Rick noted (I suspect said affectionately!). Clayton noted that it was a nice summer wine and added "You have great friends."
Roger, the only one of us with a pool, noted "for sitting by the pool, this is excellent!" Kate added "Do you want me to get some of this for art camp?" (Yes, please, if I don't get it first! Or maybe even if I do!)
Jan brought another Rose, La Vielle Ferme 2024, which was $9 and bought at our Meijer store. I've seen this elsewhere and it's quite available.
It was a very pale pink and someone (maybe Jan or Barb) had used it to make Ina's Coq au Vin. I found it very pleasant, another lovely summer wine.
Anne then offered our first red, Black Girl Magic, made by the only African-American women-owned winery in the US. It was a blend of Merlot and Cabernet grapes and was described as "voluptuous."
"We love voluptuous wines," Barb said. Clayton noted it "would be good with blue cheese or gorgonzola" or, Mike S. added, "a double layer, double chocolate cake."
Rick called it "delicious" and I noted it was "very fragrant." "I can smell the plums," Clayton added,
Finally, Barb offered Josh Legacy Red Blend. This is another readily available wine nationwide, fruity but light and could be gently chilled.
Barb described it as a "long time friend."
I would be remiss not to mention that our tasting was fortified by plenty of water. . .
. . . and very good food! That table includes a pasta salad, shrimp, deviled eggs, veggies, Mississipi caviar with chips and something in the crockpot I missed and wish I hadn't! (We also had cheese and crackers for tasting.)
And there was dessert too! Fruity pizza and rhubarb/strawberry crisp!
(Everything was delicious but I have to say Meredith made the BEST fruit pizza. It was downright dangerous!)
31 comments:
...if you need a designated driver, let me know. I'll drive for food!
Hi Jeanie, so nice to see all the beautiful smiles. The wine 🍷 bottles are nicely decorated with the labels and the food looks delicious 😋. It looks like a lovely time. Thank you 😊 🙏 💓 so much for sharing.
Your wine varieties look very tempting. Some I know, some are new to me. You always seem to have such great food & company for your tasting parties!
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
What a lovely table, AND refreshments! So summery
A wine tasting session is truly a splendid idea, and it is admirable that you host them regularly. I greatly cherish the convivial atmosphere wherein friends gather, engage in pleasant conversation, and partake in the refined enjoyment of fine wines.
Wow, high end wines, food and commentary. That dessert wine -- considering the title means, approximately, love nest, I think you could have guessed! Nice post.
Jeanie, another fun and delicious gathering of wine aficionados, but I admit that I cringed when you said you and another person pitched the Villa Chambre d'Amour French wine which ws priced at $16.50. That was a hefty wine cost and even more than we usually pay with $12 as a usual max.
Your wine poppers events always look like so much fun! we also like "voluptuous wines," and usually order cabernet savignon reds or Nero d'Avola reds. Please ask Meridith tonshare her fruit pizza recipe! My grandkids would love that!
Wine tasting session is such a good idea and you do it regularly. I love that atmosphere where friends stay together having conversation and tasting wine!
Sound like a grand event.
I know nothing about wine nor do I like it, but glad you enjoyed your wine testing party with friends. Janice
Oddly enough, I have just recently thought of your cork poppers.
Even though I don't drink it is always fun to read your Cork Popper posts! Can tell you guys are all good friends and have a fun time. :)
It's wine time. There are some nice wines here. The food looks great but it is all the beautiful faces that makes this a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing with FFO and have nice weekend.
I'm not a wine drinker, but I would drink that dessert wine. It sounded wonderful. I want all the labels. They were all fabulous. Great for FFO, too. Love the looks of the food.
LOL, I have little ideas about wine but Ingo still laughs about how I told a brewmaster off who sold beer only named "Pale Ale" but it was none, as he had to admit (expensive in the making).
So I understand how you get excited about different sorts of wine. And ohhh,, all the beautiful labels!
Love Rick´s T-Shirt!
And all the food! To summer! (Wish it comes back, 66F is not my idea of this time of the year...)
I love the bottle of wine with the pretty duck on it. That fruity pizza looks amazing!
Josh and La Vieille Ferme we have had..Fun group!!!
PS Rick's Tee:) Love it.
Hello Jeanie,
Another great Cork Poppers evening and post. I am noting a few of these wines, I'll see if I can find any of them here. Have a great day and a happy weekend.
Such fun with friends. Do you ever save the labels? I used to and then add to journal pages You have some good ones there
Happy Friday and weekend
A toast to summer is a very good thing. You always look like you have such fun at these get togethers. And I love how you've picked out your art camp choice too. Have a great Friday and weekend ahead Jeanie. hugs-Erika
That fruit pizza is a work of art! I made a strawberry-rhubarb crisp recently too -- 'tis the season!
This sounds so fancy... and cozy! I love hearing snatches of friends' conversations! That fruit pizza does look amazing!
Cheers! such a great idea, Cork Poppers. We enjoy wine too. My husband loves Josh, a lovely red wine. The fruit pizza is almost too pretty to eat. Enjoy.
I love fruit pizza.
Wonderful faces food and wine!
Suspect that it's always a good time for cork poppers no matter what the weather. Looks like an enjoyable time.
I love fruit pizza, but have not had it in years. It looks so good. I think it is great you are able to get together with friends regularly.
Cara
Cork Poppers is always fun! Wow, the fruit pizza is calling my name!
Your tasting notes are always so darn spirited [pun, totally intentional]! And so is the company you share. That fruit pizza, to die for... yum!
Since my surgery, I've been reluctant to resume my nightly glass of wine. I've found that hop water -- even though I don't like beer -- is just the combination of bitter, floral, and bubbly to enjoy with a spicy meal. Definitely worth a try...
Post a Comment