11/09/2024
We are excited to invite you to today's Saturday Wine Tasting at Chat's Liquors! We're welcoming our great friend Serghei, the owner of Old Town Cellars, Wine Importers and Distributors, for a curated tasting experience you won’t want to miss.
Serghei will be sharing his expertly selected wines, including:
- Crisp and refreshing Prosecco
- Unique and ancient Georgian Qvevri-aged wines
- A beautiful selection of wines from Portugal
- And much more!
Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or new to exploring diverse wines, this event promises something for everyone. Come enjoy the flavors, learn from Serghei’s expertise, and discover new favorites in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
BUY 3, GET 1 FREE
on all wines being tasted today!
GO TO:
www.chatsdc.com/wine-tasting (http://CHATSDC.COM/)
FOR DETAILS
Note: If you'd like to show your appreciation for the experience, please feel free to leave a tip by following the link below. Thank you!
San Martino Vini is a family-owned winery in Veneto, Italy, a region famous for its Prosecco production. The winery focuses on combining tradition with modern production techniques to craft high-quality wines that highlight the character of the Glera grape and the unique terroir of the Prosecco DOC area.
Production Notes
Grape Variety: 100% Glera
Vintage: 2023
Region: Prosecco DOC, Veneto, Italy
Production Method: The wine is made using the Charmat (or tank) method, which is traditional for Prosecco. After the initial fermentation, the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in pressurized stainless-steel tanks to create its bubbles. This process helps preserve the wine's freshness, floral aromas, and vibrant fruit flavors.
Alcohol Content: Approximately 11% ABV
Residual Sugar: Brut level, which means it has low residual sugar, making it dry and crisp.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Light straw yellow with a fine and persistent perlage (bubbles).
Nose: Fresh and aromatic with notes of green apple, pear, white peach, and a hint of citrus. Floral hints of acacia and wisteria add complexity.
Palate: Crisp, refreshing, and well-balanced with flavors that reflect the nose. The wine has a pleasant acidity, a touch of minerality, and a dry finish that enhances its elegance.
Finish: Clean, vibrant, and refreshing with lingering fruit and floral notes.
This prosecco is perfect as an aperitif and pairs beautifully with light appetizers, seafood dishes, salads, and soft cheeses. It’s also a versatile sparkling wine for festive occasions and celebrations.
Pago del Vicario is a well-respected estate in Castilla-La Mancha, located just outside the city of Ciudad Real. The winery is known for its focus on terroir-driven wines that highlight the characteristics of the region’s climate and soils. Pago del Vicario uses sustainable vineyard management practices to produce wines that reflect the unique conditions of their estate. They are pioneers in producing a white wine from Tempranillo, a red grape variety, creating an original expression of Spain’s iconic grape.
Production
To produce Pago del Vicario Blanco de Tempranillo 2023, the winemakers employ a process where red Tempranillo grapes are gently pressed, and the juice is quickly separated from the skins to avoid color extraction. This method allows for the production of a white wine with the distinctive characteristics of Tempranillo. The juice is then fermented in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature to retain its fresh and fruity profile. The wine undergoes a brief period of aging on the lees, which adds complexity and texture while maintaining brightness and acidity.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Pale yellow with subtle golden reflections.
Nose: Aromas of green apple, pear, and citrus zest, accompanied by floral hints and subtle herbaceous notes.
Palate: Fresh and vibrant, with a balanced acidity that highlights flavors of white peach, lemon, and a touch of melon. The lees aging provides a slight creaminess, adding depth and rounding out the crisp mouthfeel.
Finish: Clean and refreshing, with a lingering hint of minerality.
Pairing Suggestions: This white Tempranillo pairs well with Mediterranean dishes, fresh seafood, white meats, and light cheeses. It is also a great match for salads, grilled vegetables, and dishes with light citrus or herb-based sauces.
The Marnaveli "Qvevri - Amber - Orange" Rkatsiteli 2022 is a unique amber or "orange" wine produced using traditional Georgian winemaking techniques that date back thousands of years. This wine is crafted with the native Rkatsiteli grape variety and fermented in qvevris (large clay vessels buried underground). This method imparts the wine with a distinctive structure, complexity, and earthy character, making it a captivating expression of ancient Georgian winemaking.
Winery
Marnaveli Winery is a Georgian winery dedicated to reviving and honoring the country’s winemaking heritage, which is considered one of the oldest in the world. Marnaveli focuses on traditional Georgian varieties, especially those produced in qvevri. Their wines highlight the region’s terroir and ancient methods while combining modern standards of quality. Marnaveli wines are celebrated for their authenticity and use of indigenous practices, resulting in wines with a genuine Georgian identity.
Production
The Qvevri - Amber - Orange Rkatsiteli 2022 is produced exclusively from the Rkatsiteli grape, one of Georgia’s most widely planted and ancient grape varieties. After harvest, the grapes are fermented in qvevri with the skins, stems, and seeds for an extended period. This contact with the skins and seeds gives the wine its amber or orange hue and contributes to its tannic structure and complex flavors. The qvevri method also enhances the earthy and mineral qualities, creating a wine with deep character and a sense of place..
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Deep amber or orange color, with a slightly hazy quality, typical of qvevri-fermented wines.
Nose: Aromas of dried apricot, orange peel, honey, nuts, and subtle spices, along with earthy notes that hint at the wine's qvevri origins.
Palate: Rich, full-bodied, and textural, with flavors of stone fruit, tea leaf, dried herbs, and a touch of honeyed sweetness. The extended skin contact adds a tannic grip, creating a structure reminiscent of a red wine.
Finish: Long, dry, and complex, with a slightly tannic, mineral-laden finish that lingers.
Pairing Suggestions: This amber wine is best enjoyed with richly flavored foods such as roasted meats, root vegetables, and aged cheeses. It pairs wonderfully with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes, and its bold structure allows it to complement spiced and herb-infused recipes.
Pago del Vicario is a winery located near Ciudad Real in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Known for its dedication to sustainable viticulture and innovative winemaking, the winery emphasizes the unique qualities of local and international grape varieties. Pago del Vicario is particularly skilled at adapting lesser-used grapes like Petit Verdot to Spanish climates, creating distinctive wines that reflect the vineyard's terroir and the winery’s modern techniques.
Production
This Petit Verdot is crafted as a lighter, chillable red, intended to be enjoyed at a lower temperature than traditional reds. The grapes are harvested early to maintain natural acidity and produce a fresh, lively profile. The wine undergoes a shorter maceration period to extract just enough color and tannins for a balanced, lighter-bodied style. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks to preserve the varietal’s fruitiness and aromatic qualities, avoiding oak aging to keep the wine fresh and approachable.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Bright ruby red with a slight translucency.
Nose: Aromas of red berries, notably cherry and raspberry, with hints of violet, fresh herbs, and a touch of spice.
Palate: Light to medium-bodied, with bright acidity and subtle tannins. Flavors of juicy red berries, plum, and a touch of earthiness come through, balanced by a refreshing minerality.
Finish: Clean and crisp with a delicate, refreshing finish.
Serving Suggestion: Serve slightly chilled (around 12-14°C/54-57°F) for optimal enjoyment.
Pairing Suggestions: Ideal with tapas, grilled vegetables, charcuterie, and light pasta dishes. Its acidity and light body also make it a great companion for seafood, such as grilled shrimp or octopus. This versatile wine is perfect for casual gatherings and warm weather, pairing beautifully with a variety of dishes and settings.
Marnaveli Winery, located in Georgia’s Kakheti region, is known for producing traditional wines that celebrate Georgia’s ancient winemaking heritage. Saperavi, the flagship grape variety of Georgia, is one of the oldest known grape varieties, uniquely suited to the region’s terroir. Marnaveli specializes in creating both qvevri (clay vessel) and oak-aged wines, showcasing the versatility of Georgian winemaking practices. Their wines often reflect the natural, earthy qualities of the Kakheti region.
Production
The Marnaveli "Aged in Oak Barrels" Saperavi 2019 is made from 100% Saperavi grapes, which are hand-harvested and undergo a traditional winemaking process. After fermentation, the wine is aged in oak barrels for a period of 12-18 months, adding layers of complexity and a round, textured mouthfeel. Oak aging imparts subtle notes of vanilla, spice, and smoke, which beautifully complement the natural fruit and earthy characteristics of the Saperavi grape.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Deep, dark ruby with a nearly opaque core, hinting at the wine's intensity.
Nose: Aromas of ripe blackberries, black cherries, and dark plums, with layers of vanilla, toasted oak, and subtle earthy undertones.
Palate: Full-bodied and structured, with flavors of dark berry compote, hints of blackcurrant, and a touch of spice from the oak. The wine has firm tannins and well-balanced acidity, which give it an excellent aging potential.
Finish: Long and persistent, with notes of dark chocolate, black pepper, and a hint of smoky oak, lingering on the palate.
Pairing Suggestions: This Saperavi pairs well with hearty dishes such as grilled meats, lamb stew, and roasted vegetables. It also complements aged cheeses and rich, savory dishes, as its bold structure and acidity balance intense flavors beautifully.
This wine can be enjoyed now or aged further, as it will develop more nuanced flavors with time.
Touriga Franca 25%, Touriga Nacional 25%, Petit Verdot 25%, and Petite Syrah 25%, a combination of indigenous Portuguese varieties with French grapes.
Quinta do Paral is an esteemed winery located in Alentejo, a region in southern Portugal renowned for producing high-quality wines with a distinct personality. The winery prides itself on a commitment to sustainable viticulture and preserving regional wine heritage, utilizing traditional methods while embracing modern innovations. They cultivate indigenous grape varieties, emphasizing a sense of place in every bottle. The "Superior" line is intended to highlight the premium quality and expressive nature of Alentejo’s terroir.
Production
The 2019 vintage was particularly favorable in Alentejo, with warm days and cool nights allowing the grapes to achieve optimal ripeness while retaining acidity. After careful selection, the grapes undergo fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve fruit character and structure. Aging occurs in French oak barrels for 12-18 months, which imparts complexity, soft tannins, and subtle spice to the wine.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Deep, intense ruby color with violet hints.
Nose: Aromas of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and plum, intertwined with earthy notes, vanilla, and a hint of spice from the oak aging.
Palate: Full-bodied and well-structured, with flavors of dark fruits, blackcurrant, and subtle notes of chocolate and licorice. The tannins are smooth yet present, balanced by vibrant acidity.
Finish: Long, persistent finish with lingering notes of dark fruit, spice, and a touch of minerality.
Pairing Suggestions: The "Superior" Tinto pairs well with hearty dishes like grilled meats, lamb, and rich stews. It’s also a great match for aged cheeses or flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dishes, as its robust character and acidity stand up to bold flavors.
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