Answer:
Amanda at rustbeltthreads loves loves loves cupcake wine. I’ve never tasted it, but the label sure is pretty!
The winery is located in Central Coast California, where certain varietals of the reds grapes come from, like the cab, but I’m pretty sure they receive their others, like the sauv blanc, from all over the world.
Also, I do know that none of the varietals actually taste like cupcakes, or baked goods in general. You would be surprised at how many people find this disappointing.
On Saturday, December 11 from 11:00am - 12:00pm, Gates Circle Wine and Liquor is hosting a sparkling wine class. It’s free, and you will learn about and taste French Champagne, Spanish Cava, Italian Prosecco, and sparking wines from California.
Facebook Event Invite | Gates Circle Website - Upcoming Events
(p.s. I’m sure you will try the Segura Viudas Brut Cava, but probably not the Brut Reserva, as seen above)
Beaujolais is a wine region in the southern most part of France. Wines from this region are almost exclusively made from the gamay varietal, which is a resilient grape that can be produced in abundance. The Region produces mostly inexpensive, simple reds.
Beaujolais Nouveau is designed for consumption within weeks of the region’s harvest. The wine is not aged, It’s light and fruity, and it’s as simple as a red wine can get. Traditionally the wine was tasted after harvest to get an idea of what the vintage will be like. Now it’s annual release, the third Thursday of November, coincides with American Thanksgiving, and pairs conveniently well with our smorgasbord of holiday foods.
Beaujolais Nouveau is limited, usually wine shops get enough in to last through the end of the holidays. But once it’s gone, it’s gone until the following November sees the next vintage.
I stopped by Gates this afternoon, and tried the 2010 George Dubeouf Nouveau. I liked it, surprisingly. The last vintage was straight up watery. I’m not going to lie, it is what it is: an unoaked, unaged, fruity red. If you like robust cabs, jammy zins, spicey granache - don’t get this wine. If you want something light and versatile to go with turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, etc - give it a try!
The 2010 George Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau is in, and you can taste it at Gates Circle from 4-7pm.
Facebook Invite | Gates Circle Website - Upcoming Events
Ciconia Alentejano 2009 Portugal $8
60% Aragones, 30% Syrah, 10% Touriga Nacional. Aragones is the Portugese word for Tempranillo, and Touiga Nacional originated in Portugal. The latter is known for its high tannins and body.
Portuguese wine is starting to get some play at Gates, but Ciconia hung out on the rack alone for a little bit. It’s an inexpensive, easy drinking wine with nice fruit and a good balance of tannins and acidity, and highly recommended by those crazy boys at the circle.
Camille Cayran Secret de Campane 2008 (France) $8
Pricipaute d’Orange is a small area in the Languedoc or Rhone region (not sure), and their wines are classified as Vin de Pays (higher ranking than a table wine, not yet AOC)
Mostly Grenach, with carignan, cinsault, and merlot. It has a beautiful garnet color, but delivers a mouthful of astringency. Tightly knit, no complexity, which may mean it needs more time in the bottle.
I know, there is a tiny little hot air balloon on the bottle, which is sooo cute. Gates is going to kill me for this bad review, but avoid the tiny little hot air balloon, pls.
La Chapelle de la Bastide Picpoul de Pinet 2008 Languedoc (southern France) $10
Pear and apple on the nose, but, according to Colin, “it smells like white bread.” Not really sure what’s going on in his nose and brain.
Yummy white wine. Just a little bit crispy; Picpoul de Pinet is a varietal known for its high acidity. A little bit of citrus and fruit, and some minerality (lovey love.) Jen recently described a minerally wine as having a “wet stone” quality, and I really liked that. Way to go, Jen =)
Mon Plaisier de Chateau Roques de Jeanlive 2007 Bordeaux $10
Decent bordeaux for ten dollars. Left bank, so most likely predominately cabernet. dark berries and spice. I decanted for about a half hour.
Mosen Cleto Crianza 2006 $9
Leave it to the Don Ramone people to spray aged-for-years-in-an-authentic-real-life-spanish-cellar shmutz all over this 06 cheapo.
Great for those who are willing to pay for wine in quarters. Pairs well with pizza, bbq, pretzels, porch time. etc. Try not to touch the bottle too much.
Chateau Grand Cassagne Costieres de Nimes 2008 - 60% Grenache 40% Syrah
Really dropped the wine blog ball on this one, I didn’t write too much about it. Cost about $10, I only wrote that it had a nice light body, and I needed to decant it for about a half hour to open it up. I remember that it was pretty good, though.
Charles and Charles 2007 Red (Cab/Syrah 50/50) Washington State - Columbia Valley
Pretty dark inky color. Nose: pepper, dark berries, maybe current? Blah attack, spicy palate. Not my fav. Forgot the price, sorry!
Chapelle St. Arnoux - Vacqueyras 2007 Cotes du Rhone $10
Needs lots of air, tobacco on the nose? I need to stop smoking - It really ruins my ability to smell wine. Spicy, nice tannins, little bit of acidity.
Shaya Verdejo Old Vines 2008 (Spain) $15
My first white wine of the warm weather season!
Beautiful light straw color, creamy/medium body, nice touch of acidity, grassy nose, with a little minerality - delicious!
Brazin 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel (Lodi). $16
Berries and chocolate on the nose. Jammy nom noms on the palate. This was the last of three bottles I shared last night. Although my palate may have been a little shoddy by that point, this wine managed to shine right through my drunk face. I grabbed my little wine notebook to make a quick note in the midst of my guests (who were all like… wtf?) I notice now that I had only managed to write, “mmmmjammy.” Translation: worth the sixteen bucks.
