“Guess Which Country” Red Wine Tasting

Last night’s wine tasting was lots of fun.  Our host had five reds, all of different prices and different countries.  He asked us to try to guess which country, after tasting each.  We started the tasting with deveiled eggs, pita bread and cheeses  to nibble on with the first bottle of wine.

  

 Here was our first.  To me it had a very slightly sweet aftertaste, reminicent of the flavor of Porto (but not the body of Porto).  I guessed Portugal.  I don’t think anyone guessed correctly.  As it turned out, it was Italian, from the province of Verona.   Tasting it again, the sweet aftertaste reminded me of some homemade sweet dark red Greek wine I used to drink in America (nothing at all like Retsina)……

 Our host announced that he would not tell us the grape variety of our second wine (below) because he thought that might give away the country of origin.   It turned out to be Spanish, from the Castilla region.

Our host brought out a lovely platter of meatballs.

The third wine (below) was my least favorite.  It turned out to be a French Syrah.   I’ve foudn in the past that Syrah is nota wine I liek very well.   The fourth wine Bonassia (below) was a Moroccan wine, and the only one for which I guessed the country correctly, having drunk it often.   

Beni Mtir Wine-Growing Region of Morocco

Bonassia Cabernet Sauvignon ($4.75)–rich and smooth; black currants with floral finish (especially good value, and a personal favorite).

The last was everyone’s favorite (below), a Western Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon.   The taste is full and smooth, with a spice and vanilla bouquet.

 

Photo by Thorn Elkjer

The last was everyone’s favorite (below), a Western Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon.   The taste is full and smooth, with a spice and vanilla bouquet. —-Madame Monet

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Explore posts in the same categories: Beverages, France, French Wine, Moroccan Wines, Morocco, North Africa, North African Cuisine, North African Culture, Spain, Spanish Wine, Wine, Wine Surprises, Wine Tastings

Tags: Beni Mtir, Bonassia Cabernet Sauvingnon 2008 - Morocco, California, California Wine, Castel Wine, Castilla, Castille, Cotes du Rhone Grenache-Syrah 2007, deviled eggs, Don Simon Seleccion Tempranillo, Edam cheese, Famille Castel, Greek wine, meatballs, Monterrey Jack Cheese, Moroccan Cabernets, North African Wine, pita bread, Portugal, Red Wine, Retsina, Spain, Spanish Wine, sweet red Greek wine, Syrah, Tempranillo, Tommasi Viticoltori Bardolino 2006, Verona, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, Western Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - California

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