Happy Friday everyone!

On the wine list today are wines from the McLaren Vale wine region, located approximately 35km south of Adelaide in South Australia. Since I’m running out of time till wine club, lemme just get to the point J

The wine menu for today!

Gemtree Vineyards Moonstone Albarino 2008 (Ken)

Albarino is a magical variety hailing from the picturesque costal region of Galicia, locating in In Galicia it enjoys coroner of spain. For this reason and because we love the wines of Galicia, we decided to plant Albarino in our most treasured plot of dirt on our Tatachilla Road vineyard, which is situated 5km from the sea and maximises the influence of the climatic conditions in our area.
Albarino grapes develop thick skins contributing to their intense aroma of apples, peaches, pears and citrus. As a result we liken Albarino to a hybrid of Riesling and Pinot Grigio due to its gragrant aromatics and wonderful acidity.
We have left this wine as nature intended it, 100% natural fermentation, no additions and zero filtration so if diamonds appear in your don't be alarmed, they are harmless
Ken uses “we” because he and is “we”-counterparts actually make this wine

Logan Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Div)

Vineyard: The grapes are grown at an elevation of greater than 900 metres on the slopes of Mount Canobolas.
Winemaking: Fermented over 18 days in stainless steel tanks. 5% of the wine was barrel fermented in large Hungarian oak barrels (500 L). The wine was lightly filtered before bottling.
Tasting notes: The Logan 2008 Sauvignon Blanc is pale gold in colour. It has a pungent aroma of passionfruit, guava and nettle. The palate zings with crunchy fresh flavours of pink grapefruit, green papaya and lime. The finish is long and crisp.

Chateau Reynella Shiraz Basket Pressed 2002 (Grant)

Reynella = start of sourthern oz red wine
http://www.atlasofwineries.com/wineries/chreynella.html
The Chateau Reynella Shiraz is typical of the full bodied style of Shiraz that can be made from McLaren Vale fruit. Parcels of fruit from select old vine vineyards were fermented in 7 ton open concrete fermenters and punched down by hand. The ferment was then basket pressed, ensuring the gentle extraction of only soft tannins and contributing to the rich, silky character of the wine. The wine was then transferred to oak barrels and was matured in American and French oak for a period of 18 months prior to bottling.

D’Arenberg Shiraz Viognier The Laughing Magpie 2007 (Big E)

The opaque purple-colored 2007 The Laughing Magpie Shiraz (90%)-Viognier (10%) offers up an expressive bouquet of smoke, mineral, violets, and wild blueberry
Scored between 91-93 points
Created by d’Arenberg is one of the most significant wineries in McLaren Vale. In 1912 Joseph Osborn, a teetotaller and director of Thomas Hardy and Sons, purchased the well established Milton Vineyards of 25 hectares in the hills just north of the townships of Gloucester and Bellevue, now known as McLaren Vale.

Hugh Hamilton The Mongrel Sangiovese Blend 2007 (Connie)

Hugh Hamilton is the fifthe generation fo the family who first planted vineyards at Glenelg in 1837 less than one year after European settlement in South Australia.
Sangiovese is the Italian variety native to Tuscany and Tempranillo the Spanish grape makes up 86% and 14% respectively
I got two free drinks for getting this for Connie…werd

Wolf Blass Yellow Label South Australia Riesling ???? (Cytena)

This Riesling is apart of the Yellow Label Range of single varietal wines sourced from premium vineyards throughout South Australia
It displays lifted floral and citrus aromatic characters
Wine is balanced with intense fruit flavours and a refreshing crisp finish
Screw caps are used to ensure freshness and preserve the characters of the wine. They’re also just cool.

And finally, King of the lab (for those Bones fans…a tv show) goes to the person that can answer this multiple choice question:


The region was named after

a) David McLaren
b) John McLaren
c) Chuck Norris…McLaren


Catch ya all at 3pm in Cascade (by the kitchen) for Clink time!


MC

In Argentina, wine production and consumption dates back from more than 400 years ago, when the first specimens of “vitis vinifera” were brought to America by the Spaniards, in the early 16th century. Catholic priests who came to America settled vineyards around their monasteries, so as to assure the wine to celebrate holy mass. Cabernet, Malbec, Pinot, Semillon, Merlot and Chardonnay discovered ideal weather conditions and prospered successful and rapidly, originating the first Argentinean fine wines. A proper temperature, long sun exposure sessions, low rainfall levels and humidity, and no strong winds together with exceptional soils, created the best ecological ambience for the production of top quality grapes.It is important to highlight that quality and an abundant grape production, within such a favorable ecosystem, make substantial corrections unnecessary, for which reason sugar addition to wines is legally forbidden in Argentina.

Cruz Alta President’s Reserve 2005
Facts:
1. Varietals: 85% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah
2. Aged 14 months in new barrels and was produced by Bedegas Escorihuela Gascon out of Mendoza, Argentina. Limited edition wine from the company president’s personal cellar.
3. Paula Witkowski signed the bottle…hmm, Witkowski doesn’t sound like an Argentinean name to me…calling fubar on that one.

Gascon 2008
http://www.wine.com/V6/Gascon-Malbec-2008/wine/97640/detail.aspx
Winemaker's notes:
Full-bodied wine with deep violet color, showcasing flavors and aromas of blackberry, blueberry, plum, dark cherry, and a hint of mocha. This wine is elegant and rich in texture, with soft and round tannins and a long velvety finish.

Alamos Torrontés
Info about the wine:
Torrontés has a unique expression in Argentina and has often been called the country's signature white varietal. Alamos Torrontés captures all of the explosive aromatic character of this Argentine grape, with lively notes of citrus and peach fruit interwoven with delicate layers of jasmine blossom and fresh herbs. The wine is light and fresh on the palate with excellent balance and finishing with bright, crisp acidity.

Pinot Gris Mendoza, Bodega Lurton 2008
1. Rare in Argentina, the Lurtons harvest this variety first each year to retain the delicate bouquet and the rich complex flavors of peaches, apricots and raisins.
2. J & F Lurton was set up in 1988 by twin brothers Jacques and François Lurton, sons of Bordeaux producer André Lurton. Their firm background in wine and the experience gained as international consultants has been brought to bear on a range of wines from around the world, which aim to keep up with current trends and offer value for money.
3. In 1997 the brothers bought 225 hectares of land in the Valle de Uco, Argentina, which has been turned into a 125 hectare vineyard and a substantial winery. In order to keep up with demand, they also control many neighboring vineyards in the same region of the Uco.

Rose of Malbec, Crios de Susana Balbo
1. This rose is produced by using the traditional "saignee" method, a bleeding of the lightly colored juice from the skins of the fermenting old vine Malbec grapes at just the right time to generate the brilliant red color.
2. Old vine Malbec grapes create a richer, spicier wine than most from around the world.
3. Can be paired with many different types of food.
4. Bottle says it is extremely lovable and fun to be around!