Bougrier Chenin Blanc

I think one word sums up my whole being at the moment, exhausted. As if dividing my time between our new dog, Rooster and spending time with our cat Daisy who is still holed up in the bathroom wasn’t enough. As of today add five 2 day old chicks in the basement. It’s a wonder I have time to drink water let alone wine. But don’t you worry; you know I’ll find a way to get my wine time in. After a brief cool spell, warmer temps are back and that means so are the white wines. Last night we opened a bottle of Bougrier Chenin Blanc 2010.

Peach and citrus aromas lead to a slightly sweet crisp and refreshing white wine. Citrus and honey with a hint of minerality in the finish. Well balance between the acidity and the sugars. I picked this bottle up at Total Wine for $8.99 and will be getting more the next time I’m in Alpharetta.

So just what is minerality and does it truly exist in wines? For me it’s that hint of stone, dirt, chalk or slate. It’s that one characteristic that I can’t quite put my finger on, some may say umami. Most of the time it’s an underlying flavor on the palate or a hint in the nose. I also find it to be more pronounced when there is an absence of fruit. Some wine drinkers and experts dispute its existence claiming grape vines can not pick up minerals from the terroir.

The term minerality is absent from The Oxford Companion to Wine (a wine lover’s bible) but does list the minerals that may be found in wine; iron, calcium, copper, sulfur, to name just a few. The term is also missing from the Wine Aroma Wheel, developed by UC-Davis’ Dr. Ann Noble.

I find this absence interesting considering how many wineries and appellations rely on the importance of geology and soil composition making up the wine’s terroir. After doing some research on the minerality phenomenon, I still have no conclusive evidence as to if it truly exists or not. Since wine descriptors are subjective, I say if you pick up the flavor of stone, chalk or even dirt, it exists for you.  

I think I’m a little brain dead from reading about minerality (it’s not as exciting as one would hope) and taking care of all of the farm animals. There will be much to share in the next few weeks and months.

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Un4seen Red Wine 2009 and Un4seen White Wine 2010

Unforeseen, the mere mention of the word puts me on alert. Something unexpected looming, just waiting to pounce when I least expect it. There it is, the unforeseen, an unexpected event requiring a reaction from us, be it good or bad. I consider myself rather brave but I have to admit, when it comes to the unknown, I get butterflies in my stomach. I’m a list maker, a planner and when things don’t go just as I expected, I don’t always know how to react.  I have to admit, I don’t always know how much I’ll like the wine samples sent to me but the wine I’ll be discussing here was (you have been warned, here comes the pun) an unforeseen welcome, Un4seen Red Wine and Un4seen White Wine.

Un4seen Red Wine blend 2009

It took awhile for the aromas and flavors to open but after about 20 minutes in the glass, a personality began to develop with scents of earth, red fruits and spice. Flavors were faint but after some swirling hints of plum, cherry and spicy black pepper emerged. Medium bodied with a silky mouthfeel and well structured tannins. I typically find Petit Verdot to be a very perfumey wine but not pick up the notes in this wine. May have been an off night for me.

Varietal - of Zinfandel, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot

Appellation - California (Lodi, Clarksburg)
Alcohol – 13.9%
TA – 6.1 g/L
pH – 3.6
RS – 6.2 g/L
SRP - $10.99

As you can see the Un4seen Red is a blend of four varietals, each harvested and fermented on their own, then blended. The blend of the four varietals creates a harmonious flavor combo with great complexity as each sip brings out new flavors and aromas.

Un4seen White Wine blend 2010

Tantalizing aromas of honey and tropical fruits. Flavors burst through with apple and mango. Finish is lush and full of perfumed floral notes. It’s like summer in a glass. Something many of us can use this time of year.

Varietal - Chardonnay, Semillon, Viogner and Moscato

Appellation -  California (Lodi, Clarksburg)
Alcohol – 13.9%
TA – 6.1 g/L
pH – 3.53
RS – 7 g/L
SRP - $10.99

A blend of Chardonnay, Semillon, Viogner and Moscato

Seems like every time I turn around, there’s another change affecting me. The dismissal of co-workers or contacts that have a vast and very important knowledge of what we do. The passing of my 19 year old cat, Katundra, who was with me through most of my 20’s and all of my 30’s. While I contemplate what the future may bring for me after all these changes, I know it’s up to me to rise above and continue moving forward. So maybe it doesn’t have to be such a foreboding word. Maybe it’s a positive change in our path; an unforeseen fortune, an unforeseen adventure, an unforeseen opportunity. Hmm, fortune, adventure, opportunity; I like the sound of those words.

If you would like to send samples for my review, please contact me at kstargaard@yahoo.com.

2012© Kellie Stargaard.  All Rights Reserved.
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