Wautoma Springs
The Wine Club of Greater Phoenix First Session – Cabernet Franc Wines From Around the USA
Last night we held the first “official session” of The Wine Club of Greater Phoenix besides the planning group. Last night’s group was on Cabernet Franc from various states in the USA. It was a blind tasting event with Cabernet Franc wines from Michigan, El Dorado County (Calif), Columbia Valley, WA, Elgin AZ, and Finger Lakes, NY. A special sixth entry was from Texas and the grapes coming from Coombsville, Napa.
Not all the wines shown Photo ©Michael Kelly
A quick recap of the key characteristics of taste and flavor of Cabernet Franc from each area was presented. There was a simple one-pager, a three pager with graphs/charts and a full ten-page explanation handed out. For last night we focused on the one-pager detailing the differences for each area where the vineyards & wineries were located. For example, Cabernet Franc from the Northwest (Oregon, Washington & Idaho) generally have the following traits that share classic red-fruit, herbal profile whereas with Washington long sunny growing season and cool evenings, produce more ripe, structured wines. Fruits include raspberries, black cherry, and sometimes blackberries. Aromatics of violet, dried herbs, tobacco and bell pepper are common. Barrel selection and time spent in the barrel can impart spice and tannins of varying degree, etc.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The wines, unbeknownst to the guests, were from previous International Cabernet Franc Wine Competitions, winning awards from Bronze to Double-Gold. Three of the wines were also won Best of Class. Wines last evening were: 2017 Cody Kresta from Michigan, 2020 Boeger from Sierra Foothills Calif, 2021 Wautoma Springs from Columbia Valley Washington, 2019 Callaghan from Elgin Arizona and 2022 Boundary Break from the Finger Lakes in upstate New York.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Tasting blind (bagged bottles) we went through them one by one with each person giving their “judged score”, personal preferences with and without food. At the end we revealed how the Professional Judges and People’s Choice Judges rated them in prior competitions.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Each person brought an appetizer dish that would be compatible with Cabernet Franc wine. We enjoyed garlic with mushroom crostini with thyme & garlic, mini-bell peppers (orange, red and yellow) with goat cheese and herb spread, stuffed Poblano peppers, baked Brie with homemade cranberry compote, and crostini with goat cheese, fig jam, walnut and drizzled with honey. All were especially enjoyable with the wines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
In almost every case the wine score without food increased in their rating with selected foods. As I have written about for years, food enhances wine and wine completes the food choice. The best quote is by Andre Simon that “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners”.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We concluded the blind tasting with a bagged bottle from Middle Oak Wines from Friendswood, Texas called “The Middle C”. The grapes come from Coombsville in Napa Valley. Two of the group guessed correctly it was a California Cabernet Franc.
Lots of interaction and discussion during the evening. So much so, that while we “schedule” a one hour and half meeting think it might go two hours, this lasted an enjoyable three hours. We are working on determining whether the next meeting will be held either October 1st or October 8th. Once we firm up a date and location, the host will determine the theme/topic for the evening.
If you would like to join us, please drop me an email at mkellyaz26@gmail.com .
Cheers,
Michael Kelly
The Wine Group of Greater Phoenix