Friday, July 22, 2011

International Wine Tasting Kicks Off North American Wine Bloggers’ Conference



The 2011 Wine Bloggers’ Conference kicked off in fine fashion with an International Wine reception at the Charlottesville Omni. Green Dragon and I drove in from Toledo and used the trip to visit the scenic areas of Virginia and cruise the Skyline Drive. The views were sensational. The temperatures were so hot that the park ranger advised us against a mile-long hike we had planned. as we descended into Charlottesville, the mercury creeped up to the 103-degree mark.

After a quick dip in the pool, we surreptitiously slipped to the “secret” tasting of Chilean wines. For us one of the finest wines of the evening was the 2006 Casa Silva Carmenere (*****).  Carmenere is Green Dragon’s new favorite red wine. This was succulent with a bit of spice and a full body. Also making an impression (and just a notch below the Casa Silva) was the Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon (****).


We slipped out for dinner to Fellini's, about two blocks away, for some soup and salad before jumping into the International Reception.

Notable wines included:
Dourthes Le Grand Cuvee 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (France) ***
Negre Scala Dei 2009 Garnacha (Spain) ***
Vina Zaca 2008 Rioja (Spain) ***
Vina Pomal Rioja (Spain) ***
Voga Sparkling Pinot Grigio (Italy) **1/2

Ca Montini Pinot Grigio Trentivo (Italy)  ***
Piccini Chianti Classico 2008 Tuscany (Italy) ****
Del Martino El Leon 2007 Carignan (Chile) ***1/2
Grey (Glacier) Single Block 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile)  ****

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