A SAN FRANCISCO TASTING

Hello:

Yesterday, during a trip to the Bay area, I found myself with a morning free while I awaited an afternoon flight out of Oakland. So I decided to take the BART over to San Francisco and vist the Ferry Building for some breakfast, some sightseeing, and to do a bit of shopping.

While there, I stopped in a the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant Wine Bar when it opened at 11:00 AM. I ordered their monthly tasting flight and engaged the bar tender, Ed Guelld, in a lively conversation about wine, this blog, and the wines being tasted.

Let's run through the wines, as each was interesting and enjoyable.

First, was a 2004 Domaine Germain St Roumain, Burgundy ($25). While a bit above the usual WineSaver price level, I'm including it because it was a part of the tasting. This is white Burgundy made from 100% Chardonnay grapes by the Germain family, known for their sustainable, enviro-friendly farming practices.

The wine has a crisp, mineral flavor with strong hints of ripe apple. Like many French Chardonnays, it is a very smooth wine with a soft bouquet and a nice finish. It was a nice opening wine for the tasting - not an overwhelming character, but very pleasant.

Next, came a 2006 Andeluna Torrontes Winemaker's Selection, from Meddoza, Argentina ($13). Torrentes is the signature white wine grape of the Meddoza region. The winemaker is Ricards Reina Rutini, a very well- established Argentinian winemaker.

This is a very nice wine, with a strong character that I really enjoyed. Ed said that it was the general favorite of those doing this tasting.

The bouquet is of wildflowers with tropical hints. The wine has flavors of peach and apricot backed by citrus. The balance of acid is enough to give a nice mouth-feel. This is a wine that would be wonderful with shellfish, soft cheeses, or simply to drink on a warm afternoon.

The first of two reds, a 2005 Sur de Los Andes Bonarda, Mendoza ($13), features the Bonarda grape, just behind Malbec in popularity with Argentinian growers. The grape comes from Italy.

This is a dark and dense red wine, high tanins and acidity, with a berry influence, and hints of chocolate. Aged in oak for only two months, it is a powerful wine. It would definately hold up to barbequed red meat and heavy sauces.

The final wine, also a red, is the lone California entrant in the tasting.

A 2004 Cambiata Tannat, from Monterey ($23). This is a powerhouse of a wine, where the tannins are out front. The Tannat grape is a French import with few growers doing much with it in California.

Here is the Winemaking not from the Cambiata website:

Winemaking: The challenge with Tannat is balancing the wine’s fruit and its aggressive tannins. During fermentation we try to accentuate the soft tannins with aerobic pump overs and long macerations. We build structure in the wine by aging it in French oak barrels for 24 months.

The wine is very strong and forward, with an intense ripe-berry fruit presence. The tannins and acid are "right there" in each taste. It might be too much for some drinkers, particularly if your preference runs to Pinot Noir or Merlot.

I liked it, and plan to purchase some to enjoy with some aged cheddar and a good cigar.

So that was my morning tasting at the Ferry Building in San Francisco. My thanks to Ed Guelld for a great experience and for his interesting insights and good company.

Until next time - what do you think?

The WineSaver