This document provides tasting notes and information on several grape varieties and wines: - Arneis from Italy's Roero region is a crisp, floral white grape used to soften Nebbiolo reds. The 2012 Malvira Arneis has notes of apples and lemons with a light, savory body. - Pinot Meunier, a mutation of Pinot Noir, is grown in Champagne. The 2012 Domain Chandon Pinot Meunier from California has flavors of plum, cardamom, and cherry with round body and fine tannins. - Bonarda from Argentina was mistakenly thought to have Argentinian roots but DNA evidence links it to France

1. 1/28/15
W i n e 101
Guees Who?’s
What’s That Grape? - Tasting Notes
Malvira: Roero Arneis
Country
Italy
Region
Roero
Vintage
2012
ARNIES
“Nebbiolo’s
Other Half”
Grape History
Arneis (literally: little rascal, in Piemontese) is so called because it is
regarded as a somewhat difficult variety to grow. It is a crisp and floral
varietal, and has been grown for centuries in the region. For centuries
the white Arneis grape was used to soften the tannins and harshness of
Nebbiolo grape in the wines of the Barolo region, hence the common
synonym of Niebblo bianco, Barolo bianco or “white Barolo”.
Tasting Notes
Apples and lemons. A bodied wine that is light, savory, and refreshing.
Fresh fruits and citrus on the nose. Aged in stainless steel.
Pairs With
Seafood Chicken Young
Cheese
Light
Pasta
Domain Chandon: Pinot Meunier
Country
USA
Region
Carneros, CA
Vintage
2012
Pinot
Meunier
“Champagne’s
Black Sheep””
Grape History
Pinot Meunier, like Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, is one of the many muta-
tions of Pinot Noir. The home turf for meunier is the region of Champagne.
Pinot meunier has slightly higher acidity than pinot noir. However it is lower
in color and tannin than pinot noir. Its short longevity make blends not
as long lived and this also keeps it from many appearances bottled as a
stand-alone varietal red wine. Until recently, producers in Champagne
generally did not acknowledge Pinot Meunier, preferring to emphasise
the use of the other noble varieties (Chardonnay & Pinot Noir)
Tasting Notes
Ripe plum, cardamom and apple sauce spices lead to pomegranate
and Bing cherry flavors. The body is round, with a supporting backbone
of fine tannins.
Pairs With
Shellfish Pork Blue
Cheese
Roasted
Veggies

2. 1/28/15
W i n e 101
Guees Who?’s
What’s That Grape? - Tasting Notes
Maipe: Bonarda
Country
Argentina
Region
Mendoza
Vintage
2011
Bonarda
“The Mistaken
Identity Grape”
Tasting Notes
Enticing bouquet of smoke, mineral, and blueberry. Round and ripe on
the palate, it has surprising depth and length for its humble price.
Pairs With
Lamb Light
Pasta
Barista: Pinotage
Country
South Africa
Region
Cape Winelands
Vintage
2012
Pinotage
“South Africa’s
Signature Grape””
Grape History
Pinotage is a grape variety that was created in South Africa in 1925 by
Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch Uni-
versity. Perold was attempting to combine the best qualities of the robust
Cinsaut (Cinsaut was known as “Hermitage” in South Africa during that
time) with Pinot noir, a grape that makes great wine but can be difficult
to grow. The grape is naturally high in tannins which can be tamed with
limited maceration time but reducing the skin contact can also reduce
some fruit character that Pinotage can produce.
Tasting Notes
Intense on the nose, with a bouquet of coffee, chocolate and
cherry, with meaty, savoury hints. The tannins are ripe, perfectly suiting
the round and mouth-filling plum and mulberry fruit.
Pairs With
Meaty
Pizza
Beef Barbecue Venison
Grape History
With the Bonarda grape, DNA evidence disproved its Argentinian roots
and linked its history back to France, however in France just 5 acres of
this grape is planted annually. Bonarda wines can be lighter-bodied and
fruity, full of cherry and plum flavours, with light tannins and moderate
acidity. However with concentrated fruit from older vines, and especially
when oak aged, Bonardas can also be big, fruity, dense and tannic wines
with deep colour and fig and raisin characteristics. Traditionally bulk wine.
Roasted
Veggies
Pork

3. 1/28/15
W i n e 101
Guees Who?’s
What’s That Grape? - Tasting Notes
Albenza: Barolo
Country
Italy
Region
Barola
Vintage
2009
Nebbiolo
“Big and Bold
Grape of Piedmont”
Grape History
The Nebbiolo grape produces lightly-colored red wines which can be
highly tannic in youth. Nebbiolo wines can require years of aging to bal-
ance the tannins with other characteristics. Along with Cab Sauv, Syrah,
and Tannat, the Nebbiolo is one of the most tannic grape varieties. Baro-
los have the potential for a wide range of complex and exotic aromas
with tar and roses being common notes. The tannins of the wine add
texture and serve to balance Barolo’s moderate to high alcohol levels
(Minimum 13% but most often above 15% ABV).
Tasting Notes
Barolos tend to be rich, deeply concentrated full bodied wines with pro-
nounced tannins and acidity.
Pairs With
Beef Lamb Mature
Cheese
Heavy
Pasta
Marichal: Tannat
Country
Uruguay
Region
Canelones
Vintage
2011
Tannat
“Wine of Uruguay”
Grape History
Tannat is a red wine grape, historically grown in South West France in the
Madiran AOC and is now one of the most prominent grapes in Uruguay,
where it is considered the “national grape”. The wine is notable for its very
high tannin levels and is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet
franc and Fer to soften the astringency and make it more approachable.
More often today it is often blended with Pinot noir and Merlot and is made
in a variety of styles including those reminiscent of Port and Beaujolais.
Tasting Notes
The Tannat wines produced here are characterized by more elegant
and softer tannins and blackberry fruit notes. A well balanced wine, of
velvety tannins and with unique personality. This wine is full bodied and
has a well rounded mouthfeel, intense expression of fruit and varietal
character of Tannat. It is a perfect match for lamb or barbequed steaks.
Pairs With
Lamb Beef Barbecue