Event: DWC Blind Tasting - Italy

The low-down: The Dubai Wine Club is an informal wine tasting group started by the founder of the 21 year old Snooty Wine Club of Vancouver, Kevin Capozzi. The co-founder, Catherine Watkins, is a sommelier certified through the Court of Master Sommeliers & WSET. The tastings are always blind. The club meets in Dubai on the last Thursday of every month.

The premise is simple. We are given three whites and three reds to taste, compare and rate. On the evening, we were told they were all from the same country and comprised both indigenous and foreign grapes. With that hint, and following tasting of the wines, the answer was obvious to our table: Italy!

The tasting comprised:

- P&G Giorgio & Gianni NV pinot grigio

- Bolla Classico 2013 soave

- Uva Bio Bio NV chardonnay (organic)

- Uva Bio Bio NV merlot (organic)

- Nero Giorgio & Gianni NV negroamaro

- Angel Giorgio & Gianni NV nero d'avola (organic)

The take: In each of the the three whites and the three reds there was one laggard. The P&G pinot grigio was a little lifeless, sour and medicinal. The Bio Bio merlot was acidic, pungent and unbalanced. On the bright side, we expected the Bolla soave to be popular, and it was - hints of peach and grapefruit, crisp acidity and a full finish. However, our favorite was the Bio Bio chardonnay. Not indigenous I know ... but the chardonnay's perfume, minerality and fleshy texture stood out. Moving to the reds, the Angel nero d'avola was structured and generous with notes of cherry, citrus and mushrooms and an oily texture. The Nero negroamaro was our favourite due to its complexity: gamey, chalky, peppery, with honey, cocoa and tobacco.

In closing: There was little similar across the six wines - somewhat expected as they were of different blends. The standouts offered intrigue and complexity!

Rating:

P&G pinot grigio: 4 out of 10

Bolla soave: 7 out of 10

Uva Bio Bio chardonnay: 8 out of 10

Uva Bio Bio merlot: 4 out 10

P&G Nero negroamaro: 8 out 10

P&G Angel nero d'avola: 7 out of 10

#photo #review #red #italy #lowend #tasting