June 2014 Virtual Wine Tasting
Monday 30 June 2014 was the monthly Virtual Tasting on twitter hosted by Sean Sullivan of Washington Wine Report. The featured wine was the A to Z Wineworks 2012 Oregon Chardonnay. We used #AtoZwine for our tweets. Yes, Oregon makes more than Pinot Noir.
This wine was well received by all Virtual Tasting participants. I'm eager to try more A to Z wines.
“We’ve grown to become Oregon’s largest winery while following economically and environmentally sound and sustainable practices,” said Deb Hatcher, founder and chief marketing and sales officer at A to Z Wineworks /Rex Hill, in a release. Source: Portland Business Journal, "A to Z Wineworks becomes first winery to achieve top green honors" by Andy Giegerich, June 19, 2014
Tasting Notes A to Z 2012 Oregon Chardonnay
Color: Straw, green highlights
Nose: Delicate honeysuckle, mineral, summer morning rain on slate patio, lime. After 25 minutes pineapple and banana appeared. After 40 minutes satsuma orange.
Palate: Tasty. Nice acid but not too intense, zip on the tongue, full in the mouth, melon, lime, crisp finish. Top palate full of zestiness. As it warmed a creamy lemon finish.
* Virtual Tasting Results: It was a good group participating with this Virtual Tasting. Everyone enjoyed this wine. We unanimously voted it a "BUY." That does not happen often with this crowd. I put the bottle in the refrigerator to keep for the next day.
Day two: Palate appealed to me more on day two with pear, melon, nutmeg and lemon peel. Finish was my speed, slightly creamy with youthful lemon peel and pear. Balanced and appealing. Big like.
Thoughts: At $14 this is a high QPR wine. So much value was delivered on day one and especially day two. Recommended wine for those who enjoy unoaked Chardonnay and crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Bring on the heat of summer and chill with this Oregon AtoZ 2012 Chardonnay. Recommended.
Blend: 100% Chardonnay, No Wood (Unoaked)
ABV: 13%
Closure: Screw cap
Paid: $13.98
A to Z Wineworks
Vist at the REX HILL Tasting Room
30835 North Hwy 99W
Newberg, Oregon 97132
503.554.1918
www.atozwineworks.com
About AtoZ
A to Z Wineworks was started in 2002 by four friends, Oregon wine industry veterans, Deb Hatcher (Eyrie), Bill Hatcher (Domaine Drouhin Oregon), Sam Tannahill (Archery Summit) and Cheryl Francis (Chehalem).
In 2006, the group welcomed another Oregon wine veteran, Michael Davies, as winemaker, and partnered with Gregg Popovich (Coach of the San Antonio Spurs) to buy REX HILL Vineyards and Winery (established in 1982).
A to Z has worked with more than 100 vineyards across the state always offering assistance for sustainability certification that the group expects to be achieved within three years of partnering. Today, A to Z has two viticulturists on staff and uses bio-dynamic principles to farm all owned or long-leased vineyards.
*Related Post: Oregon Wine Country Discovery Tour
How to Participate in a Virtual Tasting
These Virtual tastings take place on twitter once a month. You need to supply your own bottle and tweet with everyone about the wine at the same time.
What you need to do to participate is:
1. Buy this month’s wine from a local retailer or direct from the winery.
2. Have a twitter account.
3. Tweet your comments about the wine on Twitter between 7 and 8pm Pacific on the specified date using the hashtag supplied by Washington Wine Report. For those on Twitter, follow @wawinereport.
A fun way to connect with like minded souls. Good sensory and palate exercise too.
For my tweets you can follow me @wild4wawine.
Go find this wine and discover how well Oregon Rocks Chardonnay.
Cheers!