Tasting notes with a twist
Have you ever turned a wine bottle around and wondered where did they get those tasting notes from?! I am a bit of a wine nerd as I always read the back labels. I love interesting facts and tasting notes, but get really annoyed with generic back labels. Those producers might be doing it to save a few cents and time, but it screams “the consumer MUST know my wine”. Some wine producers haven’t even changed their back (or front labels) in the last 10 years.
RJ, the Nitida winemaker
Nitida has always had eye-catching packaging and the fun continues with interesting back labels. Every year they invite a group of Wino’s to help with these tastings. This year’s group included industry professionals, the Nitida team, bloggers and even a Master of Wine. This entertaining tasting is not formal at all. Bernard and Peta the owners of the farm are always involved and it is Peta’s responsibility to stay sober and write down everything that is said.
Bernard & Peta Veller and Jacus from Nitida
The line-up included:
Matriach MCC 2010 – the maiden vintage of this wine has 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir.
Matriach in Red MCC 2010 – this red MCC is made from 100% Shiraz.
Club Select Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – a wine is specially made for the Nitida Club members. Only a few members of the public are lucky enough to get their hands on this wine.
Coronata Integration 2011 – a Bordeaux style white blend with 70% Sauvignon and 30% Semillon.
Shiraz 2010 – they haven’t made this wine for a few years, but fortunately it is back!
I was surprised that the weird tasting notes started with the first wine of the night. The Telly Tubby tasting note of “Thinky Pinky – Linga Longa” and a descriptive “Jolly Jammers with class” was mentioned with the Matriach MCC 2010. The Club Select Sauvignon Blanc had a few amusing ones – “Bouncing apple in a field of herbs” and “James Bond Cologne”. My favourite one of the evening was “Kaalgat Perske (translated naked peach) with Brazilian nuts” and was used for the fourth wine – Coronata Integration 2011.
Matriach MCC 2010 - "Jolly Jammers with class"
These new wines will be released soon. I am looking forward to these new back labels as I can’t really make out my notes for the last two wines of the line-up. A good thing they had a sober writer!
