August 19th marked our first "virtual" Blind Tasting League event. We offered the wines that were to be tasted for sale in the previous weeks and they were available for pick up already bagged and numbered so that they could be tasted blind at home. I tasted the wines live on Facebook and led the tasting while people watched and tasted at home.

There was a bit of a learning curve with using Facebook live, all things considered, I think it went rather well for the first time! 

Watch the video of the tasting here! https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=296006281687495&extid=wiWMBVWW4RONtrQn

Anyway, onto the wines we tasted...

The Wine: Stillman Street Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California, 2018

What we tasted: citrus, apple, oak, grapefruit, floral, rocks, vanilla

What we Guessed: Viognier, French Chardonnay, "Not Riesling"

What Andy Guessed: Macon area Burgundy Chard. Oh well, I got the grape right...

What we Thought: We enjoyed this one I think. I was impressed by the restrained oak on this California Chard, as well as the bright acidity. It was actually very well balanced for an affordable Chardonnay.

The Wine: Chateau du Petit Thouars "Les Georges" Chinon, 2017

What we Tasted: Leather, cranberry, earth, cinnamon/spice, pepper, "cigar box," Smoke

What we Guessed: Nebbiolo, something Northern Italian

What Andy Guessed: Andy guessed Northern Italian Nebbiolo. It was tannic and earthy without much fruit. At least the Loire Valley and Piedmont are both cool-climate, Old-World locations. I've gotten rusty!

What we Thought: I think we enjoyed this wine but we all agreed it needed some food!

Our next Blind Tasting League will be on September 16th at 5:30. If you want to join in yourself, pick up the wines at Metro Wines and tune in at https://www.facebook.com/MetroWinesAsheville

Cheers!