If you have been perceptive about this blog, you will realize I'm not a big wine drinker. Now that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a glass or two, but I'm no expert. Therefore, I will never pass myself off as one. I will comment occasionally with the best knowledge that I have and to my preferences. I'm a food blogger not a wine blogger although I'm acutely aware that wine and food go together like peas and carrots (Forrest Gump reference...). So when David suggested we hit up the Great Wine Tasting Room for a session, I was intrigued. Why not taste some wine and learn something in the process? He set up a complimentary tasting before our dinner at Flint Creek Cattle Co.
We weren't there only to sample 4 wines as we were also given the opportunity to find more about our own personal preferences. This was achieved using the app myVinotype. There are 4 vinotypes including sweet, hyper-sensitive, sensitive and tolerant. Those who are sweet prefer sweet whites and reds. On the other side of the spectrum, those who are tolerant like full-bodied wines such as cabernet sauvignon. We then find the 2 middle vinotypes where hypersensitive trends towards, but not exclusively to sweet while sensitive trends towards bolder wines. I already knew my vinotype because I generally like Rieslings and Gewürztraminers. So yes, I'm sweet (yes, in more ways than one...).
Our first wine was the only white for the tasting being the Percipio Chardonnay consisting of 65% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Gris and 10% Viognier. This was crisp with notes of pear and banana, hence the wine was fruity and floral. It was slightly sweet with a smooth finish. For me personally, I would love to have a glass with a white fish. This wine appeals to sensitive and hypersensitive vinotypes, so I generally enjoyed it. Up next, we sampled the first of three reds with the Percipio Stellar 8. It was blended with 65% Petite Sirah and 35% Zinfandel. For a red, this was fairly light and smooth. This may have been due to the mild amount of tannins which meant the wine wasn't very oaky. I found it fruity with hints of pomegranate, cherry and chocolate. Interestingly, this wine appeals to tolerant and sensitive vinotypes which is the polar-opposite of what I would prefer.
Our next red was the Percipio Cabernet Sauvignon consisting of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 3% Petite Sirah. This was stronger and full-bodied with a noticeable oaky aftertaste. In addition to pepperiness, there were the rich tones of blackberry and clove. Suffice to say, this appeals to the tolerant vinotype and not something that I would necessary order for myself. Surprisingly and unsurprisingly, I was drawn to the last wine in the Cupid which consisted of 55% Zinfandel, 40% Merlot and 5% Petite Sirah. Surprising since I much prefer whites than red and unsurprising because this appeals to sweet and hypersensitive vinotypes. I enjoyed the complex and fruity taste that was bold but not harsh. I could taste the tannins but it was just strong enough. I ended up buying a bottle of this! I truly enjoyed my experience at Great Wine and it helped reinforce my preferences steering me towards a wine that I may have not purchased on my own.
*Tasting was complimentary
The Good:
- Informative and helps people find their preferences (if not already known)
- Found a wine that I really enjoyed (Cupid)
- Gorgeous space
The Bad:
- The space doesn't allow for it, but some actual appies would've made the experience even more enjoyable
Great Wine Tasting Room (Percipio Wine Collection)
Posted by
Sherman Chan
on Sunday, January 26, 2020
Labels:
Bellevue,
Wine Bar,
Wine Tasting
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