Osaka American wine day.

Two weeks ago I has the opportunity to swing by the Osaka American wine day. This yearly event, sponsored by the US government was a lot of fun! 

I won't bore you with the details, I'll just tell you about the wines.

Rack and Riddle Blanc de Noirs.

Recommended. 100% Pinot noir with obvious skin contact during early production. This salmon pink sparkler had more fruit than most red grape sparklers I've had. Strawberries on toast.

I love a Petite Sirah, especially one as as balanced and mineral as this Madrigal 2009 example from Napa. Wonderful acid, which came over as minerality, and very nice length for a wine in this price bracket. I just wish it were a little more concentrated. Also recommended.

Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc. New York. Typical cassis and blackberry leaf flavours on the front end. Hollow mid palate, hard acid on the finish. Interesting, not good.

10% too green. Avoid.

Patz and Hall Pinot Noir. Utterly unremarkable in every sense. Paint by numbers Pinot. Wil certainly have it's fans. Price check on aisle 18.

Peachy Canyon Incredible Red. Incredibly American. Totally unremarkable. Avoid.

Find of the night was the Birichino Vin Gris. Wonderful aromatics on this. Almost Alsatian in its florality. Fizzy acidity and old fashioned sweets with tropical hints of pineapple, jasmine and Japanese cherries. 

Quite a resinous body and great length. I think this would suit a wide variety of situations. I'll personally open up a bottle next time I have a picnic by the river.

Order it from Wassy's today.

See you at the Osaka Hilton next year.