As an avid wine lover and obsessive Game of Thrones fan, no one was more excited than I was at the announcement back in March that two of my favorite things were coming together. Vintage Wine Estates and renowned winemaker Bob Cabral have crafted three options to suit a variety of tastes: a Chardonnay, a Red Blend, and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Each one is a complex and unique blend of flavors worthy of the finest castles in the Seven Kingdoms.
I was fortunate enough to sample all three over the weekend, and they did not disappoint. The bottles alone make the purchase worthwhile; the beautiful golden labels feature a tableau of animals representing the great houses of Westeros. Each cork is adorned with either the Lannister lion, the Stark direwolf, or the Targaryen three-headed dragon.
First up was the Chardonnay, hailing from California’s Central Coast. Consisting of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Riesling, it has a lighter, crisper taste than your average Chardonnay. The wine is a beautiful light golden color, with a fruity floral aroma.
The predominant flavor is Meyer lemon, closely followed by a mixture of honey and spices. Like most Chardonnays, it has a buttery, slightly oaky finish. It’s a perfect wine for the hot, humid days of summer – not too sweet, not too heavy, but a refreshing blend of flavors that could rival the finest Arbor Gold.
The Red Blend was next. This wine is blend of eight varietals – predominantly Syrah, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah – from the Paso Robles region. Its rich, ruby color with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and cocoa promise a rewarding taste, and it certainly delivers.
It hits your tongue with a tart fruitiness that quickly gives way to spice and leather. A hint of vanilla on the finish rounds out its multifaceted flavor profile. It’s an excellent choice for those who prefer a dry red that’s complex enough to pair with a hearty feast, yet light enough to enjoy on its own. Be wary of overindulging unless you’re Tyrion Lannister, however – at 14.7% ABV, it’s the most potent of the bunch.
Last, but certainly not least, was the Cabernet Sauvignon. The most expensive at nearly $50 per bottle, I had high expectations for this Napa Valley wine. The description promises “a wine worthy of the Iron Throne” and – rest assured – that’s what you get.
Deep purple in color, with a nose of black currant and vanilla, it looks and smells as glorious as it tastes. A dark fruit flavor and smooth, velvety texture combine with a dry finish, leaving you with a hint of cocoa. This is a robust and slightly heavy wine, perfect for days that promise winter is coming. I don’t normally drink Cabernet in warm weather, but for this one I would make an exception. It’s that good.
My verdict: the Game of Thrones wines are as intriguing as the drama for which they are named, but much less likely to break your heart. When you play this game of wine, you most certainly win.
The wines are available online and in stores now; prices range from $19.99 for the Chardonnay and the Red Blend up to $49.99 for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Check the website for locations near you.
HODOR, my first!
I think the GOT wines are good but I wouldn’t buy them to drink, only to keep as collectibles. You can get a similar (better) taste for less.
I have yet to see any of the GoT alcohol products in the liquor stores near me. 🙁 I suppose I would need to go further to large urban area stores to find some…
They certainly sounds tasty. Will they ever be available in shops outside of the US?
Waiting for the Game of Thrones inspired marijuana strains to come out lol.
Essence of Nightshade for the Indica strains, Wildfire for the Sativa strains.
The possibilities are endless
Wonderfully lush descriptions in the article !
However… Are these just regular bottles of wine with GoT house sigils stamped on the corks and fauna on the labels ?
If they were intended as novelty items to appeal to fans, they could’ve slapped Ghost, Drogon and a lion on the bottles. Better yet, the growling face of Sandor Clegane with the inscription “F*ck Water! Bring Me Wine!”
For that matter, when it comes to GoT-themed merchandise, how is it possible that I can’t buy Hot Pie brand Wolf Bread in my neighborhood supermarket or bakery ? They’d sell like hot cakes. [Pun intended]. And don’t get me started on the gravy…
Mr Derp,
Medical marijuana for the Stoned Men?
Ten Bears,
Lol, *Does my best Jack Nicholson in ‘A Few Good Men’ impression*…
is there another kind?
Mr Derp,
Drogon bong?
Ghost strain (you know, red eyes…)
Dracarys! (harsh, yet fast-acting and long-lasting)
Grow-your-own Jon Arryn (“the seed is strong”)
Asshai Sticks
Ten Bears,
From what I can tell, these wines were specifically made for Game of Thrones – not just another brand of wine with a new label.
Oh, there’s no waiting… 🙂
http://herb.co/2016/03/24/theres-a-bunch-of-strains-named-after-game-of-thrones/
My type of crowd in this post! I was thinking the same, lets get an official GoT strain of bud!
Bud>>>>>>>>>liquor
Clob,
Well damn!…
I probably should’ve known. Now all we need is some LOTR inspired Old Toby and we’ll be all set
Mr Derp,
Ok nevermind, that already exists too
Ten Bears,
I was at Crater Lake last year and told the sales clerk that they should market their obsidian blades as dragonglass. She did not get the reference or the joke.
Ten Bears,
Good ones!
Well House Tyrell (specifically Olenna) was looking for a better House motto, so perhaps they could keep the “Growing Strong” motto, but replace the rose with a marijuana leaf? I mean, they have the perfect region to grow it too. Growing strong indeed!
Mr Derp,
The Tyrells? “Growing Strong”?
Ah, you’re right. Now it all makes sense. I was wondering why Olenna was so impatient for her snack. She had a severe case of the munchies:
(From S3e2)
Olenna: Bring me some cheese.
Servant: The cheese will be served after the cakes, my lady.
Olenna: The cheese will be served when I want it served. And I want it served now.
How could they not be aware of the economic potential ? “Authentic Dragonglass ! The Long Night is Coming ! Kill A White Walker!” Only $19.95. Limit 1 per customer
Ten Bears,
First lesson of serving Olenna Tyrell: Never get in the way of a Queen with the munchies!
I read this article yesterday & it intrigued me, so I did some reseatch. Turns out that the red blend bottles are sold in my neighborgood which is crazy as I thought it would be only a handful of liquorstores on the west coast, but I live in NJ. I purchased 2 bottles at $26.00 a piece, one to drink for the premier and one to park. At only a slight markup from the $20.00 listing price on the GOT wine website, just owning these two red blend bottles makes me happy and I hope the one I decide to save becomes a collectible one day.
Ordered the chardonnay and red blend a few weeks ago, they are sitting very pretty until the season premiere. Can’t wait to pop them open, but will probably be sticking to some more affordable beverages for the rest o the season!
Thanks for the review! I can’t wait to try the cab sauv, just have to see if they sell it here at the LCBO.
Hmmm… The only locations that sell the wine anywhere near me are all Cost Plus World Markets. And by “near me,” I mean the closest one is 152 miles away.
On another note, since I live in the Emerald Triangle I’m going to have to consider a partnership with one of the many, er, farmers I know. Maybe a Drogon-inspired strain called “Up In Smoke”?