Fork and Cork!

Fork and Cork 2014! Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous day for this wine festival. I went with one of my friends, another wine lover, and had a great time trying the different wines... although the lines were a lot longer than we thought they were going to be. We stayed for almost the entire time trying wines for 5 hours straight, and by the end of it we were tired, buzzed, but satisfied! 

The very first winery booth we visited was one of our favorites: Peaks of Otter Winery. All of their wines were unique and extremely flavorful. I wanted to write my tasting notes for these particular wines because they were all bursting with flavor. These Peaks of Otter wines are shown in the picture below.

Name: Peaks of Otter Blueberry Muffin

Variety: Light Apple, Blueberry Still Wine

Region: Bedford, VA

Country: USA

Price: $18.00

Winery Review: "Very sweet and fun - good with a mimosa"

My Review: On the nose there was the obvious, predominant aromas of blueberry. There was also a mineral component to this wine that gave it a metallic feel. This was a round, full-bodied but very casual wine. The woman working at the booth described it as a wine to drink when you have kids, because it is so delicious and made for easy drinking... which I can agree with! Although there was mostly blueberry, I was also getting honeydew, mango, and apple skins. A delicious wine that was not paired with food, but should be eaten with fruit, pastries, and any other type of sweet dessert.

Name: Peaks of Otter Light Pear

Variety: Still wine, Light Pear

Region: Bedford, VA

Country: USA

Price: $15.00

Winery Review: "Tang in the aroma, pear on the tongue, but dilute"

My Review: A beautifully refreshing, light yet flavorful wine that boasted of white peach, lycee, and of course pears on the nose and palate. The nose and palate were nearly identical, with plenty of light fruits such as asian pear and sweet apple. There was also a floral component with honeysuckle and rose. This had a crisp sprightly feel that makes it perfect for the springtime. I did not pair this one with food, but I would love to have it with a fruit tart or fruit salad. 

Name: Peaks of Otter Passionfruit

Variety: Still Wine, Passionfruit

Region: Bedford, VA

Country: USA

Price: $20.00

Winery Review: "Fun and fruity - passionfruit is very apparent and gives it a nice kick"

My Review: An extremely sweet but refreshing wine. This was my favorite, because I adore exotic tropical flavors such as passionfruit! On the nose there was honeydew, pineapple, and a floral bouquet. On the palate of course there was passionfruit with added honeysuckle, vanilla, and sweet cream. My friend and I both agreed that this was the best (probably because it was so girly) wine that we tried that day. It was like drinking juice- there was essentially no heat or acidity. It was not paired with food but it should be eaten with fresh fruit, cakes, or pastries.

Name: Peaks of Otter Strawberry Shortcake

Variety: Light apple, strawberry wine

Region: Bedford, VA

Country: USA

Price: $15

Winery Review: "Smooth, crisp, refreshing. Light and a little fruity"

My Review: Again, a wine bursting with intense and unique flavors. On the nose there was sweet creme, condensed milk, and fresh strawberries. The palate revealed hints of red berries, vanilla, and of course strawberry shortcake. It was a light, fun wine. Although the passion fruit trumped the strawberry shortcake in flavor because of personal preference, it was still an enjoyable wine. Again, this should be paired with fresh fruit salad or pastries. It would also be good with vanilla or strawberry ice cream.

Name: Peaks of Otter Salty Frog Margarita

Variety: Light Apple Wine

Region: Bedford, VA

Country: USA

Price: $15

Winery Review: "Bad margarita, interesting mixer maybe, but why do this with wine? 76 points"

My Review: I did not like this wine one bit. On the nose there was a distinct dish washer fluid smell. What's worse, it tasted exactly like how I'd imagine Windex tasting like. My friend felt the same way and simply poured the rest of hers out- she could not even finish it. It tasted cheap and lazy, and this was a disappointment compared to Peaks of Otter's other great wines. Perhaps they went too far in trying to come up with unique wines, and this one just did not work in my opinion. I unfortunately would not pair this with food, because I would not want to taste this wine again.

Name: Peaks of Otter Chili Dawg

Variety: Light Apple and Chili Pepper wine

Region: Bedford, VA

Country: USA

Price: $15

Winery Review: "97% apple blended with 3% chili pepper wine, tastes like a pepper jelly"

My Review: This was their most popular and best-selling wine, and I could definitely tell why. We tried this with Cheddar cheese squeezed from a can, which made this an interesting wine tasting experience! We were instructed to take this like tequila- "lick, drink, and suck". The wine itself had jalapeno peppers and spices on the nose. On the palate, it had a gritty surface texture and plenty of chili and spicy peppers. Paired with the cheese, it tasted exactly like Pepper Jack. I really enjoyed it, and it was so unique that I couldn't believe that I wasn't eating straight cheese instead of wine! This should be paired with pepper jack or monterey burgers.

Name: Peaks of Otter Kiss the Devil

Variety: Light Chili Pepper Wine

Region: Bedford, VA

Country: USA

Price: $15

Winery Review: "Made from 30 varieties of peppers, including ghost, better for basting than tasting, super hot"

My Review: What a handful of a wine. I didn't know that this was made from 30 varieties of peppers, but I absolutely believe it. On the nose there was a Sriracha, red pepper, and jalapenos. The palate was bursting with that same pepper blend. I don't know too much about peppers, but I can tell you that there were a lot of them! It was very hot and strong, with a long aftertaste. The woman working at the booth even poured us a "chaser" to help with the heat. My friend did not like this wine at all, but I actually loved it! I like spicy food, so it was definitely interesting to be able to get these same spices from a wine as you'd get from food. This should be paired with chicken and celery or anything with ranch dressing.

I had a food and wine pairing at Fork and Cork as well. I bought the best bruschetta I've ever had sold at one of the local vendors. It was wonderfully savory, with tomato, basil, garlic, and a nutty component. I paired this bruschetta and bread with the Horton 2012 Syrah. The Syrah was bold on the nose, with plump dark berry flavors, hazelnuts, and buttered bread. The pairing was perfect- and both wine and food complemented each other well because both had complex and full flavors. You would think that the Syrah would clash with the brushetta cause both had big flavors, but it really did not. I enjoyed both the wine and the food separately, but together they uplifted each other's individual flavors. Next time, I'll try the bruschetta with different types of bread- maybe pita or ciabatta bread instead of the plain white baguette I had with it. I'm sure a Cabernet Sauvignon would also pair well with this food.

My favorite wine: My favorite wine was undoubtedly the passion fruit still wine from Peaks of Otter. Like I mentioned before, I am a sucker for those exotic, semi sweet to sweet tropical flavors. The passionfruit wine was not overly sweet, but crisp and refreshing. It was made for casual drinking and perfect for spring/summer time. I wish I took a bottle of this home with me, because this was a unique wine bursting with flavors that I am unlikely to find again.

Tasting - Argiolas Perdera

Name: Argiolas Perdera Isola Dei Nuraghi

Variety: Blend of Monica, Carignano, and Bovale Sardo

Region: Sardinia

Country: Italy

Year: 2009

Price: $13.99

Winery Review: ""The 2009 Isola dei Nuraghi Perdera is fabulous. Layers of dark fruit, herbs, spices, and minerals flow from this exuberant, medium to full-bodied offering. Hints of smoke and tar add further nuance on the finish. This is a hugely rewarding wine for the money. Perdera is a blend of 90% Monica, 5% Carignano and 5% Bovale Sardo. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014."

My Review: A very enjoyable wine. On the nose there was plum, jammy fruits and red berries. On the palate I was getting earthy tones and spices, red Cayenne peppers, and almonds. A very well-balanced wine with a myriad of different flavors. The finish was long and round, with some aspects of tar coming out. I would pair this with roasted duck or a tomato pasta.

Tasting - Rojo Garnacha

Name: Rojo Garnacha

Variety: Grenache

Region:  La Tierra de Castilla

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $9.95

Wine Review: "The 2011 Rojo Garnacha has the colour of blackberry with blue tones, almost opaque. Intense and pleasant aromas of licorice and wild red and black berries fill the nose, with mineral undertones. Well-rounded and balanced on the palate, it is elegant and fresh. Red fruit, minerals and a hint of fresh thyme linger on the finish. It’s surprisingly silky and full-bodied, with a rich varietal expression."

My Review: The nose was surprisingly subtle with bitter red apple and pomegranate. On the palate, however, there were strong tannins coming out with leather, apple cider, and buttered bread. There was a rustic, old-fashioned component to this Garnacha that worked very well for it. This was a medium-bodied wine with a suede-like surface texture. It was not paired with food, but a shrimp or chicken pasta would complement this wine nicely. 

Tasting - Parra Jimenez Tempranillo

Name: Parra Jimenez Tempranillo

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: "More 'modern' with obvious coconut and vanilla vs lively berry and smoky / savoury flavours too."

My Review: This was extremely nutty on the nose, and I was getting cashews, hazelnut, caramel, and vanilla. On the palate there were these same nutty flavors with oak and spicy tannins. There was some heat coming from the long finish, but it was passable. The surface texture was gritty and coarse, but it added dimension to this wine. Overall, a wine that I would not seek out for myself again, but maybe if I tried this with food I would like it better. This should be taken with spicy Asian food or curry to complement the spicy component that was coming through.

Tasting - Valley Oaks Fetzer Zinfandel

Name: Fetzer Valley Oaks Zinfandel

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2010

Price: $7.99

Winery Review: "This is a wine with soft, supple tannins, easily identified as a Zinfandel, yet more elegant and easy drinking than many of the over-the-top powerhouse styles. Deep garnet colors lead to a ripe, medium-bodied wine with aromas of bright cherry, raspberry, clove spice, roasted nuts and a mild black pepper spice. In the mouth the wine is medium rich with flavours of red raspberry, strawberry and cranberry with a warm, woodsy spice. A special character from aging in French Oak lifts and provides depth and richness to complement the red fruit. Well balanced, with moderate toastiness and bright red fruit, a well-integrated wine often called “A lovely Zin for the money” by knowledgeable wine writers and Zin lovers."

My Review: Plenty of prunes, raspberries, and strawberries on the nose. This wine had a nice balance of tannins and was a full-bodied wine with jammy, fruit flavors. There was also a nutty, almond and caramel component that added to the richness of this wine. It had a sandy surface texture with a long finish that hinted of oak barrel. Overall, a very good wine that should be paired with red meat or savory tomato pasta. 

Tasting - Zonin Primo Amore

Name: Juliet Primo Amore

Variety: Still Wine White Blend

Region: Not Provided

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $4.95

Wine Review: "Nice light and sweet, but gets cloying after 1 glass. Great apertiff, but not much use beyond that for me."

My Review: This was a very light wine in color. On the nose there was lemonade, spritz, and honeydew. The palate revealed tones of yellow fruit, hay, and freshly cut grass. The finish was short and this made for easy drinking. It was not my favorite white, as nothing was memorable, and I could compare this to a pretty but forgettable face. It was not paired with food, but a wine like this should be eaten with anything light with lemon such as salads, lemon bars, or any type of finger food.

Roommate Wine Dinner

This week I decided to do make a dinner with wine with my roommate! It was her birthday this week as well, so it also doubled as a pre-birthday dinner. The three wines I paired with dinner was a Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangria, and Moscato. I've listed some of the information on these wines:

Name: Lolailo Sangria

Variety: Red Table wine

Region: n/a

Country: Spain

Year: Not given

Price: ~$8

Winery Review: "Lolailo Sangria is the perfect marriage of wine and sweet citrus fruit. The result is an excellent refreshing drink that is low in alcohol."

Name: Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, CA

Country: U.S.A

Year: 2012

Price: Sale $4.95

Winery Review: "Inky purple; notes of plum, blackberry, and vanilla; palate follows nose with dark fruit character and a soft vanilla and chocolate finish."

Name: Castello Del Poggio Moscato

Variety: Moscato

Region: Asti

Country: Italy

Price: $8.99

Winery Review: " Nice balance of stone fruit, citrus, florals, creamy, light carbonation, light sweetness, light acidity... probably fresher a year ago but still tasty & goes down way too easily"

For starters, we had wheat bread toast with a peppered pate spread paired with the Lolailo sangria made in Spain.  Although sangria is primarily used for casual drinking, it actually paired pretty well with the peppers and spice of the pate. On the nose there was plenty of berries and tropical fruit. It was a full-bodied wine with these tropical, exotic flavors such as thyme leaves, mandarin, and mangoes. The finish was quite short, but it was a sweet and delicious choice. The sweet notes of the sangria worked well with the spiced, meaty tones of the liver pate spread. Although I did enjoy the sangria with the appetizer, I'd like to later have this chilled with frozen fruits and ice. It will be perfect for the pending summertime! 

  

Along with the pate, we ate toast with what is the Vietnamese equivalent of bologna. It is a mix of chicken and pork, and it is called "Cha". It is hard for me to describe the flavor because it is unique to my Vietnamese-trained palate... but it has a more muted taste than bologna. It tastes more like chicken than pork, and the consistency is that of processed meat. The sangria overpowered the subtle taste of the Cha, and did not pair as well with it as it did with the toast/pate. Because the pate had stronger, bolder flavors, it complemented the flavors of the sangria.

For the second course, I made an elbow pasta with sundried tomato sauce with a variety of herbs sprinkled on top, including oregano, thyme, and garlic. Paired with this was the Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet had a predominant fruit nose, but I was also getting peppers and oak bark that was mirrored on the palate. There were dominant tones of jammy fruit and pomegranate seeds, but it was the subtle pepper notes that won and ultimately took this pairing to to excellence. Some people may not like the fruit and savory pairing, but I actually thought it worked well. The surface texture was smooth and full-bodied, with a good balance of tannins. It was perfect with the sundried tomato, and added an extra dimension to the variety of herbs I added to the pasta. Next time, I'll have this pasta with a Shyrah- a robust and spicy wine- that I think would pair even better with the savory, full tones of the tomato sauce.

We had a healthy dessert of fresh mango and berries. Paired with this was the Castello del Poggio Moscato. On the nose there was a floral bouquet with plenty of rose and honeysuckle. On the palate, I was getting plump yellow fruit such as pineapple, lemons, canteloupe, and some tones of hay. It was overall a moderately sweet, delightful moscato. It paired perfectly with the fresh fruit, although I think it would also pair well with light pastries, ice cream, or fruit tart. I don't think it was too much sweetness, because the fruit added a type of watery, quenching effect while the moscato added a sprightly, youthful effect.

 

Overall, I think this wine dinner was a success! All of the wines paired fairly well with their respective dishes, and it gave me a chance to have some nice, roommate bonding time over some good food and drinks. There is no question that I will be making a homemade dinner with wine outside of this class.

Wine Dinner - Boudreaux's and Home cooked

Pedro and I had a somewhat scattered wine dinner experience, but a great one nonetheless! Our first wine with dinner was at Boudreaux's on a Wednesday, so it was wine night. We didn't even know it was wine night until we got there and realized everyone- and I mean everyone- had a bottle of wine at their table. We just happened to get there right before 9 as well, so the special was still going on. 

Being broke college students, we ordered the cheapest wine on the menu: a Beringer White Zinfandel. Because the Beringer was very sweet, it did not pair well with any of the food we actually had, so maybe that was a bad decision... although maybe Pedro will say otherwise. On the nose there was rose petals, strawberries and cream, sugar, and honeysuckle. I was getting these same notes on the palate with added peach and a smooth, mineral component. For dinner, we ordered a shrimp dip as an appetizer. It was a spicy and very flavorful dip but clashed with the sweetness of the White Zinfandel. I personally ordered the Gumbo Ya Ya, a delicious cup of soup filled with chicken, green pepper, sausage, celery, and rice. I loved this soup, as it was creamy with a bold variety of flavors that boasted of Chipotle seasoning, beef stew, and garlic and herbs. As much as I enjoyed the soup and the wine separately, I did not enjoy them together. Again, the spicy classic taste of Cajun spices clashed with the fruity and floral bouquet of the wine. It should be paired with desserts such as pastries, fresh fruits, and cake. We only had a small glass each, so we corked the wine and took it home with us for another time!

Name: Beringer White Zinfandel

Variety: White Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: U.S.A

Year: 2012

Price: ~$9 because it was half off for wine night

The second wine we had with dinner was on a separate occasion; we made homemade marinated chicken and macaroni and cheese (a college delicacy, of course!). The chicken was marinated with lemon pepper and korean barbeque sauce and was quite savory. This wine paired very well with the chicken. On the nose there was bell peppers, beans, and some plum notes. This was a well-bodied wine with supple tannins driving a long finish. There were tones of jam, red apple, and oak with a distinct spicy component. It paired very well with the korean barbeque, notably because of the peppery spicy flavors of the wine that complemented the sauce. It did not, in my opinion, pair as well with the macaroni and cheese. Although savory, the macaroni fell flat compared to the very flavorful chicken wings, so the wine and pasta pairing also did not impress. However, it was not horrible, and this was a very versatile wine that I think could go with many other different foods; most notably spicy asian food like pad thai or drunken noodles. Overall, a great wine and dine experience!

Name: Schmitt Sohne Liebfraumilch

Variety: Blend of Riesling, Silvaner, Muller-Thurgau, and Kerner

Region: Rhine

Country: Germany

Year: 2012

Price: ~$9.99

The last wine-food pairing was done with a Choya plum wine. We ate this with pan-fried sardines, and although this was primarily a dessert wine, I was surprised at how well this paired with the salty sardine flavor. There was prunes, pear, and red apple on the nose. The palate boasted of these same tones, with an added sweetness factor and I could tell why this was a dessert wine. Primarily it should be paired with pastries, cakes, or fruit, but honestly I thought it went great with our sardines! There was an interesting complement of sweet and sour tones due to the way the fish was marinated that really worked. It was my first plum wine, and I will definitely be seeking this one out again for later food pairings.

Tasting - Rosemount Estate

Name: Rosemount Estate Moscato

Variety: Moscato

Region: not provided

Country: Australia

Year: 2012

Price: Sale $3.95

Winery Review: " Clear, medium-lemon yellow in appearance; lovely citrus and honeysuckle aromas with lemon, honeysuckle, apple and ripe yellow plum flavours.  Serve chilled with angel food cake or fresh fruit and mild cheeses."

My Review: A very sweet Moscato overall on the nose as well as on the palate. The nose had aromas of soda- mostly sprite- and there were hints of lemon juice, citrus fruits, and Asian pear. On the palate, there was fresh strawberries, green apple, and peaches. It was not paired with food, but it would go well with pastries, light appetizers, and a fruit salad. Although it was a little sweet for my palate, I bought a bottle because it was honestly too cheap to turn down!

Tasting - Garnacha de Fuego

Name: Garnacha de Fuego

Variety: Old Vine Grenache

Region: Aragon

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: "The Garnacha de Fuego, a 100% Grenache cuvee, was aged in both stainless steel and neutral French oak. There are 10,000 cases for the United States. This amazing wine boasts a dark ruby/purple color along with a sweet kiss of jammy black cherries intertwined with crushed rock notes that give the wine an undeniable minerality. As it hits the palate, a full-bodied, voluptuous texture takes hold and the flavor profile moves towards blacker fruits (ripe raspberries and black currants) intermixed with camphor and forest floor. This full-bodied, rich, glycerin-filled effort should drink well for 4-5 years, perhaps longer."

My Review: On the nose there was blackberry and plum with hits of pepper. The tannins were smooth on the palate, with a predominant and interesting flavor of tequila. There was that salty, lime component that a tequila has that I was definitely getting from this wine. The finish was long and filled with bitter raspberries and again, that tequila component. It was certainly an interesting spin on this Grenache variety. I thoroughly enjoyed the Garnacha de Fuego, and it should be paired with spicy Asian food and spices.

Tasting - Librandi Ciro

Name: Librandi Ciro Rosso

Variety: Ciro Rosso Still Wine

Region: not provided

Country: Italy

Year: 2009

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: "Don’t let the pale garnet color fool you:  this is a substantial wine.  Aromas of red fruits and spice complement undertones of cranberries, wild berries, and plums.  On the palate, ripe tannins and good body make for an incredibly rich, yet easygoing red wine.  Pair this wine with sausage, spicy curry sauces, hot soppressata, and tandoori chicken."

My Review: This was a dull brown-red color that made me skeptical about this Librandi. There was strawberry jam, pomegranates and black peppercorn on the nose> I was also getting the wine's tannic character on the nose as well. Again, strong tannins on the palate and very dominant notes of soy sauce. There was a smooth surface texture with a little spice coming out on the finish. This should be paired with spicy Asian food- maybe drunken noodles or pad thai- or dumplings.  

Tasting - Angove Viognier

Name: Angove Viognier

Variety: Still Wine

Region: South Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2009

Price: $5.95

Winery Review: "Bright light straw in colour with some green hues, this wine has a lush ripe tropical fruit aroma. This is a fuller bodied white which fills the mouth with heady flavours of apricot, peach and citrus.  Angove Nine Vines Viognier is perfect for today's relaxed life-style and is the ideal accompaniment to grilled prawns with chilli and garlic or roast pork."

My Review: The nose was filled with citrus, pineapple, salt and vinegar with a distrinct mineral component. The acidity was quite distinct and a little overpowering, but I still got notes of tangerine, garlic, and vinaigrette dressing. As previously mentioned, the malic acid came a little strong and was enough to deem this less enjoyable than the previous white. Maybe it would be better paired with food, and I'd be willing to try this with an eggplant salad or anything with zucchini.

Tasting - Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Seaview Vineyard

Country: New Zealand

Year: 2008

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: "This aromatic wine shows lifted flavours of blackcurrant with underlying notes of wet stone and thyme. The palate is elegant yet full with sufficient weight and texture, balanced by a flinty minerality. This wine is a fantastic match with foods such as cheese salad, poultry dishes and a wide range of seafood dishes including freshly shucked natural oysters, prawns, green lip mussels and creamy scallops."

My Review: On the nose there was a distinct seafood, fishy aroma mixed in with green peppers. The palate was medium-bodied with a gritty, sandy surface texture. The palate revealed notes of lime, garlic and herb, and creamy mushroom soup. I was a little disappointed with the finish, and as well-balanced as all the flavors were I think there could have been a longer finish to conclude the tasting. I would pair this with salmon, cod, or shrimp to complement the seafood, fishy nose.

Tasting - Heinz Eifel Shine

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine

Variety: Riesling

Region: Pfalz

Country: Germany

Year: 2011

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: "This drier-styled Riesling is bright, fruity and floral with crisp acidity and clean flavors of apple, pear and peach that compliment its stony minerality and earthy complexity. It serves well as an aperitif and matches a wide variety of foods, like lighter salad dishes, shellfish, cream sauces and also anything with a touch of spice."

My Review: A delightful Riesling! Refreshing and young, this would pair very well with seafood or salad. On the nose there was freshly cut grass, hay, and cold tangerines. The palate had green apple, green grapes, and strawberry banana. There was a mineral component, that gave this tones of cold and steely metal. The surface texture was smooth and cool, with a medium-long finish. I will keep a look out for this Riesling, because I did enjoy it. 

Tasting - Atlas Cumbres

Name: Atlas Cumbres

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Cuyo

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: Sale $6.95

Winery Review: "Intense red color with violet highlights, with clean, fresh and complex aromas of berries, plums, figs and pepper. Strong personality is in perfect balance with a medium body and pleasant 

tannins. Ideal for: red meats, cheeses and strong sauces."

My Review: There was apricot, prunes, and black cherry on the nose. On the palate there was a spicy, peppery finish with licorice, pomegranates, and red berries. Tannins were not overwhelming and complemented the fruit and pepper notes very well. The surface texture was grainy and had a bite to it. I did not pair this with food, but I think it would pair well with dark meat or korean bbq meat. 

Tasting - Georges DuBoeuf

Name: Georges Duboeuf

Variety: Gamay

Region: Beaujolais

Country: France

Year: 2013

Price: On sale $3.95

Winery Review: "Balanced and lightly creamy, offering pretty flavors of plum sauce and raspberry coulis threaded with hints of ground spice. Elegant, with a floral finish. Drink now."

My Review: I think we tried this wine before in a VC wine tasting. I was getting the same nose with definite tones of strawberry-banana. The mid-palate had a chewy texture and the finish was only a couple seconds with licorice, black currant, red cherries, and raspberries. It would be a good wine for a first-time wine drinker to ease into, as it was a light, tasteful red that I would enjoy for easy drinking. It was not paired with food, but I could definitely picture myself eating this with a cobbler or pastry.

Tasting - Bricco dei Tati

Name: Bricco dei Tati

Variety: Still Rose Wine

Winery Review: "Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries and rose petals. This is ideal with shellfish, salads, chicken, and with appetizers."

My Review: On the nose there was a floral bouquet with fruity notions of raspberries, strawberry jam, and honeydew. The palate spoke of these same tones with an added likeness to gummy candy. I've only had one other rose wine before but I actually liked this one better, because it seemed more full bodied and well-balanced flavors. I did not take this with food, but I can imagine it would go well with fruit tart, creme brulee, and pastries.

Tasting - Frascati

Name: Frascati Volpetti

Variety: Blend of Malvasia, Trebbiano, Greco

Region: Frascati

Country: Italy

Year: 2009

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: "Straw yellow in color with a soft, delicate perfume, fruitful flavor, dry
and harmonious taste. Perfect with appetizers, soups, fish."

My Review: The nose had subtle, sweet tones of mangoes, citrus, light acidity, and chalk. This was a full-bodied wine on the palate with a chewy and textured component. This was certainly a dry white and even though it had a full body, the finish was short. I did not pair this with food, but I think it would go well with salmon or crabcakes. Overall, a generic but tasteful wine but it was not especially impressionable on me.

Tasting - Toso Moscato

Name: Toso 

Variety: Moscato

Region: Not Provided

Country: Italy

Year: n/a

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: "This Moscato is reminiscent of honeysuckle and rose petal. The quality is equivalent to a top level Asti Spumante DOCG. Sweet sparkling wine obtained from a careful selection of the Moscato grapes. It has a pale straw yellow color with fine foam and bubbles. Tropical fruit flavors, refreshing.

Excellent to match desserts, fruit and dried pastries."

My Review: A distinct nose of perfume and strong floral bouquet. A sweet, lively Moscato with molasses,  honey, sweetened green tea, and strawberry icing on the palate. Like most Moscatos, this is made for casual drinking and desserts. It was sweet but not overwhelmingly so; thus it was a very enjoyable tasting. I would pair this with any type of light pastries, strawberry or vanilla ice cream, or a fruit tart. 

Tasting - El Sierro

Name: El Sierro

Variety: Blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Not Provided

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: "Dark ruby in color with rich aromas of red fruit and light spices. It is a real knock-out with delicious flavors of dark cherries, blackberries and vanilla all perfectly integrated. The Tempranillo provides wonderful spice and fruit, while the Cabernet Sauvignon gives structure and depth with the beautiful use of oak."

My Review: The El Sierro was a gorgeous, deep burgundy color with black cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate on the nose. The palate was complex- plenty of grape jam, raisins, and cranberries. The blend with undertones of minerals and wood. There were also notions of herbs and spice, with some cloves and parsley flakes. The surface texture was dusty which gave this wine a rustic feel. It was not taken with food, but I would pair it with a steak or beef cuts marinated with red wine.

Tasting - Omo Ze Bel Merlot

Name: Omo Ze Bel 

Variety: Merlot

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: "This bright, soft Merlot comes from a hilly vineyard on the Alcesti family estate in beautiful Sicily. It has hints of red cherries and freshly cut hay.  Exceptional value."

My Review: The Omo Ze Bel was a more subtle Merlot than the ones I've had previously. It had cinnamon, grapes, and red berries on the nose. On the palate again I was getting predominantly red fruits with raspberry, tomato juice, grass, and a bit of salt. The surface texture was of suede with gripping, well-balanced tannins and a short finish. The Merlot would taste great with a salt and pepper chicken or sun-dried tomato pasta.

Tasting - Atlas Cumbres

Name: Atlas Cumbres

Variety: Torrontes

Region: 

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: $5.95

Winery Review: "Yellow colour with greenish nuances. Very intense aroma of fresh grapes, flower perfume and mature peaches. Fresh in the mouth. Light and easy to drink. Ideal with seafood, Thai and Chinese food."

My Review: A great value wine for ~$6. This Torrontes had lime and Asian pear on the nose. The palate had a garlic butter component, as well as a predominant flavors of green grapes and apple. I also got subtle hints of olive oil and freshly-cut grass, so there was that earthy and mineral part as well. I did not enjoy this wine as much as the previous Chardonnay, but it was still made for casual drinking. I think this would pair very well with an herbed salmon and tossed salad.

Tasting - Avery Quinn Chardonnay

Name: Avery Quinn

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Napa Valley, California

Country: U.S.A

Year: 2011

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: "The 2011 vintage marks a return to form for this great value Chardonnay.  The aromas feature creamy, mellow, golden apple, pineapple, fresh butter and a touch of vanilla.  Then rich, ripe, flavors of yellow pear, pineapple, fresh apple, cream and buttered toast swell up and fill your mouth before a juicy, apple and caramel inflected finish makes your mouth water (and smile!)."

My Review: This was a full-bodied and complex white with a nose of caramel, peaches and cream, and apricot. It had a tropical notes to it and well-balanced, solid flavors of mango, red apples, honeydew, and lemon. Along with this fruit component, there was also notions of oak and buttercream. There was a smooth surface texture and a medium finish. It had well-balanced acidity that made for a refreshing, cool, and sprightly. It was not taken with food, but I think this would be great with a lemon tart or a soufflee.

Tasting - Bellafina Moscato

Name: Bellafina Pink Moscato

Variety: Blend of Moscato and Rabosos

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Year: n/a

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: "A blend of Moscato and Rabosos grapes it has a pale rose color, notes of red berries (strawberry and raspberry), with the characteristic and fragrant bouquet and palate that is typical of the Moscato grape."

My Review: This was a delightful Moscato perfect for easy drinking and casual get-togethers. On the nose there was a wonderful floral bouquet with tones of watermelon and rose. The palate exposed flavors of strawberry gummy candy, vanilla creme, and pink cotton candy. This Moscato had an uplifting, yet soft surface texture. This was not paired with food, but it would be great with vanilla or strawberry ice cream, jam-filled pastries, or funfetti cupcakes!

Tasting - Weinert Carascal

Name: Weinert Carascal

Variety: Blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot

Region: Argentina

Country: Argentina

Year: 2008

Price: $13.95

Winery Review: "Aged for two years in cask, the 2008 Carrascal is a blend of 40% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. It has a rustic blackberry, scorched earth and leather-scented bouquet with touches of pressed flowers. The palate is well-balanced with crisp tannins, expressive black tarry fruit and a Bordeaux-like finish. Drink now - 2016" 

My Review: This red had a nose that hinted of wood chips, pumpkin, apricot, and leaves. The palate, like the nose, had distinct, earthy tones of top soil and oak. There was also a fruit component of prunes, black cherry, and a touch of blueberries. The surface texture was of suede and had a short finish with complex tannins. It was a solid red that would pair nicely with beef and broccoli, blackberry pie, or chocolate covered raisins. 

Tasting - Santa Julia Malbec

Name: Santa Julia Malbec

Variety: Malbec

Region: Argentina

Country: Argentina

Year: 2012

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: "The nose is full of mellow raspberry and cherry, while the palate is fleshy and round, with blackberry and a touch of raisin. Plump, not edgy, and ready to drink, with coffee and mocha notes on the finish."

My Review: There was plum jam, strawberries ice cream, and hints of cinnamon on the nose. On the mid palate, there was a velvety, rich, and solid surface texture with plenty of red fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, and cherries. There was also subtle tones of almond milk. Full tannins complemented the strong finish, with again hints of cinnamon and coffee beans. I did not pair this with food, but I think it would do well with a tiramisu, cinnamon rolls, or dark chocolate.

Tasting - Gougenheim Torrontes

Name: Gougenheim Torrontes

Variety: Torrontes

Region: Chilecito, La Rioja

Country: Argentina

Year: 2012

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: "The 2012 Torrontes comes from Chilecito in La Rioja. It has a light floral nose with touches of lemon peel and nectarine. The palate is crisp and taut, showing far more vivacity and fruit that the nose implied, finishing with a flourish of apricot and white peach. Drink now."

My Review: The nose was subtle with tones of mango, pineapple, and cilantro. The palate had less of a floral bouquet, and this reminded me of a Japanese Matcha bubble tea drink. This was a full-bodied white with a medium finish that had asian pears, peaches, and honeysuckle. An overall bright, slightly acidic, and well-balanced Torrontes that I very much enjoyed. This would pair great with white chocolate, peach pie, and a fruit tart.

Tasting - Santa Julia Pinot Grigio

Name: Santa Julia

Variety: Pinot Gris

Region: Argentina

Country: Argentina

Year: 2011

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: "Light and clean, which compared to other Argentine Pinot Grigios is not something to dismiss. Feels solid and punchy, with orange and mango flavors. Has nice overall clarity and balance, with a citrusy finish."

My Review: This was a crisp, enjoyable white with a distinctly citrus nose. There was lemon juice, honeydew, and tangerines in aroma. The palate was smooth and cool, with most notably melons. I was also getting some pineapple and peach. The surface texture was smooth with a cold, metallic component and a long finish with notes of persimmon. This should be enjoyed with garlic and peppered chicken or salmon, or a light vinaigrette salad. 

Tasting - Jam Jar

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White

Variety: Moscato

Region: South Africa

Country: South Africa

Year: 2011

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: "100 % Muscat. Soft floral hints add depth to the otherwise straightforward ripe peach and nectarine aromas. There’s a good balance in the mouth, with a nice acidic lift and slightly lime edge to cut the sweetness on the finish and close with the faintest hint of honeydew melons."

My Review: Per every Moscato I've blogged about, I enjoyed this casual Moscato made for easy-drinking. There was honesuckle, rose petals, mango, and peaches on the nose. This was not the sweetest Moscato, which I actually liked, but plenty of watermelon and white peach on the palate to savor. There was also a citrus component- sweet clementines- that made uplifted this Moscato in my book. Next time, I will look for this wine and enjoy with any dessert, but especially fruit tart or cobbler. 

Tasting - Entrada Malbec

Name: Entrada

Variety: Malbec

Region: Chile

Country: Chile

Year: 2013

Price: $5.95

Winery Review: "Firm and structured, this is a solid wine, laced with mineral acidity and tight tannins. It has a juicy, blackberry fruit component cutting through the texture."

My Review: This red had plenty of berry and spices on the nose and palate. It was well-balanced on the tannins and had a medium finish that rounded nicely with prunes, strawberry jams, and a mineral component

 The Entrada Malbec was had a metallic texture that reminded me of stainless steel. It was an enjoyable, but also forgettable red. However, I would like to try this with blackberry cobbler or dark chocolate  drizzled strawberries.