Tasting - Weinkeller Erbach

Name: Weinkeller Erbach Flonheimer Adelberg

Variety: Silvaner

Region: Rheinhessen

Country: Germany

Year: 2010

Price: on sale for $4.95 from $18

Winery Review: “The fruity, mouthwatering wine has a nice acidity-sugar balance and comes from the so called 'Rheinhessen-Switzerland', the heartland of Rheinhessen. It has a floral bouquet and is full of lemon zest, hint of passion fruit, and smells like yellow fruit, lemon-grass and green tea, all wrapped around a pleasant creaminess and a semi-dry profile. The finish is zippy and refreshing. Perfect for party on the deck as it comes in a liter bottle!”

My Review: The color was a bright green-lime, with a zesty nose that reminded one of fresh squeezed lemonade. The taste was just as the nose had hinted: it was zippy, spring-like, and refreshing, with some subtle earthy tones. It was a unique blend of limeade and flowers with a smooth, silky texture with a slightly sour finish that reminded me of what Sprite tastes like. If the colors light green and yellow had a taste, this would be it.  It was a fun, revitalizing selection that I enjoyed so much that I purchased (for ~$5 it's a complete steal that I would be remiss to turn down!). I could imagine this paired with a light salad with Italian dressing and topped with herbed cuts of salmon. I will definitely enjoy this aesthetic, easy-to-drink treat this weekend!

Tasting - Montebuena Rioja

Name: Montebuena Rioja

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: "(100% Tempranillo, raised entirely in American oak): Vivid ruby. Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja."

- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (September 2012), 90 pts

My review: Unlike the Delaroche, the nose had a more predominant oakiness and only slightly peppery. There was also a hint of black cherries and dark chocolate, a deep and enriched aroma. The first sip was quite gripping, and the full-bodied wine boasted of blackberries and red grape. The finish had a very slight hint of petroleum- it was not unpleasant and made a statement to close out the tasting experience. It was that gripping bite that I liked about this wine, and the texture was smooth right until the Delaroche grabbed the most sensitive part of the soft palate. From then on until the finish, the texture had a salt-and-pepper, grainy feel. I enjoyed this red wine the most out of this tasting, as it made the biggest statement to my olfactory senses. This was not taken with food, but I'd expect a sundried tomato pasta would complement this selection well.

Tasting - Delaroche Cotes du Rhone

Name: Delaroche Cotes du Rhone

Variety: Rhone Blend

Region: Cotes du Rhone

Country: France

Year: 2011 

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: "This semi-opaque ruby, custom cuvée of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre is made specifically for Fran Kysela. It exhibits very fresh, ripe dark red fruit with very good palate weight and depth and ends with rich fruit notes. Made from organically grown grapes. Incredible value!"

- I-WineReview (December 2013), 90 pts.

 My Review: The Delaroche was a safe, ruby red- not drastically blood red but a deep enough color to have a pomegranate-like nose. It was as if I could smell the antioxidants. There was also a definite aroma of pepper, red fruit, and oak barrel, but pepper was dominant. This was full-bodied in weight, with the grainy texture creating some resistance against soft palate that released its flavors of pomegranate and oak- just like the nose. I am sure there were other flavors hidden away, but I could not discern them. In conclusion, it was not my favorite wine of the day as it did not make a lasting impression, but it's not to say I would not try it again. I am sure that another tasting would reveal many more rich flavors that I could not get the first time. I could pair this with food like medium-rare steak or ground beef.

Tasting - Maipe Torrontes

Name: Maipe Torrontes

Variety: Torrontes

Region: Andean North West

Country: Argentina

Year: 2013

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: "Spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body.  Well balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish. Best enjoyed in its youth either by itself, or as a wonderful partner with smoked meats, mild to medium-strong cheeses, seafood and a great partner for spicy food as well."

My Review: The nose was uniquely sprightly and youthful, with plenty of green apples and lime. It reminded me of a Taro bubble tea, an earthy but sweet, violet smell. The taste was nothing like its smell- it was a medium-bodied palate with a dry, parching effect. There was a variety of tastes working in tandem, and I got green apple, lime, and some floral tones. The satin texture contrasted with the tingly finish that released a lemon-sourness. Interestingly enough, the nose after the first sip did not seem nearly as sappy sweet as the first smell. This was not taken with food, but I would like to try this with a vinaigrette salad with lemon chicken. I preferred the Pinot Grigio, but this was by no means an unpleasant sensory experience.

Tasting - Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Venezie

Country: Italy

Year: 2012

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: "Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the finish. Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi,spaghetti with clams, sole in white wine. Perfect also as an aperitif."

My Review: This pretty golden wine had a fruity nose; a predominantly apricot aroma with a subtle hint of citrus grapefruit. Upon the first taste, there was an acidity comparable to apples and pears. The texture was smooth and creamy, but like apples it was crisp at the same time. The sensation from the finish could be best described as the one you get when you bite into an apple and you taste the skin. It is not an outright bitterness, but a slightly sour sensation that grips your tongue. There was a silky surface smoothness that made this an easy-to-drink, light choice. I did not pair this Pinot Grigio with food, but I would like to with salmon. All-in-all, a delightful piece that again like the Babiche, is starting to change my mind about white wine.

Tasting - GR-174 Casa Gran del Siurana

Name: Gr-174 Casa Gran del Siurana 

Variety: blend of Garnatxa, Caranyena, and Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Priorat

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $17.95

Winery Review: "The 2011 GR-174 was tasted from barrel and was due for bottling the following week. It has a more extravagant bouquet than the 2010 with kirsch, blood orange, and blueberry. The palate is full-bodied with a sweet entry. It is very extravagant with precocious red fruits and a smudge of alcohol towards the finish. It is a bit of a hedonist, but one that comes at a decent price. Drink now-2016."

My review: This was decidedly my favorite red wine of this particular Vintage Cellar tasting. The aroma was rich with cherry and had a noticeably more floral scent than the previous red wines. The wine itself had a full taste and wholly satisfied my palate. It had that characteristic bitterness, but it was an enjoyable one with a mixture of berries (most prominently a blueberry-strawberry taste) and citrus (most prominently a clementine-taste). I suspect I preferred this red wine over the three previous ones I had just tasted because it had a distinct fruity flavor that was not overpowered by the bitterness. The bitterness, in this case, was a supplement instead of a harsh statement. It was smooth and it slid down my throat like a velvet- a voluptuous and delicious texture. I dont' think my "wine vocabulary" is not rich enough to completely describe the sensory experience, but I know for a fact that I enjoyed this wine and I want this blog post to serve as a reminder to look out for this particular wine to enjoy later. I did not take this with food, but I would love to pair this with a variety of foods for a dinner entry. 

This concludes my first official wine tasting. A special thanks to the Vintage Cellar in Blacksburg for an enjoyable experience! It went by a lot faster than I thought, and my boyfriend Pedro (who is also in this class) and I left within 15 minutes. We are looking forward to more eye-opening and aesthetic wine tastings from the Vintage Cellar and many more venues.

Tasting - Trentadue Old Patch Red

Name: Trentadue Old Patch Red

Variety: Non-Varietal Red Blend

Region: Sonoma County

Country: United States

Year: 2011

Price: $13.95

Wintery Review: "This field-style blend of Petite Sirah and Zinfandel is super-jammy, with jellied flavors of raspberries, cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and loganberries. It's a fun, fairly complicated wine that finishes dry and tannic." 

My review: The Trentadue had a plethora of aromas that was hard to distinguish just by smell alone. I could deduce what I was smelling was of berries, but only because I had read what the wine was supposed to taste like per the review. I probably would not have been able to decisively articulate what I smelled without at least an idea. As for the taste, the wine review was accurate in describing the variety of berry flavors presented in a dry wine. My first sip was reminiscent of the blackberry acidity of the Domaine de la Guicharde, although I could tell there was more flavors hidden away. I cleansed my palate with a morsel of bread provided by the Vintage Cellar, and my second sip was different than the first. The second gripped my soft palate with a numbing dryness. It was not a subtle taste, but the second taste hinted of raspberries instead of blackberries (it was less of a deep, rich sour). If I had to distinguish between this Trentadue and the previous La Posta with two sips only, I probably would not be able to do so. What I remember from this wine specifically was that it was almost exactly like the previous and that still I did not enjoy it as much as the Domaine de la Guicharde.... but that is not to say I would not like to give this one a try again.

Tasting - La Posta Cocina Malbec

Name: La Posta

Variety: Malbec

Region: Cuyo

Country: Argentina

Year: 2011

Price: $14.95

Winery Review: "The 2011 Cocina Malbec is from La Consulta, Altamira, and Vista Flores in the Uco Valley and sees some French and American oak (20% new). It has a tight nose of black cherry and boysenberry fruit with hints of violet. The palate is medium-bodied with full tannins. The finish is smooth and there are some pleasant mulberry and dark plum notes on the aftertaste. This constitutes easy-drinking Malbec. Drink now."

My review: The aroma, like the previous Dom de la Guicharde, was bitter and hinted of cherry. It was potent in an unusually petroleum-like sense for lack of a better way to describe it. The wine itself had a smooth texture as it ran down my soft palate, but also similar to the Dom it took my taste buds by surprise with a slightly abrasive acidity. It was not an acidity from a citrus fruit, but more of like the acidity from a pomegranate seed. There was a grainy quality to it, and it was as if it was taking the time to rub over each of my taste buds. It had a full weight that I could imagine pairing with a thick, medium rare steak (even though I did not have one on hand at the time of the tasting!). I did not enjoy this wine as much as the previous Domaine de la Guicharde, however I am having trouble explaining why. I am hoping that by the end of this course, I will be able to better articulate my preferences... but it is still early in the semester and I have time to refine my olfactory senses.

Tasting - Domaine de la Guicharde

Name: Domaine de la Guicharde 

Variety: Red Rhone Blend

Region: Rhone 

Country: France

Year: 2011

Price: $12.95

Winery Review: "Very bright and exhuberant, offering lots of violet, anise and blackberry aromas and flavors, with a good lacing of firm cherry pit keeping this honest through the finish. Drink now. 800 cases imported. 88- Wine Spectator."

My Review: The Dom de la Guicharde had a pungent aroma, you could almost smell the tannin in the wine. It was the exact aroma that one would expect to come from a wine that would prepare you for the expected bitterness to come. As for the taste, it was as it smelled- there was a distinct, steely acidity to it that "bit" the tongue. The flavors were more aggressive than the previous Sauvignon Blanc to catch the attention of the olfactory nerves. It was by no means an unpleasant sourness and could be compared to the same pucker you get when you bite into a blackberry: sometimes bitter at first but once you chew, you release a sweetness that mixes in with the initial sourness. The Dom was not taken with food, but perhaps pairing it with chicken decorated with lemongrass and watercress will be a nice match with these stronger flavors. In conclusion, I enjoyed the tasting experience I had with this red wine, and as it was bold with stronger flavors that challenged the senses.

Tasting - Babich Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Babich

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough

Country: New Zealand

Year: 2012

Price: $14.95

Winery Review: "A juicy white, with bright acidity and lean lemon, lime and green apple flavors. A note of fresh thyme graces the finish. Drink now."

My review: Prior to tasting the Babich, a couple whiffs reminded me of jackfruit- which has a ripe and sappy aroma. It was an exotic and tropical smell that hit the olfactory senses right away, there was no subtlety in aroma. A couple sips of this wine may have forever changed my opinion of white wine. Hands down, it was the best tasting white white I have ever had. I was pleasantly surprised with a taste of intermingling flavors of apple, both sour and sweet. There was a smooth surface finish reminiscent of sheer satin as it ran down my soft palate. Every white wine I had previously had an unpleasant acidity in its aftertaste that made my lips pucker, but this one was fresh, light, and crisp that carried the flavors of the green grape from beginning to end. I unfortunately did not have this wine with food, but I enjoyed the experience so much that I can guarantee I will be looking to buy this in the near future to pair with food. Mr. Thurlow's suggestion in his wine review of pairing this would herbed chicken would be perfect, as it would complement herbs like chives and basil nicely.

Bienvenue!

Teach me how to be fancy

By no means am I a wine connoisseur and by no means are my taste buds refined to differentiate between the subtle differences of each wine... yet. I do have an appreciation for not only the infinite variety of wine flavors, but also the unique differences in experiences that can be found with each individual glass. I am well aware of the enhancement wine can add to a food palate. I am hoping that this class can give me a better understanding of how to refine my taste for wine and distinguishing between wine flavors and qualities. 

They say that wine is an acquired taste. I started drinking red wine first and fell in love with the richness of its flavor. I can say that I like red wine much better than white wine, but maybe this class can change that. I don't drink it every day, but wine is definitely my drink of choice on a Friday night when I don't want to go out, but I still want to unwind with my boyfriend or friends. For instance, right now, I have two unopened bottles of wine in my townhouse. One I will save for a girl's night and the other is on reserve for when I need it.  When I am no longer a broke college student, I can imagine frequently having a glass for dinner. For now, wine for dinner is reserved for special occasions. 

I have not been to an official wine tasting, but I have been to a beer festival called Microfestivus in Roanoke last summer where they also had some wines. I would love to attend a wine tasting in the future, and am looking forward to incorporating my experience in the course! As far as the wine that I've tried and like so far, I am sure that they are "bottom shelf" wine brands but I do not really know. I have had brands like Yellow Tail, Little Penguin, Chateau de Michelle, etc. There was a time when I kept track of the wines that I tried and how I liked them, but I unfortunately lost the piece of paper (which just means I have to start over... not a bad thing). I do remember specifically that I tended to prefer Shiraz and Pinot Noir. I think the wine types are differentiated by what kind of fruit they are made with, but I am not too sure and am hoping this class can clarify it for me so I have a better idea of what exactly I like and why. I previously mentioned that I prefer red wine over white wine. In a recent experience with white wine, I shared a bottle of Chardonnay this past weekend with my boyfriend. At first, I did not mind the taste but as a continued drinking it, it tasted worse and worse to me. This was strange to me, because intuitively you would think the more buzzed someone gets the better something should taste! 

I have been trying to add this class this entire week by hawking the Timetable. This morning when I was randomly checking Hokiespa, there was 1 seat open and I frantically added it. This course makes 24 credits that I am taking for my last semester here at Virginia Tech, but I don't mind doing the extra work since this topic interests me so much. All in all, I am excited to see that this course has in store for us.