Tastings - Vintage Cellar, February 25, 2016

As a disclaimer, I feel that my nose was a little shot for this tasting, as the cold wind really messed with my sense of smell, but I did my best. Anyways, here we go.

Name: Dom Michel Thomas Sancerre Rose
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Loire
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Shop Review: "Bright orange-pink. Lively, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh red berries, orange peel and honeysuckle, with a hint of anise building in the glass. Dry and nervy in the mouth, offering vibrant strawberry and orange pith flavors and a suggestion of rose pastille. The floral element comes back on the finish, which lingers with very good spicy persistence." - Stephen Tanzer, 90
My Review: This amber-rose colored wine reminded me of a brie cheese and sour pear nose. It was quite an unusual combination, but it was interesting. At first, I tasted the sour pear up front, along with a dry, acidic middle. It had a nice warm finish, but turned a bit sour going into the second wine. Not too excited about Rose's, but this one was interesting, as I'm used to a Pinot Noir being a very dark grape.


Name: Riebeek Cellars Viognier
Variety: 100% Viognier
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $7.95
Shop Review: "This is a luscious viognier, featuring a deep yellow color, that explodes with juicy peach and honeysuckle flavors. Viognier can easily become flabby, but this one manages to keep its figure within bounds. I recommend this for immediate, lip-smacking enjoyment." - Washington Post
My Review: This wine had a straw yellow-green color to me. I smelled sour apple and not much else. Not too exciting yet, but the taste had a bit of a peach flavor up front, with a dry and acidic finish again. I can really tell these wines are getting more complex, as there are other flavors I really couldn't pinpoint, but it was an interesting Viognier. A great white wine in my opinion.


Name: Tonnino Syrah
Variety: 100% Syrah/Shiraz
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95
Shop Review: An intense red color. Aromas of violet and blackcurrant enriched by hints of liquorice and black pepper. In the mouth it is full, round, slightly tannic and with a spicy note on the finish.
My Review: This was a dark, intense red wine, and not just in color. The smell reminded me of the rotting fruit you might smell on the ground in an orchard. At first taste, I could tell this was going to be an intense wine, as it came out very spicy. the mid tongue reminded me of grilled vegetables, like brussels sprouts, asparagus, and others. It had a dry finish that, to me, tasted like the black char on a grill or seasoned pan. This was a great wine, and I really enjoyed it.

Name: Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet
Variety: 100% Alicante Bouchet
Region: N/A
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $9.95
Shop Review: From the rare Alicante Bouchet, one of the few grapes in the world with red flesh  this wine has a plush texture carring flavors of brandied cherry and chocolate ganache in this round red. Light tannins and gentle acidity impart a lovely, balanced structure.
My Review: I was nearly instantly reminded of the Garnacha I had a while ago, the Vina Borgia. Rightly so, as
I learned this grape variety is a cross between the Grenache and Petit Bouchet. While I hated that wine with a passion, this one was more dynamic. It had a nice ruby-red color, and an interesting smell. I detected sweaty socks, and a dusty smell you might find in a nice antique store. On the tongue, it started out with a very oily, petroly, spicy taste, but on the mid-palate, I detected that antique store again, along with an old-fashioned wood taste, like one of those old Chinese apothecary cabinets smells. This had a very long and drawn out finish. By far, my favorite of the tasting session.


Name: Crane Lake White Zinfandel
Variety: 100% Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Shop Review: Light pink wine with floral and tropical aromas: flavors of strawberry, peach and raspberry with a touch of sweetness. This wine is an easy sipping wine that also pairs well with a wide variety of foods ranging from crab cakes or pâté to spicy Asian dishes, glazed ham, and grilled sea bass.
My Review: I like how they set this one up to be last, as it was quite straight forward in its approach. This rosy, light red wine had a crisp, light smell. I could detect the strawberry the shop review mentioned. The taste was sweet at first, like peaches in a can, including the syrup. I could also taste baked apples. But in the end, it finished very quickly. So quickly, in fact, that I could still taste the previous wine on my palate. It was a great way to end the session, but I was overall a little underwhelmed, even for a sweet wine.

Wine Dinner, February 14, 2016

Ahh, It's February, and love is in the air. Well, maybe, but more importantly, wine is being consumed. This Valentine's Day is the first I have shared with someone special in a long time, and I almost forgot how expensive gifts can get. Thankfully, she was more than happy to share a three-course meal as our gifts to each other. I bought the steak and the wine, and she got the rest. She wasn't too excited about me turning it into a project for this class, but she went along with it. So, without any further ado, here was my first attempt at wine and food pairing. And by the way, everything in this dinner was made from scratch as much as I was able to.




The first course was a personal favorite of my girlfriend's: Mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce. I decided to pair this appetizer with a white wine, and this one caught my eye, The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne, 2014. This wine had a very grassy, crisp, and lemony nose, and an even crispier, drier taste. I was really reminded of a crispy apple, with an acidic end.
When paired with the mozzarella sticks, the acidic bite of the wine nearly disappeared, and cheese sticks lost its greasiness. I feel that this wine and the appetizer paired really well together, and made for a great start to what I hope would be a great dinner. She also thought that the two paired very well together. While she didn't like the bite of the white wine, when mixed with the mozzarella sticks, it was really nice.



I decided for the second, and main course, I would try my hand at pan-searing a steak. I chose a flat iron cut for its great marbling as well as being delicious for a college kid on a budget. I cooked it as any one would: a few minutes on each side in a super-hot pan, then basted with a garlic and thyme butter sauce. Since I wanted her to enjoy this dinner, I decided on spicy Cajun fries (made from a real potato) as a side, since she loves them. I decided to pair this Chateau Morisette Chambourcin, 2012, as I thought a bold red wine would really pair well with the savory steak, and Cajun flavoring. By itself, this VERY dark red wine has a very earthy nose. I smelled some sweet cherries, some dark licorice, and a little tobacco as well. There is a fruity element to this wine at first taste, but as it develops on the tongue, some heat shows up with a dark cherry, earthy taste, and ends with a black pepper finish. By itself, I love this wine.

For my first time cooking steak, it was delicious in my opinion. Mine was rare, and her's was medium rare, our favorite! The fries had the perfect amount of spiciness and really tasted great as a side to the steak. When I mixed the wine with the meal, I was surprised to find that the saltiness and spiciness from the dish didn't pair all that well with the dry bite from the chambourcin, and slightly exacerbated the bitterness of the wine. It was still fine, and I would certainly recommend pairing the steak with the wine, but the Cajun fries was a slight detriment to the whole palate. We were planning to make corn pudding as a second side to add some sweetness to the dish, but when we realized it would have taken too long, we decided against it. It could have potentially completed the main course, and really brought that much needed sweetness to the overall bitterness.
She thought it was a great steak as well. The fries were also great in her opinion, but she just could not enjoy the wine as much as I did. It was much more bitter than the first course, but the meal was tasty.



The final course, the dessert, was primarily her idea. The meal was supposed to be a molten chocolate lava cake, but ended up just being a semi-solid chocolate cake. But we had some Ghiradelli chocolate sauce and powdered sugar, and I fashioned a strawberry in a really fancy sliced design:

The wine was chosen by her, mainly because of the sparkly label. The Barefoot Sweet Red Blend (Non-Vintage) has a sweet, yet sour nose, that really had a large bouquet of berries, like blackberries, strawberries, cherries, and more. It had a very sugary beginning, with a delicious cooked cherry finish. Overall it was quite dynamic, but very sweet by itself.
The cake was okay by itself, and the sweetness from the strawberry made it a decent dessert. When paired with the wine, the semi-sweet cake and the sweet wine went really well together. I felt that the sweetness built on itself and really came together nicely. But when I ate the strawberry and drank the wine at the same time, oddly enough, the wine just tasted like water to me.
She thought the wine and cake paired well together, but not as well as the first course. She said this was the sweetest wine she has tasted. Overall, she thought is was a very sweet meal, but she liked it.



As we crammed the last bite of this gigantic meal down our throats, we finally could relax. I think we both had a very enjoyable time, from the cooking all the way to the last bite. I'm glad I could share something this enjoyable and intimate with someone very special to me. My favorite part of the night was the actual cooking of the steak, as it was my first real experience with beef. Though she loved the mozzarella sticks most of all, I think she had a great time. 

Tastings - Vintage Wine Cellar, February 18, 2016

Name: Tonnino Grillo
Variety: 100% Grillo
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $7.95
Shop Review: "Fruit-forward and tangy, this light-bodied, snappy white offers flavors of guava, apricot, candied grapefruit zest and stone. Drink now. 20,000 cases made." - Wine Spectator
My Review: This wine was light gold in color, and had a sweet, apple-like smell, with a hint of a dry citrus. The taste was rather plain at first, but soon afterwards, I detected a strong grapefruit taste, which I really enjoyed! in the end, I tasted a spiced apple, but with black pepper instead of the usual cinnamon or nutmeg. Overall, the Grillo intrigued me, and I will definitely be looking out for it later.





Name: Palacio de Bornos Verdejo
Variety: 100% Verdejo
Region: Rueda
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Shop Review: "Zesty and clean, with pure grapefruit and passion fruit aromas. It’s charged up but perfectly balanced, with bright, focused citrus and pineapple flavors. Lemony acidity keeps the finish rolling, then throw in some chive and fresh greens and you have a spot-on Verdejo." - Wine Enthusiast
My Review: I had an interesting experience with this wine. The volunteer pouring my wine said I was the first to smell a bitter, salty nose. It was light at first taste, with a sweet mid-tongue, but the end was the most interesting. I detected a very creamy taste, paired with sweet lemons, that all together tasted like a delicious lemon meringue pie. This was a very enjoyable white wine. I certainly am finding some white wines that I find enjoyable.



Name: Indwe Pinotage
Variety: 100% Pinotage
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Shop Review: “A disclaimer: I have never cared much for Pinotage, the indigenous South African grape variety, but this 2013 Pinotage from Indwe, named after the country's national bird, the blue crane, comes across like a light Pinot Noir. Subtle notes of cherries, spice and forest floor are followed by a round, light to medium-bodied, pure, seductive, well-crafted wine.” - Robert Parker, Drink now-2016.
My Review: I thought this had an interesting color, as it reminded me of a dull, blood-like hue. Maybe it was because of the last wine, but it smelled creamy and peppery. At first taste, this wine was light, but dry, and ended in a peppery, spicy tasty finish. The mid-tongue and ending really reminded me of a fancy tomato-based pasta sauce. This might make for a good red wine sauce...

Name: Codirosso Chianti
Variety: Chianti Blend
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $7.95
Shop Review: Ruby red color with purple reflections.  Intense vinous bouquet with hints of violets and dark cherry fruit. The flavor is full of ripe fruit and a hint of spice. It is well balanced and dry. The finish is persistent and satisfying.
My Review: In this burnt orange/red wine, the aromas were strikingly strong. I smelled a lot of things, such as a sweet, cooked fruit, like a dark cherry pie filling and caramelized figs, and dried fruit like raisins. I was a little disappointed at the taste, though, as it wasn't as dynamic as the aroma. It was sweet at first, but it turned into a vinegar-like taste. The ending made up for it a bit, with an apple-cinnamon finish. Definitely not as dynamic as the last Chianti I tried, but the aromas really got my nose thinking.


Name: Crane Lake Gewürtztraminer
Variety: 100% Gewürtztraminer
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Shop Review: Slightly high-toned notions of rose petal mingle with lemon on nose and palate of this lightly sweet, richly textured yet balanced Gewürztraminer. This is not as heady as you may expect and will be a treat with spicy Asian dishes. Lychee and rose petal make another very fetching appearance on the finish.
My Review: This was an unusual wine of choice for me, as it was the one that I purchased from the Vintage Cellar. This light gold/straw-colored wine had a floral, sweet apple smell, and smelled bubbly like a sprite or club soda. At first taste, it was subtle and sweet. around the mid to end, there was a little fruitiness, like apple (seems to be a theme today) but really, just sweet. I wasn't really interested at first with this wine, but sometimes I guess we can just crave an easy drink. This was fun, light, and I could actually enjoy this wine with the girlfriend. I'm glad I can pick out a wine that I know she would enjoy now. Overall, subtle, but tasty.

Tastings - Vintage Wine Cellar, February 11, 2016

I finally got the courage to go to the Vintage Cellar by myself. I actually had a much better experience than I originally thought. Anyways, here are the five wines we were given to try and my subsequent reviews. Enjoy!

Name: La Lejania Charonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2015
Price: $10.00 (on sale for $6.95)
Shop Review: "This medium bodied Chardonnay exhibits a creamy texture and good definition of fruit from the first sip. A terrific option for Chardonnay drinkers looking for good value without spending over $10! Looking for a great cheese pairing for this wine? Piave is a great fit for this chardonnay. Both have malactic and citrus type flavors. Piave is rich and robust, with a creamy and addicting finish. This Italian favorite is a great pairing for various chardonnays and reds with some acidity, mostly chianti and chardonnay."
My Review: I was a little timid, walking into the Vintage cellar for the first time, but once I was poured a taste of this, I remembered why I was really there: to drink! This pale yellow wine smelled very fruity on the nose, but I smelled mostly pear and apple. At first taste, it was a little sour, with a dry, lemongrass flavor. By the end, the dry taste subsided and a warm, apple cider flavor came out. Overall, okay, but like most chardonnays, not too exciting.


Name: Les Clos Francs Vouvray Chenin Blanc
Variety: 100% Chenin Blank
Region: Loire Valley
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $21.00 (on sale for $7.95)
Shop Review: The cool climate in the Vouvray appellation area insures good acidity, which is balanced by the distinctly fruity character of the Chenin Blanc and the mineral qualities imparted by the soil. Thanks to these natural elements, this half-dry Vouvray combines elegance and vigor with sweetness and an inherent freshness.
My Review: Another white...oh well, I saw other people tasting some dark reds, so I just had to get through this one. At first smell, I wasn't too enthused, as all I could get out of this near-clear wine was a bit of petrol. Maybe a bit of earthy tones? On the tip, it tasted like a dry, sour crab apple. Alright, not too fond of this so far. But by the end, I tasted a lemony baked potato. I was a little surprised and pleased by the end result, and overall had a nice experience with this wine.


Name: El Cortijillo Tempranillo
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $9.00 (on sale for $5.95)
Shop Review: "Dusty garnet color. Fruity, floral jammy minty aromas of black raspberry, vanilla, spice cake, and dried plum with a creamy, lively, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, captivating, medium-length plum jam, black raspberry, sweet vanilla, and cherry finish with well-integrated tannins and moderate oak. Over delivers on beautiful cherry, plum and berry fruit framed with generous vanilla and silky tannins for everyday, balanced sipping on the indulgent side."
- Tastings.com
My Review: I already knew, by trying my dad's tempranillo, that this wine was going to be a good one, if the deep ruby red color wasn't enough already. On the nose, I smelled dark red berries, cherries, blackberries, and oddly enough, raisins and craisins. I'm not one for tasting these dried fruits, but they smelled delicious as a wine essence. At first taste, I noticed the dark berry flavors intermingling with a peppery mid-taste. The end result was a giant fistful of black pepper in my face, mixed with leather. This is one of those wines that puts me in that setting, where I see myself by a crackling brick-mantled fire, in a high-back, old-timey chair, a burning Cuban in one hand, this drink swirling in the other. I wonder if I'll ever go there for real...anyways, amazing wine. My favorite of the bunch, and the only one I bought at the Vintage Cellar.


Name: Crane Lake Petite Sirah
Variety: 100% Petite Sirah (or Durif)
Region: Lodi, California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Shop Review: "Prepare to be overwhelmed, there's nothing "petite" about this wine from the inky dark color to the bouquet loaded with tons of blackberry fruit and a hint of exotic spice; it fills your mouth with jammy fruit balanced by velvety soft tannins. Perfect for your next big party." - Winery Notes
My Review: I can't say I've ever heard of a Petite Sirah, but this wine was interesting. On the nose, this deep purple wine smelled a little like a sour grape candy. At first taste, I really didn't get much, aside from a balsamic kind of flavor. By the mid tongue, this wine began exhibiting a woody, earth flavor, almost dirty. And finally, the wine ended with a warm, dry, vinegary taste. I wasn't a huge fan, but it was an interesting wine tasting to say the least.


Name: Peter Mertes Platinum Riesling
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: Pfalz
Country: Germany
Year: 2014
Price: $19.00 (on sale for $9.95)
Shop Review: "Juicy and ripe with flavors of peach, tangerine and apple, this is an easy-drinking, off-dry Riesling. Delicately structured, it finishes moderately long with a pleasantly bitter lime pith note." - Wine Enthusiast
My Review: Maybe it was due to all of the other dry wines I had tasted up to this point, but this one was like a big wad of sugar. This wine was almost clear, and had a smell that reminded me of simple syrup. The tip was simply sweet, like candied apricots. By the mid tongue, I was intrigued by a crispy, sour flavor coming through. And finally, the wine had a dry finish, but not like the other wines. This one had the finishing taste of a homemade lemonade, with real lemons, granulated sugar, and tap water. It brought back some childhood memories, and by the looks of it, many people might have thought the same thing, as nearly everyone was buying this wine. Granted it was like two whole bottles of wine for just $10, but I wasn't all that excited by it. I'll stick to my dark, complex wines.


This was a fun experience, tasting wines that someone else picked out for me. I can't wait to go back and do this again!

Tasting - Bell'Agio Chianti

Name: Bell'Agio Chianti
Variety: 95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo Nero
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $14.00
Shop Review: Color: Ruby-red with purple hues. Bouquet: Full and reminiscent of violets. Taste: Dry and smooth with zesty notes of cherry and berry fruit.
My Review: It was Italian night at Casa di Campana...which means a trip to Little Caesars for a large cheese pizza and bread sticks. I originally went in to the store with an open mind, but then my eyes fell on the straw-covered container, and I immediately found the wine I wanted tonight. I have never had a Chianti, so I was very excited to try this wine. It has an almost completely opaque ruby color, and a black cherry, cinnamon and gasoline/petrol nose. It's a very pleasing smell to me, and I feel like I could give it more justice if I had a more refined nasal palette. At first taste, this wine had a bit of a cocoa, spicy petrol taste, like I was biting into a piece of dark chocolate infused with black pepper or cayenne. I tasted a mid tongue of earthy, muddy flavors with some sour cherry and a lot of grape. By the end it tasted like a heaping spoonful of cinnamon, and then, a nice and smooth warmth. Overall, I really enjoyed this wine, both the presentation and taste. It paired well with my cheap pizza dinner, and may be one of my go-to wines in the future.

Tasting - Beringer Chardonnay

Name: Beringer Chardonnay
Variey: Chardonnay
Region: Napa, California
Country: United States
Year: 2014
Price: $8.00
Shop Review: Enticing blend of ripe stone fruit and vivid citrus flavors. The bright citrus perfectly offsets the honeyed apricots.
My Review: Like the Milky Way is with candy, when I think of white wine, the first that comes to mind is chardonnay, and incidentally, one of the reasons I haven't really liked white wines. I know there are too many different flavors of white wine, but this variety just puts a bad taste in my mouth. But anyways, on to this wine. It has a yellow-green tint, and a sour, but fruity smell. I detect some pear, and a little apricot, like the label suggests. At first, I tasted apple, right in my face. Along with that, some petrol, and maybe a little vanilla? On the end, it has a rather spicy flavor. Some pepper, some cinnamon. Maybe it has some of that Asian spice that Gary talks so much about. Overall, not terrible. I haven't really ever liked chardonnays but it does have some decent things going for it.

Tasting - Beringer Pink Moscato

Name: Beringer Pink Moscato
Variety: Moscato rosa del Trentino
Region: Napa Valley, CA
Country: Chile 
Year: 2015(?)
Price: $7.00
Shop Review: This mischievous Moscato is made to be sipped with a wink and a smile. Rich berry and delicate tropical and floral notes dance on the tongue for a luscious taste and juicy finish—sealed with a kiss. Notes of ripe mandarin orange and pink grapefruit unfold with delicate rosewater on the palate. Pair Be. Flirty Pink Moscato with your playful side. Whether it’s a good hair day, or that new pair of stylish shoes, Be. Flirty will set the mood for an unforgettable day.
My Review: In a word, sweet. This pale pink wine smelled very floral and fruity. I smelled some lemon and hints of raspberry in a crispy, unobtrusive flavor. At first, the wine was very sweet, with a little crisp. I maybe had some hints of strawberry, raspberry, or some other red berries. In the end there was a slight bite, slightly peppery taste, but probably due to the relatively high alcohol content to other sweet dessert wines. This certainly does make me crave some shellfish. Like a big, old bay infused crab feast. Overall, it didn't wow me, but like the red moscato, not unpleasant, like a decent candy.

Tasting - Bodegas Borsao Viña Borgia

Name: Bodegas Borsao Viña Borgia
Variety: 100% Grenache (Garnacha)
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $7.00
Shop Review: From the heart of Aragon, birthplace of Garnacha, comes Vina Borgia. The wine is a perfect example of the varietal characteristics: dark cherries and blueberries mingle on the palate and are accented by light peppery notes. Fresh bright flavors are balanced by a fine structure and long finish. The wine is meticulously crafted for your immediate enjoyment.
My Review: That description honestly made me laugh, because I didn't taste much of that at all. But, this dark ruby wine had a sweet, honey-like smell, and reminded me of blueberry jelly with butter on toast. I was very intrigued, but at first taste, I was greeted with basically just a lot of sour. In the mid-tongue, I tasted even more sour, but a waxy dry taste came out, almost like a hard liquor. In the end, there was a mildly pleasant buttery and warm taste. Overall, I was quite unimpressed. I think I finally found a wine that I truly dislike. But at least it's good to find a good benchmark for what I think is terrible. I had high hopes at first sight and smell, but the taste was certainly lacking. A great experience, though.

Tasting - Williamsburg Winery Governor's White American Riesling

Name: Williamsburg Winery Governor's White American Riesling
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: Williamsburg, VA
Country: United States
Year: 2014
Price: $9.50 (Online Shop)
Shop Review: The 2014 Governors White is a semi dry Riesling with a lot of bright fruit and multiple layers.  On the nose there are the tropical fruits such as pineapple and banana and then you get blueberry, strawberry and plum followed by the melon family represented by cantaloupe and honeydew.  Amid the fruit layers is a very soft honey and vanilla that plays nicely with the classic Riesling nuances.  The residual sugar and alcohol are well balanced within the wines overall structure making for a very approachable wine with smooth sweetness and fruit.
My Review: I remember my parents reveling about this winery the last time I visited Busch Gardens. So, when I found it on the shelf on Walmart, I had to pick it up. This pale yellow riesling smelled rather sour and lemony, and overall smelled like an old, colonial house I may have visited while in Williamsburg. At first, I tasted a light, lime flavor, but mostly sweet hints of apple and maybe a touch of honeydew. In the mid-tongue, I tasted a spicy, cinnamon flavor with perhaps a touch of black pepper. And in the end, I tasted a warm, semi-sweet apricot/peach. Overall, this was a great wine and really enjoyable, despite my usual distaste of white wines.