Tasting - "Bellafina Pink Moscato"

Name: Bellafina Pink Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: N/A
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: I think this wine would be a perfect dessert wine. On the nose, it had aromas of strawberries and vanilla. The aromas were extremely fruity, but I also detected a rose aroma that balanced out the fruity scents. It kind of smelled like hazelnut, too. The texture of this wine was thick and smooth. On the palate, it tasted like raspberries and very ripe strawberries. Very sweet. This wine tasted like a dessert itself. I think it would pair well with strawberry shortcake or any light pastries. I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - "2010 Fattori Runcaris Soave"

Name: Fattori Runcaris Soave
Variety: Garganega
Region: Soave
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $15
Winery review: "From the local Italian word for "to work the soil," Runcaris represents an easy, fresh expression of Soave Classico with lingering aromas of citrus, yellow rose, honey, jasmine and dried herbs." - Wine Enthusiast, 86 points
My review: This wine had very interesting aromas. There were fruity and citrus-y scents, which were mainly orange and grapefruit. I also smelled some honey, which smelled more floral than sweet and sugary. As for taste, I didn't taste too much sweet and sugary flavors. The main flavors on the palate were rose, floral, and some fruits. Overall, this wine was refreshing and cleansed the palate like water. I would love to try this again. I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - "2013 Chataeu Suau Bordeaux Rose"

Name: Chataeu Suau Bordeaux Rose
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95
Winery Review: "88 points - Stephen Tanzer 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Light, lurid pink.  Tangerine, raspberry and white pepper on the fragrant nose.  Juicy and focused in the mouth, offering zesty red berry flavors with a refreshingly bitter edge.  Closes clean and tight, with lingering spiciness and a touch of orange zest."
My Review: I've never had a pink colored cabernet sauvignon before so I was enthralled to try this wine. The nose was amazing. It had aromas of raspberries and strawberries. There was only a small hint of white pepper as mentioned in the winery review. The taste was nice, but I wasn't a huge fan of the buttery finish. I tried this wine by itself with no accompanying food.

Wine & Cheese Pairing #1

 

When I went home to NoVa for the weekend about two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to do a wine & cheese pairing session with my family along with a wine dinner. The three wines we drank were a merlot, a pinot noir, and a chambourcin. The three types of cheese we paired were pepper jack, swiss, and mild cheddar. There was also colby jack, but we decided to exclude it for the pairing.

First, we paired the 2010 Chateu Ste. Michelle Merlot with mild cheddar cheese. This merlot had aromas of cherries, blackberries, and spice with layers of rich and dark red fruit flavors and a long, smooth, sweet finish. The mild cheddar cheese was less "in your face" with its flavoring and had a much less tangy background flavor than regular cheddar cheese, which tends to be very sharp. When paired together, the mild cheddar took down the spiciness of the wine and really let the rich and dark red fruit flavors shine through. Good pairing. Better than expected.

Next, we paired the 2012 Joseph Drouhin Laforet Pinot Noir with pepper jack cheese. This pinot noir had aromas of raspberries, red-currants, and black-currants. In the mouth, pleasant spicy notes with fresh and fruity berry flavors with light tannins came through. The pepper jack cheese had the intensity of spicy hot peppers. It was spicy, delicate, soft, and had a slightly tart flavor. This pairing was a disappointment, because there was too much spice. I think pepper jack cheese would pair well with sweeter wines.

Lastly, we paired the Rosso Dolce Chambourcin with swiss cheese. This chambourcin had aromas of red berries. The sweetness of the wine was very subtle and pleasant on the palate. The swiss cheese had a buttery and nutty flavor. The bland taste of the swiss cheese complimented the sweetness of the wine very well. However, the after taste of the swiss cheese didn't compliment the wine, which was interesting.

This wine & cheese pairing was definitely a learning experience. I always thought that any wine and any cheese would go together, but I was wrong. Through this experience, I realized how hard it is to match wines with cheeses. 

Tasting - "2013 Rubus Colchagua Valley Chardonnay"

Name: Rubus Colchagua Valley Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Colchagua Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $9.95

Winery review: "The Rubus 2013 Colchagua Valley Chardonnay displays layers of tropical fruit, pineapple, banana and the distinctive mineral character typical of the Colchagua Valley. A long and rich finish with just enough toast and vanilla to complement seafood ranging from salmon to wild trout."
My review: On the nose, this wine had aromas of citrus and grapefruit. I also smelled melon peel and honey. The most extinguishable aroma was the grapefruit. On the palate, I tasted lemon and very citrus-y flavors. This wine overall tasted kind of dry and had some tannins that gave it tartness like lemon. I also noticed hints of tropical fruits and bananas on the palate. I tasted this on its own with no accompanying food.

Tasting - "2010 Peter Lehmann Chardonnay"

Name: Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Variety: Muscat Blanc

Region: Barossa Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95
Shop/wine critic/winery review: "The 2010 Chardonnay presents subtle notes of spice apple slices and ripe peaches with hints of freshly baked break and melon. Light bodied, clean and refreshingly crisp in the mouth, it offers just enough apple and pear flavor concentration, finishing with medium-long persistence. Drink it now to 2014."
My review: This wine was surprisingly dry and crisp. On the nose, there were hints of cinnamon, apple, pear, and apricot. Melon peel and apple came through on the palate. The flavors were complemented with a few oaky characteristics such as smoke and vanilla. A little bitter. This wine was nice, but I don't know if I'd go out of my way to purchase it again. I tasted this on its own with no accompanying food.

Tasting - "Barefoot Refresh Crisp White"

Name: Barefoot Refresh Crisp White

Variety: Riesling Blended W/ Chenin Blanc
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: -
Price: $5.99
Shop/wine critic/winery review: "This wine is sweet without being gooey. It is a blend of two of the better white wine grapes, chenin blanc and riesling, so you will know it will have plenty of flavors. It offers melon and pear before ending in crisp citrus."
My review: My friends and I agreed that this wine was a light straw color in the glass. On the nose, it had a very fruity apple aroma. The nose really excited me since I love anything apple scented/flavored. Upon tasting, it had a very crisp and light taste and mouthfeel with bubbles. There wasn't much of a finish, and didn't leave much of an aftertaste. I really liked the lightness of it. My friends and I had lobster risotto for dinner, and we all agreed that it complimented the wine perfectly. It was a nice pairing.

Tasting - "Barefoot Pink Moscato"

Name: Barefoot Pink Moscato

Variety: Moscato, Rose Wine
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: -
Price: $5.99
Shop/wine critic/winery review: "Aromas of Mandarin orange and sweet jasmine crash into each other to create a deliciously sweet sea of pink goodness. Subtle flavors of cherry, raspberry, and pomegranate wash ashore in the flavorful experience."
My review: Needless to say, this was hands down the best wine I've ever tasted. I think this wine would be the perfect suggestion for people who hate drinking wine. So delicious. On the nose, it had really sweet and fruity aromas. It tasted like grapes, strawberries, peaches, and red apples. The taste of alcohol was mild. This wine works terrific as a dessert wine, and goes really well with cheesecake. I would recommend this wine for newbies.

Tasting - "2011 Tres Ojos Garnacha"

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha

Variety: Grenacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Shop/wine critic/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!"
My review: On the nose, this wine had strong aromas of spicy raspberries that showed a good balance of sweet and savory. The taste was very oak-y, and the finish was extremely dry. The description on the bottle convinced me to try this wine, but I didn't enjoy it too much. 

Tasting - "Bricco Dei Tati Rose"

Name: Bricco Dei Tati Rose

Variety: Barbera
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: -
Price: $7.95
Shop/wine critic/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, this wine had notes of strawberries and had a rosy scent. The scent had a bit of acidity and was overall fresh. It was the best smelling wine I have ever had. The consistency was very thin. On the palate, I tasted exactly what I expected from the sniffs. It was sweet, a bit sour, fruity, and also tannic. No accompanying food, but I think it would go well with fruits or anything sweet.

Dinner & Wine Pairing @ Home #2

Three other classmates and I decided to do a dinner & wine pairing yesterday. We had two main dishes of alfredo pasta and spicy shrimp rolls, a garden salad, and an ice cream for dessert. The wines we paired with these foods were two cabernet sauvignons and a pinot noir.

Overview of our dinner

2012 Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon

Spicy Shrimp Rolls

First, we decided to try the 2012 Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon with the spicy shrimp rolls. On the nose, this wine had aromas of black fruits and berries, specifically black cherries. On the palate, there were chewy black currants, definitely cherries, some blackberries, and some sort of jam. The mid-palate was ripe, and the finish lingered with some oaky taste. This bold full-bodied red wine was an okay pair with the sushi rolls. The only problem with pairing sushi with this wine was the soy sauce. I think it's because soy sauce obliterates the taste of most wines. When I tried the wine again with sushi minus the soy sauce, I was more satisfied.

2013 Kendall-Jackson 

Vinter's Reserve Pinot Noir

Garden Salad

Next, we decided to try the 2013 Kendall-Jackson Vinter's Reserve Pinot Noir with garden salad. On the nose, this wine had aromas of strawberries, cherries, and some raspberries. The taste had earthy notes with a mix of cola, and there was definitely some spice mixed in there as well. The finish was smoky, and I think I tasted some vanilla. This wine was a good pair with the garden salad, especially because the dressing we used had a squeeze of lemon juice. The acidity of the salad dressing and the ingredients used in the salad went really well with the wine. Just my opinion from my past wine & food pairing experiences, but I think salads are easy to pair with most wines.

2010 Francis Ford Coppola
Cabernet Sauvignon

Alfredo Pasta

Lastly, we tried the 2010 Francis Ford Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon with alfredo pasta. On the nose, this wine had aromas of berries, plums, and spice. On the palate, I tasted cherries, plums, currants, cassis, and a hint of vanilla. The taste was really bitter at first, but as we let the wine breathe for about 10 minutes, the bitterness decreased. The finish was smooth. Alfredo pasta was a nice pair with this Cabernet Sauvignon. The boldness of the wine matched the creaminess of the alfredo pasta very well. I highly recommend this pair.

Homestead Creamery Ice Cream

To top everything off, we had some ice cream! The ice cream wasn't paired with any of the wines. Initially, we were planning on including the ice cream in our pairings, but we just decided not to.

(From left to right) Me, Jiye, Sukyoung, Michael

Tasting - "2011 Mas Llunes Maragda Granacha Blanco"

Name: Mas Llunes Maragda Granacha Blanco Emporda

Variety: 100% White Grenache
Region: Emporda, Catalonia
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $9.95
Shop/wine critic/winery review: "This Grenache Blanc is exquisitely sculpted with sharp acids and pinpointed minerals, and offers orange, melon, and vanilla-honey flavors. A delight to drink, at a great price."
My review: This was a really nice, almost colorless white wine. On the nose, it had an obvious green apple scent with hints of lime and lemon peel. On the palate, I tasted strong acidity which was tempered with some honey. The apple taste was there from the beginning to finish, but it didn't linger. This wine overall was very crisp and clean, a little dry too. I did not have this wine with any food, but I think it would pair well with seafood dishes or salty chips.

Dinner & Wine Pairing @ Home (Asian Fusion)

Over the weekend, I went home to NoVa, and decided to do a dinner/wine pairing on early Saturday evening with my mom and aunt. The three wines we paired with our dinner were a merlot, a pinot noir, and a chambourcin.

Overview of what our dinner looked like!

Salad

2010 Chateu Ste. Michelle Merlot

The first wine we used in our pairing was the 2010 Chateu Ste. Michelle Merlot. This wine offered aromas of cherries, blackberries, and spice with layers of rich and dark red fruit flavors and a long, smooth, sweet finish. A review of this wine by Great Northwest Wine said that it is easily one of Washington's largest productions of Merlot. We paired this wine with some salad, and it was surprisingly nice. Usually, I find that salads are not so easy to pair with wines since acidic dressings and raw greens don't seem to really flatter wine, so we decided to add some black olives and a dressing with more flavor and less acid. I think it was a brilliant idea that we drank this wine with a simple salad and a much lighter dressing than what we have on our usual salads.

2012 Joseph Drouhin Laforet Pinot Noir

Pajeon

Next, we decided to pair pajeon (a traditional Korean dish consisting of green onion, shrimp, red pepper, etc) with the 2012 Joseph Drouhin Laforet Pinot Noir. This wine had aromas of raspberries, red-currants, and black-currants on the nose. After that, in the mouth, pleasant spicy notes with fresh and fruity berry flavors with light tannins. At first, we had no idea if this wine would pair well with pajeon, but it was a pleasant experience. The label was right about this wine pairing well with many different types of foods. The pajeon helped bring out the fruity/berry notes in this wine, and the wine brought the savory flavor of the pajeon to the surface. Overall, this wine and food pairing worked surprisingly well, and they helped balance each other.

Three Fox Vineyards Rosso Dolce Chambourcin

Creamy cheesy corn

Finally, the third wine we used in our pairing was the Rosso Dolce Chambourcin from Three Fox Vineyards. The wine description said that it could be paired with any sweet foods. We wanted to pair this wine with something buttery and sweet, so we paired it with some creamy cheesy corn. This wine had aromas of red berries on the nose. I think what the description meant as in "sweet foods" was something like chocolate, because this wine paired with corn was not so pleasant. However, the sweetness of the wine was very subtle and enjoyable. I think it would make a great dessert wine.

Overall, I think we had an interesting wine-pairing dinner. I enjoyed all of the wines that we tasted. I enjoyed the chambourcin the most, but not so much with its pairing. I tend to like wines with sugar residuals, so I wasn't surprised that this one was my favorite. I would drink all three of these wines again if I could, and would consider trying out different foods that they pair with as well.

Tasting - "Angove Zibibbo Sparkling Moscato"

Name: Angove Zibibbo Sparkling Moscato

Variety: Zibibbo (Moscato Grape)
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: No year provided
Price: $15 -> $7.95
Shop/wine critic/winery review: "This is a tasty and generous Moscato that opens with plush aromas of honey, peach syrup, white flower and fragrant exotic fruit. There’s a nice sensation of fullness and creaminess in the mouth that is backed by the foamy effervescence if this sparkling dessert wine."
My review: On the nose, this sparkling moscato smelled amazingly sweet. The alcohol content in it was very well integrated and was hidden within the fruity and sugary aroma. I tasted some peach and hints of apple on the mid-palate. It tasted more like a non-alcoholic sparkling apple cider, which I really enjoyed. This wine was overall slightly acidic and honeysuckle sweet and had a clean palate finish. I would repurchase. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "2010 Bodega Norton Sangiovese"

Name: Bodega Norton Sangiovese

Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95
Shop/wine critic/winery review: "Red with violet hints. Aromas of red berries, strawberries and raspberries. Fresh fruit on the mouth, with pleasant finish."
My review: This might sound really absurd, but the nose of this wine smelled like tomato sauce. It was not too overpowering, but it was definitely there. This smell was tasted in the spiciness of the wine. There was a short spice in the mid-palate. The wine was dry, balanced, but with a lingering spice. There weren't any fruit flavors described in the winery's review.

Tasting - "Opera Prima Pink Moscato"

Name: Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Variety: Moscato
Region: Spain
Country: Spain
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $5.95
Shop/wine critic/winery review: "This fine sparking presents an intense aroma of fresh berries and tropical fruits with hints of white flavor petals. Delicate bubbles caress the palate offering a silky and pleasant sweetness well balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish. Ideal on its own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts."
My review: This wine looks like a blush in a sparkling wine bottle. On the nose, I smelled some soapy and floral scents, along with some strawberry and raspberry. The taste was very sweet and smooth and had a fun texture. I personally enjoyed it with a spicy dinner.

Tasting - "2012 Vina Borgia Borsao"

Name: Vina Borgia Borsao
Variety: Grenache
Region: Campo de Borja 
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Shop/wine critic/winery review: "Also made from 100% Grenache, the 2012 Vina Borgia was fermented and aged in stainless steel. Its medium dark ruby color is followed by abundant notes of strawberries and black cherries offered in a straightforward, medium-bodied, soft, hedonistic, round style. It is hard to believe a wine this good can sell for $7 a bottle. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years."
My review: The nose was overwhelming. It gave off aromas of cherries, but also strong alcohol and dryness. This wine had a more fruity nose than most grenaches. As for taste, it had a cherry taste, but was flat from the start to finish and also dry. I would not recommend this wine.

Tasting - "2012 Cortenova Pinot Grigio"

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Venezia
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Shop/wine critic/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: Out of all the wines I tried for this course, this was by far my favorite. I really enjoyed it! On the nose, I smelled some grape, strawberry, and fresh squeezed lime. It had overall a very bright floral and fruity aroma. The flavor was very light. The initial texture of the wine was crisp and a bit dry. The finish was clean and refreshing. I would agree with the critic's review and say that this wine would be a great aperitif.

Tasting - "2012 The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc"

Name: The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Cape Province, Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Shop/wine critic/winery review: "One of the greatest buys I have tasted this year is this under $10, 100% Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape. A super flowery-scented nose includes notions of ripe honeydew melons and pears. This medium-weight, fresh, fruity, crisp, dry, textbook Chenin Blanc will provide immense pleasure over the next 12 months."
My review: The initial sniff was fruity, sweet, and floral. As for taste, it tasted like honey and melon. There was slightly a dusty undertone to this wine, which I found pleasant. A little dry. There was a low tannic and crisp finish. I enjoyed this wine with pepper jack cheese.

Tasting - "2011 Villa d' Orvieto"

Name: Willa d' Orvieto
Variety: White Blend
Region: Umbria
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Shop/wine critic/winery review: "It’s a blend of Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), and Malvasia. Fresh and crisp, it has a beautiful floral bouquet. It is wonderful with appetizers, fish, chicken, and salads."
My review: On the nose, very minimal aromas of light citrus and a hint of grass came through. I tasted barely any flavor at all, but it tasted slightly sweet. There was a bit of heat on the finish. I personally did not enjoy this wine. I didn't have any food with this.

Tasting - "2012 Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling"

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: N/A
Country: Germany
Year: 2012
Price: $9.95
Shop/wine critic/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: On the nose, there were scents of floral and honey. Also a little citrus. The taste of this wine was overall sweet with a bit of acidity. There were also some fruit and floral on the palate. Personally, the wine didn't taste very interesting. I did not have any food with this wine.

Tasting - "2012 Norton Sauvignon Blanc"

Name: Bodega Norton Sauvignon
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Cuyo, Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $12
Shop/wine critic/winery review: "Aromas of pithy citrus and pineapple are decent but unrefined, while flavors of tangerine and pineapple are tropical, zesty and what they are. This is nothing more than a fresh, simple, citrusy white to sip on the patio."
My Review: On the nose, there were mild citrus aromas and also floral aromas. For a white wine, it tasted more full bodied than I expected it to be. There were some hints of grapefruit and herbs. Fresh and fruity on the palate. I had this wine without food.

Wine Tasting – "2010 Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon"

Name: Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95
Shop/wine critic/winery review: "This Cabernet Sauvignon shows very good purity of fruit and skillful winemaking. This wine is full of black-fruit aromas, depth and style. The palate pushes ripe plum and berry fruit along with chocolate, and the finish is chewy and correct in terms of tannins and structure."
My Review: On the nose, there were aromas of dark chocolate, berries, and plum. The first sip gave a tingling feeling while not being too hot. Chocolate with a hint of spice was the main flavor I tasted with some berries and plum. I didn't try this wine with food, but I feel like it will go well with some dark chocolate. 

Tasting- "Morada Sangria"

Name: Morada Sangria
Variety: Red Blend
Region: N/A
Country: Spain
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $4.95
Shop/wine critic/winery review: "Morada Sangria is a traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts. Garnet color and fresh on the palate. Pasteurization preserves the color, aromas, and flavors. At 7% alcohol, it is very refreshing with around 85 grams of sugar. Sangria is now one of the hottest items in the beverage industry and it's growing exponentially year to year. Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana, or apple."
My Review: This sangria has a refreshing color, a little lighter than most reds. The nose is full of fruit scents, specifically orange and cranberry. The sangria is sweet and refreshing. It kinda tastes like cranberry juice with a splash of orange juice. It would be great to drink on a hot summer day.

Tasting - "2013 Canyon Road Pinot Grigio"

Name: Canyon Road Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Gris

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2013
Price: $6.95

Shop/wine critic/winery review: "This medium-bodied wine has hints of green apple, citrus, white peach and floral blossom. Crisp, the Pinot Grigio leaves a refreshing and revitalizing finish on your palate."

My review: On the nose, there was lemony/citrus scents. The taste had hints of apple, citrus, peach, and floral (as mentioned by the shop's review). This wine is on the sweet side. It seems to pair well with pasta and salad.