Sunday, January 31, 2016

Tasting- Butterfly Kiss Moscato

Name: Butterfly Kiss Moscato
Variety: White Moscato
Region: Central Valley 
Country: Chile
Year: 2012
Price: $13

Winery ReviewAromas of honeydew and apricot, gently kissed by orange blossom, candied pineapple and a hint of lime zest.

My Review: Since I am a fan of sweet wines, I was excited to try this Moscato. It had a flowery or sweet honey nose to it. My initial taste of it was a melon flavor. It was sweet but not too overpowering with a delightful finish. It was the best wine I tried at the tasting. 

*Was not paired with food 

Tasting- Purple Paws Zinfandel





Name: Purple Paws Zinfandel 
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Lodi, California
Year: 2012
Price: $15




Winery Review: Purple Paws Zinfandel 2012 exhibits hints of cherry on front of your palate and vanilla on the finish. It pairs well with good friends and barbecue.


My Review:  I have never had a zinfandel before. The initial nose of the wine had a smell of several spices including black pepper. The taste of it was a light fruit tasting like cherries or raspberry. The overall finish was not that good. Not a fan of it. 

*Was not paired with food 

Tasting- Purple Paws Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Purple Paws Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: Not Available 
Price: $15

Shop Review: If a Cabernet can be smooth and creamy, this one is. It offers plenty of fruit flavor, smooth tannins that coat the mouth in a good way, plus a plush texture that keeps it from being even a bit harsh. With light body, a soft mouthfeel and lingering finish, there’s much to like.

My Review: From my past experiences with Cabernet Sauvignon, I have either liked it or disliked it. In this specific taste, I did enjoy it. I got flavors of blackberry or a slight raisin flavor. The nose had hints of a smokey wood flavor. There was a slight lingering affect to the wine. 

*Was not paired with food 

Tasting- Rosemount Chardonnay

Name: Rosemount
Variety: Chardonnay
Region:  South Australia
Country: Australia 
Year: 2013
Price: $10

Winery Review: This world-renowned wine shows peachy tropical fruit and melon characters on the nose, with a hint of citrus freshness and judicious use of oak. The palate is generous and soft with full, ripe tropical flavors folded into a creamy backdrop that is beautifully structured with a long satisfying finish.

My Review: I have enjoyed Chardonnay in the past, and this wine was no different. I got an initial earthy oak smell. After tasting, I got the fruity hint of pear. It was very light bodied, and had a calming finish. 

*Was not paired with food 

Tasting- La Lejania Sauvignon Blanc

Name: La Lejania
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Price: $10

Winery Review: Aromas of green apple and citrus are as classic as it gets for Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. This is straight forward but enjoyable, with modest minerality. Flavors of citrus and gooseberry carry over onto a refreshing finish.

My Review: The nose of the wine got a smell of a light citrus flavor. My initial taste of this wine I got a flavor of grapefruit. The after taste was too overpowering and had a strong acid or lime finish to it. I did not enjoy this particular Sauvignon Blanc. 

*Was not paired with food 

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Introduction Wine Blog


Hello and welcome to my wine blog! I am very exciting to start this journey and greatly expand my experience with wine. I do not have a lot of experience with wine, as I am more of a beer drinker. I have always wanted to become a wine drinker, but I always get flustered when I have all the choices at the stores, and too afraid to waste money on an entire bottle that I do not like it. I am looking forward to the wine tasting so I can start to get to know which types of wine I like, and how to pair with complementing meals.

From the little experience I do have, I know that I prefer white wines to red. I have enjoyed sweeter wines compared to dryer ones. I believe that my favorite type of wine so far has been Riesling. As for reds, I don't have a great opinion on ones I like. I don't like really dark wines. I hope with this class, I am able to have a greater appreciation for red wine, and be a well rounded wine drinker. I also want to learn the correct process to taste wine. I have been to wine tastings at wineries, but rather than doing the whole process, I end up just taking the glass down in one sip.

I have not been drinking wine for that long. My only true wine drinking experiences is drinking cheap boxed wine with my friends or the few wine tastings at wineries. My mom is a big wine fanatic, and she belongs to the Virginia Wine Club. When I was underage, I was dragged as the designated driver to many wineries in Northern Virginia. I have enjoyed the winery experience, but as for the product, I have little knowledge.

I hope to learn from this class more about the process of how wine is made. I am also looking forward to getting to know what wines pair well with different foods. I do believe that wine can enhance the dining experience and I want to be able to know what pairs well. At the end of the class, I want to have a greater appreciation for the entire culture of wine, and I hope I can consider myself a wine drinker at the end of the semester!