Dinner - Zeppolis (Italy)

My friends and I attended the Wednesday night wine tasting dinner at Zeppolis on April 20th that had Ryan Keaton as the lecturer. They had a wide range of different wines and varietals to try and we ended up tasting thirteen different wines.

The list of wines we tasted is below:
-Social: Astica 2013 Sauvignon Blanc Argentina
-Jekel: 2014 Riesling Moneterey
-Be Bright: 2013 Pinot Grigio Napa
-Josh: 2014 Sauvignon Blanc North Coast
-Cellar 8: 2012 Chardonnay Napa
-Red Tree: 2013 Chardonnay California
-Mirassou: Pinot Nior
-Red Tree: 2013 Pinot Nior California
-Amberhill: 2012 Secret Blend California
-Crusher: 2013 Merlot Wilson Vineyard Clarksburg
-BV Coastal Estates: 2013 Zinfandel Sonoma
-William Hill: 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast
-The Good Lot: 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Chalk Hill Sonoma

The three I am going to talk about are three that really interested me, either good or bad, from the bunch and those are the 1) Josh 2014 Sauvignon Blanc from the North Coast, 2) Red Tree 2013 Chardonnay from California, and 3) Crusher 2013 Merlot Wilson Vineyard from Clarksburg.

The first wine that interested me was the Josh 2014 Sauvignon Blanc. The reason I chose this wine is because it had an Old World smell with tones of mold and an earthy vibe but had a more New World taste. I thought this contradiction in smell and taste was unique and something I've never tried before. When tried alone, as I said, it had an moldy smell and a soft lemongrass flavor that was amplified by the biting aftertaste it left on my palate. When tried with just bread the tannins were softened and the aftertaste wasn't as harsh. The cheese had an old affect in that it brought out more of the moldiness in the smell and some of the taste than when just tried by itself. My favorite food pairing with this wine was the lasagna. The tomato sauce really combined nicely with the Josh and gave the flavor profile a lot more depth and body.

The second wine was the Red Tree 2013 Chardonnay and the reason I chose this wine was because it was my favorite of the night and had a really high rating from the other wine tasters around us. The nose of this wine reminded me of a fruit orchard. It smelled heavily of pears and fresh apples. The nose is what made me first like this wine because of the sweetness of the fruit and like any typical beginning wine taster, I tend to like the sweeter wines more than the dry reds. Anyway, the taste of this wine alone brought more citrus flavors than sweet fruit and had a mild body with a refreshing light feeling of weak acid on my palate. With cheese, this wine was not as good because the cheese had a strong yeast/mold flavor and it did not compliment well with the citrus and fruit from this wine. With the potatoes this wine took on a more full bodied wine and I felt the acid more with the neutral food pairing. And finally with the frittata, this wine was enhanced with more an almost natural floral taste that reminded me of roses and this was surprising because it came out of nowhere for me.

The final wine I will talk about in this blog was my least favorite wine and that was the Crusher 2013 Merlot from Wilson Vineyard in Clarksburg. The reason I didn't like this wine is not a complex one. The smell immediately pur me off with a burnt rubber nose coming through with an almost gag worthy smell of smoked meat. The taste wasn't much better. Alone, the Crusher Merlot tasted like a combination of dried plums and plastic. It left a strong dry tannic aftertaste that burned the plastic, fake taste into the back of my throat and no matte what I ate I couldn't seem to get rid of it until the next wine came along. With bread this wine's taste didn't change a bit and still had that overpowering plastic taste with old fruit. With the potatoes this wine was softened, if only slightly, and didn't seem to last as long in the back of my mouth as it did by itself. And with the mac and cheese this wine lasted only a few second before being drowned out by the delicious cheese and garlic taste of the pasta for which I was thankful.

These three wines were the most interesting to me from the group of thirteen we tried last night and I think for good reason. Trying new wines is not always a treat for my palate but I am definitely learning a lot and I like the idea of pairing them with different foods to see how the tastes and smells change when combined with different ingredients. Below is a picture of the wines and some of the food I sampled last night at Zeppolis.

Tasting - Baci Dolci

Baci Dolci

Mosto Di Uve Parzialmente

Fermentato Non Vintage

50% Marzemino, 50% Merlot

Sale Price $9.95

Colli Euganei, Italy

Winery Review: A blend of 50% Marzemino 50% Merlot.  A delicate, slightly frizzante wine with an intense, ruby red color. Fresh strawberry & black cherry aromas with hints of roses. Cherry pie flavors, medium-full bodied with refreshing sparkle to balance the semi- sweet finish.

My Review: This wine had a lighter red color than the last and a carbonation that made it unique in this group. The smell reminded me of vinegar and sugar. The taste was sweet with hints of strawberries and floral notes. I liked this wine.

Tasting - Oasis del Cuyo

Oasis del Cuyo

Malbec 

Sale Price $6.95

Mendoza, Argentina

Winery Review: Deep ruby color. Appealing red fruit nose with hints of tobacco. Medium bodied with a smooth and lush mouth-feel. Finishes dry with lasting flavors. Excellent choice for a young and fruity everyday wine. Enjoy as an aperitif or with meats and pasta dishes.

My Review: This wine had a deep reddish purple color and smelled like cigarette smoke. The taste was harsh to my palate and had a dry finish. It had small fruit undertones but not enough to balance the alcohol bite in this wine. 

Tasting - Terranoble II

Terranoble

Cabernet Sauvignon

2013

$8.95

Central Valley, Chile

Winery Review: This Cabernet Sauvignon offers an intense and deep color and lovely aromas of red fruit, pepper and tobacco. It has smooth tannins, very freshness and rich fruit, which gives the wine a good balance. Pair with barbecued beef ribs, grilled sea bass, or spaghetti alla Bolognese.

My Review: I really liked the red color of this wine. The smell reminded me of freshly grinded pepper and grass. The taste was strong and had a big body. It tasted like dark fruit such as pomegranates and cherries. 

 

Tasting - Terranoble

Terranoble

Chardonnay

2014

$8.95

Central Valley, Chile

Winery Review: This Chardonnay offers a wine with an attractive color and lovely aromas, such as ripe pear and pineapple, mixed with butter and vanilla notes. It is a fresh style of white wine, with medium persistence in mouth. Ideal as an aperitif.

My Review: This wine was a pretty light color. The smell reminded me of Italian herbs and a sour fruit. I didn't like the taste because it left a residue oily feeling in my mouth. The taste was fruity but also heavy. 

Tasting - Santola

Santola

Vinho Verde

Loureiro and Pederna

$7.95

Vinho Verde, Portugal

Winery Review: Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh.

My Review: This wine had a light color. It smelled slightly chemical to me, and had an almost hot smell. The taste was the opposite with a light sharp finish of light fruit such as pears and peaches. I liked the taste of this wine. 

Tasting - Lost Vineyards

Lost Vineyards

Spumante Italiano

Moscato

Non Vintage

$6.95

Piedmont, Italy

Winery Review: Pale color. Confected, fruity aromas of yellow apple, honeysuckle, pear tartlet, and honeydew melon with a satiny, shy, spritzy, moderately sweet light-to-medium body and a sleek, fast yellow apple, candied pear, honeycomb, and sweet papaya finish with no tannins and no oak. Simple and approachable with sweet apple, melon and candied pear on a framework of gentle, delightful bubbles.

My Review: This was my favorite wine of the night. The color was a nice see-through honey color and nose reflected sweet fruit and honey. I loved the smoothness of this wine on my palate and the bubbly feeling on my tongue. This wine is sweet but not overly so and had very little tannic bite to it. It was almost like drinking adult apple juice. 

 

Tasting - Jip Jip Rocks

Jip Jip Rocks

Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon

Regular Price $19 Sale

$8.95

Padthaway , Australia

Winery Review: This is red wine is a well above average effort with lots of flavor as well as Australia's so easily obtainable, lush fruit. The 2013 Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon (55% and 45% respectively) exhibits a dark ruby/purple hue along with a layered, peppery, berry fruit-scented nose revealing licorice and meaty notes. From a much lighter vintage, it is a supple, easygoing red to enjoy now and over the next several years.

My Review: This wine smelled heavily of tropical fruit with a strong overtone of salami and had a nice purple color. The strange combination on the nose was reflected in the taste. I first tasted fruit immediately but that was followed swiftly by a sharp alcohol meat flavor. I did not enjoy this wine at all. 

Tasting - Cavit

Cavit

Alta Luna

Pinot Noir

2011

Sale Price $9.95

Winery Review: On the nose cherry, plum and berry aromas mingle with notes of spice and tobacco. On the palate soft, supple tannins and refreshing acidity are beautifully balanced by ripe cherry fruit flavors on the finish which is dry, harmonious and elegant.

My Review: This wine was darker than the first few and the first red wine I tasted out of this bunch. The nose had a sugary cherry smell. It had a plum and blueberry-ish flavor that added the sweetness and the dry, tannic bite added the opposite effect. 

Tasting - El Cortijillo

El Cortijillo

Verdejo

2014

$5.95

La Monacha, Spain

Winery Review: Golden straw color. Bright, attractive, tropical aromas of creme brulee and fruit tart with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, intriguing, snappy lime and apple finish with crunchy, fruit tannins and light oak. A super smooth and pure white sipper.

My Review: The color was beautiful wheat color and had a pleasant, sweet smell that reminded me of freshly cut grass and lemons. The feeling of this wine was smooth on my palate and had a strong taste of seasonal fruit such as apples and had a bit of bark flavor also. It was a decent wine. 

Tasting - Trattoria

Trattoria Busa Alla Torre

Pinot Grigio

2014

$7.95

Veneto, Italy

Winery Review: It is crisp and dry, rich and spicy with hints of peach and honey…perfect with salads, pasta, chicken and fish! 

My Review: This wine had a strong nose with a hot smell almost like heated metal. The taste was dry and fruity but lacked the punch I was expecting with how spicy the nose was. I didn't hate it but I didn't love this wine either. 

Tasting - Beringer

Beringer

Chenin Blanc

2014

$5.95 Sale Price

California

Winery Review: A fresh green-apple aroma and vivid citrus and crisp apple flavors are supported by vibrant acidity in this medium-bodied wine. The texture is smooth but crisp, making lots of good food pairings come to mind, from pre-meal cheese, to salads, seafood and veggie pastas.

My Review: This wine has a soft yellow color and it was my favorite wine of the night. It had a sharp, fruity smell that reminded my of a fruit salad. It's taste was also fruity with an overpowering taste of apple that was pleasant and almost like drinking alcoholic apple juice. 

Tasting - Carraia

Carraia

Aglianico

$9.95 Sale Price

Campagna, Itlay

Winery Review: Produced in the Campania region of Italy, this Aglianico has delicious black fruit flavors with hints of licorice, volcanic soil and tar notes. Classic in nature, yet in a lighter, more crowd-pleasing style, the Carraia is made of the ancient Aglianico grape. This black grape originated in Greece and today is widely grown in Basilicata and Campania.

My Review: Right off the bat I could tell this wine was going to be full-bodied because of the color and the smell. It is a dark red, almost purple color, and smelled hot with hints of bitter candy and gasoline. First taste displayed a wide range of flavors that was overpowered by an earthy quality and a heavy, oily feeling it left behind. I did not like this wine. 

Tasting - Siemo

Siemo

Vino Rosso

Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo

$6.95 Sale Price

Winery Review: Intense ruby red with soft garnet nuances in the glass, the Rosso is intriguingly fresh, fruity and spicy on the nose. Perfectly round and balanced, the wine is particularly soft and dry. Pair with simple dishes like fresh cheese, ham, salami, or pizza for a divine culinary experience.

My Review: This wine had a beautiful red color, especially when light glinted off of it. This smell of this wine was a contradiction in that it had undertones of sweet fruit but one of the main things I kept smelling was hot sausage or pepperoni. This combination however did not carry over into the taste. It was a lot sweeter than I thought it would be and didn't have the bite I expected. This wine was one of my favorites of the tasting. 

Tasting - Dom de la Foret

Dom de la Foret

Grenache Cinsault

Rose de Mediterranee

$8.95 Sale Price

Provence, France

Winery Review: A stony, pure style, with a warm paving stone note framing the dried cherry and rose water notes. The long, watermelon rind—inflected finish is finely tuned. Shows length and cut, staying lacy in feel. 50% Cinsault and 50% Grenache.

My Review: This wine was a beautiful rose color. This wine had a slightly hot feel to it that complimented the fruity nose. There was a hint of sweetness such as cherry but it was almost drowned out by the alcohol flavor I got from this wine. It was a decent wine but not my favorite. 

Tasting - Bricco dei Tati

Bricco dei Tati

Cortese

2013

$6.95 Sale Price

Piemonte, Italy

Winery Review: Great Value! Treat this terrific little white like a red: Don’t chill it too much, then let it open for a half-hour to develop its enticing tropical fruit flavors. It’s dry, but the fruit gives an appealing illusion of sweetness. Great as an aperitif or with light seafood dishes.

My Review: This wine had a nice light color and had a pleasant smell of pineapple and mango. I'm am not a huge fan of dry white wines and this one was exactly that. It had a tannic component that hit me straight away and left a sharp taste in my mouth after I swallowed. This wine was okay in my opinion. 

 

Tasting - Crane Lake II

Crane Lake

Riesling

2013

$5.95 Sale Price

California

Winery Review: The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine.

My Review: The appearance of this wine was of a soft red color. The smell was sweet but had a small bite to it. The taste was a lovely mix of soft fruit and harsher alcohol. This was my favorite wine of the bunch. 

Tasting - Crane Lake I

Crane Lake

Shiraz

2013

$5.95 Sale Price

California 

Winery Review: Beautiful ruby appearance, with blackberry and pepper notes. Tannins and fruit marry well for a soft finish. This wine pairs well with sharp cheddar cheese and hazelnuts. Also try it along with roast lamb at Easter time, veal marsala, or grilled salmon.

My Review: The dark red of this wine was beautiful and glossy. The smell was soft and not what I expected from this wine. The smell was the opposite of the taste. There was a heavy taste of black currant jam and sharp pepper. This wine was too heavy for me. 

Tasting - Georges Duboeuf

Georges Duboeuf

Nouveau 2015

$5.95 Sale Price

Beaujolais, France

Winery Review: A cornucopia of expressive fruit wrapped in an almost-bubblegum-like frame; it is the flagship Nouveau.

My Review: This wine smelled like expensive, acidic perfume, and had a sweet after smell. On first taste I got a huge sense of strawberries and vanilla. The combination was weird but it wasn't unpleasant. This wine was okay in my book. 

Tasting - Maipe

Maipe Torrontes

2014

$7.95 Sale Price

Mendoza, Argentina

Winery Review: The wine has a 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.

My Review: I loved the smell of this wine. It reminded me of a fruit salad my mother used to make often when I was little. The strongest distinct smell was of peaches. The taste had similar fruity flavors to the smell. I liked this wine. 

Tasting - Tonnino

Tonnino

Pinot Grigo

$7.95 Sale Price

Sicily, Italy

Winery Review: It is fresh and clean on the nose with fruity notes of pear, green apple and white peaches. The palate is true to the nose with a fresh acidity, coriander and lime notes followed by a crisp finish. This wine pairs well with youthful aperitifs, clams or mussels, pastas and risotto dishes.

My Review: This wine had a pretty golden yellow color. At first smell, I noticed light fruity smells such as apple and some citrus' such as light lemon. It has a sharp acid taste that sat heavy on my tongue but was eventually overridden by the fruitiness of this wine. It did not leave a bad aftertaste. 

Tasting - Peter Mertes

Peter Mertes

Sweet Red Dornfelder

2014

Sale Price $6.95

California, Germany

Winery Review: The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine.

My Review: This wine was a dark red color that you could still see through. The nose of this wine smelled like pine and cherries which I thought was an odd combination. It had a small bite to it on first taste but that was softened by the plum flavor. This wine was okay.

Tasting - Castello Sonnino

Castello Sonnino

Chianti Montespertoli

2010

Sale Price $8.95

Chianti, Italy

Winery Review: A blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti. Rich and modern, with a dark, saturated color and aromas of graham cracker and lemon rind. A juicy palate packed with plum and raspberry is carried by a creamy texture that’s rather toasty in terms of flavor. The finish is round, full and chocolaty.

My Review: The color of this wine was a dark ruby red. It smelled like dried leaves and had a sharp floral smell. The taste of this wine was very full of acid and took me by surprise at first. I didn't like the sharpness of the acid and the fruit. It left a film that coated my mouth after I swallowed and I didn't like the oily texture.

Tasting - Bolla Bardolino

Bolla Bardolino

Magnum 2013

Sale Price $8.95

Bardolino, Italy

Winery Review: bright ruby red wine has hints of black cherry on the nose.  It is soft and fruit-forward, with black-fruit flavors followed by a bright and fresh finish.

My Review: This wine was darker than the other two in color. It had a metallic smell with strong hints of dark fruit such as blackberry or cherry. The taste complimented the smell and kept with the dark berry flavor. It wasn't as soft as the other two but it's have the bite at the end. Overall, I liked this wine.

Tasting - Tenuta Le Velette

Tenuta Le Velette

Orvieto Classico

Sale Price $6.95

Orvieto, Italy

Winery Review: The Berganorio Orvieto is a subtle wine with a bright palate. It shows white flowers on the nose and light citrus notes in the mouth. Its neutral character means it can accompany a wide range of foods

My Review: The smell of this wine was a nice transition from the first one. It had a softer bite and was slightly floral. First taste was a strong essence of lemon and it left a refreshing feeling in my mouth. I liked this wine and would pair it with a fresh salad and chicken.

Tasting - Avelada Praia

Avelada Praia

Vinho Verde 2013

Sale Price $8.95

Vinho Verde, Portugal

Winery Review: Full of fruit, a lasting peach flavor targeted with laserlike acidity through the finish. It has the bite of salty ocean air and a lot of zing. For langoustines.

My review: I really liked this wine. It had a nice sharp smell that transitioned well to a peach and kiwi fruity taste. This wine evolved as I continued to sip it. It had a tangy tart aftertaste. Overall, a good wine.

Dinner - Zeppolis (Italy)

(Myself between two of the red wines we tried tonight.)

A group of friends and I decided to go to dinner at Zeppolis and randomly select three wines to taste with our dinners. Sharing the "Taste of Italy" dish with my friend Josie, we began to compare the taste of these wines with meatballs, lasagna, chicken parmesan and bread.  

(The Merlot, Cabernet Syrah, and Moscato)

 The first wine was Josh Cellar's Merlot that I tried with the bread, lasagna, and chicken. The smell of this wine reminded me of sweet cherries and plum undertones. It was definitely going to be a hot wine with the spiciness I smelt. I first tried it by itself and was surprised at how much body this wine had. It was a full dry wine with a beautiful deep purple color and had a hint of black raspberries at the finish. Next I tried it with just plain bread and while it did not do much to change the hot flavor, the bread did bring out some of the sweeter more hidden flavors. Thirdly I tried it with the lasagna and as with the bread, the sweeter flavors were brought to the forefront and I tasted a distinct dried raisin flavor. Finally, I tried it with the chicken parmesan and the chicken brought out a harsh acidic bite and added a lot more spice than what I would have liked.

The second wine we tried was the Pere Et Fils Cabernet Syrah. The aroma of this wine had a slightly spicy but fruity feel that contradicted itself. By itself the Syrah had a huge acidic quality that hit your taste buds immediately. This gave the wine a oily feeling and left a soapy aftertaste in my mouth. I first tried it with bread as before, and the wine was once again softened by the bread  but it transformed the soapy feeling into a bitter aftertaste I didn't enjoy. Next up was the lasagna and I found that this brought out the more warm undertones such as plum and sugar. The final thing I tasted this wine with was the meatballs. The meat brought out a nice new texture in the wine, making it smoother and creamier on the palate.

The last wine we ordered was the Butterfly Kiss Moscato Desert Wine and the reason we chose this wine was because we knew we had dry wines and wanted something more sweet. This wine's smell surprised me. It wasn't the floral or fruity smell I was expecting but a more rubbery and slightly chemical aroma came from the glass. By itself the wine had the expected sweetness that was layered with peach and honey. I first tasted it with the chicken and it was softened even further by the white meat and it balanced out the heavy fruit flavors. With the lasagna the wine became more acidic and I could very accurately taste the alcohol level in the wine. Finally with the meatball the wine became buttery and smooth. I really enjoyed this wine.

Overall the food and the wines were fantastic and it was great to start my experiences with drinking different wines with different meals and finding what I like.

                                              (Our table - the boys tried to be cute...fail.)

Tasting - Crane Lake

Crane Lake

White Zinfandel

2013

Price - $5.95

California

Winery 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 love white zinfandels and this one was no exception. With the soft pink color and pleasant aroma of strawberries and sugar I knew I would like this wine. It was sweet on my palate and was a very light wine that complimented it's aroma nicely. I bought this wine.

Tasting - Vina Galana

Vina Galana

Alicante Bouchet 2012

Regular Price - $15

Sale Price - $9.95

Spain

Winery 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: This wine had a strong red color. The aroma reminded me of brandy with a sharp alcoholic bite to it and it had a creaminess in the smell almost like sweet butter. The tannins were evident as soon as I tasted it and it had a metallic taste to it almost like blood. I did not like this wine at all.

Tasting - Tonnino

Tonnino

Syrah 2013

Regular Price - $14

Sale Price - $7.95

Sicily, Italy

Winery 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: At first glance this wine had a beautiful red color. The smell was heavy with berries such as raspberry and blackberry and a bitter smell that reminded me of burnt rubber. This wine was dry and left my mouth feeling oily. It had a sharp taste that I couldn't place.

Tasting - Riebeek Cellars

Riebeek Cellars

Viognier 2015

Regular Price - $12

Sale Price - $7.95

Swartland, South Africa

Winery 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.

My Review: This wine was a pretty golden wheat color and had a sweet fruity aroma. At first taste, this wine came off super dry but without much bite. It had a citrus flavor that I liked like lime or lemon. It was a steady wine.

Tasting - Dom Michel Thomas

Dom Michel Thomas

Pinot Nior

Sancerre Rose 2013

Regular Price - $32

Sale Price - $8.95

Loire, France

Winery 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.

My Review: This wine wasn't my favorite but it had a nice aroma to it that contrasted the taste. It smelled like citrus with some earthy qualities underneath. I didn't like the taste as much because of the strong taste of alcohol that made it hot combined with a floral taste.

Tasting - Peter Mertes

Peter Mertes

Platinum Riesling 2014

Magnum

$9.95 Sale Price

Germany

Winery review: Light-bodied slightly sweet white wine, medium pale slightly greenish yellow. Inviting fresh white peach aroma and flavors. Easy to drink and not complicated, but whats there is very pleasant, and flavors develop in the glass.  

My Review: I loved this wine! It has a light and airy fruit smell that complimented its flavor well. The taste was a nice peach and plum sweetness that left your tongue tingling and a pleasant aftertaste in the back of your throat. 

Tasting - Crane Lake

Crane Lake

Petite Sirah 2013

$5.95

Lodi, California

Winery Review: This wine is ruby purple colored; notes of blackberry, plums, and spice predominate the nose and flavors. The tannins give a soft fill mouth feel.

My Review: This wine has a beautiful dark red color and a nice fruity smell that reminded me of pineapples. The flavor was not as sweet as I wanted it to be and gave me a very bitter and unpleasant taste in my mouth that lasted a while. 

Tasting - El Cortijillo

El Cortijillo

Tempranillo 2014

$5.95 Sale Price

La Mancha, Spain

Winery Review: Bright purple. High-pitched red berry and floral scents display goof clarity and a hint of cracked pepper. Shows a touch of jamminess to its pliant black raspberry and cherry compote flavors, with a spicy quality adding vibrancy. Finishes with a goof focus and no obvious tannis, leaving a sweet berry note behind. 

My Review: This wine was not one of my favorites from this tasting. While it had a nice red cherry and berry smell, the rosy taste was overpowered by a vinegar aftertaste. It left a strong taste behind. 

Tasting - Les Cos Francs

Les Clos Francs

Vouvray

Chenin Blanc 2012

$7.95 Sale Price

Loire Valley, France

Winery Review: The cool climate in the Vouvray appellation area insures goof acidity, which is balanced by the distinctly fruity character of the Chenon Blanc and the mineral qualities imparted by the soil. Thanks to these natural elements, this Vouvray combines elegance and vigor with honey dipped pears and an inherent freshness.  

My Review: This wine would be good with something to eat along with it. I liked the initial smell of this wine which reminded me of a raisin with a hint of citrus. My forst taste gave me the impression of an earthy undertone and combined nicely with a honey flavor. I liked this wine. 

Tasting - La Lejania

La Lejania

Chardonnay 2015

$6.95 Sale Price

Central Valley, Chile

Winery Review: A refined and suave style, with a rich array of white fruit and cream flavors, featuring a plush texture. Ripe citrus and pear notes fill the smooth finish.  

My review: The chardonnay had a dried fruit smell, almost like a fig. On first taste it had a spicy bite to it and then an oily finish that left a filmy texture in my mouth. This was one of my least favorite wines from the tasting this week.

Tasting - Yellow Tail (2)

Yellow Tail

Red Moscato Bubbles Non Vintage

$5.95 Sale Price

Australia

Wine Review: http://www.nataliemaclean.com/wine-reviews/yellow-tail-red-moscato-bubbles/223623

I LOVED this wine! I've mentioned it before in previous blogs, but I love sweet wine. The sweeter the better until it goes too far and becomes juice. This wine had the perfect blend of sweetness and bite that let you know it still had an alcohol content. At first glance this wine was a beautiful reddish purple hue. The smell was flowery and reminded me of a fresh rose. Now the taste was altogether an experience. With the carbonation adding to the subtle hints of strawberry jam, it was a delicious way to end my first wine tasting. 

Tasting - Beringer

Beringer

Smooth Red Blend

2012

$5.95 Sale Price

California

Wine Review: http://www.nataliemaclean.com/wine-reviews/beringer-founders-estate-cabernet-sauvignon-2012/207178

This wine was a personal favorite of my sisters, who went to the wine tasting with me. She even left with a bottle. I can't say that it was my favorite of the night but it was near the top. The strange combination of a sweet and fruity smell and the tangy soy sauce finish was definitely different and took me a while to find the right words to describe it. I can imagine this wine paired with a nice Asian dish. 

Tasting - Yellow Tail (1)

Yellow Tail 

Cabernet / Merlot

2014

$4.95 Sale

Australia

Wine Critics Review: https://www.vivino.com/wineries/yellow-tail/wines/cabernet-merlot-2014

I really liked this wine. I've had Cabernet and Merlot separately but this is my first experience where they have been mixed. And mixed so well. I usually tend towards liking Merlot better because it's sweeter and that's what I enjoy more than dark bitter wines but adding the Cabernet made this wine really good I think. 

What hit me first about this wines smell was the heavy nut smell. It was dry and very earthy. For this wine, the smell and taste correlated really well. The taste was a similar earthy taste with a hint of mold underneath that gave it a sort of ripe taste that I liked. The combination of the Cabernet and Merlot balanced out really well and rounded out this wine.

Tasting - Be

Be. Bright

Pinot Grigio

2013

California

$5.95

Wine Critic Review: http://www.wineskinny.com/wine-review-archive/archive-united-states/archive-usa-california/archive-usa-california-pinot-grisgrigio/

This was the first Pinot Grigio I've ever had and I wasn't a huge fan. To start off it had a slightly harsh chemical smell. It almost made me not want to try it but as I've learned the smell and taste of wine are usually quite different. 

The taste of the wine was, thankfully, not as chemical as the smell. It had spicy undertones and had a strong bite of pepper in it that wasn't what I was expecting. Combining the smell and taste of this wine created a strange mixture that was completely offputting but I don't think I'll be drinking it again.

Tasting - Dynamite

Dynamite

Sauvignon Blanc

Lake County, California

$5.95 Sale Price

Wine Critic Review: http://www.wineskinny.com/wine-review-archive/archive-united-states/archive-usa-california/archive-usa-california-sauvignonfume-blanc/

I will start by saying that I am in no way an expert at wine tasting or smelling. As my first experience with wine tasting, I was extremely out of my depth and spent most of the time at the counter eyeing the helpful chart they had to describe what I was smelling and tasting as I tried each wine. The Dynamite Sauvignon Blanc was one of my least favorite of the night but it wasn't terrible. 

The first whiff I got was of fruit. There was an almost sharp grapefruit or some other citrus fruit smell. The smell was completely different from the taste however. While it smelled sweet and fruit, on first taste there was a tangy and slightly bitter bite to it. I did not like the final finish as it left an acidy aftertaste in my mouth. 

I did not have this wine with food, and I think if I had, it would have changed the flavor possibly completely. 

My Experience With Wine So Far

By

Samantha Reed

My first experience with wine was at the dinner table on my 18th birthday with my family. I hated it. It was too sour and bitter for my liking. I realize now that it was only like that because I hadn't found a wine I enjoyed.

Since turning twenty one and expanding my alcohol reputare I've come to love certain types of wine. I have the typical college girl mindset on wine. I like it sweet, and cheap. Red Moscato is my favorite at the moment, and I consider it an upgrade from the Pink Moscato it was before. As much as I love Moscato however, I detest dry red or white wine. My parents always try to get me to like different types of wine but at this point I'm stuck with my sweet wine.

I hope to expand my taste in wine with this class and learn more about this type of alcohol that I've been interested in for a while.