Wine Dinner - Italian

For this wine dinner, we decided to do our own version of an Italian meal. Our 3 dishes included spaghetti with mushroom marinara, a cucumber-strawberry salad, and toasted garlic bread.

The three wines were:

• Lambrusco Notte Rossa, an Italian red wine
• 2015 Cantina Dei Fiori Vino Dolce, a sweet Italian white wine
• Savory & James Cream, a Sherry

 The Italian white is one of my favorite wines. I actually bought it at Kroger over a year ago but haven't seen it since, so I was SO happy when I found out they sell it at the Vintage Cellar! Sweet, crisp, fruity, with notes of apricots, pear, and lemon. Despite being an amazing wine on its own, it didn't do much for the food. I tried it with the pasta first. The wine didn't bring out any flavors in it, and vice-versa. They were just two separate, non-complementary tastes. The same thing happened with the bread, and the salad. I guess this will remain a drinking wine for now.




I didn't have high hopes for the Italian red, and tasting it confirmed my intuition. It had a jammy scent, that one of my friends kept comparing to

soy-sauce. I could see where he was coming from. Taste started off sweet, but then became really dry and bitter. Very weak flavor, but still tannic. Basically really watered-down sour grape juice. With the pasta, it was even worse - it softened the fruity flavors, so then all that's left is bitterness. Tasted better with the bread for some reason, but maybe it was just cleansing the palate somehow? For some reason, the salad smoothed out the tannins in the wine (maybe because of the cheese in it?) and also brought out its fruity flavors. Weird. This wine tastes the best when you mix it with the Italian white and a blueberry wine that we tried before dinner. Wine problems require wine solutions.



Lastly, the Sherry... I can't believe people are legally allowed to call this concoction a wine... more like watered-down whisky. It's hella strong. Bourbon flavors mixed with oak,

maple, and something musty. Creamy, spicy aftertaste. You know that face most people make after taking shots? Some people made that face when they tasted this wine. When I tried it with the spaghetti, the Sherry was just overpowering and it was all around gross (I wrote down "NONONONO" in my notes). Tried it with the salad: same thing. With the bread... same thing. This is a wine that doesn't play well with others. Use caution.







Although most of the pairings didn't work out, I had a lot of fun getting together with friends, and making some new ones as well! Maybe the real pairing was the friendships we made along the way..? Shout out to Jack and Andrew for hosting and cooking most of the food!

Wine & Cheese Pairing

What better way to spend a Sunday evening than testing wine and cheese pairings with friends in your wine class? On March 24th, me and 4 others gathered for this event. We didn't have six people, so three of us brought wines, and two got the cheeses.

Over spring break a received a nice 2014 Medoc Bordeaux as a gift, and thought among "fancy" cheeses in a Foxridge apartment would be an appropriate setting to try it in. The next wine was a 2017 Malbec-Syrah (50-50 blend) from Argentina. The last wine was a Yellow Tail Moscato.

We picked two cheeses that we thought would pair well with our chosen wines, and one that was sort of a wild card. Our selection included a creamy, spreadable brie to go with the Bordeaux, a "drunken" goat cheese to go with the Malbec-Syrah, and cubes of Colby Jack, just for funsies. I was especially intrigued by the drunken goat cheese. Apparently it gets its name because the rind is treated with red wine, which is supposed to affect the flavor of the cheese! We also used tiny toasts as palate cleansers. Incredibly effective and incredibly adorable.

First, we tasted each of the wines on their own. The Moscato had an extremely sweet, candied fruit flavor. Since it was also slightly carbonated, it reminded me of Welch's sparkling grape juice. This seemed to be the favorite of the group. The Bordeaux, of course, was the boldest of the bunch. It had a smoky, burning wood, almost bacon-y smell. Very dry, with bold tannins. The Malbec-Syrah didn't smell like much, but I detected a hint of smokiness. Medium tannins, smooth, with a dry finish.

Now the fun part: combining wine and cheese, starting with our good friend, the Yellow Tail Moscato. The brie has a nice, creamy, butter-like consistency but no flavor, and doesn't affect the taste of the wine. Likewise, the wine doesn't do anything to the cheese. The goat cheese on its own has a very distinct, strong, robust flavor. The wine kind of melts it down, and mellows out the flavors, but not by much. As for the colby jack... the flavors kind of clash. It's not like one is overpowering the other, necessarily, it's just that they exist separately. And it's kind of gross.

Next is the Bordeaux. For the goat cheese, the wine sort of tames the strong flavor of the cheese and makes it more mild and enjoyable. Likewise, the cheese smooths out the tannins in the wine. They pair quite well. The colby jack also melts down the tannins, but the flavors do not go well together. With the brie, it was pretty good! It smooths down the wine; the cheese still doesn't taste like much but that melt-in-your-mouth texture is nice.

Finally, the Malbec-Syrah. This did not pair with the brie at all - it created a bitter sensation in the mouth that was just unpleasant. With the goat cheese, it was fine at first, but then it makes the wine REALLY strong/acidic and creates a weird sensation on the tongue. Surprisingly, it actually wasn't that bad with the colby jack; the cheese made the wine more mild.

Winery Visit - Beliveau Estate Winery

On Sunday, March 31st, three friends and I took a trip down winding roads to Beliveau Estate Winery. Just 12 miles from Downtown Blacksburg, the 165 acre estate offers spectacular views, especially from an overlook a short distance from the parking lot. They also have an on-site bed and breakfast, and a quaint tasting room where we spent most of our time. 

We were able to taste eight different wines for $10, with a glass of water in the middle. The drinking order was a bit more flexible than the typical rigid dry-to-sweet and white-to-red pattern. In order, we tried two dry whites, a sweet white, a dry rose, two dry reds, and two sweet reds. The whites and rose were served cold, and the reds were served room temperature, except for the last one which was chilled. Here are the wines we tasted, including the tasting sheet we were provided:

• Afternoon Delight 2015
  
• Variety: 62% Chardonnay, 38% Vidal Blanc
• My review: Smell of oak and a bit of peach. Taste was smoky, like burnt wood. Dry, light, pretty good.
• Destiny 2016
• Variety: Vidal Blanc
• My review: This unoaked dry white was more "fruit-forward," with an extremely sweet smell of candied fruit but also citrus. Taste was dry, tart, but smooth. Made my mouth water a bit. I liked this one!
• Discovery 2015
• Variety: Niagara
• My review: The server told us this was the sweetest wine in the tasting, but DAMN. This was basically alcoholic Welch's grape juice. Smells and tastes very sweet, yet crisp, with that artificial grape flavor. I also smelled something I couldn't place a name to, but I chose gasoline. 
• Summer Rose 2017
• Variety: 30% Pinot Grigio, 70% Chambourcin
• My review: Our server told us that for this wine, they actually ferment the Pinot Grigio with the grape skins! This wine had a tropical fruity flavor, with strawberries, kiwis, and pineapple. Taste was fruity, dry, sweet but slightly tart. Reminded me of the Welch's fruit snacks I had as a kid (and sometimes as an adult). Very good!
• Fireside Chat 2015
• Variety: Cabernet Franc
• My review: This wine was just strange. It's a "hearty," "red-sauce" wine, for foods such as pasta and pizza. It actually smelled and tasted strongly of green bell peppers! Apparently it has something to do with a certain shared chemical. Peppery and spicy aromas and smoked wood, oak, and vegetable tasting notes. I think you definitely have to drink this wine with a meal to really enjoy/appreciate it, otherwise it's just strange.
• Soul Singer 2015

• Variety: Chambourcin
• My review: This wine mostly smells and tastes like black cherries! It also has an oaky, spicy smell, though. Very acidic and dry taste. Somewhat smoky. I can see why they call this a steak wine - it seems like it needs to be paired with something. I wouldn't drink this by itself.
• Warm Glow 2016
• Variety: Chambourcin
• My review: I was surprised that I could actually smell the dark chocolate in this! Also aromas of cherries and a hint of strawberry. The taste kind of sneaks up on you: it's not sweet initially, but then it hits you all at once. Well-balanced flavors, pretty good!
• Sweet Surrender 2018
• Variety: Concord
• My review: I was tempted to buy a bottle of this! Light, sweet, juicy, but with a dry finish. Smells and tastes like peaches and strawberries. I liked that the sweetness wasn't overbearing, and serving it chilled made it a refreshing treat.

My favorite part was receiving a free glass of our own to take home!

Friends! Wine! Yay!

Sadly they weren't offering tours due to construction on a new brewhouse (exciting!). However our server at the tasting bar was very helpful. She told us they use a lot of their wines in their cooking, which I liked the idea of. For example, one of the wines that we tried (Soul Singer 2015) is used to caramelize onions. A friend asked how many cases of wine Beliveau produced each year, and she said 2,000-3,000 cases, which is about 24,000 bottles! We even chatted briefly about what goes into pairing foods with wines, and laughed about our first impressions of wine as college students. 

After the tasting, we shared two plates of pretzels in the dining room. Fairy lights were hung everywhere, and each table had a lavender tablecloth and cute centerpiece made of wine glasses with a flower suspended in water. Then, we headed up the path to the scenic lookout over the vineyard. There wasn't much to see as far as the vines because it's too cold for anything to grow on them yet, but I imagine the view is amazing in the late spring/summer months. Regardless it was still a nice, sunny day, and we were surrounded by mountains. It's nice to get away from campus and not just go outside, but go OUTSIDE outside.

I had a great time visiting the winery, catching up with friends and tasting quality wines. I got to experience flavors that I hadn't previously encountered in wines before. (I'm still freaking out about the green bell pepper!!) Hopefully I get to visit this place again in the future, when the weather is nice and the grapes are thriving!

I will do anything to get the ~perfect~ shot.

Drink This Now Lesson 6

I recently did the activity for Drink This Now's Lesson 6. I visited the Vintage Cellar to pick up a light and easy Chardonnay. The employees were busy helping out a group of some sort, so being the socially-anxious person I am and not wanting to intrude, I went by the shop's write-ups and picked one that was described as not offering "too much" and having a "light, creamy texture and plenty of vitality." It was $8.95. A friend I was doing the activity with picked up a bourbon barrel-aged Chardonnay, and another friend bought a loaf of Italian bread and a block of Parmesan cheese (pictured below at Step 4).

Step 1 was to pour a glass of each wine, then contemplate and describe the colors we see. We set the glasses next to each other on the table to compare, then held each one up against the white wall to observe the colors in the daylight. At first glance, the wines are both pale yellow and I start panicking that I got the wrong wine. Upon closer inspection, however, the bourbon barrel wine is slightly darker and has an orange tinge to it. The "light" wine is a lighter yellow with more of a lime-green tint, and when you hold it up to the light, the liquid appears white at the edges of the glass. The edges of the bourbon barrel wine were the same color as the rest of the wine.

Glasses on the table. I think the mug on the right is meant for coffee.
Left: Light Chardonnay. Right: Bourbon barrel aged Chardonnay.

Step 2 was to do a standard sniffing and drinking assessment of the wines. We made sure to try the lighter-colored Chardonnay before the darker-colored one. The Italian bread was so bland that it served as a perfect palate cleanser between wines. Here are the results, listed in the order we tasted them:

 Light and Easy Chardonnay
Name: Geyser Peak California
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Napa
Country: California, United States
Year: 2014
Price: $8.95
Shop review: "A most beautiful wine, the 2014 Geyser Peak California Chardonnay invites a second glass and that is a good thing. There are so many wines of which one glass can be almost too much. This one offers bright fruit, a light creamy texture and plenty of vitality. I would really enjoy this wine with roast chicken over a bed of raw salad greens. Drinking perfectly now."
My review: Strong aroma of freshly cut pear. Taste is fruity with a slight buttery oakiness. Acidic, strong alcohol taste and mild dryness at the finish.

Heavier, Barrel-aged Chardonnay
Name: Beringer Bros. Bourbon Barrel Aged Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma
Country: California, United States
Year: 2016
Price: $19.95
91 - Wine Enthusiast review: "Richness, almost unctuousness, is the hallmark of this full-bodied, creamy textured and complex wine. Subtle baking spices, butter and ginger fill the aroma, while perfectly ripe, abundant flavors of pear tart and toasted almond flood the palate. It's balanced on the plump side."
My review: Smell was more sweet than the first wine, with notes of apple and some pear. Nutty, complex flavor - you can definitely taste the bourbon! Pleasantly smooth finish.



Step 3 was to describe the mouthfeel of the wines. I expected the Geyser Peak to be extremely light, like water, but it was actually somewhere between a light and medium body, which is probably the "creamy texture" the description mentioned. Yet I thought it felt more like very concentrated fruit juice than cream. The Beringer Bros., at least to me, was fuller than the Geyser Peak, but still more on the medium side compared to other wines I've tasted. Maybe like iced coffee with a splash of creamer in it? I've only had iced coffee a handful of times in my entire life (all in college, of course) so that may be a stretch. Also, the Geyser Peak gave me that burning sensation of alcohol in the back of my throat. Not fun.

Step 4 was what we assumed the hard, Italian cheese was for - seeing how the wines taste with food. After another slice of bread, we tried each wine with a chunk of Parmesan. For Geyser Peak, the cheese tamed some of the throat-burning caused by the alcohol in the wine, but it didn't do much for the flavors in either of them. However, it paired great with the Beringer Bros. wine! The cheese smooths out the wine even more, which I didn't think was possible. It also helped the wine express its complexities to the fullest extent.

Overall this was a fun and interesting lesson. Although the difference was small, the wines did differ in color based on the styles and preferences of the different winemakers. The bourbon barrel-aged wine was darker and slightly thicker than the light, fruity wine. However, wine quality has little to nothing to do with color and everything to do with flavors, aromas, and perhaps even texture (unless it's a brown white wine - yuck). My favorite Chardonnay out of the two was by far the Beringer Bros., mainly because it was a lot smoother but I also liked the touch of bourbon flavor. I'd like to try this again to see if the body and color of two other white wines is consistent with our observations in this activity!

Tasting - Northern Sky

Name: Northern Sky Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: Sonoma Valley

Country: California, United States

Year: 2015

Price: $6.99

Winery review: "Beautifully balanced, with red cherry, cranberry and baking spice flavors. This wine is refined, subtle and nuanced."

My review: Another Lidl purchase to start off this week's tastings. This extremely light wine has really subtle aromas and flavors of cherries, dried fruit, and cinnamon, with a touch of smokiness. And that's probably being generous. I don't get the hype behind Pinot Noir - the ones I've tried resemble acidic water more than wine. This one was just too light for me. But to be fair, it was also $6.99. I wouldn't buy this again.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Douglas Hill

Name: Douglas Hill Sweet Red Table Wine
Variety: Red blend - Shiraz, Barbera, and Grenache
Region: N/A
Country: California
Year: N/A
Price: $7.95

Review:  "A blend of Shiraz, Barbera, and Grenache with flavors of fresh berries and stone fruits, this sweet-style, easy-drinking wine is delicious when served with appetizers, seafood, shellfish, pork, poultry, and desserts."

My review: Probably my favorite wine I tried this week. It has a very weak aroma, but the taste was fruity, with notes of strawberries and plums. Sweet, but still has light tannins. A good medium bodied, soft-spoken red wine.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Bricco dei Tati

Name: Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Barbera
Variety: Piemonte Barbera
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $8.95

Review: "This is a young, fresh, lively Barbera with a persistent and attractive bouquet of black cherries and a bit of spice on the palate. It has few tannins which is typical of the Barbera varietal, and a medium finish. Delightfully approachable, pairs great with cheese, barbecue and game."

My review: If you're wondering how "old" can be a flavor, try this wine. The flavor of cherries seems to overpower anything else, but the spiciness may be what gives it its "oldness." Light body, medium tannins, and a very dry, almost sour finish. While it wasn't my favorite, I could see this tasting better with the right cheese.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Vina Temprana

Name: Vina Temprana Old Vines Garnacha
Variety: Old Vines Garnacha
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2017
Price: $9.95

Wine Enthusiast review: "This wine's bright raspberry and plum aromas are typical of Garnacha. Its fresh, racy palate isn't heavily structured, offering a lovely mix of plum, oak and chocolate flavors."

My review: I had to make sure I was actually drinking wine and not acidic water, that's how flavorless this wine was to me. This extremely light bodied wine has faint notes of spice and dried fruit. No complex tannins here. I wrote down "eh" in my notes for this wine for a reason.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Casa Bella

Name: Casa Bella Provincia di Pavia
Variety: Pinot Grigio (Orange Wine)
Region: Pavia
Country: Italy
Year: 2017
Price: $9.95

Review: "Produced by macerating Pinot Grigio grape must with its skins. The skins’ pink hue give the wines its copper color. Flavors of green pear, pomegranate, and honeysuckle. It is somewhat of a big burst of opulent tropical flowers, orchid-like scented, with hints of flower, pungent oily floral notes."

My review: Interesting... this wine is like the opposite of a Sour Patch Kid - it's sweet, then turns sour. Light bodied, tart, flavors of cherries, raspberries and citric acid. I'd say the finish was the most exciting part of this wine. Sadly this orange wine is not gold-medal worthy, it gets another "okay" rating from me.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Michael Chapoutier Tournon

Name: Michael Chapoutier Tournon Victoria Mathilda
Variety: Viognier Marsanne
Region: Victoria
Country: Australia
Year: 2014
Price: $20

Wine spectator review: "Orange blossom and mango aromas leap out of the glass, with a fleshy core and a juicy finish, accented by hints of citrus zest. Viognier and Marsanne."

My review: I don't know if it's allergy season getting to my nose or not, but I wasn't getting much from this wine. Weak fruity aromas of citrus and apple. Light bodied and dry, it did have bold tannins and balanced acidity. But overall, this wine was just alright.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Gold & Grape

Name: Everyday Collection Gold & Grape White Zinfandel
Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: Modesto
Country: California, United States
Year: N/A
Price: $2.89

Winery review: "Bursting with flavors of sweet watermelon and cherry, this White Zinfandel is ready for any night of the week. Enjoy this wine on its own or with fresh berries and a dollop of cream."

My review: Wow! This light and fruity wine is perfect for summer. Fresh flavors of strawberries, grapefruit, and sour watermelon candy lead a slightly dry and tart, but smooth finish. Good balance of flavors, very refreshing, and it was on sale for under $3. Apparently Lidl is the place to go for great-tasting, cheap wine! Disclaimer: this blog is not sponsored by Lidl.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Linganore Blueberry

Name: Linganore Blueberry 100% Pure Fruit Wine
Variety: Fruit Wine
Region: Mount Airy
Country: Maryland, United States
Year: N/A
Price: $13.76

Winery review: "Medium bodied and semi-sweet. This wine is made from the juice of fresh ripened blueberries. Serve with pancakes and sausage, crepes, and ice cream. Also great when mixed with champagne. Serve chilled."

My review: As a blueberry fan I was high key disappointed by this wine. The smell was more enjoyable than the taste. A sweet, enticing aroma of a fresh baked blueberry bagel (or heated PopTart) builds you up, and the taste of flavored cough syrup slams you all the way down to Disappointment Town. Tart, slightly carbonated. I'm guessing this wine would be improved with some sort of dessert served alongside it, but as a drinking wine I'm not impressed.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Linganore Spiced Apple

Name: Linganore Spiced Apple
Variety: Apple Wine
Region: Mount Airy
Country: Maryland, United States
Year: N/A
Price: $13.76

Winery review:  "The perfect fireside companion to warm up on a chilly evening. Served warm, this wine will fill your home with the aroma of freshly baked apple pie."

My review: This wine is exactly what you'd expect: tastes like an apple pie, even though I tried it chilled. A little fizzy with notes of cinnamon, cloves, and maybe a hint of prunes in there as well. The first thing that came to mind was when I went to Disney World as a kid, and during a scene of a 4-D show they sprayed something that made the theater smell like artificial pie... a more relatable example would probably be a pie-scented candle. The winemakers suggest serving it warm, which I'd love to try on a cool Autumn day. Not bad, but I still prefer non-alcoholic apple cider.

I tasted this wine without food (before dinner).

Tasting - Mark West

Name: Mark West Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Acampo
Country: California, United States
Year: 2014
Price: ~$10

firstpourwine.com review: "Mark West Pinot Noir is very subtle, and very inoffensive.  There’s a lot of good elements of fruit and spice here.  The mouthfeel is very well balanced, and the personality is easy going.  That said, Mark West isn’t super complicated or overly interesting, but definitely good value for the money."

My review: Just okay. Soft-spoken and medium-bodied, with fruity and woodsy flavors. Contains notes of cherries, strawberry jam, and oak. I almost smelled bacon, which I stated in front of my mom who doesn't drink and she looked at me like I was crazy; she claims it smells like cherry cough syrup. Dry finish with high acidity. Overall nice flavors, but I don't like the acidity or the fact that it burns going down. Something seems off... (It's okay Mark, 2014 was a bad year for me too.) This wine was gifted to my dad a couple years ago, and it got great reviews online in the past, so I think it's just starting to go bad. I'd love to try a different vintage from this brand and taste the difference!

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - El Vaiven

Name: El Vaiven Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Maule Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2017
Price: $6.99 regular

Vivino.com reviews*: "Straw color in the glass. Vanilla and alcohol nose. Taste is peach, pear and lemon. Oak note finish. Great with falafel"; "Very smooth with notes of mango. Excellent value and very refreshing. A nice summer sipping wine."

My review: I was extremely skeptical about this wine because 1) it's chardonnay and 2) I got it on sale for $2.99 at Lidl (Aldi's competitor). But I ended up enjoying it so much that I had to stop myself from finishing the bottle. Very fragrant, this wine has a strong bouquet of citric acid, pear, and lemon. Final tasting notes of toasted oak, butter, and nuts glide into a smooth finish. Turns out this wine really is a steal!

I tasted this wine with Kahlua pork, which helped bring out more of the fruity flavors, but I prefer it by itself. 

*for 2016 vintage

Tasting - Declan's

Name: Declan's Irish Cream
Variety: Irish cream wine cocktail
Region: Lewiston
Country: Maine, United States
Year: N/A
Price: $20

Shop review:  "For a true taste of Ireland without the travel, look no further than Declan's Irish Cream Wine Cocktail. Inspired by the bold yet tranquil beauty of the Emerald Isle, its rich flavors evoke images of the lush Irish countryside. Delightfully smooth and indulgently sweet, Declan's is easy to enjoy anywhere and anytime. Whether you take it in coffee or by itself, keep a bottle on your shelf."

My review: An actual true taste of Ireland would be more like a swig of Jameson, but I'm not that in-touch with my Irish roots and this was pretty good! This wine cocktail has a decadent, creamy texture. Bold coffee and milk chocolate flavors, with a splash of vanilla... so basically, a mocha with Bailey's. I've never had one, but a couple friends compared it to an Irish car bomb. It's so rich that I don't know if I could drink a whole glass of it without feeling sick, but overall nice flavor that I'd enjoy a few sips of. Consider making this an unusual addition to your Saint Patrick's Day party!

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Hecht & Bannier

Name: Hecht & Bannier Minervois
Variety: Blended - 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 10% Carignan
Region: Lanquedoc
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $26

Wine Spectator review: 90 - "Pureed raspberry, plum and spice flavors are lined with dusty tannins in this fresh, focused red. Hints of milk chocolate add a touch of richness, with floral and spice notes lingering on the crisp finish. Drink now through 2019. 645 cases imported."

My review: Wasn't a huge fan of this one by itself. Fresh, fruity aromas with layers of strawberries and raspberries. Medium tannins give this red blend a dry, tart finish that'll make your lips pucker and leave your mouth watering, which makes me think this wine is meant to be paired with food.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Crane Lake

Name: Crane Lake Sangiovese
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2015
Price: $10

Shop review:  "Medium-garnet color; blackberry, plum and vanilla aromas; raspberry and cherry flavors; with supple tannins for a soft finish.  This wine pairs well with fresh mozzarella and Brie cheeses. Also try it along with veal piccata, chicken parmesan or meat lasagna."

My review: I enjoyed smelling this wine more than tasting it... so basically it's the candle of wines. Spicy, woodsy, and fruity aromas, including notes of pepper and black cherry. An extremely light mouthfeel accompanied by faint fruit flavors on the palate. Like what I'd imagine flat sparkling water tastes like. I personally wouldn't recommend.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Ch des Muraires

Name: Ch des Muraires Cotes de Provence Seduction

Variety: Blended - 35% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 20% Vermentino, 20% Carignan
Region: Provence
Country: France
Year: 2016
Price: $29

Wine Enthusiast review: 91 - "A blend of 35 % Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 10% Vermentino, and 20% Carignana this is a lightly perfumed wine with a strong herbal element. It is a ripe finely structured wine, with great acidity and orange flavors. A style of wine that will be better for a few more months, it should be drunk from late 2017. "

My review: This sounds harsh but tasting this wine is like when you go on a date with a really attractive person, but it turns out they have as much personality as a paperclip - and not the fun ones shaped like stars of whatever. A faint but promising aroma of honey and citrus fruits carry into a boring, dry finish. Not a bad wine; there just wasn't much to it.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Antonello Cassara

Name: Antonello Cassara Trefilari Catarrato
Variety: Catarrato
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2016
Price: $15

Shop review: "Aromas of mature orchard fruit, spring blossom and Herbs de Provence lead the nose. On the tangy palate, a hint of bay leaf accents honeydew melon and citrus. A saline note signals the close."

My review: I like it! My experience was different from what the shop review says, though, which I will continue to read into way too much. While I didn't pick up any floral or fruity notes at first, to me this wine has a pleasant bouquet of walnuts, butter, and caramel. The acidic aroma is quite sharp on the nose. This crisp white also has a nice tart, dry finish. This is a wine I and my possibly unrefined palate could easily enjoy by itself.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Vina Galana

Name: Vina Galana Sangria 1 Liter plastic bottle
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: N/A
Price: $9

Shop review: "Natural fruit flavors and succulent red wine all fused together in one bottle. This doesn’t require a punch bowl and big ladle, you can chill your bottle in a cooler and head out to the beach or a hike and enjoy a cup of the best sangria anywhere you choose to be."

My review: Yum! Fruity and spicy flavors combine to create this fun, refreshing wine. Strong aromas and tastes of citrus, cinnamon, cloves, and strawberries. The first sniff packs an unexpected cinnamon punch, almost like Big Red gum! I could totally picture myself sharing this with friends in the summertime, even though it's the middle of winter.

I tasted this wine without food. 

Tasting - Tres Ojos

Name: Tres Ojos
Variety: Old Vines Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2016
Price: $12

Shop review: "The wine has a brick red color with a bouquet of red raspberries, spice and white pepper. The palate is incredibly concentrated and rich. The modern styles of Garnacha in Spain are continuously being perceived worldwide as wines of extraordinarily good quality. This wine is fruity, juicy and shows a great depth, ripe tannins, length but yet with wonderful elegance and lightness."

My review: I liked this one slightly better than the Tenuta Rapitala. Aroma and taste contain layers of strawberry jam, raspberries, and pepper. Fairly dry with an incredibly smooth, tannic finish. If red wine were cars then this would be a Lexus. But not quite a Ferrari.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Tenuta Rapitala

Name: Tenuta Rapitala Campo Reale
Variety: Campo Reale
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2016
Price: $14

87 - Wine Enthusiast Review: "This early-drinking Nero d'Avola opens with ripe black-skinned fruit, tilled soil and cooking spice aromas. Straightforward and savory, it delivers black cherry, blackberry and ground pepper flavors alongside round tannins."

My review: Not bad. Floral, fruity, and spicy aromas, with faint notes of red berries, lilies, and pepper. Bold tannins. This dry red leaves a tart aftertaste. Maybe it's because of my stuffy nose, but there was nothing really memorable about this wine for me. Just tasted like a typical red.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Four Sisters

Name: Four Sisters Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc/Semillion
Region: Victoria
Country: Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $9

Shop review: "Vibrant passionfruit, gooseberry and lemon citrus flavours shine through on the nose and palate with a fresh, crisp finish. A fantastic match with fresh shellfish, sushi or smoked salmon."

My review: No. I'd hate to know what these sisters have been up to... this wine was awful. Concentrated acidic notes of gasoline, rubber, and dare I say cat pee on the nose. It has an intense, dry finish on the palate. I'd say crisp, but that has too much of a positive connotation. Definitely not a smooth ride. I'm guessing this is one of those wines that you're supposed to enjoy with a meal, but even so I don't know if I'd be able to get over that initial whiff. Tastes like the only thing you should be pouring it into is the gas tank of your car.

I hated tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - La Mascaronne

Name: La Mascaronne Vita Bella Cotes de Provence
Variety: Old vine Ugni-Blanc
Region: Provence
Country: France
Year: 2015
Price: $8.95

89 - Wine Enthusiast Review*: "With rich pear and apricot flavors, this is a blend of old-vine Ugni Blanc and Rolle. Ripe and full bodied, it is pointed up with spice that balances the fresh fruitiness. The wine, tangy and with a warm aftertaste, is ready to drink."

My review: Sadly I've been battling a cold, so please bear with me and my defective nose this week. Crisp, fruity aromas of apricot and citrus melt into a smooth, buttery finish that pleasantly surprised me. I wasn't sure how the term "buttery" could be used as a wine descriptor for a while (same with "pencil shavings"... not looking forward to that) but after trying this wine I get it, especially with the mouthfeel. Dry, full-bodied, pretty good.

I tasted this wine without food.
*For 2014 vintage