Tasting - Vina Galana Sangria

Name: Vina Galana Sangria
Varietal: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha, Spain
Country: Spain
Year: No year
Price: $9.00

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: This wine smells like cinnamon to me. It is definitely a spicy wine. I thought it tasted amazing. It is literally juice. I bought two bottles - OH and the bottle is plastic, yes PLASTIC.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Tres Ojos Old Vines Granacha

Name: Tres Ojos Old Vines Garnacha
Varietal: Garnacha
Region: Calatayud, Spain
Country: Spain
Year: 2016
Price: $12.00

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: This wine smelled like straight liquor to me or hand sanitizer. To follow that, there is a very strong alcohol taste. Then I tasted hints of spices. This wine was heavier bodied and very tarte.

I did not try this with food. 

Tasting - Tenuta Rapitala Campo Reale

Name: Tenuta Rapitala Campo Reale
Varietal: Nero d'Avola
Region: Sicily, Italy
Country: Italy
Year: 2015
Price: $14.00

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

My Review: This wine smells like cherries to me. However, I tasted no hints of cherries. I thought it was very bitter. To me this wine was medium bodied. I do not like this wine.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Four Sisters Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Four Sisters Sauvignon Blanc
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Victoria, Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $9.00

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 smoke salmon."

My Review: To me this smelled like bread or burnt to me. I do not taste any fruit flavors just burnt bread. But I do think this Sauvignon Blanc has more flavors than some other white wines. Not sure if I would classify this as a light bodied wine though.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - La Mascaronne Vita Bella

Name: La Mascaronne Vita Bella
Varietal: 75% Rolle & 25% Ugni Blanc
Region: Produced in Chateau La Mascaronne, France. Imported to Vienna, Virginia
Country: France. USA
Year: 2015
Price: They ran out of the original wine so this was not on the sheet so I don't know how much this wine was.

Shop Review: "Vita Bella enjoys an intense nose of white flowers and pear. Well rounded in the mouth with delicious expression of fruit at full maturity and a delicate hint of lemon. Perfect with grilled fish, chicken or fresh asparagus."

My Review: This wine was very dry but light-bodied. I can taste the alcohol in this wine. I also got faint hints of pear but not lemon. I would not buy this wine on my own.

I did not try this wine with food.

Drink This Now 1, Lesson Three

It's all about that glassware!!! 

White White: Riesling

Shot

• Smell: Very pungent, strong smelling. Honestly can’t tell if I am about to take a shot of wine or liquor.  
• Drink: That was extremely bitter and acidity. I found not one hint of floral, fruitiness in thi shot.

Rocks glass

• Smell: I am smelling stronger scents of apricots, still smells bitter and pungent. I smell more of the wine because there is a greater surface area.
• Drink: I can actually taste the fruit when drinking from this glass. This glass is better or I am just getting tipsy.

Typical water glass

• Smell: I do not smell the pungent, strong smell anymore. I faintly smell apricots. I am not getting a great smell of the wine because the glass is so tall.
• Drink: I do not like wine from this glass. I will never drink wine from a normal water glass ever. Tastes like straight alcohol.

Smaller wine glass

• Smell: This smells the same as when I smelled the rocks glass but it is not as strong. I am starting to get more of the floral, fruity aroma.
• Drink: This glass was sweeter and started to bring out the fruity melon and apricot tastes. Much better than having to shoot wine down my throat.  

Flared wine glass (actually a marg glass)

• Smell: Surprised because I can barely smell the wine. I figured because there was more surface area it would be a greater smell than the smaller wine glass. I faintly smell the apricots (which is the only fruit standing out to me).
• Drink: This drinking glass made the wine taste very strong and pungent. I do not taste any fruit just straight alcohol.

Bowl

• Smell: I barely smell the wine which is what I expected after the flared wine glass sniff test. I still faintly smell the apricots and that’s how I can tell it is wine not water.
• Drink: This bowl makes the wine taste like water, very dangerous. My favorite drinking glassware so fair.

Red Wine: Shiraz

Shot

• Smell: My first impression is that this wine smells like yeast. It is hard for me to smell any fruit flavors in this wine. Smells like leather.
• Drink: It tastes like death. I will never take Shiraz out of a shot glass ever again. Yikes, I am scared for the rest of the drinks.

Rocks glass

• Smell: This smells more like fruit to me, I get hints of cherry and plum. This smells more appealing to me.
• Drink: Still tastes like death. I feel like I need to go brush my teeth because they just got stained. This wine is so heavy and I am not a fan.

Typical water glass

• Smell: Unlike the white wine, I can smell this wine in this glass - that is how strong this wine is. Nice hints of cherry and plum.
• Drink: Actually this glass makes the wine taste better. It is less bitter and I am starting to taste the hints of plum and cherry.

Smaller wine glass

• Smell: This smells more tannic and bitter to me in this glass. It smells like dirt, not fruit smells here.
• Drink: Makes the hair stand up on my arms. I am convinced there is not fruit in this wine. Ugh just straight alcohol.  

Flared wine glass (actually a marg glass)

• Smell: This smells fainter to me and frankly, more appealing. There is no smell of yeast or leather. I smell plums.
• Drink: Still tastes nasty. I just hate this wine. This glass was easier to drink from than the small wine glass. Adding water might help.

Bowl

• Smell: I don’t smell anything which surprises me. There is not a strong alcohol smell, fruit smell, or even leather smell.
• Drink: This is so pungent and bitter. All I taste is bitterness. There is no fruit at all.

Lesson Three: Warming the Red 

After warming the small wine glass and the flared, big glass I could smell a difference. The small wine glass smelled more floral and fruity while the bigger glass smelled more faint but pungent. The taste difference was that the smaller glass after warming was still bitter with faint hints of plum. The warmed bigger glass was also still bitter with faint hints of plum.

Overall, this was a really fun exercise. Unfortunately I think I hate both wines that were used in the making of this blog but other than that it was super cool to see the effect different shapes have on the smells and tastes of wine.

Dinner Blog 1

First, I just want to start by saying the meals are interesting because they are all keto. We did an appetizer, a meal, and then a dessert. The wines we used were Oak Leaf Vineyards Sweet Red, Oak Leaf Vineyards Sangria, and Winking Owl Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Oak Leaf Vineyard Sweet Red

Varietal: Does not tell you what the combination.

My Review: It is sweet but not overly sweet like some grape juice wines. I taste hints of raspberry but it is very subtle. Very smooth. I enjoy this wine.

Oak Leaf Vineyard Sangria

Varietal: Does not tell you what combination.

My Review: Smells spicy. I don't taste fruit with this wine. I taste hints of pepper but it is tangy as well. I have mixed emotions about this wine.

Winking Owl Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

My Review: Smell hints of plum. This wine is very bitter but light. I do not taste hints of any fruits. This will be a hard wine to drink.

Sangria with Sausage Biscuits

I think the wine paired well with this appetizing course. The acidity of the wine complimented the food especially the sausage, it made the wine taste better. I think the wine made the meat taste better also, it complimented the fattiness of the sausage. Neither overpowered the other. The food made the wine taste more fruity and less tannic. The wine was not too sweet or too bitter for my food.

Cabernet Sauvignon with Pizza

The pizza got a little messy.

I do not think it pairs well. I think the acidity cuts through the fattiness of the cheese on the pizza, making it worse. I think the wine makes ruins this pizza and the pizza brings out the tartness of the wine even more. I think the wine overpowered the food. The food made the wine more bitter and acidic. There was no sweetness in either the wine or the pizza.

Sweet Red with Vanilla Mousse Pudding

I think this wine paired okay with this dessert. The acidity did not compliment the food. I think the wine made the food taste sweeter but the food made the wine taste more tarte. I think the food overpowered the wine a bit. The food definitely made the wine more bitter. The food was too sweet for the wine.

Winery Visit 1 - Beliveau Estates Winery

Beliveau Estates Winery grows their own grapes onsite as well as lavender, AND they have a bed & breakfast, super cute! 

On Saturday, February 23rd, my two friends and I visited the Beliveau Estates Winery, one of my favorite wineries in the area. It took about 30 minutes to drive from Blacksburg to still Blacksburg but it felt like a whole new world. Just 12 miles away from downtown Blacksburg it becomes secluded and peaceful. Since it was a Saturday it was packed, despite the weather. They actually had a maple festival going on so we not only got to do a wine tasting but taste maple syrup!

The workers were immediately helpful and very knowledgeable. Unfortunately the weather was extremely crappy. We were not able to tour the winery nor was it offered to us once we said we were in geography of wine. It was extremely muddy, packed, and freezing outside. They are also doing construction because they are adding a brewery which is exciting but hard for showing people the winery.

We did however, venture out on our own - rain or no rain. We walked around through the grape vines and I realized that the estate is way bigger than I originally thought. This winery also grows their own lavender and has products made from that lavender that can be purchased inside. They have many events like the one we happened to stumble upon such as St. Patrick's Sundaes, Murder Mystery events and the one I am most excited for...Graduation Buffet! The winery also offers weddings and they have an onsite Bed & Breakfast so you are literally 10 feet from wine.

We did a wine tasting ranging from dry white wines to sweet white wines to a rose then to dry red wines and finished with a sweet red wine. We ordered pretzels with beer cheese, spinach artichoke dip, and buffalo chicken dip but it came out after the tasting so it was not paired with any of our wines. They served the red wines at room temperature and pulled the white wines and rose wine out of a wine chiller. The wines we tried were:

• Destiny 2016 
• Their description: Lemon, apricot, and peach, dry white wine and unoaked 
• My description: Very floral, dry, tarte and light. I could drink it if I paired it with cheese. 
• Captivate 2015
• Their description: Lemon with hints of butterscotch, dry white wine and unoaked
•  My description: Smells very musky which is not appealing. Tastes better than it smells, very floral and light. 
• Reflection 2016 

• Their description: Fruity and floral 
•  My description: Smells very dry and like roses. Nice summer wine but not sweet enough for me 
• Discovery 2015 
• Their description: Sweet, juicy, and crisp 
• My description: This was a non-vinferia grape. It smelled like grape juice and tasted the same way. My favorite! 
• Summer Rose 2016 
• Their description: Bright cherries and subtle lime, dry rose 
• My description: Pretty color. Very dry and tarte and I was expecting something sweeter. I wouldn't buy this. 
• A Capella 

• Their description: Bright red berry flavors 
• Extreme peppery smell however did not taste like pepper. It was spicy. 
• Soul Singer 2015 
• Their description: Hints of cherry, dry red wine and oaked 
• Very dark wine. Reminds me of a bonfire for some reason. Tastes like plums, smooth and does not leave a bitter after taste. 
• Warm Glow 2016
• Their description: Cherry and dark chocolate 
• My description: I love this so much better than the dry red wines. Would be amazing with dark chocolate. Tasting hints of plum and cherry.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

I enjoyed the tasting and the amazing food. I am looking forward to bringing my family here for graduation. I was disappointed about not getting to tour the winery but excited for the next place to offer tours. Also this winery gives you free glasses when you do a tasting aka I now have 7 Beliveau Winery glasses on my bar cart. 

Tasting - Oak Leaf Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Oak Leaf Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon - parent grapes are Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Livermore & Ripon, California
Country: USA
Year: No year on the bottle
Price: $3.00

Shop Review: "This medium-bodied, smooth Cabernet Sauvignon has vibrant notes of blackberry fruit, a hint of toasty oak, and a lingering finish."

My Review: I thought this wine was very tarte. It left my mouth dry wanting food to pair with it. I also did not think this wine went down very smooth. It was hard to finish the bottle. However, as mentioned above, I could taste small hints of blackberry.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Bay Bridge Moscato

Name: Bay Bridge Vineyards Moscato
Variety: 100% Moscato
Region: Livermore & Ripon, California
Country: USA
Year: No year on the bottle
Price: $3.00

Shop Review: A soft entry leads a gentle, light-bodied palate with supple acidity. Modest sweetness is balanced by acidity through the finish. Not overly flavorful, but pretty well balanced. 

My Review: This moscato was very similar to the Oak Leaf moscato which makes sense because they are both from the same region. It is a fruity wine with strong notes of peach. It is light-bodied and does not burn going down. I enjoy this wine and would buy it again.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Oak Leaf Moscato

Name: Oak Leaf Vineyards Moscato
Variety: 100% Moscato
Region: Livermore & Ripon, California
Country: USA
Year: No year on the bottle
Price: $3.00

Shop Review: "This light-bodied, sweet Moscato has soft floral aroma, hints of peach and pineapple, and a refreshing finish."

My Review: This is another sweet wine that I love. For $3.00 it is a pretty good drinking wine. I taste immediate hints of peach. The sweetness leaves me wanting spicy food. This wine is light-bodied as mentioned above and reminds me of summer. I have and will get this wine again.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Capriccio Sangria

Name: Capriccio Sangria
Varietal: Sangria Blend
Region: Auburndale, Florida
Country: USA
Year: No year on the bottle
Price: $7.00

Shop Review: "Florida-Capriccio is bubbly red wine blended with 100% natural fruit juices with hints of pineapple and pomegranate. The 13.9% ABV compliments the pineapple, orange, and grape juices to create a refreshing, fruit forward, well-balanced."

My Review: My first impression of this drink was that it burned going down. It was tangy and spicy. There was nothing floral about this wine. However, this wine was fruity. I could definitely tell that there is a high alcohol percentage in this wine. I would buy this wine again.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Petite Wine Specialty Chocolat

Name: Petit Wine Specialty Chocolat
Variety: A blend of red wine with dark chocolate flavor and finest cream
Region: Germany
Country: Germany
Year: No year on the bottle
Price: $7.00

Shop Review: "Petit Chocolat is the perfect synergy of red wine with dark chocolate flavor and the finest cream. The rich and creamy chocolate flavor makes this wine specialty a delightful dessert on its own or a perfect companion to all kinds of chocolate creations and ice creams."

My Review:It smells like Baileys Irish Cream. I do not taste the red wine at all. In fact, I hope this qualifies as wine because all I taste is chocolate and cream. Overall, it is an amazing desert wine and for only $7.00 I will be buying it again.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Taylor Port

Name: Taylor New York Port
Varietal: Fortified
Region: Canandaigua, New York
Country: USA
Year: No year on the bottle
Price: $6.00

Shop Review: "A rich, moderately sweet, ruby red port. Delicious with dessert or for evening sipping. Serve over ice or at room temperature, with a twist, or with soda."

My Review: Strong aroma of alcohol. Honestly, this wine burns a little bit when going down but it is an 18% wine. Flavors of cherry and berry immediately hit your palate. It is surprisingly sweet for being very alcoholic. Could be dangerous because of the alcohol content but I would definitely buy this wine again. 

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Beringer Red Moscato

Name: Beringer Main & Vine Red Moscato
Variety: 100% Muscat
Region: Sonoma, California
Country: USA
Year: No year on the bottle
Price: $6.00

Shop Review: "Attractive aromas of lifted floral red fruits with a palate of ripe dark cherry and berry fruit. A versatile blend that goes great with most meals - including desert!

My Review: It is surprisingly light for a red wine. It is very smooth. The berry taste stands out to me and overpowers the cherry flavor. I think it is the perfect amount of sweet without the knowing regret of a hangover from sappy sweet wines. I would buy it again.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Winking Owl White Zinfandel

Name: Winking Owl California White Zinfandel
Variety: 100% Zinfandel
Region: Modesto, California
Country: USA
Year: No year on the bottle
Price: $3.00

Shop Notes: "Subtle flavors of cranberry and watermelon flavors with notes of fresh strawberry and cherry."

My Review: My first impression is that this wine smells potent. Many fruit notes are mentioned above but I simply do not think they are present except for the watermelon. They are almost too subtle. This is not an acid wine. It honestly almost tastes like water. I do not know if that is a good thing for bad thing.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Duplin Scuppernong

Name: Duplin Carolina Scuppernong
Variety: 100% Muscadine
Region: Rose Hill, North Carolina
Country: USA
Year: No year on the bottle
Price $8.00

Shop Review: "Scuppernong is a late harvest Muscadine wine maed from carefully picked grapes and gently pressed grapes. This friendly and sweet wine truly reflects Southern living at its best."

My Review: Smells fruity and like moscato. I was instantly excited to try it. It is a super sweet, light-bodied wine. A wine I could drink every day. The golden yellow color threw me off at first but it is an amazing desert wine.

I did not try this wine with food. 

Wine and Cheese Pairing #1

Monday, February 11, 2019

WINE AND CHEESE PAIRING ROUND ONE 

First, I am about as picky with cheeses as I am with wines so bare with me because this tasting might criticize the cheeses as well. Also sometimes I like setting up the tastings more than the wines I am tasting. Most are not SWEET ENOUGH! But with time my palate will become more adapted to dry wines.

Second, the wines we chose were Moiselle Sweet Rose from California, so it is sweet. It is a blend og juicy cheery and watermelon. The bottle did not specify percentages. We also chose an Oak Leaf Vineyards Shiraz from California, mostly because it is cheap and I have never tried Shiraz beore.It is 100% Shiraz. Finally, the last wine we chose was Winking Owl Merlot from California. It is 100% Merlot.

                               

The cheeses we chose were types that we had all had before. Gotta stay within the comfort zone for this first wine tasting ya know. We picked out Happy Farms Colby Jack, Happy Farms Monterey Jack, and Mild Cheddar. I am concerned a little bit that the cheeses are too similar.

Starting with the Moiselle Sweet Rose from Modesto, California. It is extremely light and floral. I could see myself really enjoying this wine during the summer. It also reminds me of a white zinfandel. Pairing the Sweet Rose with the Monterey Jack cheese my first impression was no impression honestly. I do not think the flavors in the cheese clash with the wine but there is not a distinct taste. I think the acidity (what there is of it since it is a light pink wine) compliment the cheese. I do not think the wine overpowers the cheese and the cheese does not overpower the wine.
Next I tried the Sweet Rose with the Mild Cheddar cheese. I think it paired well and brought out the flavors in the cheese. I think the wine does not overpower the cheese, if anything the cheese overpowers the wine slightly. I think the cheese made the wine taste more fruity.
The Sweet Rose did not have much affect with the Colby Jack cheese. Neither one overpowered the other one. I think the acidity in the wine does compliment the cheese. I think the cheese made the wine heavier. I enjoyed the Mild Cheddar the best.

Next I tried the Winking Owl Merlot from Modesto, California. It is a very dry red in my opinion. It is smoky with hints of blackberry. I think it will pair best with the Mild Cheddar. First I paired it with the Monterey Jack. I think I do not like this cheese very much because with every wine it tastes slimy. I think the cheese does nothing for the wine. I taste the wine more than the cheese but that is fine with me. Next I paired it with the Mild Cheddar which I thought was great. I think it pairs well and the wine brings out the flavors in the cheese. It brings out the tartness in the cheese. I do not think either of them overpower the other. Lastly, I paired it with the Colby Jack which is very neutral. I think they pair fine but the wine does not bring out any flavors of the cheese. I think the wine makes the cheese seem more fatty. I think the Mild Cheddar makes the wine taste so much better.

Lastly, I tried the Oak Leaf Merlot from California. It is extremely bitter, I am not sure any cheese will help this wine out. All I taste is alcohol and tannins. No sugar whatsoever, I do not think this wine is balanced. When I paired it with the Monterey Jack I think it still tastes slimy. It does not pair well with the cheese. The wine overpowers the cheese but not enough. The cheese makes the wine even more bitter. Next I tried it with the Mild Cheddar which I think paired well. The wine brings out the flavors in the wine and the acidity of the wine compliments the cheese. I do not think either overpower each other. Lastly, I think the wine paired well with the Colby Jack cheese also. I think the wine brings out the flavors in the cheese. Neither one overpowers the others. I think the cheese makes the wine less bitter. I liked the Mild Cheddar and Colby Jack the most with this wine.

Also these napkins were too cute not to share!

Tasting - Whitebarrel Peach

Name: Whitebarrel Infusions Peach White Wine
Variety: White wine infused with natural peach flavor
Region: Chirstiansburg, VA
Country: USA
Year: No year on the bottle
Price: $22.00

Winery Review: "A blend of white wine and then infused with peaches. Sweet rounded flavors."
- Shop Review

My Review: I am not a huge fan of peaches but goodness, this wine was amazing. It has the perfect amounts of peach so that you can taste it but it is not overpowering. It is a sweet, desert wine that falls perfectly in line with my type of wine. Also the color is interesting but beautiful. It is a light, floral wine that would be perfect in the summer. I would buy it again.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Whitebarrel Plum

Name: Whitebarrel Infusions Plum White Wine
Variety: White wine infused with natural plum flavor
Region: Christiansburg, VA
Country: USA
Year: No year on the bottle
Price: $22.00

Winery Review: "A blend of white wine and then infused with plums. Reminiscent of Asian plum-wine."
- Shop Review

My Review: This "sweet blush" wine was in my opinion, quite the opposite. It was not as sweet as I expected. It tasted very bitter. It should not be priced at $22.00 a bottle. For a plum wine I was expecting a sweeter wine but as we learned in class, you cannot base sweetness on color. Overall, this wine was hard for me to finish. I would not buy it again.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Carlo Rossi Pink Moscato Sangria

Name: Carlo Rossi Pink Moscato Sangria Wine Specialty Beverage
Variety: California Table Wine
Region: Modesto, California
Country: USA
Year: 2017
Price: $4.00

Winery Review: "Pink Moscato Sangria is a light-bodied, fruity wine Sangria with a smooth finish. This Pink Sangria is a flavorful blend of Moscato with notes of peach and orange. It pairs well with fruits, salads, and cheeses."
- Shop Review

My Review: Pink moscato sangria is the perfect blend of my two favorite things; sangria and pink moscato. This wine is sweet to the taste with fruit hints that remind me of summer but also is thin, not full bodied. This wine can be classified as a desert wine for its sweetness. I enjoy drinking this wine during all seasons, not just summer and for any occasion. I highly recommend buying.

I did not try this wine with food.