Family Wine Dinner - Easter in Pennsylvania

This year my family and I were able to get together and have a nice dinner with lots of wine! It has been a really long time since this many of us have been able to be together for a holiday so it was really special. 

This is the table that my aunt and my mom set up in the morning with a nice little Easter basket full of Peeps, chocolate Easter bunnies and nonpareils. 

The family all raise a glass to Geography of Wine!

We had three particular wines with dinner that we were all able to taste and see which paired best with which food. For the food we had filet for the meat, green beans with garlic and butter, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, fresh rolls, roasted carrots and salad with a honey vinaigrette. The first wine that I tasted with the meat was the Citra Montepulicano D'Abruzzo. This is a 2012 vintage from Italy and was very good with the meat. It was a fairly dry wine but was very balanced. The meat was able to bring out more of the dark berries and cherries that were in the wine instead of just having a dry aftertaste of your palate. When trying it with the vegetables it mixed well with the sweet carrots but was a little too over powering for the salad since it did not really have too many other ingredients in it other than lettuce and some nuts.

Aunt Kim is pouring herself a glass of the Citra Montepulicano D'Abruzzo.

The second wine that I tried was the Fulkerson Diamond, which is a 2012 vintage from the great lakes region in New York. My aunt and uncle are from that area so I was able to actually go to the winery and taste this wine there over winter break, but I had not tried it with any food. On its own it is a very sweet wine and tastes just like big juicy green grapes. Its nose is very crisp and refreshing with floral and perfume like aromas. I thought I had liked this wine on its own, but then having it with food I loved it even more. When trying it with the meat, the sweetness was toned down quiet a bit, therefore being able to actually taste all the grapeiness and fruit in the wine instead of just sugar. It is a very light wine so it went really well with the salad as well as the green beans. There was not a funny aftertaste in the wine when trying it with food, there was more of a fresh palate cleanse when taking a sip of this wine with food.

The third wine that we had was Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a 2011 vintage from Chile. This wine was my favorite that went with the beef and the rest of the meal. The nose was deep, rich and slightly peppery, but I could still get cherries and plum out of it. I could taste strawberries and cherries but it was also slightly peppery and hot. The meat was a little peppery so the strawberry and cherry flavors were really brought out to be able to taste the complexity and feel the smoothness of the wine. The only food that was on the table that did not really pair well with any of the wines were the deviled eggs, which is not really surprising. Most of the wines that we had were fairly bold wines that went really well with red meat, so eggs really were not the best food to try and pair a wine with.

Although the eggs did not really pair well with wine, they were very good.

Last but certainly not least was dessert. In our family dessert is the most favored part of dinner so of course we have it right away. We had carrot cake and a berry tart type of dessert. I had a piece of the carrot cake, which was really sweet and paired it with the Fulkerson Diamond. I was incredibly surprised because it was actually not very good at all. Since the cake was so sweet, it took all of the sweetness out of the wine and made it fairly tart. Instead of the sweet green grapes that it was before, it was more of unripened green grapes. My Nana tried the berry dessert with and had a little of the Citra and thought that it was delicious. She said that the sweetness of the dessert made the wine really smooth and she could really taste more of the berries in the wine. She was also about 3 glasses of wine in by the time dessert came around. Over all this was the best wine pairing experience that I have had so far.

My mom, brother and myself after dinner

I was able to see my family whom I have not been able to see in a long time and we all learned a little something that we did not know before about food and wine. I am excited to be able to have more family wine dinners and see what the rest of them think about other wines as well as how they think they pair with food.

Happy Easter!

Tasting - Heinz Eifel Shine Reisling

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine
Variety: Reisling
Region: Pfalz
Country: Germany
Year: NV
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: This dryer styled Reisling is bright, fruity and floral with crisp acidity and clean flavors of apple, pear and peach that compliment its stony minerality and earthy complexity. It serves well as an aperitif and matches a wide variety of foods, like lighter salad dishes, shellfish, cream sauces and also anything with a touch of spice.

My Review: I am generally a big reisling fan and this is nothing that diverts from that. It has a very crisp and refreshing nose with some lemons and other citrus flavors, along with some honey. In addition to that it also smelled a little like stream water. It was very fruity on the palate but not a typical sweet Reisling. It was more like a tart apple that had a little bite but still sweet. I would like to try this wine with a Caesar Salad to see how well it compliments it.

I did not taste this wine with food.
 

Tasting - Atlas Cumbres Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Atlas Cumbres
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Lagarde
Country: Argentina
Year:  2010
Price: $15

Winery Review: Intense red color with violet highlights, with clean, fresh and complex aromas of berries, plums, figs and pepper. Strong personality is in perfect balance with a medium body and pleasant tannins. Ideal for: red meats, cheeses and strong sauces.

My Review: I was not a huge fan of this wine because it was a little too bold for me. It was a very pretty deep red color when it was poured into the glass and had a very strong spicy nose. It smelled a little musty and some dried fruits. As soon as I tasted it I thought that it was fairly complex, but was very nicely balanced because it was not over the top with tannins or acid. I think that I would like this wine much better with some strong cheese or something to be able to take some of the dryness away.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: Georges DuBoeuf
Variety: Gamay
Region: Beaujolais Nouveau
Country: France
Year: NV
Price: $14

Winery Review: Balanced and lightly creamy, offering pretty flavors of plum sauce and raspberry coulis threaded with hints of ground spice. Elegant, with a floral finish. Drink now.


My Review: When this wine was poured into the glass it had a beautiful dark ruby reddish purple color, almost like opening a can of beets. The nose was strong with warm berries and spices, something like my mom would make to pour over pancakes. It was a lot smoother than I had expected it to be, but still had a nice balance of tannic structure. It was rich with juicy plums and blueberries.
I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Bricco dei Tati Rose

Name: Bricco dei Tati
Variety: Rose
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: NV
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries and rose petals. This is ideal with shellfish, salads, chicken and with appetizers.

My Review: I am a huge fan of Rose because I think that they are typically easy to drink and are very fresh, which would be indicative on a nice spring day. This Rose was slightly tart, which I really liked and had a very strong floral nose of roses and fresh flowers from the garden. It was very fresh berry tasting, especially strawberries, almost enough to think I needed to put some whipped cream on top of it.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Frascati Volpetti

Name: Frascati Volpetti
Variety: Volpetti
Region: Malvasia Trebbiano, Greco
Country: Itlay
Year: NV
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Straw yellow in color with a soft, delicate perfume, fruitful flavor, dry and harmonious taste. Perfect with appetizers, soups, fish.

My Review: I have never had this variety of wine so I thought that it was a little different but I really enjoyed it. It had a very floral nose of violets and soft yellow roses. It was slightly dry but had a nice fruity finish with juicy apples and pears.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Toso Moscato

Name: Toso
Variety: Moscato
Region: Piemonte
Country: Italy
Year: NV
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: This Moscato is reminiscent of honeysuckle and rose petal. The quality is equivalent to a top level Asti Spumante DOCG. Sweet sparkling wine obtained from a careful selection of the Moscato grapes. It has a pale yellow color with fine foam and bubbles. Tropical fruit flavors, refreshing. Excellent to match desserts, fruit and dried pastries.

My Review: I am usually a big fan of Moscato and this was a good one! It was sparkling which gave it some personality. It was very floral and peachy on the nose. I thought that it was very sweet just like honeysuckles and flowers. It was sweet but not overly sweet and had a dryer finish than expected which was nice.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - El Sierro Tempranillo/Cab

Name: El Sierro
Variety: Tempranillo/Cab
Region: Valencia
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Dark ruby in color with rich aromas of red fruit and light spices. It is a real knock out with delicious flavors of dark cherries, blackberries and vanilla all perfectly integrated. The Tempranillo provides wonderful spice and fruit, while the Cabernet Sauvignon gives structure and depth wiht the beautiful use of oak.

My Review: This wine is 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and has a very bold dark color. The nose was spicy and dark fruit smelling. I thought that it was a little tangy with some black pepper in it. It was a lot of dark blackberries and dark berries but also fairly spicy.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Omo Ze Bel Merlot

Name: Omo Ze Bel
Variety: Merlot
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: NV
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: This bright soft Merlot comes from a hilly vineyard on the Alcesti family estate in beautiful Sicily. It has hints of red cherries and freshly cut hay. Exceptional value.

My Review: The color was really bold in the glass and was really pretty as it was swirled around. It was very spicy and cherry all at the same time. Even thought it was spicy it was also very smooth but had a very full body. I typically am not a fan of Merlot but this one was very good. It was slightly tannic on the finish but good overall.
I did not taste this wine with food.
 

Tasting - Atlas Cumbres Torrontes

Name: Atlas Cumbres
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Salta
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Yellow color with greenish nuances. Very intense aroma of fresh grapes, flower perfume and mature peaches. Fresh in the mouth. Light and easy to drink. Ideal for seafood, Thai and Chinese food.

My Review: The nose was very lemony and it had a very pretty color that had a lemon lime color to it. It was slightly grassy and was a very dry but light wine. I tasted a lot of green grapes on my palate as well. I really enjoyed this wine.

I did not taste this wine with food.

 

Tasting - Avery Quinn Chardonnay

Name: Avery Quinn
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Napa, California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price:  $6.95

Winery Review: The 2011 vintage marks a return for this great value Chardonnay. The aromas feature creamy, mellow, golden apple, pineapple, fresh butter and a touch of vanilla. Then rich, ripe, flavors of yellow pear, pineapple, fresh apple, cream and buttered toast swell up and fill your mouth before a juicy, apple and caramel inflected finish makes your mouth water (and smile!).

My Review: I got a very green apple and fruity nose. The color was very golden and looked almost like gasoline in the glass. I thought that it was a very floral palate and was very sweet at first but then slightly tart. It was a little too buttery for me but there were small hints of vanilla that added a nice touch.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Decoy
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Sonoma Country
Country: USA
Price: $20.95
Year: 2012

Winery Review: Alluring black cherry and raspberry jam aromas, as well as more subtle notes of nutmeg, spice and chocolate. On the palate, lovely layers of raspberry and plum are supported by excellent structure and seamlessly integrated oak.

My Review: When this was poured in the glass it was a really pretty magenta purple color. There were big aromas of black cherry as well as strawberries. Plum and black cherry were very evident on the palate. It was a very smooth wine but had just the right amount of clove and spice.

I did not taste this wine with food.

 

Tasting - Decoy Merlot

Name: Decoy
Variety: Merlot
Region: Sonoma County
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $20.95

Winery Review: Aromas of strawberry compote, plum and cherry wood are supported by hints of clove and cinnamon from the well integrated oak. The red fruit continues on the palate with layers of fresh strawberry and raspberry. Bright acid lengthens the finish, which concludes with soft, mature tannins.

My Review: I have not had that many Merlots but I really enjoyed this wine. It had a bold and fruity nose. It was fairly dry on the palate but a very smooth finish. It was full of dark cherries and plums with spices in the background. I think this wine is a little pricy for what it is but a decent wine.
I did not taste this wine with food.
 

Tasting - Urban Ribera Tinta del Pais

Name: Urban Ribera
Variety: Tinta del Pais
Region: Ribera del Duero
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $14.95

Winery Review: The 2009 Urban Ribera, from what looks to be a great vintage, was aged in oak for 4 months. Deep purple in color with an inviting perfume of violets, Asian spices, black cherry, and blackberry, on the palate it is layered, plush, and intense. While likely to evolve for 1-2 years, this outstanding value can be enjoyed now and over the next 5-6 years.

My Review: The first part of this wine that I noticed was its intense magenta color that beautifully stained the glass. The nose was very rich of dark berries and earthyness. It was slightly spicy and a very bold wine that I thought was slightly too dry for my taste, but the flavors of dark cherries and currents really showed through the wine.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Decoy Pinot Noir

Name: Decoy
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Sonoma County
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $20.95

Winery Review: Lovely aromas of ripe strawberry and raspberry, as well as subtle notes of sandalwood and spice. On the palate, it is elegantly structured with abundant red fruit, excellent mid-palate weight and a lingering finish with a hint of fresh earth.

My Review: I am a really big fan of pinot noir and I enjoyed this one a lot. The nose was like a bowl of fresh strawberries with some hints of light cherries. It had a very berry palate and was a perfect combination of light tannins and acidic structure to make it a medium dryness, but not too much.
I did not taste this wine with food.
 

Tasting - Decoy Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Decoy
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Sonoma Country
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $16.95

Winery Review: Vibrant and fruit forward expression of Sauvignon Blanc with abundant aromas of pineapple, honeydew, lime leaves and lemon zest. The fruit continues on the palate, which is full and round with ripe melon flavors and bright refreshing acidity. It lingers in your mouth before ending with a hint of citrus zest.

My Review: The nose on this wine was very refreshing and crisp with a lot of melon and juicy fruits. It was a little too citrusy for me but had a nice melon and pineapple palate that was refreshing.
I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Le Roc des Anges Segna de Cor

Name: Le Roc des Anges Segna de Cor
Variety: 50% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 20% Syrah
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $23.95

Winery Review: The relation between the Grenache and the terroir of Roc des Anges gives fruity and fleshy grapes. To balance this generosity, they are blended with old Carignan and Syrah giving firm structure and dark colour and resulting in a tender and fruity wine sustained by a real texture of tannins. Four S's: soft, smooth, silky and smoky. Lively and fresh in the mouth, gentle flavours of red grape and berry, dried spices and roasted herbs. From the rock of the angles springs the blood (Segna) of the heart (Cor).

My Review: It was a very dark purple color and had a flowery nose, almost like a spring garden. It was a fairly dry wine but was a very nice blend that had a soft finish. It was spicy and slightly acidic with some clove and blackberry on the mid palate.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Beringer Founders' Estate Pinot Noir

Name: Beringer Founders' Estate
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $7.99

Winery Review: The Beringer Founders’ Estate Pinot Noir is bright ruby in color and displays ripe currant flavors rounded out by aromas of cedar and spice. This wine has immediate fruit-forward flavors that balance well with the toasty smokiness of the oak. It would pair perfectly with a red wine risotto or grilled salmon.

My Review: I thought that the nose sort of smelled like feet and cheese and was fairly oaky. It was fairly tangy but also very light and had a nice magenta color. It was a little more acidic than any of the other Pinot Noir's that I have had so it was not one of my favorites. I think that it would pair nicely with a sharp cheese to take some of the acidic structure away.

I did not taste this wine with food. 

Tasting - Decoy Chardonnay

Name: Decoy
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma County
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $20

Winery Review: This wine has enticing citrus zest, orange blossom and guava aromas with hints of banana cream pie and spicy oak. The palate is soft and velvety offering vibrant citrus flavors intermingled with rich tropical fruit. Excellent acidity adds length and brightness to a satisfying finish.

This wine has enticing citrus zest, orange blossom and guava aromas with hints of banana cream pie and spicy oak. The palate is soft and velvety offering vibrant citrus flavors intermingled with rich tropical fruit. Excellent acidity adds length and brightness to a satisfying finish. - See more at: http://www.duckhornwineshop.com/product/2012-Decoy-Sonoma-County-Chardonnay#sthash.LHrzGvi7.dpuf

This wine has enticing citrus zest, orange blossom and guava aromas with hints of banana cream pie and spicy oak. The palate is soft and velvety offering vibrant citrus flavors intermingled with rich tropical fruit. Excellent acidity adds length and brightness to a satisfying finish. - See more at: http://www.duckhornwineshop.com/product/2012-Decoy-Sonoma-County-Chardonnay#sthash.LHrzGvi7.dpuf

This wine has enticing citrus zest, orange blossom and guava aromas with hints of banana cream pie and spicy oak. The palate is soft and velvety offering vibrant citrus flavors intermingled with rich tropical fruit. Excellent acidity adds length and brightness to a satisfying finish. - See more at: http://www.duckhornwineshop.com/product/2012-Decoy-Sonoma-County-Chardonnay#sthash.LHrzGvi7.dpuf

This wine has enticing citrus zest, orange blossom and guava aromas with hints of banana cream pie and spicy oak. The palate is soft and velvety offering vibrant citrus flavors intermingled with rich tropical fruit. Excellent acidity adds length and brightness to a satisfying finish. - See more at: http://www.duckhornwineshop.com/product/2012-Decoy-Sonoma-County-Chardonnay#sthash.LHrzGvi7.dpuf

My Review: I thought this wine was terrible. The nose was very strong like most Chardonnay's but it really did taste like straight cat pee. I thought that taste was so strong that I was not able to pick out any particular citrus hints. This wine seems to be extremely over priced for how bad it was. It may be better if it was paired with a meal.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Dinner - Blacksburg, VA - "Sides" Themed

On a Friday night a few of our friends got together to have a little potluck dinner with some wine. We ended up having a ton of both wine and food and it was a great to have after a hike that we did at Angels' Rest, which overlooks Pearisburg, Virginia. We asked everyone to bring a side dish as well as a wine to try and we came up with some good combinations as well as some that may have been better off not being put together.

This is a picture of our little spread that we had created. There was a rice salad called "Pebble Salad" that was long grain rice with cucumbers, tomatoes and carrots with a light dressing on top. We also had some home made three cheese pizza, zucchini bread, homemade spicy buffalo hummus, a platter of four different kinds of cheese, which were Pepperjack, cheddar, white cheddar and American cheese. Some one brought fried mac and cheese bites that were hard to keep around long enough to actually pair with the wines because they were so good! One of our least talented cooks brought some Texas Toast, which was also a very good decision. For desserts, there were some brownies as well as some sugar cookies. Now for the wines that we had:

The first one we had was Borsao Berola and was a mix of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. I thought that it was very dry at first and was jammy. It was very cherry with plums and lots of dark berries. I thought that it was very mellow considering how dark it was. I tasted this wine with the three cheese pizza and it did not really go as well with that because the pizza and the wine both had so many flavors going on. I also tried it with some of the hummus and crackers as well as some of the cheddar cheese and that paired very nicely with them because of how dry the wine was. The wine also went well with the zucchini bread and the brownies because the chocolate and cherries combined nicely as well as the sweetness that took away some of the dryness from the wine. I think this wine would also go well with a nice piece of meat such as a steak because of how bold it is. The food we had was not necessarily as bold as it should have been to be able to pair this wine perfectly. It was one of the most complex wines that I have tried and I was impressed with it!

The next wine that we tried was Norton from Horton Vineyards, which is a native Virginia Red. When just tasting this wine alone, it was extremely dark, as you can tell from the dripping lines down the bottle and actually smelled like cleaning solution. I think that it needed some time to breathe before I tasted it, but we did not give it enough time. It had an earthy chemical taste and had a very high tannic structure with higher acidity. I tasted some plums in it as well. When pairing it with food, it went really well with the brownies because of the chocolate component. It is a very bold and dry wine so the sweetness of the brownie brought out more of the flavors in the wine instead of tasting the high acidity and tannic structure.

The third wine that we tasted was Fisheye Chardonnay. This was the only white wine that we had with this dinner and it paired nicely with food. It was very light and peachy with some hints of apricot. Tasting it alone was not as good but it went really well with the rice salad because the salad was fairly light but also had a lot of flavors that softened the acidity in the Chardonnay a little. It also went well with the pizza because the pizza was so bold with the three cheeses that it lightened that as well. I think this is a very good summer wine to go with dinners sitting outside overlooking a lake or something because it is a cheap wine but is very refreshing and pairs nicely with a lot of different types of food.

Our first wine dinner was a success and I think there was a good time had by all. We had a full table of food and everyone contributed not only food and wine, but lots of laughs as well. I learned that I am not a huge fan of Chardonnay unless it is paired with some type of food that lowers the acidity a little. I am excited to have our next wine dinner and see what other combinations we can come up with and of course to taste some more great wine!

Tasting - Dom La Blaque Provence

Name: Dom La Blaque
Variety: Grenache
Region: Provence
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $14.95

Winery Review: Explosive blackberry and blueberry on the nose. Very ripe with blueberry, mulberry, raspberry, some mineral character, layers upon layers of fruit, good texture, and with some backbone that help it age very well. This is definitely more serious than its price tag.

My Review: The nose on this wine was like a musty Windex smell and was a very dark brownish red color. It was dry at first but then had a softer finish considering how bold the wine was. There were definitely a lot of berries that were combined together such as dark cherries and raspberries.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Gres St Vincent Cotes du Rhone

Name: Gres St Vincent Cotes du Rhone
Variety: Granache
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $13.95

Winery Review: From a unique, organic co-op in the Rhone Valley, this delicious, Grenache- based blend delivers satisfying weight and earthiness but stays light on its feet. Unlike many co-ops that blend growers' fruit into one wine, here each makes their own. Though the blend is dominated by Grenache, the Syrah takes the center stage on the nose with classic notes of liquorice, black fruits, and a wonderful whiff of violets. The tannins and acidity are in wonderful balance here, and on the palate, the juicy exuberant fruit from the Grenache takes over, building to a chocolate note on the finish. A great example of the class and sophistication showing in the 2010 vintage, and of the wide range of great values available in the Southern Rhone.

My Review: This wine had a sweet nose that was flowery and violety. I thought that it was a very bold wine with high tannic structure and higher acidity as well. I tasted some prunes and plums along with dark juicy berries. Like the review says, there are also some hints of dark chocolate on the finish.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Coto de Hayas Garnacha Syrah

Name: Coto de Hayas
Variety: Garnacha Syrah
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Ruby red color. Pronounced red fruit and spice aromas. Medium bodied, dry and easy going. Fresh, fruity and lightly peppery with mild acidity and soft tannins.

My Review: This wine had a very pretty magenta color when it was poured into the glass. It had a smokey and earthy nose with floral accents. It was mildly dry but had a very soft finish. It reminded me of a berry jam and was slightly acidic.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Vincent Dampt Chablis

Name: Vincent Dampt
Variety: Chablis
Region: Burgandy
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $21.95

Winery Review: 100% Chardonnay, from the birthplace of Chardonnay: Burgandy. Pale lemon in colour. The nose shows soft jasmine notes and ripe fruit. The palate is elegant with a classic, flinty minerality, balanced by soft, creamy fruit.

My Review: At the first look of this wine is was very light in color and was a soft yellow. The nose was fairly strong but tasted very light and did not have a dry after taste at all. It was slightly sour to me like a granny smith apple.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Eudald Cava Brut Familia

Name: Eudald
Variety: Cava Brut Familia
Region: Cava
Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $15.95

Winery Review: From a 9th generation winemaker who is pushing the envelope for quality and value. This traditional style Cava is a blend of Macabeu, XarelAlo, Parellada and Chardonnay all grown in organic/biodynamic vineyards. Our first reaction to tasting it was "Wow - this is really good!" There's plenty of elegant white and even some red fruit set off by a fine yeasty/bready character and a dash of sea side minerality. Cream, with small, refined bubbles, and ready to enjoy anytime you need a little lift.


My Review: The nose on this wine is very light, airy and refreshing and smells like a bubbly champagne. It was not as dry as I was anticipating and was very crisp. There were salty and metallic hints that were very recognizable, which was very good.

I did not taste this wine with food.
 

Tasting - Opal Ridge Semillon Chardonnay

Name: Opal Ridge
Variety: Semillon Chardonnay
Region: South East Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $10

Winery Review: The Semillon Chardonnay has a fresh, fruity style ideal for lazy summer days or evenings in by the fire. Incredible value for money and superb quality make this wine a great reason to have friends over and enjoy.

My Review: I really enjoyed this wine because it was not as acidic as other chardonnays that I have tasted since it is blended with Semillon. It was a very light and refreshing wine that I think would pair nicely with some cheese and crackers. It had a combination of fruits such as some apple, pear and some spritzes of lemon.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Bogle Chardonnay

Name: Bogle Vineyards
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $10.99

Winery Review:
Chardonnay grapes grown in Clarksburg are known for their characteristic apple and pear aromas and flavors. Bogle winemakers have captured these refreshing and ripe notes while allowing them to develop and intensify through stainless steel fermentation. Additional grapes are vinted using the techniques of barrel fermentation, sur-lies aging and partial malolactic fermentation, which creates an elegant counterpart to the fresh fruit with tones of spicy vanilla and nutmeg. The creamy mouthfeel adds just the final touch on the finish, reminiscent of an apple and pear galette.

My Review: I thought this wine was a little different because of the sur-lies aging. The nose was very fruity and citrusy with hints of vanilla and some spice. It was a little too acidic for me and was not as smooth as I would have liked, but that may be because Chardonnay is not one of my favorites.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Redwood Creek Pinot Noir

Name: Redwood Creek
Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: California
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $4.89

Winery Review: We make our Redwood Creek Pinot Noir in a classic New World style, with up-front fruit and soft tannins. This medium-bodied wine has rich notes of dark cherry, brown spice and clove, making it a versatile partner to salmon, duck or filet mignon.

My Review: The nose is extremely sweet smelling and is like a carton of raspberries in some whipped cream. It is fresh smelling like a bouquet of freshly picked daisies. This wine is light bodied but dry and acidic at first. I tasted a lot of spice, particularly some clove and even nutmeg that have been mixed in with the cherry and dried strawberry taste.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - the Little Penguin Pinot Noir

Name: the Little Penguin
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Southeastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $5.89

Winery Review: The bouquet shows sweet strawberry fruit aromas with hints of spice and delicate oak characters in the background. The palate is elegant, creamy and soft with lively yet subtle cherry and strawberry flavors. The finish is elegant and long

The bouquet shows sweet strawberry fruit aromas with hints of spice and delicate oak characters in the background. The palate is elegant, creamy and soft with lively yet subtle cherry and strawberry flavors. The finish is elegant and long. - See more at: http://www.must-have-wine.com/wine-review-the-little-penguin-pinot-noir/#sthash.hLbz0HXT.dpuf

The bouquet shows sweet strawberry fruit aromas with hints of spice and delicate oak characters in the background. The palate is elegant, creamy and soft with lively yet subtle cherry and strawberry flavors. The finish is elegant and long. - See more at: http://www.must-have-wine.com/wine-review-the-little-penguin-pinot-noir/#sthash.hLbz0HXT.dpuf

The bouquet shows sweet strawberry fruit aromas with hints of spice and delicate oak characters in the background. The palate is elegant, creamy and soft with lively yet subtle cherry and strawberry flavors. The finish is elegant and long. - See more at: http://www.must-have-wine.com/wine-review-the-little-penguin-pinot-noir/#sthash.hLbz0HXT.dpuf

The bouquet shows sweet strawberry fruit aromas with hints of spice and delicate oak characters in the background. The palate is elegant, creamy and soft with lively yet subtle cherry and strawberry flavors. The finish is elegant and long. - See more at: http://www.must-have-wine.com/wine-review-the-little-penguin-pinot-noir/#sthash.hLbz0HXT.dpuf

My Review: I really enjoyed this Pinot Noir for how cheap it is. The nose was that of burned or charred raisins and had a very berry smell with some spice on top. It was a fairly smooth wine and was buttery and creamy on the finish. I tasted a lot of fresh juicy cherries. This wine did not leave my mouth feeling dry at all.
I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Pepperwood Grove Pinot Noir

Name: Pepperwood Grove
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Valle Central
Country: Chile
Year: NV
Price: $8.99

Winery Review: This medium-bodied Pinot Noir opens with vibrant aromas of cherry, red raspberry and toasted almonds. Fresh flavors of cranberry and sweet plum are intertwined with subtle hints of nutmeg and rose petal.


My Review: The nose reminded me of Christmas and had some clove and spice resemblance. I tasted some cherry and cinnamon. It was a little spicy and it was slightly dry but was very smooth. There was a slight acid taste with medium body. I also got a little mint leaf on the palate.

I tasted this wine with Seriously Sharp Vermont cheddar cheese and it was very good. The sharpness of the cheddar cheese made the acidic/ alcoholic aftertaste go away quickly.
 

Tasting - Robert Mondavi Chardonnay

Name: Robert Mondavi Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Central Coast of California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $8.99

Winery Review: Aromas: Lemon blossom, green apple, and peach Flavors: Smoky oak and vanilla spice Texture: Creamy, rich, lush, and lingering Pair Central Coast Chardonnay with: Rich seafood, poultry, and pork dishes, fettuccine Alfredo, and brie

My Review: The nose on this was like a refreshing breath of air in the middle of a field. There were some hints of a hayfield mixed with some citrus and tart apple. This chardonnay was fruity but also had a very creamy mid palate. There was a mixture of an oak honey taste as well.
I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio

Name: Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: South Eastern, Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $7

Winery Review: Pinot Grigio is delightfully fresh, zesty and elegant with lots of super-ripe concentrated fruit. This wine has fragrant aromas of citrus fruits with delicate notes of green apples and pears.

My Review: This wine was very crisp just like a typical Pinot Grigio and had a granny smith, golden apple taste mixed with some pears and nectarines, possibly some white peaches as well. The nose was fruity as well, but not really over the top. I thought it was an average wine; not anything special.


I did not taste this wine with food.

 

Tasting - Rex-Goliath Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Rex Goliath Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $4.99

Winery Review: Our Sauvignon Blanc shows Rex's sassy side with its lively citrus and green apple flavors. Highly versatile, nearly any dish seasoned with fresh herbs can be paired with it. That's because Sauvignon Blanc has an herbal quality, making it easier to align the flavor of the food closer to that of the wine. Just like the 47 lb Rooster, you'll never forget this bright, crisp and refreshing white. 

My Review:  There was not too much of a strong nose on this wine. If anything it smelled like old grass or old weeds. Maybe even a vegetal nose. This sauvignon blanc was very citrusy and was very lemon limey. I was not a huge fan of this wine because it may have been a little too acidic and not as smooth as I would have liked.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Our Sauvignon Blanc shows Rex's sassy side with its lively citrus and green apple flavors. Highly versatile, nearly any dish seasoned with fresh herbs can be paired with it. That's because Sauvignon Blanc has an herbal quality, making it easier to align the flavor of the food closer to that of the wine. Just like the 47 lb Rooster, you'll never forget this bright, crisp and refreshing white. - See more at: http://www.rexgoliath.com/sauvignon-blanc.php#.UxyqhF5ZF7w

Our Sauvignon Blanc shows Rex's sassy side with its lively citrus and green apple flavors. Highly versatile, nearly any dish seasoned with fresh herbs can be paired with it. That's because Sauvignon Blanc has an herbal quality, making it easier to align the flavor of the food closer to that of the wine. Just like the 47 lb Rooster, you'll never forget this bright, crisp and refreshing white. - See more at: http://www.rexgoliath.com/sauvignon-blanc.php#.UxyqhF5ZF7w

Our Sauvignon Blanc shows Rex's sassy side with its lively citrus and green apple flavors. Highly versatile, nearly any dish seasoned with fresh herbs can be paired with it. That's because Sauvignon Blanc has an herbal quality, making it easier to align the flavor of the food closer to that of the wine. Just like the 47 lb Rooster, you'll never forget this bright, crisp and refreshing white. - See more at: http://www.rexgoliath.com/sauvignon-blanc.php#.UxyqhF5ZF7w

Our Sauvignon Blanc shows Rex's sassy side with its lively citrus and green apple flavors. Highly versatile, nearly any dish seasoned with fresh herbs can be paired with it. That's because Sauvignon Blanc has an herbal quality, making it easier to align the flavor of the food closer to that of the wine. Just like the 47 lb Rooster, you'll never forget this bright, crisp and refreshing white. - See more at: http://www.rexgoliath.com/sauvignon-blanc.php#.UxyqhF5ZF7w

Our Sauvignon Blanc shows Rex's sassy side with its lively citrus and green apple flavors. Highly versatile, nearly any dish seasoned with fresh herbs can be paired with it. That's because Sauvignon Blanc has an herbal quality, making it easier to align the flavor of the food closer to that of the wine. Just like the 47 lb Rooster, you'll never forget this bright, crisp and refreshing white. - See more at: http://www.rexgoliath.com/sauvignon-blanc.php#.UxyqhF5ZF7w

Tasting - Mark West Pinot Noir

Name: Mark West Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Appellation California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $12.99

Winery Review:
Mark West Winery specializes in Pinot Noir. Sourced primarily from California's coastal appellations, these vineyards provide grapes of intense fruit aromatics and flavors. After a gentle crushing, the grapes were fermented in small tanks with daily punch downs to extract color and flavors. Pressed lightly, the wine was then aged in French and Hungarian oak for approximaely eight months before bottling. Red and black cherry flaovrs abound with a note of spice from oak aging. Rich in texture with a lingering finish and versatile enough to complement just about any cuisine.
My Review: This was the first Pinot Noir that I have tried and I really liked this wine. The color was a very soft purple/red and looked like a very smooth wine. The nose was very floral and berry and smelled almost like grape juice and pomegranate juice combined together. It was kind of sweet on the mid palate with a dry but smooth finish. I was surprised at how smooth it was considering the alcohol content was 13.5%. It was very blackberry and dark cherry tasting with some hints of strawberry to add a little sweetness.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Masseria Cicella Primitivo

Name: Masseria Cicella Primitivo
Variety: Primitivo
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $15.95

Winery Review: A wine sourced purely from Primitivo grapes grown and harvested throughout Lizzano, Torricella and Taranto. The long maceration of the skins provides a rich extraction and an intense, deep ruby red color with a particular aroma of blackberry and plum. The smoothness of its palates amazes as its flavor whole and persistent with a pleasant sweetness in the end. An ideal complement to means, game and cheeses.

My Review:  This is one of the best red wines that I have ever tasted. It has a very pretty red color in the glass and really had a great color wheel when it was swirled around in the glass. The nose was not very strong but it was very pleasant. It tasted a lot like a bowl of fresh dark berries, currents and plums with a sprinkling of sugar on top of them. This wine does not really have the acidity that some of the other wines that we tasted had. It would pair nicely with some bread. I would also like to tasted this wine with some cheese.

I did not taste this wine with cheese.