Tasting- Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône

Name:  Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône
Variety:  70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault
Region:  Rhone Valley
Country:  France
Year:  2010
Price:  $14.95/ 750mL  $38.95/ 3L
VC review:  As for their other values, the 2010 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Reserve (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault) displays loads of ripe flavors. It is very concentrated for a Cotes du Rhone,
and is actually an amazing wine. Classic garrigue, black cherry liqueur, lavender, licorice and spice box are all present in this fullbodied, intense, and rich Cotes du Rhone. This is a sensational effort to drink over the next 4-5 years, although it might last even longer.
My notes:  This Old World Rhone showed a beautiful nose of dark fruit.  The taste revealed much more earthiness, as one would expect from a wine like this.  The terroir is expressed cleanly with many herbal notes and a possible tobacco note as well, all balanced nicely with dark cherries.  I know this wine would be a good investment.  
Food:  n/a

Tasting- Lobetia (Tempranillo)

Name:  Lobetia
Variety:  Tempranillo
Region:  La Mancha
Country:  Spain
Year:  2011
Price:  $9.95
VC Review:  Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. It shows a nice cherry color with a violet shade because of its youth. Red berries and cherries on the nose. On the palate it is fresh, slightly astringent, and harmonious with a long finish.
My notes:  The nose on this young tempranillo was bursting with black cherry and ripe berries.  Although there was not much on the midpalate and the acid was a little high, I could see this wine being very good after decanting for awhile, or even aging a few years in the bottle.  The soft tannins and berry notes held it together nicely.  Also, I would like to give a little shout out to my good friend Grace in the class who had the idea of using some sustainable wines for Earth Week this year.  And also, thank you for the Vintage Cellar for organizing that as well.  
Food:  n/a

Tasting- Lobetia (Chardonnay)

Name:  Lobetia
Variety:  Chardonnay
Region:  La Mancha
Country:  Spain
Year:  2011
Price:  $9.95
VC review:  Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. Clean, bright color with a greenish-yellow tone. On the nose, exotic fruits like pineapple. Full flavored, fresh, with good acidity in the mouth, it finishes with tropical fruits.
My notes:  I forgot to ask, but I would venture to say this chard is unoaked because of the freshness and fruitiness.  The nose showed mango and apple and the wine was very clean with a nice mouthfeel.  My hatred of chardonnays at the beginning of the year was definitely unfounded.  I think I just don't like super oaked chardonnays.  
Food:  n/a

Tasting- Trattoria Busa Alla Torre De Lele

Name:  Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele
Variety:  Pinot Grigio
Region:  Veneto
Country:  Italy
Year: NV
Price:  $7.95
VC review:  Named after the famous restaurant in Italy! This is their house white wine! Coppery color from extended skin contact, round and rich texture with juicy melon aromas and flavors with a sweet fennel note on the ultra smooth finish. Great value Grigio! Drink now.
My notes:  The color was of yellow straw rather than my usual experience with ultra clear pinot grigios, due to the extended skin contact.  I think this also produced a much more rich and fuller wine.  The nose had hints of grapefruit and floral components, as did the taste of the wine.  I would like to visit this restaurant, but I very well could have because when I went to Venice, I didn't remember much.  Fun town.  
Food:  n/a

Winery visit- Fork & Cork

Yesterday, I went to the day drinking extravaganza of the year some call Fork & Cork.  It was my first time attending, but I really enjoyed myself and pretty much all of the wines.  Yes the lines were long, and at first, I was a bit cranky, but once I stepped up to the first booth (finally) it all changed.  The winemakers and pourers are so knowledgeable and friendly, and wine just heals all.  The first winery booth I waited for was AmRhein Wine Cellars about 30 minutes away in Bent Mountain, VA and this is where (while I was still sober), I took my best notes, so these are the 7 wines I will review.  I got the chance to also taste Veritas, Barren Ridge, Peaks of Otter, Savoy-Lee, and Virginia Mountain.  

Chis Fucking Evans and I anxiously waiting for wine

Wines 1-7 are all from AmRhein Wine Cellars
Wine #1
Variety: Pinot Gris
Year:  2011
Price:  $16
Winery review:  This crisp and refreshing wine boasts lemon and apple flavors with a touch of almond on a nice lingering finish
My notes:  The nose was very clean with definite stonefruit aromas.  The taste showed some vanilla, probably oweing to the fact that the pourer said it was lightly oaked.  It was very drinkable and light.  

Wine #2
Variety:  Vidal Blanc
Year:  2011
Price:  $18
Winery Review:  This  intriguing wine features sweet, luscious tropical fruit. It is a well structured wine that is rich in taste, and very elegant with a smooth finish that is clean and refreshing.
My notes:  The nose was very elegant with a floral and tropical component.  It smelled of honeysuckle and hibiscus.  The taste for me did not deliver though.  It was nice and easy, but not very complex.  

Wine #3
Variety:  Petite Manseng
Year:  2011      
Price:  $13
Winery review:   Showcases creamy apricot with rich fruit flavors of apple, pear and citrus that rise from the glass in this barrel fermented wine
My notes:  The color on this one was a darker yellow straw color.  The nose was tropical with an almost suntan lotion, rubbery note.  The taste was clean with pear and peaches, but a weird aftertaste that I couldn't quite pinpoint.  

Wine #4

Variety:  Traminette
Year:  2011
Price:  $15
Winery review:   A delightfully crisp wine featuring the flavors of pineapple and grapefruit. The acidity is balanced with the natural residual fruit sugar reminiscent of the German Spätlese style of winemaking.
My notes:  The nose smelled of grapefruit with an overpowering note of petrol.  The taste echoed the nose with the sweetness of grapefruit and other citrus flavors, but the bitterness of the petrol note.  It was very interesting.  And we ended up buying a bottle of this one and drinking it in the next line.  

Wine #5

Name:  Veranda
Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Verdot
Year:  2005
Price:  $18 
Winery review:  A blend of cabernet sauvignon, syrah and petit verdot makes a full bodied, mature fruit wine with flavors of black plum, chocolate and coffee.
My notes:  On the nose and in taste, this wine comes across as a chocolate covered strawberry.  It was so clear that I really couldn't percieve any other notes.  It had a great mouthfeel and a nice structure.  I was a huge fan.  

Wine #6

Name:  Passion
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel 
Year:  2006
Price:  $17
Winery review:  Create your own passion while enjoying a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The arousing cherry aroma introduces the flavors of tart cherry, raspberry and plum, with hints of pepper with a background of supple oak tannins.
My notes:  The nose on this one was floral with notes of ripe berries, with a bit of vanilla.  The taste echoed many of these notes, with soft tannins and a smooth flavor.  My friend noted "It tastes like I just drank a flower."  

Wine #7

Name:  Seduction
Variety:  Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay
Year:  2006
Price:  $19
Winery review:  Enjoy the seduction of Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay grapes with a broad palette of fruit flavors that intertwine to form a luscious semi-sweet wine.
My notes:  The nose is soft and fruity.  The taste had notes of strawberry and cassis, but the chardonnay in the blend gave it a nice lightness and acidity.  

Wine+Food
Name: Harmony (Barren Ridge Winery)
Variety:  Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Voignier, Traminette
Year:  2011
Price:  $16
Winery Review: Abundant citrus flavor with notes of tropical fruits, apricots, and honey
My notes:  The nose on this wine is crisp with aromas of pear, green apple, and honey.  The wine is clean and fruity with residual sugars balanced by crisp citric acid.  We bought a bottle of this wine.  I then had some homemade kettle corn with this wine.  The pairing actually worked really nicely.  The popcorn was still hot and salty, but slightly sweet.  The refreshing crispness of the wine cut the saltiness and warm buttery flavors of the popcorn, while the sweet honey flavors in the wine echoed the slight sugar in the popcorn.  Not your typical food and wine pairing, but I will definitely not be afraid to try popcorn with wine again.  

Tasting- Concannon

Name:  Concannon

Variety:  Shiraz

Region:  Central Coast, California

Country:  US

Year:  2008

Price:  $7.95

VC Review: This is an extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the

palate. 

My notes:  The nose is very nice with raspberry and spring flowers coming through.  The taste is tannic and a little dry, but jammed full of ripe fruit.  There is a nice balance between dry and sweet.  I really enjoyed this wine. 

Food: n/a

Tasting- Ksana

Name:  Ksana

Variety:  Bonarda

Region:  Mendoza

Country:  Argentina

Year:  2008

Price:  $9,95
VC Review:  The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid. Very sweet, berry smell with some

rooty undertones. Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker.

My notes:  There is something a little off on the nose of this wine.  It has your standard dark cassis and blackberry notes but with a rubbery, new shoe smell as well.  The taste is very well balanced between spice and berry, acidity and dryness.  

Food:  n/a

Tasting- Black Ridge

Name:  Black Ridge

Variety:  White Zinfandel

Region:  California

Country:  USA

Year:  NV
Price:  $3.95

VC review:  This fruit forward White Zinfandel displays fresh aromas and crisp flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. It is incredibly food friendly and will pair well with burgers, sandwiches, fruit salad, and more

My notes:  Basically your average white zinfandel.  Nice nose of ripe berries, and the taste is smooth and softly fruity, but not much complexity.  I'll pass.  

Food: n/a

Tasting- Chandon

Name:  Chandon
Variety:  Sweet Cuvee
Region:  California
Country:  USA
Year:  NV
Price:  $9.95
VC Review:  This wine is an innovative sparkling wine style revealing vibrant stone fruit and floral aromas with rich, luscious mouthfeel. This wine enlivens the senses and sparks spontaneous moments, complementing your passion for a good life. 
My notes:  The nose is full of ripe berry and peach.  This demi-sec was nice and sweet but balanced because of the refreshing quality of the bubbles and its clean finish.  There are notes of berry.  I will maybe buy this for graduation.  If I graduate.  
Food:  n/a

Tasting- Wilson Daniels

Name: Wilson Daniels
Variety:  Sauvignon Blanc
Region:  Central Coast, California
Country:  USA
Year:  2010
Price:  $7.95
VC Review:  Orange blossom and citrus permeate the aromas. Alluring flavors of orange and grapefruit dominate the palate. Bright acidity balances the plush mouthfeel, resulting in a clean finish. 
My notes:  The nose is citrusy with notes of orange and slight honey.  My palate was completely off because I had just taken cough medicine. So it obviously tasted medicinal, but with some acid and citrus coming through.
Food: n/a

Tasting- Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne

Name:  Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne
Variety:  60% Semillon, 36% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Muscadelle
Region:  Sauternes
Country:  France
Year:  2004
Price:  $7.95
VC Review:  Very clean, with lemon, mineral and honey aromas that follow through to a medium body. Shows vanilla, apple and melon flavors, with a medium finish. Lightly sweet.
My notes:  The nose on this white was tangy with aromas of lemon peel and honeysuckle, which was promising.  But I did not like the taste of this wine.  It was super sweet and surprisingly viscous.  It had a eucalyptus, honey, and lemon component, almost as if I were drinking a sweet honey lemon cough drop.  I don't know if it being a 2004 white had anything to do with this.  It may have been past its prime, but I was really turned off by this one.  
Food:  n/a

Tasting- Torre Castillo Alegre

Name:  Torre Castillo Alegre
Variety:  Monastrell 
Region:  Jumilla
Country:  Spain
Year:  2010
Price:  $9.95
VC Review:  4 months in new American oak barrels, Bright ruby-red. Dried cherry, pipe tobacco and rose aromas, with a hint of woodsmoke. Sweet and fleshy on the palate, with blackberry and cherry flavors complimented by licorice and a suggestion of dried herbs. The cherry and smoke notes repeat on the finish.
My notes:  The nose is absolutely over the top.  I was worried from the "new American oak" in the review and I was right to be worried.  The oak monster is present.  There is a bunch of smoke, a little vanilla, but mostly burnt toast smell.  It is not too appetizing for my palate.  The oak is still very much present in the taste, but a little more subtle.  There is heat from the alcohol and some light cherry notes.  The finish is smoky and oaky.  I would say that I would like this wine if I couldn't smell it, but that's like saying I am really attracted to a dude with a bag over his head.  So I'm not a fan.  
Food:  n/a

Tasting- Wilson Daniels

Name:  Wilson Daniels
Variety:  Merlot
Region:  Central Coast, California
Country:  USA
Year:  2010
Price:  $7.95
VC Review:  Made predominantly from Paso Robles grapes, the wine is fullbodied and silky yet robust, with aromas of black cherry and plum and a palate of blackberry, raspberry and blueberry jam laced with vanilla and toast. 
My notes:  This wine has a nice ruby color and nose of dark fruit like cassis and black cherry.  I really enjoyed this merlot with its balance.  There is some nice acid balanced with soft tannins.  And there is a bit of dryness but that is immediately overcome with jammy fruit.  I will definitely drink this again.  
Food:  n/a

Tasting- Bricco dei Tati

Name:  Bricco Dei Tati
Variety:  Barbera
Country:  Italy
Region:  Piedmont
Year:  2012
Price:  $6.95
VC Review:  Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and rose petals, this an ideal wine with shellfish, salads, chicken, and appetizers
My notes:  The nose on this rose offers sweet ripe cherries with a bit of floral complexity.  It has a nice sweetness that is balanced by some tart acid.  Citrus and cherries come through as well.  I would drink this again.  
Food: n/a

Tasting- Smoking Loon

Name:  Smoking Loon
Variety:  Sauvignon Blanc
Region:  California
Country:  USA
Year:  2009
Price:  $.7.95
VC Review:  This bleached blonde beauty is reminiscent of fresh green apples, pineapple and has hints of hibiscus blossoms. The concentration of zesty lemon and gooseberry fills your mouth leaving notes of
thyme and melon behind. The bright acid in this wine gives you a zing while the fruit keeps your mouth watering for more. This wine pairs beautifully with a grilled prawn salad with a grapefruit vinaigrette, veggie spring rolls or grilled tilapia with mango salsa. 
My notes:  The color is light yellow with a tint of green.  It smells like apples and cherry blossoms.  The wine brings some nice acid with those same tart apple notes coming through.  This Sauvignon Blanc has a nice finish that sort of melts in my mouth softly.  It is the perfect springtime wine.  
Food:  n/a

Wine dinner!

So this is a very exciting post, readers (my TA).  This post combines my two favorite things:  booze and food.  I got together a few weeks ago with my dear friends Grace and Chris, who are also in this class.  We call Chris "CFE".  Its a long story but it is too strange to call him Chris so I will refer to him as CFE from here on out.  Now, back to the wine and the food.  Grace was in charge of the appetizer and the aperitif, I cooked the entree and picked a wine for that, and CFE made dessert and picked out a dessert wine.  Also, my roommate and best friend, Mandy, joined us last minute because she was hungry but is not in this class.  She provided color commentary throughout the evening.

Let's begin with Grace's appetizer.  She brought a cheese plate with many different selections and a sparkling rose to begin.  This is Grace opening the Ballatore Spumante Rosso, with a bar towel of course. 

7 half turns

nailed it. 

 

The Ballatore offered a sweet tingly nose with the aroma of raspberries.  The taste was very sweet but with refreshing bubbles.  I pick up raspberry and cherry.  Definitely on the sweeter side, but it is really nice and dangerous because it basically tastes like Strawberry Fanta.  When things that are alcoholic don't taste like alcohol, I usually get into trouble.  

Grace paired this bubbly with a really nice cheese plate featuring goat cheese, smoked gouda, white cheddar, an aged gouda, and some pepper jack just for shits and giggles.  The white cheddar was very sharp with medium hardness.  It paired well with the wine because the sweetness of the wine cut the saltiness of the cheddar.  The same is true of the aged gouda, which was probably my favorite cheese on the platter.  It had a bit of a Parmesan salty character and was very hard.  The salt balanced out the sweet very well in the wine.  The smoked gouda was softer and tasted smoky and meaty.  Almost as if I were eating hickory smoked ham cold cuts.  But the smokiness of this cheese tempered the sweetness of the Ballatore, making it seem very delicate.  Although it wasn't my favorite cheese or wine, the pairing of the smoked gouda and spumante rosso worked the best.  Lastly, goat cheese isn't really my cup of tea, but it is soft and creamy and almost buttery.  The creaminess of the goat cheese made the sparkler seem significantly more acidic in comparison.  Overall, this was a really interesting experiment and I enjoyed all of the cheeses.  

Mandy's notes after the appetizer: "All good in my book"

So since Grace is a vegetarian and CFE usually doesn't eat meat, I made a Mediterranean spaghetti with a bunch of vegetables.  I roasted red peppers and zucchini and sauteed spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and onion in red wine vinegar and garlic.  I added fresh basil, lemon juice, kalamata olives, and feta cheese and tossed it with angel hair pasta.  It turned out to be really tasty.  The vinegar and olives gave it some tartness, but the red pepper flakes and black pepper definitely gave it a bit of spice.  To pair with this spicy Greek dish, I chose a Rosemount 2011 Shiraz/Cabernet blend from South Australia.  The Rosemount Shiraz is one of our best selling wines in the restaurant I work at over the summer, so I figured I couldn't go wrong.  We let it decant for only ten minutes before trying it.  The nose offers dark fruit like plum and black cherry, but with a nice spice. The taste was a little unbalanced.  It felt a little too hot and acidic with not enough sweetness or fruit to overcompensate.  I think decanting it for an hour would have let it open up more and soften.  

Grace, CFE, and I trying to get a sniffy sniff

After eating some of the pasta, the Rosemount tasted a little less acidic and offered some complexity.  The spice I smelled in the nose was very much present.  It seemed a little more herbal with some possible eucalyptus coming through.  It was interesting that the pasta with its tartness and spice, brought out the tartness and spice of the wine.  Also, Mandy brought some garlic rosemary bread to eat with the pasta which was delicious. 

Mandy's notes after the entree:  "So stoked.  We are gonna have so many leftovers."

Finally, CFE decided to make a pineapple upside-down cake for dessert.  He picked out a German off-dry Riesling to go with it.  The nose was pretty typical of most Rieslings I have had, with notes of pear and apple coming through.  The taste was really much more complex though.  It was slightly sweet with notes of citrus, watermelon, and honey.  I really enjoyed the dessert wine on its own.  


  

The pineapple upside-down cake was also really good on its own.  The yellow cake was moist and the topping was basically caramelized sugar and pineapple so it was very sweet.  The sweetness of the cake actually turned this fairly sweet wine a little drier and more acidic.  The combination worked very well as one echoed the other as you ate and drank more.  




Mandy's notes after dessert:  "I need some milk"

So after the entire dinner, I learned that wine really is food.  Each pairing worked in its own way; whether it was to counteract the flavors of the food or to echo those flavors.  I am reminded of Europe, where wine was served with every lunch and dinner as a standard part of the flavors of the meal.  But most of all, it was nice to have a marathon dinner with people you enjoy in order to compare palates and talk about my two favorite things:  food and booze.  Here is a final line-up of our wines:

Mandy's (and everybody's) sentiment after the wine dinner: "I need a nap"

Tasting- Ruta 22

Name:  Ruta 22
Variety:  Malbec
Region:  Patagonia
Country:  Argentina
Year:  2011
Price:  $7.95
VC Review:  Stout and dense from the beginning, with blackberry and violet aromas. Despite being a bold and dark Malbec, this is fresh and composed, with sweet blackberry and cassis flavors. Good on the
finish, with candied fruit and caramel sweetness. 
My notes:  The color on this puppy is vibrant, young, and purple.  The French wine from an earlier vintage had a more maroonish glow.  The Vintage Cellar worker said that wine tends to show orange the older it gets, which was very interesting.  The nose offers raspberry and blackberry which is really nice, but I could definitely get some heat either from acid or alcohol.  The taste was dry, but still maintained that jammy, fruit-bomb, New World character, which is right up my alley.  It had a nice mouthfeel and subtle finish.  I would drink this again and try decanting it a bit to soften some of the acidity.  
Food: n/a

Tasting- Chateau Serres Sainte Lucie Corbieres

Name:  Chateau Serres Sainte Lucie Corbieres
Variety:  Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre
Region:  Corbieres
Country:  France
Year:  2010
Price:  $4.95
VC Review:  Superb dark garnet color with a few reflections of dark orange.  Intense nose of ripe fruits, spices, and roasted coffee. The palate is rounded and full, with silky matured tannins and hints of vanilla. This wine is rich and powerful with layers of tannins.
My notes:  This is one of the weirder noses for sure.  I now know what "burnt tire" can truly smell like in a wine.  But this one has a tad of fruit behind it, maybe like a cherry pie that you have left in the oven for like fifteen hours and is just burnt to a crisp, but there is a little bit of sweetness under all of the smoke.  The taste is very vegetal, dirty, smoky and just different.  I thought it was balanced though and I surprisingly liked it.  I bought a bottle and drank it in a blanket fort later that night.  Yes, a blanket fort.  Yes, I am 23 years old.  
Food: n/a

Tasting- Cresta Azul

Name:  Cresta Azul
Variety:  Moscatel, Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo
Region:  Girona
Country:  Spain
Year:  NV
Price:  $5.95
VC Review:  Peach, orange cream and vanilla flavors mingle in this softly bubbly white. Off-dry, but with crisp acidity and a clean finish.
My notes:  I was taken by this wine from its bouquet.  Right off the bat, I could detect honeysuckle, one of those nostalgic scents that I love.  That and the ripe berry fruit scent gives this wine a marvelous nose.  This is definitely a sweet wine, which fits with the nose.  But I think that the sweetness is nicely balanced with the crispness of the acidity and the fruit flavors.  Overall, a really nice showing for Cresta Azul (because I know so much about this label).  
Food: n/a

Tasting- Veleta Tempranillo

Name:  Veleta 
Variety:  Tempranillo Rosado
Region:  Granada
Country:  Spain
Year:  2010
Price:  $3.95
VC Review:  Fresh in flavor and crisp in texture, this dry rosé offers berry, tart cherry and light herbal flavors, with firm acidity and a clean finish. Focused and juicy
My notes:  It is always nice to encounter wines that I haven't before, and this Tempranillo rose is definitely new for me.  The nose was a little tight, but I could detect a definite floral component and some spice at the end of the sniff.  The taste for me was a little citrus-orange-apricot leaning, but very clean.  I could get a little spice, perhaps warm clove or nutmeg.  Overall a nice clean wine for the spring, and with the weather changing and the 4 dollar price point, I bought a bottle.  I'll probably crack it open very soon. 
Food:  n/a

Tasting- Veleta Brut

Name:  Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado
Variety:  Sparkling Brut blend
Region:  Granada
Country:  Spain
Year:  NV
Price:  $3.95
VC Review:  Rosé salmon with copper reflections. Slow rising fine bubble that forms “lace” and “rosary”. In the nose is complex and elegant with red fruit, citric, exotic, fresh flowers, and notes of dry fruits and dry flowers. Fresh, gentle, and alive. Perfectly integrated “perlage” with serious and subtle flavors of dry fruits, pomegranate and lemonade. Long lasting scent of flowers and herbs.
My notes:  This "rosado" had nice bubbles and a beautiful coral color.  The nose offers dried peach and flower petals, but its potency made me actually cough.  The guy tasting next to me laughed because he could smell something almost chemical as well.  The taste is slightly sweet and floral, which is to be expected from a rose sparkler, but then again there was also something a little vegetal about the wine.  Overall, something was a little off, but it keeps things interesting.  
Food:  n/a