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.
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| Chis Fucking Evans and I anxiously waiting for wine |
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.
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