Dinner-Zeppoli's (Wines You Might Not Know)

Zeppoli's Italian Restaurant and Wine Shop

Last week, a group of friends and me attended Zeppoli's wine dinner called "Wines You Might Not Know" hosted by Matthew Burch.  This wine dinner was a great way to see how different delicious foods react with different wines.

Food Spread

There was a plethora of different food dishes as depicted to the left.  Some of our options included olive bread, white cheddar cheese, yellow cheddar cheese, Italian bread, Caesar salad, pita bread, hummus, carrots, sausage stuffed pastry, cheese stuffed pastry, tilapia, crackers, and  pasta with meat and mushroom tomato sauce.  We were able to try each dish was the nine wines served.  A description of the wines pared with different foods is explained below.

Sau-Rus-Sel Gruner  Veltliner

The wine shown on the right was the first wine we paired with all the different foods.  It is called Sau-Rus-Sel Gruner Veltiner from Austria and sold at Zeppoli's for $8.99.  This wine is called pigs wine because of the pigs nose on the front of the bottle.  It is 100% Gruner Veltliner.  A critic's description was "crisp lime flavors, white pepper and lentils, followed by a mouthful of mineral notes and gooseberry.  A long lingering finish.  A great accompaniment to any Asian or fresh seafood dishes."  I thought this wine smelled like beer.  It did taste delicious with the cheese pastry.  It had a great finishing taste.

Meinklang Burgenland White

The wine to the left is called Meinklang Burgenland White and sold at Zeppoli's for $11.99.  This wine is a 2011 vintage and is an organic wine.  A critic's description was "this biodynamic white wine is a blend of 80% Gruner Veltliner and 20% Muscat, both indigenous to Austria.  It bursts with lively minerality and citrus fruits on the palate, complimented by notes of apple and a dash of pepper.  A great match for white meats, seafood or salad!  Bright and crisp with hints of citrus.  Great with seafood, salads, and soft cheeses."  I thought this wine smelled and tasted delicious!  It was a little more acid with cheese and crackers.  It, however, did not have a great taste with the sausage pastry.

Vouvary

The wine shown to the right is the Michel Picard 2011 Vouvray from Loire Valley, France and is sold at Zeppoli's for $11.99.  A helpful hint from the host said that Chenin Blanc grown in South Africa is good with raw oysters.  A critic's description was " alcohol 11.5% off-dry in sweetness, this Chenin Blanc has freshness on the palate with hints of apricot and stone fruit.  Its hint of sweetness is counterbalanced by a high level of acidity making this a wine that is round and fresh easy to drink now or a wine that can age well.  Pairs well with pork, salads, fish, vegetables, chicken, or seafood."  I thought this wine smelled like grapefruit.  It did have a great taste and went down very smoothly.  It tasted delicious with tilapia.

Case Ibidini  

This wine shown on the left is the Case Ibidini 2010 Insolia from Sicily and sold at Zeppoli's for $11.99.  This wine had an orange cork.  A critic's description was "alcohol 12% 88 pts. Case Ibidini is the second label of Valle dell' Acate.  The wines are made from vineyards on the valley floor and aged in stainless steel.  The 2010 Insolia is a crisp, floral, refreshing white best suited to near-term drinking.  The mid-weight white offers gorgeous balance and class at this level."  I thought this wine tasted dry, and did not have much of any smell.  It, however, did taste delicious with tilapia.

Serie Terra Sparkling Malbec

This wine shown on the right is the Serie Terra 2010 Sparkling Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina and sold at Zeppoli's for $14.99.   A critic's description was "alcohol 12.9% Intense red color with violet shades.  It offers a rich and intense aroma of red fruits such as cherry, cranberry, and plum.  Good equilibrium between sugar and acidity.  Malbec tannins enhance structure and complexity."  I thought this wine smelled like cherry cough syrup and rubbing alcohol, and had a burnt taste.  It tasted terrible with cheese pastry, sausage pastry, and pasta.  It did not pair well with any foods.  It is best just by itself.

Campos De Luz Garnacha Old Vine

This wine shown on the left is called Campos De Luz Garnacha Old Vine and sold at Zeppoli's for $8.99.  Robert Parker's wine advocate gave this wine 86 points.  A description of this wine was "a fleshy red berried nose is to be expected from old Garnacha vines.  These are between 25-80 years old, bush trained and 100% handpicked, Estate fruit.  Carinena means field of light and the fruit-forward warmth of this region near Catalonia is evident as it is also balanced with mineraled acidity.  This wine is plump, heavy with ripe red currants and wild berried.  It will go nicely with pork shoulder in tart, spicy braise."  I thought this wine smelled like a spicy Earth.  It tasted very strong with pasta and cheese, but tasted very good with cheese pastry.

Riebeek Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine shown on the right is the Riebeek 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon from Swartland, South Africa and sold at Zeppoli's for $7.99.  This is a 14% alcohol made from 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Shiraz.  A critic's description was "an exciting new world style wine with upfront blackcurrant flavors.  The black fruit is well-balanced with subtle French oak for a complex nose and an elegant and lingering follow-through.  An exceptional example of a lighter style Cabernet Sauvignon that can be enjoyed young.  Excellent with red meat dishes or veal."  I thought this wine smelled spicy.  There was a spicy overload with sausage pastry, however, it tasted delicious with pasta.

Domaine de Fontsainte

This wine shown on the left is the Domaine de Fontsainte 2009 vintage from Corbieres, France and sold at Zeppoli's for $12.99.  It has a 13% alcohol content.  Robert Parker said in February 2012 " an attractive blend of 60% Carignan, 30% Grenache, and 10% Syrah exhibiting lots of lovely, spicy, red, and black fruit notes intermixed with notions of roasted herbs, new saddle leather and a foresty/earthy component that ads an intriguing, wild Mediterranean sort of character.  Drink it over the next 2-3 years."  Robert Parker also scored this wine 88 points.  I thought this wine smelled acidic and spicy.  It tasted delicious with pasta; however, it tasted terrible with Caesar salad.

Salice Salentino Cantele

The last wine of the night shown on the right is the Cantele 2008 Salice Salentino Riserva from Puglia, Italy and sold at Zeppoli's for $11.99.  It has a 13% alcohol content made from 85% Negroamaro and 15% Malvasia Nera.  A critic's description was "carmelized red fruits and juicy dark fruits, with a layering of tobacco, spice and earth, all balanced by smooth tannins and a refreshing acidity.  This is a complex, easy-drinking, versatile red for a bargain bottle price.  Only one of 14 wines in the Puglia region deemed the prestigious 3 glasses award."  I thought the wine straight from the bottle smelled like a classic red wine and tasted smooth and delicious.  When the same wine was air-aided it still smelled like a classic red wine but tasted smoother and calmer.  After the same wine was decanted for about 2 hours it smelled like a classic red wine but this time tasted the smoothest and calmest.  The decanted wine tasted the best out of all the options.

Wine Dinner Group

Overall, the wine dinner was very educational and worthwhile.  I had a great time with my friends comparing opinions about which foods tasted best with which wines.  I have so much more to learn and can't wait to do it again.

Ian and Me

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

Vintage Cellar 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 Review:  This wine smelled like a lemon slice coated in honey. There was a hint of dried fruit and sticky.  The taste of OVERPOWERING honey.  This wine is not one of my favorites.  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Torre Castillo Alegre

Name:  Torre Castillo Alegre
Variety:  100% Monastrell
Region:  Jumilla
Country:  Spain
Year:  2010
Price:  $9.95

Vintage Cellar 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 Review:  This wine was hard to put my finger on the exact smell.  It smelled like some type of dried fruit with seeds.  It tasted like licorice at a campfire.  Very woodsy.  It was very smooth at first but then got a little acidic at the end.  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Wilson Daniels Merlot

Name:  Wilson Daniels Merlot
Variety:  Merlot
Region:  Central Coast, California
Country:  United States of America
Year:  2010
Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar 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 Review:  When I was trying to smell this wine I had a very hard time trying to get any smell.  The very faint smell I did get smelled of expired fruit.  This wine has a toasty taste which was caused by oak.  The wine tasted acidic at first but less acidic going down.  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Bricco Dei Tati Rosè

Name:  Bricco Dei Tati Rosè
Variety:  100% Barbera
Region:  Piedmont
Country:  Italy
Year:  2012
Price:  $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and rose petals, this an ideal wine with shellfish, salads, chicken, and appetizers.

My Review:  This wine smells like strawberry gummies with a hint of cherries.  The taste starts off acidic but has an extremely smooth finish.  This wine is delicious.  In my opinion this wine was the best at the wine tasting this week.  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc

Name:  Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc
Variety:  Sauvignon Blanc
Region:  California
Country:  United States of America
Year:  2009
Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar 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 Review:  This wine has a strong green apple smell.  It is almost a sour green apple smell.  This wine has a very strong lemon taste.  It also has a very smooth finish.  I feel like this wine does not have to be paired with food but I could see it tasting delicious with a nice salad or seafood.  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Ruta 22 Malbec

Name:  Ruta 22 Malbec
Variety:  Malbec
Region:  Patagonia
Country:  Argentina
Year:  2011
Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar 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 Review:  This wine smelled very sweet.  It had a dark berry fruit basket aroma.  This wine tasted delicious.  It goes down smoothly.  It was a tad bitter, similar to a standard red wine.  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Château Serres Sainte Lucie Corbières

Name:  Château Serres Sainte Lucie Corbières
Variety:  Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre
Region:  Corbières
Country:  France
Year:  2010
Price:  $4.95

Vintage Cellar 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 Review:  This wine had very interesting smells.  The wine smelled like a barnyard, mulch, horses, and new asphalt.  The smells reflected the taste.  This wine had an earthy, forestry, and camp fire taste.  I feel like the wine would have tasted a lot better with dark chocolate.  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Cresta Azul

Name:  Cresta Azul
Variety:  Moscatel, Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo
Region:  None
Country:  Spain
Year:  NV
Price:  $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Peach, orange cream and vanilla flavors mingle in this softly bubbly white. Off-dry, but with crisp acidity and a clean finish.

My Review:  This wine had a strong peach/ orange mixed ice cream smell.  The taste reminded me of a dessert wine.  It was very smooth and went down easily.  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Veleta Tempranillo Rosado

Name:  Veleta Tempranillo Rosado
Variety:  Tempranillo
Region:  Granada
Country:  Spain
Year:  2010
Price:  $3.95

Vintage Cellar 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 Review:  The first thing I noticed was this wine has a pink color.  The overwhelming smell my nose picked up was a fruit basket similar to an edible arrangements.  There was also a hint of banana smell.  The wine tasted really good.  It was very smooth and easy to drink.  It also had a tart fruit juice taste.  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado

Name:  Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado
Variety:  Sparkling Brut Blend
Region:  None
Country:  Spain
Year:  NV
Price:  $3.95

Vintage Cellar 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 Review:  The first thing I noticed about this wine is that it looks copper.  The wine smelled similar to a fruit soda.  The taste was very tart and acidic.  This wine was not my favorite.  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz

Name:  Emeri de Bortoli Sparking Shiraz
Variety:  Shiraz
Region:  South Eastern Australia
Country:  Australia
Year:  NV
Price:  $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  A relatively light, fresh style of sparkling Shiraz, with berries and hints of chocolate picking up just a touch of sweet vanilla on the finish.

My Review:  This wine smells light and fruity.  The finish has a hint of dark chocolate.  This wine tastes delicious!  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Montebuena

Name:  Montebuena
Variety:  100% Tempranillo
Region:  Rioja
Country:  Spain
Year:  2010
Price:  $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it’s an excellent value for Rioja.

My Review:  This is the best selling wine at the vintage cellar in the last three years.  This wine has a very strong black cherry smell.  The taste reminds me of a sweet tart because it is sour and sweet at the same time.  The wine was delicious.  I feel like it would taste good with spaghetti.  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Tres Ojos Garnacha

Name:  Tres Ojos Garnacha
Variety:  Garnacha
Region:  Calatayud
Country:  Spain
Year:  2011
Price:  $6.95

Vintage Cellar 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. Enjoy with sausages, roasted meats, aged cheeses etc.

My Review:  The wine had a raspberry smell.  The taste was very different.  It made my tongue dry when I was drinking it.  I think it would taste a lot better with food.  It had a sour bite at the end.  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence

Name:  Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence
Variety:  50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 20% Cinsault
Region:  Provence
Country:  France
Year:  2011
Price:  $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Bright salmon pink; typical of the fresh but warm Provence style. Refined and complex on the nose, with summer fruit and floral notes. Dry and crisp, with a delicate flavor and full texture.

My Review:  The first thing I noticed with this wine is that it has a salmon color in the bottle, but does not look pink in the glass.  The wine smells of flowers and fruits.  A strong black cherry smell comes through.  The smell reminds me of a spring morning at the country side with clean linens blowing in the wind. The taste is crisp and light.  It has a very nice flavor.  I was not eating any food at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Canyon Road Chardonnay

Name:  Canyon Road Chardonnay
Variety:  Chardonnay
Region:  California
Country:  United States
Year:  2011
Price:  $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Medium- bodied wine with notes of crisp apple and ripe citrus fruit with a hint of cinnamon spice. Delicious complement to grilled chicken, lighter pasta dishes or mild cheeses.

My Review:  This wine is very common in most restaurants because it tastes like a $15 bottle of wine.  This wine has a hint of apples, light, and clean smell.  There was not much of any taste to this wine.  It was easy to drink.  It reminds me of a starter wine.  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Potluck Sweet Malbec

Name:  Potluck Sweet Malbec
Variety:  Malbec
Region:  Mendoza
Country:  Argentina
Year:  2010
Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Deep red brilliant with violet hints. Complex, fruity, and predominant red fruits. Easy to drink, round with persistent sweetness, very well balanced with sweet tannins.

My Review:  This wine smells like sweet grape jelly.  The taste is very delicious.  There is a touch of berry and acidity on the palate. I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting- Domaine de Grange de Payan

Name:  Domaine de Grange de Payan
Variety:  Grenache
Region:  Cotes du Rhone
Country:  France
Year:  2011
Price:  $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Intensely spicy and precise, with lively red berry flavors and a hint of black pepper. The Grenache, which makes up the majority of the wine, is deeper and more powerful, offering cherry and black raspberry qualities lifted by zesty minerality.

My Review:  When swirling the wine the legs were noticeable.  This wine had a very strong smell of black pepper.  The taste was very faint.  Hard to really taste anything.  It was very acidic and dry though.  Overall, I thought the wine was boring, not one of my favorites.  I was not eating any food while at the wine tasting.

Tasting-Tinto Figaro

Name:  Tinto Figaro
Variety:  100% Garnacha
Region:  Calatayud
Country:  Spain
Year:  2009
Price:  $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Figaro is 100% Garnacha, made from a selection of the best grapes grown in the oldest vineyards. While not truly an "oaked wine", a short stay in oak barrels provides a nice spicy flavor boost. Bright violet. Dark berry and cherry aromas show a jammy aspect. Supple and gently sweet, with good lift to its black raspberry and boysenberry flavors. Smooth and broad on the finish, leaving behind a hint of spiciness. Extremely easy to drink and an excellent value.

My Review:  This wine had a blackberry smell.  It was obvious that an oak barrel was used in the wine making process because the wine had a oak/firewood taste.  The wine was very dry.  I feel like it would taste good with hen.  Overall, the wine was not my favorite but it was not bad, definitely drinkable.  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Maipe Malbec Rose

Name:  Maipe Malbec Rose
Variety:   Malbec
Region:  Mendoza
Country:  Argentina
Year:  2011
Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Intense pink color with violet hints. Fresh red fruit bouquet, strawberry and cherry flavors, balanced acidity, dry and lingering finish. Excellent with tuna or green salad, pasta, spicy Asian dishes.

My Review:  This wine had a very strong berry salad smell.  There was a strong black cherry taste.  The finish was a bit acidic.  Overall, the wine is definitely drinkable.  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Name:  Cortenova Pinot Grigio
Variety:  Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
Region:  Veneto
Country:  Italy
Year:  2012
Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections.  Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste.
Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi, spaghetti with
clams, sole in white wine Perfect also as an aperitif.

My Review:  This wine had a very strong smell of banana bread.  The taste was delicious.  It was a mixture of being slightly acidic and sweetish.  When I was tasting the wine, it reminded me of being on a boat or at the beach.  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Gabriella Chianti

Name:  Gabriella Chianti
Variety:  100% Torrontes
Region:  Tuscany
Country:  Italy
Year:  2008
Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  This beautiful wine has the very deep red, almost purple, color that you would expect in a Chianti. The first thing you notice is the fruit, balanced by a bit of spice. It’s a good dry wine with a bold flavor.  Even with it’s boldness, this Chianti is velvety smooth.

My Review:  The smell was very stronger.  It has a sweeter/fruitier smell with a hint of dry and acidity.  The taste was terrible, and the wine was hard to drink.  It was very bitter, dry, acidic, and tart.  I mean very dry.  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

Name:  Lavarini Valpolicella Classico
Variety:  65% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, and 10% Molinara
Region:  Valpolicella Classico
Country:  Italy
Year:  2010
Price:  $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  The red ruby color and the dry taste give this wine joviality and cordiality. It is fresh and fruity, with lovely strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors, with nice spice and a silky texture.

My Review:  This wine has a basic red wine smell.  It smells very dry, acidic, and bitter.  The taste is not one of my favorites.  It is pretty dry, acidic, tart, and bitter.  The finish reminds me of my mouth being on fire.  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose

Name:  Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose
Variety:  50% Cabernet and 50% Merlot Rose
Region:  Cotes de Gascogne
Country:  France
Year:  2011
Price:  $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  There is a fresh, crisp character to this light rosé. It is eye-watering in its refreshing character, with balancing acidity, smoothing out the edges with a touch of caramel.

My Review:  This wine smells very clean and breezy.  It reminds me of sitting on the beach.  The taste is not as great as it smells.  It is a do able wine, but it is dry and acidic.  It has a smooth taste going down.  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Norton Torrontes

Name:  Norton Torrontes
Variety:  100% Torrontes
Region:  Mendoza 
Country:  Argentina
Year:  2011
Price:  $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Greenish yellow with hints of gold, this Torrontés has intense aromas of white peach, rose petal, and jasmine. Norton Torrontés 2011 is pleasant and well balanced on the palate.

My Review:  This wine has a very strong smell of something I cannot put my finger on.  It is something that I have smelt before that is floral and fruity.  The taste, however, is nothing like it smells.  It is very acidic and bitter.  To top it off it has a bite at the end.  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Dibon Cava

Name:  Dibon Cava
Variety:  25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada, and 45% Macabeo
Region:  Penedes
Country:  Spain
Year:  NV
Price:  $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  The nose offers regal yeast and richness, while the palate has complexity to prop up apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors. Solid from front to back, with health and freshness.

My Review:  This wine has a basic wine smell.  It has a hint of granny smith apple and a hint of acidity.  The taste is very delicious.  It is very smooth going down and even tastes a little bit like apples.   I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Name:  Opera Prima Pink Moscato
Variety:  Moscat Grape
Region:  Castilla La Mancha
Country:  Spain
Year:  NV
Price:  $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  This fine sparkling presents and intense aroma of fresh berries and tropical fruits with hints of white flavor petals. Delicate bubbles caress the palate offering a silky and pleasant sweetness well balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish. Ideal on it own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts.

My Review:  The Pink Moscato smells very clean and soapy.  Almost like a Bath and Body Works fragrance for a body wash.  The taste is delicious.  It has a berry soda, fruity, and smooth taste.  It is very easy to drink.  Best wine yet!  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Black Opal Shiraz

Name:  Black Opal Shiraz
Variety:  100% Shiraz
Region:  Southeastern Australia
Country:  Australia
Year:  2011
Price:  $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  The Black Opal wines are sourced from vineyards found in South Australia along the Limestone Coast, at Langhorne Creek and in the infamous Barossa Valley. Black Opal Shiraz is rich red in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, pepper and spice followed with rich plum flavors round out the palate. Soft tannins give structure to the fruit-driven palate.

My Review:  The Shiraz smells terrible.  There is a hint of dry vomit.  It also has dry and acidic smells.  The taste is not as bad as it smells, however, there is a touch of acidic taste.  This wine is drinkable.  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Name:  Sokol Blosser Meditrina
Variety:  Blend of Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel
Region:  Oregon
Country:  USA
Year:  NV
Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  It's created from the finest Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel. The taste is lush and velvety with expressive notes of raspberry and cherry. It pairs nicely with pasta and anything off the grill.

My Review:  The Meditrina has a hint of raspberry and black cherry smells.  The fruit smell is mixed in with a very dry smell.  At first, the taste is okay and very smooth.  When you finish it, however, there is a bite that is very tart and dry.  I do not care for this wine at all.  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon

Name:  Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon
Variety:  80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon
Region:  South Australia
Country:  Australia
Year:  2008
Price:  $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Gotham’s 2008 Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish.

My Review:  The Chardonnay had a very bad smell.  There was a hint of vomit and acidic smells mixed together.  The taste was very bitter, dry, and acidic.  This one was a drinkable Chardonnay.  That says a lot because I am personally not a fan of Chardonnay.  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Beringer Riesling

Name:  Beringer Riesling
Variety:  100% Riesling
Region:  California
Country:  USA
Year:  2009
Price:  $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  This wine is the perfect balance of honeysuckle and bright peach flavors. A perfect compliment to light fare, appetizers, or just sharing with friends.

My Review:  The Riesling has a hint of peach and a little acidic smell.  The taste was very smooth and very easy to drink.  It is definitively drinkable.  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Dark Horse Cabernet

Name: The Original Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon
Region:  California
Country:  USA
Year: 2011
Price: $8.99


The Original DARKHORSE Description:  Bold flavors of blackberry and black cherry, supported by firm tannins, brown spice and a dark chocolate espresso finish.

My Review:  The smell of this wine is very nice.  It had a very strong berry smell with a hint of blueberry.  The taste was very acidic at first and a very smooth after taste.  I was not eating any food while at the tasting.

Tasting-Don Manuel Torrontes

Name:  Don Manuel Torrontes
Variety:  Torrontes
Region:  Mendoza
Country:  Argentina
Year:  2010
Price:  $13.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  90 points, Wine Enthusiast.  A really good and clean white wine with all the tropicality and zest that this Argentine variety can give.  The nose is crystalline and pure, with white flower scents of jasmine and citrus blossom, while the palate is round, melony and full of lychee and papaya.  Smooth on the finish.  Drink soon-M.S.

My Review:  This wine smelled like faint vomit.  The smell made me very hesitant to taste it.  To my surprise, the taste was not as bad as it smelled.  The taste was clean and smooth at the end.  The after taste was a little sour.  I did not eat any food at the tasting.

Tasting-Dom de la Quila Muscadet

Name:  Domaine de la Quilla Muscadet
Variety:  100% Muscadet or Melon de Bourgogne
Region:  Loire Valley
Country:  France
Year:  2011
Price:  $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Oyster Wine!!!  The real key to the wines from Domaine de la Quilla is that the Vinet's keep the wines sur lie for eight months before bottling at the end of May, unlike most in this appellation who bottle in March.  The Vinet family work proudly to produce this impeccably dry and fragrant wine.  Enjoy!

My Review:  This is the first wine I tasted the way I was taught in class.  While tasting the wine I learned that sur lie means yeast was left in the wine.  I struggled with the smell at first but finally smelled berries.  When I tasted it, it had an acidic taste.  I did not eat any food at the tasting.

Personal Wine Experience Up Until This Class

I remember my first time trying wine like it was yesterday.  It all started with a group of friends early in my college career talking about how they like to try different new wines.  So, one guy invited us to his apartment to try all the wines he had opened.  Luckily for me he knew a lot about wine and my taste pallet.  He knew that I like basically anything with sugar, so he started me off on dessert wines and white wines.  I felt like a whole new world had opened up, and that I was never turning back.  I think the main reason I thoroughly enjoyed the experience was it taught me that wine is good, and I felt very comfortable in the social setting the whole time I was trying different wines.  I was with a group of friends talking, listening to music, and watching movies.  I went home feeling "happy," but having no regrets in the morning.  Later in the semester I went back to his apartment to hang out with friends again.  This time he had just discovered the taste of dessert wine poured over vanilla ice cream.  He gave it to us to try and let him know our opinions.  All of us wanted seconds. It was delicious!  After that experience I decided that dessert wine is my favorite and definitely poured over ice cream.

Another experience with wine that stands out was when the Inn at Virginia Tech needed 100 volunteers to help with a banquet.  I thought to myself this would be a great way to earn some extra cash and experience something new.  When I was a waitress they expected me to know how to say the names of the wines and how to pour them for the guests.  It took me 10 minutes to just make sure I got the pronunciation of the two wines correct so I did not mess it up and feel dumb.  Then later, I learned that the red wine goes in the larger mouth glass and the white wine goes in the smaller mouth glass.  The red wine has to go in the larger glass so it can breath.  After that experience I decided I needed to take this class so I can learn more about wine and not feel dumb.

In this class I would like to learn EVERYTHING there is to know about wine.  I would like to feel cultured when people bring up the topic of wine and not ignorant.  I would mainly like to focus on learning the different vocabulary associated with wine, and how to pronounce the names of different types of wine.  Also, I would like to learn how to partner wine with different meals, just like the way my friend partnered dessert wine with ice cream.  If the topic is wine, my ears are open.