Tasting - Francis Ford Coppola Director's Sonoma County Merlot

Name: Francis Ford Coppola Director's Sonoma County Merlot

Variety: Merlot

Region: Sonoma County California

Country: U.S.

Year: 2007

Price: $7.95

Winemaker's notes: Our Francis Ford Coppola Director's Merlot is a rich, ripe and expressive wine due to its powerful fruit character. It displays a soft, velvety texture and succulent flavors of plum, blueberries, cocoa and spice. A perfect accompaniment to barbecued chicken pizza, pot roast, or a spinach salad with mustard vinaigrette. WineChateau.com

My Review: I bought this wine beginning of the semester drank it had the review done but never got the chance to post because I've been going to the wine tastings. Now this was a very good wine. I enjoyed this one a lot. It smelled fruity and smelled a little like alcohol. The taste was good it had a cherry and plum taste. It was not too sweet and just right. It also had a buttery after taste. I was lucky to have bought this wine for just $7.95.

I had this on its own without food.

Tasting - Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône

Name: Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône

Variety: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah 10% Cinsault

Region: Rhone Valley

Country: France

Year: 2010

Price: $14.95/750mL or $38.95/3L

Winemaker's notes: 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, avender, 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 Review: Smelled like cherries and peppers. The alcohol smell was pretty strong. It tasted spicy and peppery and licorice tasted. Try to pick up anything else but it was pretty hard. I didn't really enjoy this one.

I had this on its own without food.

Tasting - Lobetia Tempranillo

Name: Lobetia Tempranillo

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $9.95

Winemaker's notes: 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 Review: This wine smelled of cherries and wood. Also had a little spice smell. It tasted like it smelled. Had a lot of cherry and wood. It kinda had a tobacco taste but not much. This was just okay for me.

I had this on its own without food.

Tasting - Lobetia Chardonnay

Name: Lobetia Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $9.95

Winemaker's notes: 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 Review: I liked the smell of this wine. It smelled like pineapples with is my favorite fruit. Tasted fruity and fresh. It had a little acidic taste but it was really good. I not a big fan of Chardonnay but I really enjoyed this one.

I had this on its own without food.

Tasting - Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele

Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $7.95

Winemaker's notes: 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 Review: This wine smelled very fruity on the nose. It also had an acidic smell. The taste was okay. It had acidic and sweet taste also had a melon taste. I would not buy this wine but would not mind drinking it again.

I had this on its own without food.

Winery Visit - Attimo Winery

On Sunday, April 14, 2013, my girlfriend and I decide to visit a winery. We went to Attimo Winery which was only a 30 minute drive away. This was our first winery visit and was excited to learn more about wine.

The first thing that I wanted to do was go taste the wine that was made in Attimo Winery. So we went tasting area to try the wine. 

This was the wine list that they gave us and I did the standard wine tasting. The standard wine tasting was only $5.00 to try 8 wines. They had a variety of white and red wines to try. They were very nice to give us 9 wines to try instead of 8.

The 9 wines that I tried were Yesterday's Song, Sonnet 98, Off-the-Cuff, Just Kissed Blush, After Midnight, Bull Frog Symphony, Deep Silence, AD 325, and Sweet Berry Sunset. My tasting note is listed below.

• Yesterday's Song - Made from Chardonnay. Dry white, crisp, lightly oaked, pear note. 

1. My Review - This wine smelled sour and had a fresh clean smell. It had a pear tasted and was a little bitter. Also had the buttery after taste. I do not like Chardonnay that much but this was a good Chardonnay.

• Sonnet 98 - Made from Vidal Blanc. Dry white, crisp, floral, hints of fresh greens. 

1. My Review - This wine smelled buttery and clean. It had a very crisp clean taste more than the first wine. 

• Off-the-Cuff - Made from Reisling and Chardonnay. Semi-sweet white, fruity. 

1. My Review - This wine smelled like white grape jucie and a sweet smell. Tasted fruity and was pretty sweet. It also had the buttery after taste. 

• Just Kissed Blush - Made from Vidal and Raspbery. Off-dry blush, fruity; distinct berry flavors. 

1. My Review - This wine smelled like the Sonnet 98 but with more fuirty smell. It was very sweet and had a mango taste.  

• After Midnight - Made from Merlot, Zinfandel, and Blackberry. Semi-sweet red fruity flavor; velvety texture. 

1. My Review - This had a lot of berry componets. Cherry and blackberry smell was very nice. It taste semi sweet and very fruity  It had a little taste of alcohol but it wasn't bad. I enjoyed this one, so I actually bought a bottle.  

• Bull Frog Symphony - This was a blend wine. Dry red blend, peppery, Bordeaux style. 

1. My Review - This wine smelled fruity. It tasted peppery and was very smooth.

• Deep Silence - Made from Cabernet Franc. Dry red, intense berry flavors and light smoky peppery finish. 

1. My Review - This had a good cherry smell and tasted like cherries. It had the smokey peppery finish at the end.

• AD 325 - Made from Chambourcin. Dry red with bold flavors and cherry undertones. 

1. My Review - This wine also smelled like cherries. It was bitter and peppery. Had a sour cherry taste. 

• Sweet Berry Sunset - Made from Raspberry and Red Blend. Sweet red, Intense berry and fruity flavors.

1. My Review - This wine smelled very fruity. It had a strong smell of strawberries. It tasted very sweet and was a bit sour. It also had a buttery taste. 

After the wine tasting we went out to see where the grapes where made. The field were pretty big and was very beautiful to see. It was a plus since the weather was very nice.

This was a very good experience and something that I would like to do again. It was good to see how the wine were made and how they are grown. I would recommend and students at Virginia Tech to visit.

Tasting - Concannon Shiraz

Name: Concannon Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz

Region: Central Coast, California

Country: U.S.

Year: 2008

Price: $7.95 

Winemaker's notes: 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 Review: This wine smelled like blackberry and cherry. It had the berry taste like the one I smelled. Also was peppery and had the spice taste. Thought it was a okay because of the balance of spice and berries. 

I had this on its own without food.

Tasting - Ksana Bonarda

Name: Ksana Bonarda

Variety: Bonarda

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2008

Price: $9.95

Winemaker's notes: 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 Review: This one smelled like berries with peppers. It had the spice taste with cherry. Also had a oak taste. This wine was okay to drink but I did not like that much. 

I had this on its own without food.

Tasting - Chandon Sweet Cuvée

Name: Chandon Sweet Cuvée

Variety: ???

Region: California

Country: U.S.

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $9.95

Winemaker's notes: 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 Review: This wine had a floral scent kind of like shampoo. It tasted bubbly. Did not really taste anything else. It was kinda sweet but was hard to really pick out what it tasted like. I did not like this that much. 

I had this on its own without food.

Tasting - Black Ridge White Zinfandel

Name: Black Ridge White Zinfandel

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: U.S.

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $3.95

Winemaker's notes: 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 Review: This wine had a fruity smell of sweet berries. It tasted sweet and I tasted some berry component like strawberry and cherry. This was a sweet wine that tasted okay. I would drink this again.

I had this on its own without food.

Tasting - Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Central Coast, California

Country: U.S.

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Winemaker's notes: 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 Review: This wine had orange and lemon smell. It had a nice citrus component on the nose. It tasted sweet with the citrus. Had a acidic taste at the end. This was a decent wine.

I had this on its own without food.

Tasting - Caprice de BastorLamontagne

Name: Caprice de BastorLamontagne

Variety: 60% Semillon 36% Sauvignon Blanc 4% Muscadelle

Region: Sauternes 

Country: France

Year: 2004

Price: $9.95

Winemaker's notes: 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 lemon. It tasted very sweet and was like candy. It had an apple taste with a little bit of a vanilla. Was really tasty wine and was good. I would drink this again. 

I had this on its own without food.

Tasting - Torre Castillo Alegre

Name: Torre Castillo Alegre

Variety: Monastrell

Region: Jumilla

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: $9.95

Winemaker's notes: 100% Monastrell 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: What a wine, it was so horrible. It smelled like tobacco and soy sauce. I didn't really want to try this after the smell. When I tasted the wine it tasted like smokey wood and licorice. I did not like this wine and would not drink this again.   

I had this on its own without food.

Tasting - Wilson Daniels Merlot

Name: Wilson Daniels Merlot

Variety: Merlot

Region: Central Coast, California

Country: U.S.

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Winemaker's notes: 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: I enjoy merlots so this wine was good. I could only pick up a cherry smell. It tasted like raspberries and blackberries. Also had a buttery after taste. It was a good wine.

I had this on its own without food.

Tasting - Bricco Dei Tati Rose

Name: Bricco Dei Tati Rose

Variety: Barbera

Region: ???

Country: Italy

Year: 2012

Price: $6.95

Winemaker's notes: 100% Barbera Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and rose petals, this an ideal wine with shellfish, salads, chicken, and appetizers.

My Review: This wine smelled pretty good. It smelled like strawberries and roses. Also had a very sweet smell. The taste was okay. I tasted cherries and it had a sour taste. I would like to try this wine with some food.

I had this on its own without food.

Tasting - Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: California

Country: U.S.

Year: 2009

Price: $7.95

Winemaker's notes: 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 smelled like grape juice and cabbage. It tasted a bit bitter and bland. I didn't taste any of the ones mentioned in the description of the wine. I did not like this wine. 

I had this on its own without food.

Wine Dinner Blog #1

I wanted to try a dinner blog this week and I had the opportunity to do one on Friday 4/5/13 with my roommate. My roommate and I didn't have a lot of money to spend so we went out to Kroger and bought some steak meat, some sides, couple of wines, and some dessert. It was a very simple steak dinner with wine.

These two are the wines we bought to pair with our steak and dinner. 

Redwood Creek 2011 Merlot which costed $6.99

Gallo Family Moscato which costed $3.99

I read online that the Merlot pairs well with New York strip steaks so I wanted to try this because I am a big fan of the Merlot. This was when I began to cook the steak.

This is the steak after it cook for about 10 minutes. The steak was cooked medium rare and looked great.

Had the steak ready and had it with the mashed potatoes and the glass of Redwood Creek Merlot. 

The wine smelled sweet and fruity. Also had a smell of cherries. The taste was a bit bitter, but with the steak it lessen that taste. Had a plum like taste with the steak and was really pleasing after taste.  

After the steak was done we paired ate strawberry cheese with the Gallo Family Moscato to see how it was.

The Moscato smelled soapy and like alcohol. Was okay with the cheese cake. Tasted like apples and white grape juice. It was very sweet with the wine.

This dinner was a learning experience and had a good time trying the wine with food. I thought the Redwook Creek Merlot paired well with the New York strip steak and would definitely try these pair again, maybe with a better merlot. The Gallo Family Moscato was okay but I think I won't be pairing it with cheese cake again. Had a good time cooking the food, but would like to go out to a restaurant for the next dinner blog. 

Edit

I got an email recently saying I need at lest 3 food and wine pairing. So I had the wine After Midnight and decide it would be nice to pair this wine with a fruit. 

This was actually a good pairing. The strawberries worked great with the wine. The wine it self was sweet so with the strawberries it made it even sweeter. It also took out the bitterness of some of the strawberries. The taste of strawberries and cherries were pretty amazing.

Tasting - Ruta 22 Malbec

Name: Ruta 22 Malbec

Variety: Malbec

Region: Patagonia

Country: Argentina

Year: 2011

Price: $7.95

Winemaker's notes: 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 had a strong smell of berries. I tasted the blackberries and was a little dry at the end. Did not mind this wine and I would try this again.

I had this on its own without food.