Tasting Numero Cinco

Name: Les Perles Piquepoul

Variety: Piquepoul

Region: Cotes de Thau

Country: France

Year:2011

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Light and young, this is a straightforward but enjoyable selection that would be an ideal match for light fare such as grilled chicken salads or fluke. Apple flesh, nectarine, and sweet citrus oil aromas and flavors appear on the nose and palate, while the short finish is infused with a flavor of green melon rind.

My Review:This wine had a very soft nose and I wasn't able to pick out the nectarine that the VC review notes. I was however able to taste the apple; the wine was very tart. It tasted low in alcohol with a fast finish.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Name: Tres Ojos Rose

Variety: 50%Tempranillo 50% Garnacha

Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Price: $1.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This medium rose-colored rosado boasts a spicy red cherry/plum
nose with a soft lush attack of red berry fruit flavors and a crisp dry finish. Simple and refreshing and a natural for tapas.

My Review: The first thing I noticed was spices on the nose of the wine. It tasted well balances and I could detect cherry flavor.

I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Name: Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola

Variety: Nero D'Avola

Region: Sicily

Country:Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Very dark purple, with a reddish-violet edge, typical of this grape. Black plums, a hint of licorice and subtle spice, not overly complex but appealing. A big mouth full of juicy black fruit is well structured by tart acidity and soft but distinct tannins.

My Review:This wine tasted of plums and was also highly tannic in my opinion. It left the mouth dry.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Name: Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: 60% Shiraz 40% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region:Argentina

Country: Argentina

Year: NV

Price: $3.95

Vintage Cellar Review: It is dry and contains subtle tobacco undertones with a black licorice, cherry, scent. The oak is in the background. Would pair well hamburger or a steak rather than stand alone.

My Review:This wine had a smokey and spicy nose. It was well balanced and I could trace tastes of licorice.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Name: Morada Sangria

Variety:Sangria

Region:

Country: Spain

Year: NV

Price: $4.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Morada Sangria is a traditional Spanish drink made with red wine
and citrus extracts. Garnet color and fresh on the palate. Pasteurization preserves the color, aromas and flavors. 7% Alc. It is a very refreshing Sangria with around 85 grams of sugar. Sangria is now one of the hottest items in the beverage industry and it's growing exponentially year to year. Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana or apple.

My Review: This wine smelt strongly of lemon and citrus off the bat. It was a super fruity tasting wine. It tasted strongly of oranges. There was a presence of sugar but the sangria was not overly sweet. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Fourth Time's A Charm - Tasting

Hannah and I went for a quick wine taste between classes on Thursday! Here's what we tried.

Name: Dibon Cava

Variety: Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo

Region: Penedes

Country: Spain

Year: NV

Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo. 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 tasted of crisp apple and citrus. I found it complex in flavor and a bit bubbly on the tongue. There was also a warm sensation towards the finish. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Name: Norton Torrontes

Variety: Torrontes

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2011

Price: $5.95

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

My Review: I tasted hints of peach in this wine. It was fruity and very well balanced. It had a very smooth finish. One of my favorite wines of the day!

I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Name: Dom de Mirail

Variety: Cabernet/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: Strangely enough, I tried this wine a couple weeks ago and like it so much that I bought it. This week, it was difficult to distinguish the flavors and it just tasted like a dry wine without many distinct flavors. I think this says a lot about the setting you try the wine in. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Name: Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

Variety: 65% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, 10% Molinara

Region: Veneto

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: The nose of this wine was smoky and I got a strong scent of spices. The wine tasted of cherry. Although it was a bit dry, I enjoyed it!

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Name: Gabriella Chianti

Variety: Sangiovese

Region: Chianti

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 thing that stuck with me most about this wine was how smooth it was. It was dry and I didn't sense any residual sugar, but still it was not harsh and had great body. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting Numero Tres

My first Thursday tasting! The wines were fewer and cheaper but free wine is free wine.

Name: Beringer

Variety: Riesling

Region: Napa

Country: USA

Year: 2009

Price: $9.95

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: This Riesling was on the drier side which I enjoyed. It tasted a bit fruity, with peach being the most distinguishable flavor. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Name: Wine Men of Gotham

Variety: Chardonnay / Semillon

Region: Southern 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:This was a more aromatic wine. There was a distinct smell of a fruit I could not recognize. I would definitely be willing to try it again to figure out what it was! This wine had a tropical taste.

I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Name: Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Variety: 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 or anything off the grill. 

My Review: This was a very smooth and balanced wine that tasted like cherry. Very nice finish. I'd definitely put this on my "to buy" list.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Name: Black Opal 

Variety: Shiraz

Region: South Eastern 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 smell of this wine hit me quickly with pepper and spices. It tasted of plum had a long finish.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Name: Opera Prima

Variety: Pink Moscato 

Region: Castilla la Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: NV

Price: $5.95

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

My Review: This wine smelt and tasted strongly of flowers but there was also a fruit I could not recognize. I enjoyed the bubbles on the tongue. It was not overwhelmingly sweet.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Number Two - Wine Tasting

After a delicious breakfast at Gillie's, the crew returned to the Vintage Cellar yesterday for another tasting.  

Name: Dom de la Quila

Variety: Muscadet

Region: Pays de la Loire

Country: France

Year: 2011

Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Oyster Wine! The real key to the wines from Domaine de la Quila 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.

My Review: This wine was my favorite of the day. It was very crisp and I could taste apple. I can certainly see how it would be good with oysters or as an aperitif. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Name: Don Manuel

Variety: Torrontes

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2011

Price: $13.95

Vintage Cellar Review: 90 point, Wine Enthusiast. A really good and clean white wine with all the topicality 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. 

My Review: I was able to taste a little bit of the citrus, but I also thought that this wine was very acidic. It kind of left that burning sensation in the back of the throat-- very sharp. 

I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Name: Wild Hog

Variety: Barbera

Region: Mendocino

Country: USA

Year: 2007

Price: $22.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Notes of ripe dark fruit on the nose, with a hint of earth. The palate is greeted with a combination of dark fruits including blackberry, dark plum, olallie berries and sour cherry. Bright acidity and ripe fruit, hints to what this wine will become with some age. Great now with a little breathing. 

My Review: The first thing my friend and I noticed was that it smelt earthy. We got the same tasted when we tasted the wine. Though it was also a bit acidic, we enjoyed the wine. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Name: Perata Vineyards

Variety: Cab/Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley

Country: USA

Year: 2007

Price: $20.95

Vintage Cellar Review: 93 points, Wine Exchange Team. A gorgeous bottling that represents a tremendous value in the heart of Napa. The would-be grapes for the Estate's top bottling are used here to produce a decadent wine with rich classic Cabernet flavors intermixed with wild spices, tobacco, and fresh herb on a caressing finish.

My Review: I didn't get much out of this wine the first sip I tried, but after letting it breath a bit more and trying it again, I was able to sense the wild spices that the review mentioned! Starting to appreciate red wines more and more. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Name: Emeri

Variety: Pink Moscato 
Region: Hunter Valley

Country: Australia 

Year: 2011

Price: $12.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Pale translucent pink. Fresh fruit aromas with strawberry and musk. Velvety and ful with a persistent bead and fresh finish. The perfect aperitif on it's own of enjoy with fresh fruits of seafood.

My Review: This wine was very fruity and even a bit bubbly. I could easily taste the strawberry. Although I do not typically drink moscato, this one was not overwhelmingly sweet and I enjoyed it very much. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.