Tasting - Landshut Riesling 2019

Variety: 100% Riesling

Country: Germany    

Region: Mosel

Vintage: 2019

Price: $5

Winemaker's Notes: "This exquisite, well-balanced Riesling has a fruity bouquet with flavors of apricot and peach. Perfect accompaniment to light meals, desserts, or simply on its own." 

Wine Characteristics: "An aromatic white variety that can produce white wines ranging in style from bone-dry to very sweet. Germany is the world's most important producer of Riesling." -p.158 Wine Folly

My Review: This Riesling was surprisingly delicious and exceeded my expectations. I opted to pair this wine with spicy buffalo chicken wings because I have enjoyed the sweet wine/spicy food pairing in the past. The tangy, spicy notes from the chicken wings were complimented by the sweet, fruity notes from the wine. This was not the sweetest Riesling I have ever had and I thought it struck a good balance between sweetness and flavor. 

Visual - Straw

Nose - White Peach, Pear

Palette - Ripe Pear, Ripe Peach, Apple

Food Pairing - Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wings

Tasting - Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Country: United States    

Region: North Coast, California

Vintage: 2018

Price: $15

Winemaker's Notes: "Our Cabernet Sauvignon was the first wine we made. This is the wine that started it all, setting the exacting standards that we hold ourselves to for all of our varietals. Round and juicy, our Cabernet Sauvignon has flavors of blackberry, toasted hazelnut and cinnamon, complemented by hints of vanilla and toasted oak." 

Wine Characteristics: "The rich flavor and high tannin content in Cabernet Sauvignon make it a perfect partner to rich grilled meats, peppery sauces, and dishes with high flavor." -p.88 Wine Folly

My Review: This Cabernet Sauvignon was underwhelming compared to the other Cabs I have tried during this course. My immediate thought was that this wine was out of balance. For a young Cab, I expected it to be a tannin bomb, but this was a tannin bomb with nothing to balance it out. There wasn't adequate acidity or fruit to balance out the tannins. This wine could be great in 10, 15, 20 years, but I just don't think it was time yet. 

Visual - Ruby

Nose - Blackberry, Blueberry, Wet Gravel

Palette - Gravel, Blueberry Jam, Oak

Food Pairing - Salami

 

Dinner - Salmon (American Fare)

Wine and Dinner Pairing No. I

Last night, a few of my friends and I got together and decided to do our first dinner pairing. We agreed about a week ago that we wanted to have salmon, which gave us plenty of time to find our pairings of choice, with the help of the Vintage Cellar in Blacksburg. 

Our private chef for the evening was our friend Brent, who was kind enough to make dinner for everyone. He prepared baked salmon with a lemon glaze, sauteed asparagus, and spicy roasted potatoes. Lemon was a prominent flavor in the dish, so we knew that we wanted to find a wine that had lemon-forward notes. 

Lemon Salmon Dish with our Selected Wines

Wines and Pairings

Tasting - Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz 2018

 

Variety: 100% Shiraz

Country: Australia

Region: Limestone Coast, South Australia

Vintage: 2018

Price: $11

Winemaker's Notes: "The nose shows lifted mulberry, chocolate and clove aromas, enhanced by cedar and vanilla notes from the influence of oak. A medium to full-bodied palate showcases the classic varietal plum and forest berry flavors complemented by light vanilla and regional chocolate notes. The supple ripe tannins are typical of the best Barossa Shiraz, culminating in a long, satisfying finish" 

Wine Characteristics: "A rich, powerful, and sometimes meaty red wine that originated in the Rhone Valley of France. It's the most planted grape of Australia, where it's called Shiraz. Darker Meats and exotic spices bring out the fruit notes of Syrah. Try it with lamb shawarma, gyros, Asian five-spice pork, and Indian tandoori." -p.172 Wine Folly

My Review: This Shiraz was a very pleasant wine that paired nicely with some pepper-coated salami. The black pepper on the salami brought out black pepper notes that enhanced the flavors of the wine. I tasted notes of plum and molasses alongside the harsher notes from the pepper. Overall, this was a delicious wine and I would love to try it paired with gamey meat such as goose or venison to bring out different notes. 

Visual - Ruby

Nose - Plum, Tobacco, Blueberry

Palette - Black Plum, Black Peppercorn, Molasses

Food Pairing - Black Pepper Coated Salami

Tasting - Williamsburg Winery Cabernet Franc 2017

 

Variety: 90% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petite Verdot

Country: United States

Region: 49% Winchester, VA; 20% Williamsburg, VA; 14% Franklin County, VA; 11% Crozet, VA; 5% Waterford, VA; 1% Amherst, VA

Vintage: 2017

Price: $14

Winemaker's Notes: "The fruit aspect of this wine offers a complexity of blueberry, dried apricots, strawberry and green apple that pairs well with the cinnamon and spice notes. Just behind the fruit are some wildflowers which help accentuate the floral aspects. Additionally, there is the old-world earth character of leather and suede. A juicy mouthfeel with a fruit-forward sensation rounds out the wine

nicely. The tannins and oak are well balanced while not overpowering the fruit, and contribute to the overall complexity of the wine." - Matthew Meyer, Winemaker

Wine Characteristics: "Cabernet Franc is the parent grape of both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. it may have originated in the Basque County of Spain but this fact is up to debate. Higher Acidity makes it possible to pair Cabernet Franc with tomato-based dishes, vinegar-based sauces, or rich black beluga lentils." -p.86 Wine Folly

My Review: I was pleasantly surprised by this gentle Cabernet Franc as it paired very nicely with my filet minion, caesar salad, and baked potatoes. This wine was aged for 12 months in French Oak barrels and this came out nicely, especially in the nose. The 2017 vintage in Virginia produced very nice grapes and was about 5 degrees warmer on average. These warmer temperatures allowed the grapes to be harvested earlier and hold their acids nicely. Overall, I would buy it again, especially since it supports local businesses. 

Visual - Light Ruby

Nose - Oak, Campfire Smoke, Raspberry Jam, Strawberry

Palette - Vanilla bean, Raspberry Jam, Pepper

Food Pairing - Filet Minion, Caesar Salad, Baked Potato

Tasting - Sean Minor 4 Bears Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Country: United States

Region: Paso Robles, California

Vintage: 2019

Price: $16

Wine Critic Review: "Ruby in color and displays aromas of cassis, black cherry, mocha and violets. Ripe flavors of blackberries and raspberries combined with a touch of white pepper to coat the palate. The soft tannins and sweet oak balance lead to a long and lingering finish." - Total Wine

Wine Characteristics: "The rich flavor and high tannin content in Cabernet Sauvignon make it a perfect partner to rich grilled meats, peppery sauces, and dishes with high flavor." -p.88 Wine Folly

My Review: I ordered this wine to pair with my brie burger and was absolutely blown away. The brie burger was slathered in a delicious, homemade fig jam that brought out strong fig notes in the wine. The peppery and mustardy flavor of the baby arugula on the burger brought out notes of pepper from the wine. Its mellow tannic structure and jammy profile allowed it to cut through the fat in the burger perfectly. I was extremely impressed by this wine and can't wait to pair it with another burger. 

Visual - Dark Ruby

Nose - Ripe Raspberries, Raspberry Pie, Strawberry Jam

Palette - Fig, Ripe Raspberry Jam, Blackcurrant, Blackberry, Pepper

Food Pairing - Brie Burger with Fig Jam, Baby Arugala, Bacon, and Roasted Garlic Aioli

 

Tasting - Mionetto Prosecco

Variety: 100% Glera

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Vintage: Unpublished

Price: $8

Wine Critic Review: "A straw-colored wine with brilliant reflections. The aroma is fruity, reminiscent of pear and citrus with a slightly floral bouquet. The wine is fresh and crisp with apparent apple and peach flavors. This lightly sparkling (Frizzante) wine typifies the traditional wine-maker's Prosecco. Finished with easily opened crown cap" - Winery Notes

Wine Characteristics: "Italy's most popular sparkling wine is created with Glera grapes grown in Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The best Prosecco wines come from Valdobiaddene" -p.155 Wine Folly

My Review: I thought this Prosecco tasted very nice was quite refreshing as an afternoon libation. I felt like this Prosecco had mild yet pleasant notes of honeydew melon. I did not pair this wine with any food, but I think enjoying this with a spicy Italian pizza or lasagna would have tasted delicious. Overall, I would buy this Prosecco again but would like to pair it with authentic Italian cuisine to get the full experience. 

Visual - Pale Gold

Nose - Beer, Honeydew Melon, Cantelope

Palette - Honeydew Melon, Cantelope, Butter

Food Pairing - None

 

Wine and Cheese Pairing #1

 

My social pod and I had a great time doing our first wine and cheese pairing together. We all brought a bottle of wine and a cheese of our choosing. The biggest takeaway from our evening is that we learned it is pretty hard to have a bad time while tasting wines and enjoying cheeses together. To make things even better, we watched Blood into Wine while doing our tasting. We had a blast. 

Wines:

Lapis Luna Zinfandel 2018

Emancipation Red Blend 2016

Pinetti Notte Zinfandel 2019

Burgo Viejo Rioja Crianza 2016

Cheeses:

Manchego

Brie

Gouda

Crackers:

Balsamic Triscuits

Rosemary and Olive Oil Triscuits

Club Crackers

Meat:

Red Pepper Coated Italian Soppressata

    I will start with the Lapis Luna Zinfandel. This wine had a bold, jammy, delicious fruit structure with ample tannins to balance the wine. My favorite pairing for this wine was the manchego cheese. The hard texture and bold flavor from the manchego brought out the jammy notes in the wine. I felt like the brie and gouda made this wine taste somewhat flabby and I lost some of those delicious raspberry jam notes that the manchego uncovered. 

    The second wine I enjoyed was the Pinetti Notte Italian Zinfandel. This wine had an aroma of lighter fluid mixed with a small hint of fruit. I tried this wine on its own and immediately determined it was young zinfandel that needed to be paired with some sort of food. My favorite pairing for this wine was still the manchego cheese. I felt like the manchego cheese allowed this wine to come out of its shell and I could start to taste specific tastes of raspberry and blackberry.  This was enjoyable with the softer cheeses (brie and gouda) as it provided a body to the zinfandel that I thought was missing. The creamy notes brought out vanilla notes from the wine that I could not discover on its own. 

    The third wine I tasted was the Spanish Rioja.  This wine was 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano grapes. The employee at the Vintage Cellar told my friend that this wine would pair specifically well with the manchego cheese, and he was absolutely right. The manchego cheese brought out notes of nutmeg, coffee beans, and overripe fruits from the tempranillo grapes. This was tasted delicious with the gouda and brie as the neutral, creamy cheese let the spiced notes of this wine take center stage. I would like to try to pair this wine with some traditional Spanish foods, such as seafood paella, to open this wine up even more. 

    The last wine I tasted was the Emancipation California Red Blend. This wine is made up of 44% Grenache, 34% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 6% Petite Sirah, 2% Zinfandel, 2% Mission, and 2% Valdiguie. This was the best California red blend I have ever tasted as it had a beautifully crisp yet juicy flavor. I immediately tasted bright red cherry that almost tasted like a maraschino cherry. This was the sweetest wine of the night. After trying this wine with the creamy brie cheese, I was able to uncover notes of cream that led to me tasting notes of strawberries and cream. Most importantly, my favorite pairing of the night happened after I tried this wine paired with the spicy Italian soppressata salami. The sweetness of this wine tasted absolutely delicious with the spiciness in the meat and it was a combination that I could not put down. The spiciness of the food brought out even sweeter and more brilliant cherry notes that were extremely enjoyable. I can't wait to try some wines on the sweeter sides with spicier foods as it seemed like a match made in heaven. 

    Overall, I had a great time doing my first wine and cheese pairing and can't wait to enjoy this activity for the rest of my life. Cheers!

Tasting - Airfield Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Country: United States

Region: Yakima Valley, Washington State

Vintage: 2018

Price: $10

Wine Critic Review: "Subtle aromas of matchstick, cherry and herb lead to plentiful black-currant, plum and herb flavors brightened by tart acids. It hasn't come out of its shell yet but has the stuffing to excel when it does." - SEAN P. SULLIVAN. 90 Points. 

Wine Characteristics: "The rich flavor and high tannin content in Cabernet Sauvignon make it a perfect partner to rich grilled meats, peppery sauces, and dishes with high flavor." -p.88 Wine Folly

My Review: I really enjoyed this wine as it complemented my filet mignon dinner very well. I used this wine to craft a red wine shallot reduction to serve with the steak and it created a strong synergistic effect that brought out the spices used in the reduction and the thyme used in cooking the steak. This young red had notes of black cherry and plum, but I felt like it hasn't opened up yet. I wish I had decanted this wine before enjoying it to introduce it to some oxygen and open it up. I felt like the tannins were so bold and strong that they covered up some of the complexities that are yet to come from this wine. I would love to buy a case of it and age it for 5-10 years and see how it opens up over time. 

Visual - Deep Violet

Nose - Black Cherry, Berry Jam, Oregano

Palette - Black Cherry, Black Plum, Cedar

Food Pairing - Filet Mignon with Red Wine-Shallot Reduction

 https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/airfield-estates-2018-cabernet-sauvignon-yakima-valley/

Tasting - Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet

Variety: Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah

Country: United States

Region: Soledad, Central Coast, California

Vintage: 2014

Price: $10

Wine Critic Review: "The aroma characteristics were of red raspberries and a somewhat significant nose of alcohol was noticed.  Definitely a youthful aroma, though not a strong precursor to the wine’s taste.  Very aromatic, as well."

Wine Characteristics: "Merlot is loved for its boisterous black cherry flavors, supple tannins, and smoky or chocolaty finish. It's often found in a Bordeaux blend with Cabernet Franc...cherry, plum, chocolate, dried herbs, vanilla." - p. 131 Wine Folly

My Review: This was a delicious California red blend that focused on the lighter fruit and chocolate notes of the grapes it featured. This was a very merlot-forward red blend that had beautiful notes of red cherry tied together with notes of rich dark chocolate. The merlot bellavitano cheese paired beautifully with this wine as it created a cancellation effect that uncovered notes of strawberries and cream. I would absolutely drink this wine again and pair it with the merlot bellavitano.

Visual - Deep Ruby

Nose - Cherry, Dark Chocolate

Palette - Cherry, Strawberries & Cream, Chocolate

Food Pairing - Merlot Bellavitano, Gouda Cheese, Hard Italian Salami

https://www.honestwinereviews.com/cupcake-red-velvet-wine#:~:text=Very%20aromatic%2C%20as%20well.,black%20cherry%20on%20the%20palate.&text=Overall%2C%20I%20really%20enjoyed%20Cupcake,super%20smooth%20easy%20drinking%20wine.

 

Tasting - Cigar Box Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

 

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Country: Chile

Region: Maipo, Valle Central

Vintage: 2019

Price: $12

Wine Critic Review: "A rich, ripe, dark-fruited cabernet with hints of dark stones, iodine and cedary oak. The palate has a juicy heart of blueberry and cassis flavors with crisp, lively tannin to close. Drink or hold." -James Suckling - 91

Wine Characteristics: "The rich flavor and high tannin content in Cabernet Sauvignon make it a perfect partner to rich grilled meats, peppery sauces, and dishes with high flavor." -p.88 Wine Folly

My Review: This young, bold cabernet sauvignon was an absolutely delicious wine that carried a very full body and beautiful tannic structure. In the wine store, I specified that I was looking for a young, tannic, full-bodied cabernet sauvignon and this wine was exactly that. I paired this wine with Ubriaco Cabernet Casearia cheese. The cabernet in the cheese created a cancellation effect that uncovered notes of tobacco, warm vanilla, and nutmeg. I had a vanilla bean candle burning while enjoying this wine which immensely helped my palette uncover the notes of vanilla that were lying beneath the ripe, jammy blackberry flavors. Overall, this was a delicious wine and I would love to buy a case of it to rest for 5-10 years as I think the tannins would mellow out and create an even more complex flavor profile. 

Visual - Deep Violet

Nose - Blackberry, Tobacco, Leather

Palette - Ripe Blackberry, Vanilla, Nutmeg

Food Pairing - Ubriaco Cabernet Casearia Cheese, Gouda Cheese, Hard Italian Salami

Tasting - CK Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Country: United States

Region: California

Vintage: 2018

Price: $5

Wine Critic Review: "This wine has frank, open fruit and spice flavors, with a slightly boisterous, grippy texture that will wrap very well around all kinds of protein dishes. It's medium bodied, moderately tannic and has a touch of lively acidity." -Jim Gordon

Wine Characteristics: "The rich flavor and high tannin content in Cabernet Sauvignon make it a perfect partner to rich grilled meats, peppery sauces, and dishes with high flavor." -p.88 Wine Folly

My Review: This was was a pleasant surprise in terms of its acidity structure, but left me with something to be desired in terms of tannins. I was expected this young cabernet sauvignon to be aggressively tannic but I felt the exact opposite. The wine was smooth and more acidic than other cabernet sauvignons I have had in the past. This is definitely a food wine and should be paired with something like pork tacos or light prime rib. Skip this wine for your steak and lamb dishes and grab a bottle with more complexity and boldness. Overall, at this price point, I would buy it again and could see myself enjoying it when paired correctly. 

Visual - Dark ruby red

Nose - Light blackberry, oak, slight leather

Palette - Underripe blackberry, cherry, oak undertones.

Tasting - Le Gran Noir Pinot Noir 2015

Variety: Pinot Noir

Country: France

Region: Pays d'Oc

Vintage: 2015

Price: $8

Wine Critic Review: "A very distinctive and immediately enjoyable Pinot Noir, this is a very juicy, raspberryish, cherryish wine with hints of strawberry and oak and a refreshing note of pepper.

Great by itself or to accompany all a wide range of meat dishes, but could also be enjoyed with fish such as tuna or salmon."

Wine Characteristics: "The world's most popular light-bodied red is loved for its red fruit and spice flavors that are accentuated by a long, smooth, soft-tannin finish." -p.150 Wine Folly

My Review: This soft and smooth pinot noir had a very light body with distinct notes of spices such as anise and clove. The wine's subtle tannins balanced well against its alcohol to create a well-balanced bottle. I enjoyed this wine thoroughly and would enjoy drinking this all four seasons of the year. 

Visual - Mild red

Nose - Anise, clove, cherrywood, caramel

Palette - Cherry preserves, vanilla, light plum 

Tasting - Cline Old Vine Zinfandel 2018

Name: Cline Old Vine Zinfandel

Variety: 100% Zinfandel

Country: United States

Region: Lodi, Central Valley, California

Vintage: 2018

Price: $14

Wine Critic Review: "Ripe and jammy in flavor, this full-bodied wine verges on sweet, emphasizing vanilla and milk-chocolate aromas, a rich, plummy flavor and soft texture that's low in tannin." - Jim Gordon. 87 Points. 

Wine Characteristics: "A fruit-forward yet bold red that's loved for its jammy fruit and smoky, exotic spice notes. Originally from Croatia, Zinfandel is related to Croatia's #1 red, Plavic Mali." -p.189 Wine Folly

My Review: This crisp and jammy red pleasantly surprised me with the amount of flavor it produced. Its relatively thin body and mild tannins allowed the fruity notes to come forward from the first sip. Its acidity was balanced by its higher alcohol content which created a harmonious, enjoyable libation. 

Visual - Mild red

Nose - Raspberry, cranberry, oak

Palette - Raspberry jam, plum, strawberry 

 

Tasting - Casas Del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Casa Del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Country: Chile

Region: Casablanca Valley

Vintage: 2019

Price: $15

Wine Critic Review: "Prickly aromas are true to form for basic Chilean SB, while this feels simple and light on the palate. Melon, papaya and pyrazine-laced grassy flavors finish without much pop." 86 Points

Wine Characteristics: "A unique-tasting white wine with strong herbaceous flavors that are derived from compounds called methoxypyrazines (also found in bell peppers!)...gooseberry, honeydew, grapefruit, white peach, passion-fruit" -p.165 Wine Folly

My Review: This crisp sauvignon blanc was well balanced and had strong notes of perfectly ripe peach. It was definitely on the sweeter side but was crisp enough to hedge away the aggressive sweetness that can sometimes be found. This was a very enjoyable wine and I would love to try it paired with fish or a lemon chicken dish to bring out the underlying notes that I couldn't find with just cheese.

Visual - Light gold

Nose - Citrus, honeydew melon

Palette - Peach, cranberry, mango 

Food Pairing - Triscuits with warm brie cheese

Wine Critic Source: https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/casas-del-bosque-2019-reserva-sauvignon-blanc-casablanca-valley/
 

Tasting - Francis Coppola Merlot

Name: Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Merlot

Variety: 75% Merlot, 25% Petite Sirah

Country: United States

Region: Geyserville, Sonoma, CA

Vintage: 2017

Price: $13

Wine Critic Review: "Smoky, dark and brooding Californian red wine like winemaker (and director) Francis Coppola's Dracula movie. Full-bodied and smooth with black plums and toasty oak. Coppola's Merlot grapes grow in select vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Monterey. Full-bodied Californian red wine. Pair this wine with grilled pork chops and movie night." 91 Points

Wine Characteristics: "Merlot is loved for it's boisterous black cherry flavors, supple tannins, and smoky or chocolaty finish. It's often found in a Bordeaux blend with Cabernet Franc...cherry, plum, chocolate, dried herbs, vanilla." - p. 131 Wine Folly

My Review: Between this merlot's pleasant acidity and well-balanced notes of charred oak barrels and plum, I thoroughly enjoyed the first wine in my wine review series. This wine has set the bar very high for the rest of my tasting series. The warm brie pairing complemented this wine very well, with the creamy notes of the brie complementing the deliciously bitter notes of the wine. 

Visual - Beautiful, rich red hue

Nose - Campfire, charred oak, leather, fig, plum

Palette - Charred oak, rich plum, raspberry

Food Pairing - Triscuits with warm brie cheese

Wine Critic Source: https://www.nataliemaclean.com/wine-reviews/francis-coppola-diamond-collection-blue-label-merlot-2016/298953

My Personal Experience with Wine

    As a newly-turned 21-year-old, I am thrilled to be beginning my journey of wine appreciation in such an immersive way. Wine is an intimidating topic because of its seemingly sophisticated language and confusing jargon. By the end of this course, my goals are to understand the language of wine and be able to order from an extensive wine list without feeling intimidated by making a poor choice. I also hope to be able to distinguish the tastes of different varieties of wines and develop my pallet to enjoy the unique notes in each. 

    Among the major categories of alcoholic beverages, I am the least-experienced in wine. I find myself only drinking wine when it is provided to me in a dinner setting. When I went to Europe two summers ago, I was served wine with each dinner that was supposed to complement whichever meal we were eating. I have no recollection of which variety of wine we were served, but I do know that I enjoyed the reds more than the whites for most of the meals. I specifically remember enjoying an Austrian red wine that was paired with a steak dish and enjoying a white wine that was paired with a chicken dish.

    After enjoying these food pairings in Europe, I have always wanted to pair wine with food, but never know which wine to buy. I am hoping that upon conclusion of this course, I will be adept in the enjoyment of wine and will be able to form my opinions about tastes and pairings. I enjoy the tastes of most wines and want to hone in my palette to identify the varieties that I enjoy more than others. Overall, I am very excited to be taking this course and am looking forward to the day that I can order wine without feeling intimidated.