Winery Visit - Bluemont Vineyard

The next stop on my spring break all day winery marathon (see my post about Bogati) was Bluemont Vineyard. This is one my parents had been to before and really like, so they took my brother and me here to try it out. Bluemont is set further back in the country, about 5 miles away from Bogati Bodega & Vineyard. Their grape vines and other fruit are planted on a steep slope leading up to Bluemont's facility. Bluemont is at the highest elevation above sea level of any Virginia winery.

Looking up the hill to the vineyard

On a clear day they say you can see Washington DC from the upper deck of the building. We were able to see out to Leesburg, which is still a good distance away. Bluemont has a great facility with two tasting rooms (one on each level), two decks (one outside of each tasting room), a gift shop upstairs, and a patio. I believe there's also a kitchen downstairs.

Bluemont's building and Vinny's obnoxious red pants

The people at Bluemont were very friendly and welcoming. Their background story is that they started off as a farm, so all (or almost all) of their wines are named after farm animals. They also have fruit trees and berries planted on their property, and they buy fruit from a neighbor farm to make some of their wines. They let us chose which wines we wanted to taste. We passed on the dessert wines since they aren't really our favorite, and we started off with some whites, as usual.

The first was their new 2011 Petit Manseng. In past vintages they've used Petit Manseng to make a dessert wine, but last year they chose to make a dry variation. It has aromas of tropical fruit, fresh cut grass, and lemon, On the palette there's more lemon, pineapple, grapefruit, and orange. It was really nice and refreshing and would be great on the beach during summer. Next up was "The Goat" aka the Viognier. This one is fermented in American and French oak as well as Acacia barrels. The bouquet was lacking, was a lot like white grape juice, but on the palette it was very creamy with nutty flavors. It's dry and slightly tannic from the time spent in the barrels. Then came "The Donkey," the Rose. It's made from a blend of over seven different varietals including Viognier, Alberino, and Chardonnay. It has 0.05% residual sugar. You could smell the alcohol in this one, but the overpowering aroma I got was Willy Wonka Nerds Jelly Beans (those ugly, but delicious bumby ones). I'm not complaining because those rank in my top 5 favorite candies of all time, but I digress. This Rose is light and slightly floral. It's got 2% residual sugar so it's sweet. Last white was "The Cow" aka the Vidal Blanc. It's their most popular white, 2% residual sugar, fermented in stainless steel. The nose was pretty plain, sweet white grapes with a bit of citrus. It was very sweet and had flavors of lemon. Not my thing. I think it was around this time that a stinkbug fell off of the ceiling and almost landed in my glass, but I'll say more about that later...

The upstairs tasting room, tasting bar on the left

Now here comes the good stuff: the red wines. The first red wine we had is called their Farm Table Red. It's a nonvintage blend of Merlot, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. Interestingly, it has 1% residual sugar. This had a big bouquet of cherries and flavors of blackberries, cherries, and strawberries. I could detect some alcohol on the finish but not enough to bother me. I really like this wine, easy to drink, and just an all around good table wine. Next was "The Ram", or the Merlot. This Merlot is aged in oak for 1 year and blended with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Again I got aromas of cherries, I couldn't pinpoint much else but it smelled awesome. It's really well balanced, medium bodied and finishes smooth. The last wine we tasted that day was "The Pig" aka the Norton. This is a grape native to Virginia, and doesn't suit a lot of people's wine preferences. Bluemont doesn't usually have this one open for tasting, but there happened to be an open bottle behind the counter and my parents really love another Norton from a different vineyard and wanted to taste this one. I got black pepper and blackberries on the nose and those continued through on the palette. It's really full bodied and bold, but smooth. I give The Pig thumbs up.

The only red on the list we didn't taste was the Meritage. We planned to stay a while and share a bottle, and Vinny really loves Meritage blends, so we grabbed a bottle of that and had a seat. In the mean time I took a few pictures while the people from Bluemont prepared us a cheese platter.

The cheese platter included handmade Amish cheese, goat cheese, cherry jam, spicy mustard, and a warm baguette. My family and I were sitting enjoying our wine and our snack when all of a sudden something landed on my head. I immediately shook it off and it turned out to be a stinkbug. Now I don't freak out much about bugs, but after that I looked up and saw that there were about 30 of these nasty things crawling on the ceiling above me. I changed seats to avoid any more arial attacks but that's when I noticed, there were stink bugs all over the tasting room, dive bombing at will.

Each of those black specks is a stinkbug.

Our server said that they like to live in old buildings like theirs, and that they like the warmth and light. Well a few might not have bothered me, but by the time we left one landed on me, my dad, almost in my wine, and on my coat. This might not bother most people, but I didn't like sweeping bugs off of myself and surfaces around me to enjoy my time at the winery. Although there was that annoyance, I really like the location, the facility, the staff, and the wines at Bluemont and would definitely visit again. It would be really nice in the summer to enjoy their outdoor seating.

Winery Visit - Bogati Bodgea & Vineyard

This year, over spring break I went with my parents and my older brother on a weekend trip to Charles Town, WV. We went for the casino but also devoted a whole day to visiting wineries in Loudoun County, VA that would normally be a long trip from Woodbridge where we live. My mom has a Virginia winery app and her iPad, and after browsing through the wineries in the area we chose to make our first stop at Bogati. Honestly, my mom just liked the name and the few pictures of their tasting room that the app had. We used a GPS to get us there but we drove right past it the first time. We were looking for a nice building with rustic wood siding and a large deck behind a field of vines, Bogati actually looks like this from the outside:

Bogati is in a stark white concrete building shared with an art gallery and a country store about 25-35 feet from the highway. Not exactly what we expected, but let's not judge on first appearances. Inside there is a very nicely decorated, comfortable tasting room and lounge area.

We were happily greeted by a young girl working behind the counter that day. She told us that the owners of Bogati were inspired by their trips to Argentina to open an Argentinian style winery here in VA. This sounded promising to all of us since my family likes bold, interesting wines.

(L to R: My dad, Joe; my big brother, Vinny; and my mom, Lila)

Dad, mom, me, and Vinny. I'll always be the shorty

Starting off with the whites, our first wine was the Seyval Blanc. It was a nice, light golden color with aromas of honey and oak that followed through with even more honey, pear, and ginger. I like the way the flavors play together in this wine, it was nice and light but still had some interesting spice. Next was the Viognier (which I learned is the state grape of VA). The alcohol smell was strong with this one. It essentially tasted like Welch's white grape juice with some minerality to it. Pass. Last of the whites was what they call their Tango Blu. It's a blend of Riesling, Vidal Blanc, and Viognier. I like the citrus lemon nose as well as the sweet mango flavors. This was my favorite of their whites and I thought the acidity and sweetness were really nicely balanced.

Now for the reds. The first red we tasted was the Cabernet Franc. This one was a total vanilla bomb on the nose, which I liked very much. There are flavors of mixed red berries and firm tannins. I thought this wine was also really well balanced. So far I haven't met a Cabernet Franc I didn't like. Next up we had the Syrah/Mourvedre (a 50/50 blend). There was nothing sweet or fruity about the bouquet on this one. It's very earthy and mushroom-y, really nice. This wine was really smooth with a balanced combination of floral, mineral and herbal flavors. Now here came the most anticipated wine for me and my family - the Malbec. And wouldn't you know it, they were sold out. We did still get to taste it though. This Malbec is blended with a little Cabernet Franc and Merlot. I've only tried a few Malbecs, but this was different from all of those because it's very fruit forward. There were cherries and berries, mixed in with a little nuttiness. To my disappointment I found this wine hollow, but it finished smooth which I liked. For our last drink we had a little of their mulled wine. It was a 40 mph cold wind kind of day so we all appreciated this. I don't remember which red wine they made it with, but does it really matter once you add in all those spices? It was delicious as always.

After the tasting we took a load off on the nice leather couches by the fire place with a bottle of the Cabernet Franc. On the website it said they allowed food, so we had packed a lunch, but turns out they only allow it on their porch, and we didn't want to get blown away so we waited until we left to eat.

Me, my mom, and Vinny chillin

While we were there other people came in and had some wine and lunch from the Bogati kitchen, and the staff seemed to know them by name. Bogati is set in the midst of lots of Loudoun County Mc-mansions (even some actual mansions), so I can see how this would be a nice place for those well off to come enjoy a casual lunch on a weekly basis. We were told the the country store next door had some amazing pies, so we popped over and grabbed and apple pie then went off to have our lunch. It was a pretty good start to our winery day!

Tasting - Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Variety: 100% Riesling

Region: Pfalz

Country: Germany

Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Flint and mineral notes accent pineapple and lime aromas, while on the palate, the wine shows plenty of ripe, citrusy fruit flavors. Tangy acids on the long finish provide balance.

My Review: This wine smells like lemon Tilex bathroom cleaner. Not the most appealing scent. This is one sour, sour Riesling. There a lot of lemon, it's a little soapy, and it's just waaaaaaay tangy. This is the most sour, tangy wine I've ever had and I did not like it at all. I can't imagine anyone who would like that much acid in their wine.

Tasting - Don Ramon Tinto

Name: Don Ramon Tinto

Variety: 75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo

Region: Campo de Borja

Country: Spain

Year: 2008

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Aged 3 months in American Oak casks. Ruby red in color, with creamy aromas of earth and cherry. Flavor turns toward deeper and darker black cherry and raspberry on a medium framework. A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit adds some depth and complexity

My Review: This wine has aromas of cherry, black and white pepper, and a hint of dirt. It's medium to full bodied with flavors of berries and a little spice. It has a sweet, smooth finish. It's good but not great.

Tasting - Resonata Nero D'Avola

Name: Resonata Nero D'Avola

Variety: 100% Nero d'Avola

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Dense ruby red with violet reflections. Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice. Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background.

My Review: This wine smells like a fresh berry mix (raspberries, blackberries, cranberries) with a little hint of sage and basil. The flavor is overpowered by juicy berries, but the hint of herbs is still present. I didn't like this one a whole lot because of its overpowering fruitiness.

Tasting - Protocolo Blanc

Name: Protocolo Blanc

Variety: Blended white wine

Region: N/A

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.

My Review: This wine is very light in color. It has aromas of honey and orange peel. It's quite a faint bouquet. It tastes mostly like white grape juice with a light hint of lemon. It's very mild and light bodied. There really isn't much to this wine. It's a pass for me. (I did not try this wine with food).

Tasting - Santola Vinho Verde

Name: Santola Vinho Verde

Variety: Blended white wine

Region: Mealhada

Country: Portugal

Year: N/A

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh.

My Review: This wine has aromas of granny smith apple and citrus. It's fizzy with flavors of grapefruit and granny smith apple. It's crisp and refreshing, great for a summer day. I wouldn't call it soft or creamy, but it has a nice bite. I really liked this one - enough to purchase it.

Winery Visit - Attimo Winery

This past weekend my best friend Sammi came to stay with me and we were both excited to try out a winery that was new to us. Sammi has been with my family and me to a few wineries before, but this was the first time we were venturing out on our own. Our other companion on this trip was my boyfriend Tony. I knew we'd be hungry and I wanted to save a little bit of money so I packed up some salami, asiago and cheddar cheese, multi-grain chips, hummus, crackers, and water. We made the 30 minute drive out to Christiansburg to check this place out. It's really nice that there are wineries so close by.

The outside of Attimo's tasting room

Attimo is a family owned winery with 10 acres of grape vines (they also grow a few other things like raspberries and blackberries). Their first vines were planted in 2007 and the most recent ones were planted in 2011. The tasting room looks nice and new from the outside with a small patio for some outdoor seating. Inside was also beautiful.

There is a tasting bar with a kitchen behind it, and a large room with tables, chairs, and couches. Probably my favorite part about this winery is that they do sit down tastings! Every other winery I've been to (and that's more than I can count on 2 hands) only does tastings at their bar. I have chronic back pain and can't stand for long periods of time without experiencing some serious discomfort, so I greatly appreciate not having to wait in line to stand at a crowded bar where I will spend more time waiting to be served each wine. But, I digress...

Sammi, Tony, and I found a little table in the back of the room and our pourer came by soon after with the wine list and a few glasses. It was his first day pouring (he was an intern from Radford University) but he was very friendly and had a lot of knowledge about the winery and the wines. He told us that attimo means "in the moment" in Italian, and each wine is name after a certain moment the wine makers wanted to capture. Attimo has 3 white wines, 3 red wines, 2 desert wines, and a handful of reserve wines.

We began with the whites, and let me tell you it was not a good beginning. The first white we tried was the Chardonnay called Masquerade. It's called Masquerade because there was a mix up shipping the barrels and this wine accidentally sat in its oak barrel for 3 months too long. This wine tastes like a bad accident. It has almost no bouquet and it's really unbalanced. Way too tannic. You know that feeling you get when you suck on a popsicle stick long after your popsicle's gone? That's what this was like. I didn't like it at all and I think it's the worst wine I've ever had. On the other hand, Sammi and Tony both liked it, so there you go.

Sammi loves some white wine.

The next white is a Vidal Blanc called Sonnet 98. The bouquet has floral and apple note. On the palate it's crisp and dry but still shows strong fruit. This wasn't half as bad Masquerade but there was still something disappointing about it. The last white we tasted is the Traminette-Petit Manseng blend called I do. The aroma is mostly like lemon Pine Sol, which wasn't a bad thing. It is really sweet when it hits your tongue, has no mid palate, then finishes with mild flavors of pear and honeydew. Again, not all together bad, but this one just isn't my style. All three whites left me with a big sad face, and I was really hoping Attimo had more to offer with their reds.

The first red we had is a reserve wine made form 6 different grapes called Bullfrog Symphony. It's reddish brown in color with aromas of black and white pepper and cherry. It had flavors of cherry and other dark berries and a kind of mineral quality. I found this wine a little bit thin for my liking and although it was alright I think maybe Attimo tried to pack too many grapes into one wine.

Hey, that's me!

Next was their Cabernet Franc named Deep Silence. This was one spicy red. The bouquet was full of pepper, tobacco, and blackberry. All of those same flavors came through on the palate along with minerals and some bold tannins. I haven't tried enough Cabernet Francs to know if they all tend to be so spicy but that was the overwhelming impression I got from Deep Silence. I liked this wine. Sammi and Tony made yucky faces at this one (I think Tony even dumped the rest of his in my glass). The Chambourcin, called AD 325, was up next. It's a purple-red color and it smells like cherries and blackberries soaked in sea water. There was also a slight sweaty sock aroma coming through too. I thought that was really interesting since I've never really smelled or tasted a salty wine before. On the palate there was dark berries and pepper. AD 325 is dry and tannic. I would actually buy a bottle of this wine. Finally! After tasting 6 I had found one that was good enough to buy. The last red was a Cabernet Sauvignon called Vertex. I was getting more and more excited to try Vertex with each wine I tasted because I had guessed it would be one of my favorites, and damn was I right. Vertex has a very woodsy, blackberry bouquet, my favorite! On the palate this was so nice. There was a perfect balance between the oak flavors, tannins, and fruitiness. Although it's dry and definitely oaked, it leaves the most pleasant lingering fruitiness in your mouth. This one's a winner.

Tony and me enjoying the visit

Last came the desert wines. I don't get too excited about wines made from fruit other than grapes but I was willing to give these a shot. The first is a raspberry/ red wine blend called Sweet Berry Sunset. The bouquet was pretty obvious: raspberries. There are flavors of raspberry, apple, and cranberry. It tasted a lot like a Minute Maid juice box. Meh. Next was Sudden Downpour, a blend of apple and white wine. All there is to say about this one is apple, apple, apple... oh yeah, and apple. Very sweet, nothing to jump up and down about. The last wine we tasted for the day was a Tinta Madera/ Touriga nacional/ Souzao blend (Port-style) called Seduction. I've never tried a Port before (at least I don't think I have) so this was interesting for me. I couldn't really get past the smell of the alcohol to analyze the bouquet. It had flavors of raspberry and raisins. There was lots of heat on the tail end of this, which I expected. I can't think of an occasion to have this wine other than to get drunk so I passed.

Having a bit of fun

To wrap up our visit Sammi and I each ordered a glass of our favorite wine and went to town on the food we brought. It was a great few hours of relaxation and I'm really glad I went and tried Attimo out. I ended up going home with a full stomach, lots of notes, and a bottle of Vertex. Success!

Wine Dinner - 622 North

Well, last week was Valentine's Day and I decided what better way to celebrate than with good wine and good food? My boyfriend Tony and I decided 622 North would be a good restaurant for our date since neither of us had tried it before, they are close to home, and of course they have a huge wine selection. Rather than sit through the 5 course meal they offered on Feb. 14 we opted to go the next day to have a more relaxed dinner.

622 North

Our waiter was very helpful choosing wines to go with each of our courses. To start off we ordered a plate of charcuterie which is a platter of sliced genoa salami, italian sausage and sliced asiago with marinated olives, whole grain mustard and sliced baguette. With this our waiter recommended we try the 2009 Babich Sauvignon Blanc (from New Zealand). Before I tasted the food I swirled and took a sip of the wine. It was crisp and refreshing with an acidic bite at the finish. While having the wine with food, especially the sausage and salami, the acidity faded away and the fresh, fruity flavors came through. Although the wine was good on its own, I liked it much better mixed up with food in my mouth.

I almost forgot to take a picture before I finished off the charcuterie!

For our main courses Tony and I went separate routes. He doesn't get too excited about wine, so he chose to have a cheeseburger and a pint of beer. I chose the sausage pizza: italian sausage, sundried tomato, shallot, rosemary, alfredo sauce, fresh mozzarella and gruyere cheese. With my pizza our waiter paired the 2004 Conde de Valdemar Rioja Reserva Tempranillo. Before I took a bite of my pizza I hade a taste of the wine. This was a headstrong, dry red with lots of spice. Not necessarily an easy-sipper, but I still liked it. Again, I found that I liked the wine so much better with my pizza. In my opinion it became much more balanced. It really mellowed out and before I knew it my glass was gone.

My sausage pizza and the Tempranillo

This was really the first time I've had a true wine and food pairing and it was very exciting for me. I love the way food makes wine better and I want to continue exploring wine and food pairings.

Tasting - Coreto Tinto

Name: Coreto Tinto
Variety: Blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Castelão, Alicante Bouschet, and Caladoc
Region: Lisboa
Country: Portugal
Year: 2008
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: This red from the Coreto range has loads of dark berry fruit with a hint of new oak creating a soft, velvet structure that makes it very to easy drink. Red currant and juicy acidity.

My Review: This wine is a purple-plum color. It has aromas of berries, strawberry and raspberry. This follows through on the palette with lots of jam and a hint of spice, maybe some black pepper. There was just a bit of heat from the alcohol in the finish. Overall I enjoyed this wine as an easy drinker but it could be so much better when paired with food. I tried this without food.

Tasting - Charles Thomas Cotes-du-Rhone

Name: Charles Thomas Cotes-du-Rhone
Variety: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvedre
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2009
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Wine Advocate , 87 pts. From a 140+-acre estate near the well-known Cotes du Rhone village of Pont Saint Esprit emerges this juicy Cotes du Rhone, a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre. Wellmade, with loads of berry fruit and a heady, meaty, peppery nose with a hint of Provencal herbs, the wine is fresh, lively, and best drunk over the next 2 years.

My Review: This red blend is a nice Hokie maroon color. I didn't detect a lot of aromas with this one, maybe a little minerality, but not much going on here. In flavor it was very fruity with berries and plum. The finish wasn't smooth but it wasn't too strong either. This was a middle of the road wine. One word: meh.

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Spumante Dolce

Name: Lost Vineyards Spumante Dolce
Variety: 100% Moscato Bianco
Region: Asti
Country: Italy
Year: N/A
Price: $4.95

Winery Review: Pale silvery straw color. Floral aromas of apples, peaches, and potpourri follow through on a round, frothy entry to a fruity medium bodied sweet wine with good depth and tangy peach fruit and a breezy, harmonious green apple kissed finish.

My Review: This sparkling wine had aromas of citrus, mostly lemon, and that followed through on the palette. The dominant flavors in this wine were apple and citrus. It had a nice sweet, smooth finish. Another great value for $4.95 a bottle!

Tasting - Morro Bay White Oak Estates Chardonnay

Name: Morro Bay White Oak Estates Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Lodi
Country: California
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Vanilla cream soda nose with a slice of fresh cut pineapple. Full body, tropical fruit, spice and pleasing vanilla oak note linger in the finish. Sweet flavor on the palate is from sur-lie aging the wine on the primary yeast lees for 7 months. A versatile style of wine that can be served chilled with fine cuisine or a glass with friends. Certified Green by Lodi Rules Sustainable Winegrowers.

My Review: This was a rather pale Chardonnay. The nose had some strong stinky yeast aromas with a bit of tropical fruit in the background. I do like a little bit of stink sometimes with my wine. On the palette this was smooth like buttered popcorn. Again there were some tropical aspects, like mango, lingering on the edges. I can't decide whether I like Chardonnay better buttery and creamy like this or fresh and fruity better. I think this wine is a great value.

Tasting - Cantina Villafranca Frascati

Name: Cantina Villafranca Frascati

Variety:  45% Malvasia di Candia, 15% Trebbiano Toscano, 25% Malvasia del Lazio, 15% Grechetto (Greco)

Region: Frascati

Country: Italy

Year: N/A

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Produced from a selection of the best grapes located in the Frascati Doc production area. Made from 45% Malvasia di Candia, 15% Trebbiano Toscano, 25% Malvasia del Lazio, 15% Grechetto (Greco). Intense yellow color with greenish reflections. Characteristic persistent fresh and fruity aromas. Excellent as an aperitif and paired with fish, seafood or white meat.

My Review: This wine is really pale in color, almost clear. There was Granny Smith apple on the nose with a little hint of fresh cut grass. On the palette there was more apple and pear, it was a bit dry and the finish was a little strong. Overall thumbs up but nothing exciting.

Tasting - Legaris Crianza

Name: Legaris Crianza
Variety: 100% Tinta Fina
Region: Ribera del Duero
Country: Spain
Year: 2003
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: 90 Points, Wine Spectator. A silky texture carries plum, tobacco, coffee and mineral flavors over ripe tannins in this balanced red. Berry and vanilla notes linger on the finish. Drink now through 2013. –T.M.

My Review: Legaris Crianza is ruby red in color. It has aromas of tobacco, coffee, leather, and dark berry. On the palate I again noticed the tobacco and coffee flavors along with pleasing tannins and a hint of raspberry. It's dry yet balanced. I just want to drink this wine while sitting in a big leather recliner by a warm fire with some cheese and crackers. This is definitely a great value if it suits your taste in wine.

Tasting - Into Zin Zinfandel

Name: Into Zin Zinfandel
Variety: 100% Zinfandel
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Spicy, jammy, ripe round plum with juicy soft finish. Goes well with marsala chicken, peppered steak or broiled lamb shank.

My Review: This is certainly a red Zinfandel if I've ever tasted one. It smells a little spicy, a little herbal, but mostly the nose is taken over by blackberry jam and maybe a bit of cherry. On the palate Into Zin is really juicy with all of those berry flavors and the finish is smooth. This wine isn't too stern or serious. It's a more lighthearted red and that is why I like it!

Tasting - Tres Ojos Garnacha Tempranillo Rosé

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha Tempranillo Rosé
Variety: 50% Tempranillo, 50% Garacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: A 50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Garacha, 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: I always love the color of Rosés but I never know what to pair with them. However, this one made it pretty obvious. This wine smells a little like cooked chicken breast. Weird, right? Anyways, it tastes delightful. Really sweet with lots of strawberry and plum.

Tasting - Lazzaro Chardonnay

Name: Lazzaro Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Opens with mellow peach and melon aromas and some oak. The palate is round, creamy and full. Tastes of spiced, dried apple with a stalky, pithy accent.

My Review: This has aromas of peaches and melon, but I didn't detect any oak. The smell was very sweet and fruity. There was another aroma that smelled so familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it. On the palate this Chardonnay is still very fruity. There was something that tasted a little like grape leaves. I wouldn't really consider this a round and creamy wine. Just fresh and fruity. Overall thumbs up.

Tasting - Coastal Vines Brut

Name: Coastal Vines Brut
Variety: 55.7% French Colombard, 35.7% Chardonnay, 8.6% Mixed Whites
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: N/A
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Coastal Vines Sparkling Wine is a light colored wine with aromas of apple and citrus. On the palate there are flavors of melon and pear. The finish is crisp and clean. Pair with cheeses, like brie, for appetizers; grilled garlic shrimp over a bed of pasta; or with a light white cake for dessert.

My Review: All in all I totally agree with The Vintage Cellar's review. There are definite aromas of apple and citrus, and melon on the palate. I found this wine to be fresh, fruity, and light. I definitely would have preferred this over the cheap sparkling wine crap I got from the grocery store for New Years Eve.

Tasting - Faraway Farm Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Faraway Farm Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: "Our Cabernet Sauvignon will spoil you with rich flavors of ripe blackberry and plums."

My Review: This had the typical aromas of a Cabernet Sauvignon: blackberry and a little spice. When I tasted this I found it out of balance. It almost tasted a little like plastic, like the way those Playschool kids toys smell. There was definitely something off with this wine.

Tasting - Copa Del Rey Merlot

Name: Copa Del Rey Merlot
Variety: 100% Merlot
Region: Maipo Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: "The fusion of Chilean fruit with New World Style makes something elegant and rich in the nose, with bold fruit and just a little toasted oak and spice, plus the aroma of cherry. It’s the sort of wine that covers a whole meal, from the entree to a decadent dessert." - Wine Woot

My Review: The first thing I noticed about this wine was a heavy cherry aroma. When I tasted this at first I picked up a little bit of fruit and then absolutely nothing in the mid palette (this would be a hollow wine according to Gary Vaynerchuck). The most surprising, and actually pleasant, part of this wine was the aftertaste. It actually tasted like birthday cake! Like sweet buttery birthday cake. What the heck? I'd never tasted anything like that in a red wine before. It was exceptionally smooth and a pleasant surprise.

Tasting - Beringer Pinot Noir

Name: Beringer Pinot Noir
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Napa Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $4.95

Winery Review: “Pinot Noir always presents an incredible array of characteristics, beginning with the aromas of chocolate covered cherries, candied violets and traces of anise and mint that greet the nose. Vibrant red fruit flavors are accentuated by bright acidity, hints of smoke and barrel toast. The 2008 Napa Valley Pinot Noir has a lovely richness and weight, making it a wonderful pairing for many richer dishes.” – Winemaker, Laurie Hook

My Review: This Pinot Noir is ruby red in color. The nose is really woodsy; it reminds me of the way trees smell in the fall. There is nothing fruity or sweet about the taste of this wine. It's like taking a sip of toasted wood and mushrooms. There aren't a lot of wines I don't like but this was one I just didn't care for.

Tasting - Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling

Name: Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2008
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: “Light and fragrant, with pretty lime, grapefruit and elder blossom aromas and flavors that linger impressively on the extended finish. Drink now through 2013.” - Wine Spectator

My Review: This Riesling is dry, crisp and fresh. There are notes of citrus in the nose and in the taste. I liked this wine but I felt there could have been a better balance between sweetness and acidity.

Tasting - Potomac Point Richland Reserve Chardonnay

Name: Potomac Point Richland Reserve Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Stafford County, Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $21.99

Winery Review: This barrel-fermented wine has the melon fruit flavor with a buttery finish that goes great with any cream sauce or just sipping by the fire.

My Review: This is my favorite Chardonnay out of all that I've tasted. It's so smooth and buttery. I can definitely taste the oak in this wine. It's on the dry side. I tried this wine with bread, white cheddar, parmesan, and hummus. It paired well with each item and was just really enjoyable.

Tasting - Candoni Moscato

Name: Candoni Moscato d'Italia
Variety: 100% Moscato
Region: Apulia
Country: Italy
Year: N/A
Price: $14.95

Winery Review: Low in alcohol, semi-sparkling, but remarkably fruity and fragrant, it has an excellent balance of sweetness and acidity. Excellent with pastries, cakes, desserts, fruit, sushi, sashimi, and spicy dishes.

My Review: I agree with the winery review in that this is a excellent balance of sweetness and acidity. If I had to picked which dominated I would say the acidity, but only by a hair. One flavor that came through for me was apple. I enjoy the bit of fizz in this Moscato and I would purchase this for a nice desert wine.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - L De Lyeth Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: L De Lyeth Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $12.95

Winery Review: A little aggressive in an edgy texture, but for the price, this Cab offers plenty of richness and is a solid value. It's sweet and jammy in cherries, blueberries, and cocoa.

My Review: This wine smells a lot sweeter and fruitier than I am used to for a Cabernet Sauvignon, but once I tasted it I found that strong finish that I look forward to. There is a lot of blueberry jam flavor, as stated in the winery review. Of the ten wines I tasted that day, this was the one I chose to buy.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Crios Malbec

 

Name: Crios Malbec

Variety: 95% Malbec, 5% Bonarda

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: $14.95

Winery Review: 5% Bonarda in its blend. It spent 9 months in 50% new French and American oak. Notes of balsam wood, smoke, black cherry, and spice box lead to a similarly styled wine that comes off as just a bit too lean. Again, the flavors are pleasant, but it should be drunk over the next several years while it retains its fruit.

My Review: This is a deep, dark spicy red, my favorite kind! The oak flavor is present along with tobacco, black cherry, and a hint of spice (maybe black pepper?). I would probably have a case of sandpaper tongue after having a glass of this Malbec, and that's the way I like it!

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Four Bears Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Four Bears Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $12.95

Winery Review: Rich and complex with aromas of ruby grapefruit, citrus and tropical fruit. On the palate, the combined flavors of fresh melon, fig and lime are balanced perfectly to form a crisp, mouthwatering texture and lingering finish.

My Review: Very tropical and citrus. I tasted flavors of mango, pineapple and lemon. This wine was refreshing and sweet. Something I'd love to enjoy outside on a summer day.

I did not try this with food.