Tasting – Chandon Brut Sparkling

Name:  Chandon Brut Sparkling

Style: Champagne Blend

Volume: 750ml

Alcohol: 13%

Region:  Napa Valley, California

Country: United States

Price: $21.99

Winery review：

Chandon was sparked into life in 1973 by the visionary spirit of Robert-Jean de Vogüé and California pioneer John Wright. As one of the first French-owned sparkling wine ventures in the U.S., Chandon carefully selected its vineyards and are now considered to be amongst the best for producing quality sparkling wines in California In keeping with the style established when the winery was founded, Chandon Brut Classic captures the expression of California’s vineyards. Its crisp and fresh flavor profile relies on a blend of the three traditional grape varietals used in Champagne — Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier — and adds a celebratory note to any occasion.

My review: 

As we know that Champagne blend is a famous style of sparkling wine made from three main grapes - pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier. I like this wine. It is dry and bubbly. When I first tasted it, it had the aroma of apple and pear. I will purchase again.

Tasting – Fleur de Mer Rose 2020

 

 

Name:  Fleur de Mer Rose 2020

Style: Rosé

Volume: 750ml

Alcohol: 13%

Region:  Provence

Country: France

Price: $18.99

Winery review：

A classic Provençal Rosé, Fleur de Mer is a brilliant pale pink color, beautifully balanced with bright fruit notes and crisp acidity. Delicate aromas of fresh watermelon and cherry give way to a complex, refreshing palate. Layers of red berries and subtle citrus are complemented by a softly textured middle and a fine, cleansing, mineral finish.

 

My review: 

I bought this wine from the website and I really like it. The color of this wine is very bright, elegant and persistent. It feels a little dry on the first bite, but then you can feel the sweetness in your mouth. Its enticing aroma and flavours of wild strawberries and dry earth are persistent and evocative

Drink This Now: Lesson 1

I'm taking Geography of Wine this semester. Over the past month, I've tried different wines and different types of cheese with meals. I bought a bottle of wine and some cheese and snacks after I read the first chapter of Drink This Now: Lesson 1.

Step 1. First open the bottle and try immediately. What is its color? What do you smell? What flavors do you taste? Write down some descriptions of your experience, both what you smell and how it tastes. Here are my observations:

Name:  Crane Lake Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon 

Style: Red

Volume: 750 ml

Alcohol:  10%

Region:  Napa Valley

Country: United States

Price: $5

Varietal review: 

When it comes to US wine production, California is King. California wines account for almost 90% of all wines produced in the United States each year, and is home to the most celebrated vineyards and producers in the country. California is probably best known for its world-famous Cabernets and Chardonnays, many of which hail from its two most-acclaimed AVAs, Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Other prominent grapes used in California wines include Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Zinfandel (which California made popular).

My review: 

Its color is ruby. This red wine tastes dry.  When I tasted it for the first time, I thought it was a little dry for me. It has same as aromas with elements of underripe strawberry. I think it is go well with food.

Step 2. Next wait at least 2 hours for the wine to “open up,” leaving the cork off the wine allows oxygen to get in. Try the wine again. Has the smell changed? How so? What about the taste? Is it fruitier? Is it more appealing to you?

After I left it there for two hours, I felt it was lighter. On the nose black licorice, tabacco, blackberries and pepper. When I drink it again, I feel he is more balanced, very smooth.

Step 3. Now try the wine with cheese. And I mean try it: don’t be shy or proper. Get a big ol’ hunk of that cheese and start chewing on it, and then start sipping the wine while you work it through. Record your reactions. Has anything changed in the taste? Does the wine seem smoother or lighter or fruitier? Repeat with a different type of cheese if available. Again, detect some differences and make yourself write down some different descriptors.

I tasted the cheese first and it was quite salty. Then while I was chewing on the cheese, I took a sip of wine. I feel like the wine makes the cheese taste saltier. And the cheese adds acidity to the wine. I can taste a very distinct berry flavor.

Step 4. Now try the wine with food. Does the spiciness of the meat bring out any different flavors in the wine? Record your reactions again. If you are going for the gusto with a full fledged dinner, try a bite of each individual food with a sip of wine and note any differences of taste on paper. Does the meat with wine create a different taste than the asparagus or potatoes with wine?

I eat it with beef. I felt the beef released more black pepper flavor. There is more blueberry flavor in the red wine.

Step 5. Finally (if possible), save a bit of wine in the bottle. Let it sit exposed (no cork) on the counter for a few more hours. Let it go overnight if you want. Then try it again on its own, without food. What’s it like now? Write it down. Compare this with your first impression of the wine right after you opened it. What has happened?

After overnight, it has bright and fruity with black plum and blackberry aromas and flavors. I think this class is very interesting, it can let me better feel the wine!

Wine and Cheese Pairing #1

 

For this wine and cheese pairing, we chose three wines and three cheeses.  My boyfriend and I are both big cheese lovers, and we try lots of cheese, whether we cook or snack on it. 

The wine we chose to pair with our cheese board is a red wine called Ego Bodegas Goru Gold Red Blend.    This wine was definitely the favorite of the night.   Ego Bodegas Goru Gold Red Blend is from Jumilla, Spain.    This bottle is 750ml with an alcohol percentage of 8.5% and retails for $14. This wine is the result of a rigorous selection process, choosing only the best grapes from the Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon variety. We enjoyed this wine for its low-acidity levels and smooth mouth feel.    This wine had a very short finish and was well balanced making it an interesting choice for cheese pairings. 

We discovered this wine pairs nicely with something as sweet or sweeter than the drink itself. We assumed this because it is more or less a rule of thumb when pairing whines to courses in a meal. The first cheese we chose was belgioioso parmesan cheese. It was very nice!

The second wine we have on our board is Lapostolle grand selection carmenere 2019. Carmine red with violet hues. Fresh nose with red fruit notes such as strawberries and plums, along with red paprika and spices. Medium structure with very nice red fruit expression, juicy tannins and good balance. 

We choose Jarlsberg Semi Soft Part-Skim Cheese as our second cheese.  This pairing was very successful.  When it came to pairing this wine we automatically reached for this wine.   We initially assumed the  sweetness of the wine would take the savory flavors down a notch.    Although the cheese and wine both have strong, distinct flavors, the extreme bitterness and sweetness from each item toned 

down all together when paired.

The last wine, we choose Zenato Valpolicella Superiore 2018. It has ruby red in color and has blackcherries aromas. Very smooth Medium body Valpolicella. Young wine, would taste even better in a few more years. Plum notes on the tongue and a short finish.

We pair it with Roth grand cru cheese. The flavor is barely smokier than standard provolone, but a lot richer. These ingredients worked well because we got to experiment with all different categories finding not only what paired well with our chosen wines but discovering our own palates and preferences at 

the same time. We'll try more wine and cheese at our next dinner!

Frist Wine Dinner at Home

 Dinner­ - Take out from Hunan King

Hunan Wang is a very famous and convenient restaurant for Chinese students.  It is located the Virginia Tech Math Emporium Mall.

My roommates and I often go here to have dinner or take take-out home. I'm taking Geography of Wine this semester, so I choose this one of my favorite restaurants to pair with three wines this week. My boyfriend helps me take those photographs.

We have three main courses today.  I'm planning to serve a different wine with each course.  I will explain why I picked the wine to go with a particular dish.  I will include which wine flavors go best with what flavors in the food.

First course – Black pepper steak stir-fried with green pepper

Wine served with Barefoot Fruitscato Blueberry

Winery Review:

Bursting with all the flavors of juicy blueberries, Barefoot Blueberry FRUITSCATO makes every day just a little bit sweeter.  This scrumptious blend of red wine and natural flavors is a perfect pairing for fresh-out-of-the-oven chocolate brownies!

My Review:

I love this Barefoot Blueberry wine with this course. It’s not too sweet and definitely not dry!! It balances out the beef's greasiness perfectly.  It has light blueberry aromas without a lot of tannins.  In general, this is my favorite red wine at this dinner! It smelled extremely fruity! When I tried this wine the first sense I picked up on was blueberry and lots of them!! After the blueberry sensation went away I got subtle hints of almond. I like it with this dish. 

Second course- Fried eggs with green onions

Wine served with Marqués de Riscal Verdejo

Winery Review:

The picturesque countryside of Spain is littered with vineyards large and small, and offers up some of the best value available on the wine market today. You can consistently fine critically-acclaimed Spanish wines selling for less than their counterparts from other wine-producing countries. The Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions are most famous, and there's nowhere else in the world where you'll find as many world-class Tempranillos.

My Review:

Very good white wine from Spain. It is 100% organic Verdejo, pleasant citrus and tropical fruit notes. I can think of a lot of flavors from it--lemon, pineapple, apple, grass. Refreshing, medium acidity with prominent apple notes, banana, grapefruit, and pineapple. I think it is perfect for dinner with fish or egg. 

Third course-Braised pork ball in brown sauce

Wine served with Oliver Blueberry Moscato

Winery Review:

Deep, flavorful blueberry juice is brought to life by Moscato’s tropical character and natural bubble. Oliver Winery Blueberry Moscato’s light, low-alcohol style is a crowd-pleasing change of pace that appeals to both sweet and dry palates. For this wine and all of our award-winning Vine Series Moscatos, we source the best quality Moscato: Muscat Canelli and Muscat Alexander from the West Coast. Then we add real blueberry juice. No natural or artificial flavorings! The resulting semi-sweet wine is a guilt-free indulgence—6.8% ABV and low calorie, with fruit-forward character and just enough bubble. Sip this oh-so-refreshing pink drink chilled or over ice. By the pool, under patio lights, or anywhere in between.

My Review:

Talk about sweet and delicious! I love me a good sweet Moscato. I love the hint of blueberry it has! This full bottle got me buzzed. Definitely on the top favorites of my wine list! This wine was very sweet and on the nose all I could really pick up was just an overall sweet smell of fruits.  On the mid palate it was sweet again but the finish of this wine tasted a little like a grapefruit, not too tart but a sweet grapefruit.  I had this wine with a pork ball and with a brownie. They are all good.

Overall, this is great wine dinner experience with Hunan King take out! My boyfriend and I both enjoyed this dinner. Next time we will try a different restaurant and a different wine. Looking forward to the next wine dinner!

Tasting – Oliver Sweet Red

 

Name:  Oliver Sweet Red 

Variety: Concord

Style: Red

Volume: 750 ml

Alcohol: 11%

Region:  Indiana

Country: United States

Price: $8.5

Winery review:

Classic Concord grape aroma, deliciously smooth, fruity taste, and ruby-red color. Our commitment to sourcing the best fruit has made Oliver Winery’s Sweet Red an Indiana and Midwest favorite. A refreshingly real wine. No flavorings or colorings, no high fructose corn syrup. Oliver Sweet Red tastes better because it’s crafted with intention and only the very best fruit. This soft red wine is fresh, crisp, and just-sweet-enough. It’s also a consumer-rated best buy! Serve with burgers and BBQ. Great with pepperoni pizza. Yummy with chocolate.

My review: 

This wine has a richer taste than Oliver Sweet Red Lime. Raspberry and blackberry mixed together for a very satisfying flavor. I can feel it has medium bodied with a fruity flavors. I think it is good with dessert or chocolate. A semi sweet with flavor and fruity aroma that is daily treat. Very light tasting and not to sweet.

Tasting – Oliver Sweet Red Lime

 

Name:  Oliver Sweet Red Lime

Variety: Concord

Style: Red

Volume: 750 ml

Alcohol: 11%

Region:  Indiana

Country: United States

Price: $8.5

Winery review:

We took our classic, best-selling Sweet Red wine and added a touch of summer. Fresh, pure lime extract adds a fun finish to the bright, classic Concord flavor of Sweet Red. A refreshingly real wine. No flavorings or colorings, no high fructose corn syrup. Oliver Sweet Red Lime tastes better because it’s crafted with intention and only the very best fruit. Put your feet up and try Oliver Sweet Red Lime chilled or on ice. Add fresh fruit to make your own sangria. Vacation in a glass!

My review: 

I love Oliver red lime.  I love a sweet wine then add lime to it. It is amazing! I added limes to the regular soft red now I had lime to the soft red lime.  It’s not too sweet and just the right amount of tartness. Sweet aroma, sweet yet balanced by lime infusion.

Tasting – Lucky Duck Moscato

 

Name:  Lucky Duck Moscato

Variety: Moscato

Style: White Wine

Volume: 750 ml

Alcohol: 11%

Region:  California

Country: United States

Price: $5

Varietal：

Delightful flavors of sweet peaches and honeydew melon. Enjoy Lucky Duck alone or paired with cheeses, a fruity dessert or spicy cuisine.

My review: 

This is a pretty good moscato, the biggest plus is that its only $5. This brand is a good low cost white sweet wine. Sweet and flavored like an ice wine, but less sugary. Extremely fruity and syrupy. Kind of smells like champagne. A bit fizzy. I love this bottle of wine with my dinner.

Tasting – Crane Lake Cabernet Sauvignon

Name:  Crane Lake Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon 

Style: Red

Volume: 750 ml

Alcohol:  10%

Region:  Napa Valley

Country: United States

Price: $5

Varietal

When it comes to US wine production, California is King. California wines account for almost 90% of all wines produced in the United States each year, and is home to the most celebrated vineyards and producers in the country. California is probably best known for its world-famous Cabernets and Chardonnays, many of which hail from its two most-acclaimed AVAs, Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Other prominent grapes used in California wines include Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Zinfandel (which California made popular).

My review: 

I got this bottle from my friend, this red wine tastes dry.  When I tasted it for the first time, I thought it was a little dry for me. It has same as aromas with elements of underripe strawberry. I think it is go well with food.

Tasting – Pinot Grigio - Colombard

Name:  Bay Bridge® Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Style: White Wine

Winery：Bay Bridge

Volume: 750ml

Alcohol: 12.5%

Region:  California

Country: United States 

Price: $5

 

Winery review

At Bay Bridge Vineyards, we carefully select grapes from some of the finest vineyards to craft wines with vibrant fruit and elegant structure.  Bay Bridge wines are full of flavor, rich in color and smooth in taste, which makes them delicious and the perfect accompaniment to any meal.  This light-bodied wine has a vibrant nose of citrus with notes of pear and stone fruit balanced with crisp acidity for a refreshing finish.  Pair with Rotisserie Chicken or Shrimp Scampi.

 

My review

I bought this wine at the grocery store, It is a affordable everyday white. I like its slightly fruity taste. It smells like ripe pear, hints of marshmallow, and honey.  When I tasted it for the first time, I thought it was a little dry for me. It has same as aromas with elements of underripe strawberry. I think it is go well with food.

Tasting – Dom Perignon : Vintage 2010

 

Name:  Dom Perignon Vintage 2010

Style: White

Volume:  750ml

Alcohol: 12.5%

Region:  Champagne

Country: France

Price: $240

 

Winemaker Notes

Dom Pérignon only creates vintage wines; it is an absolute commitment. Only the best grapes from the most exceptional years are used, making each vintage distinct. It is the perfect embodiment of the Power of Creation – an act of creation that elevates the mind and enlightens the world. The luminous sweetness of tropical fruit – green mango, melon, pineapple – instantly shines. It then cedes to more temperate notes, the tingle of orange zest, the mist of a mandarin orange. The wine breathes, revealing its freshness. The bloom after the rain. A tactile sensation of peony, jasmine and lilac. The wine immediately imposes its ample presence, full and massive. A sappy sensation dominates as the tactile is rapidly overtaken by the aromatic. The body unfolds: generous, firm and controlled. Then it contracts, letting the wine vibrate with spices and pepper. The energy is sustained to a scintillating, saline finish.

My review: 

I pour the wine into the champagne flute, the color is light yellow. Noticeable bubbles can be seen rising from the bottom of the champagne flute. The aroma of baked cakes is fresh like tropical fruit, the acidity is round and subtle, the mouthfeel is vibrant and very elegant. The aftertaste is clean and long, full of minerality.  I would definitely recommend this champagne to my friends.