Tasting - Cortenova Montepulciano d' Abruzzo

Name: Cortenova Montepulciano d' Abruzzo
Variety: 100% Montepulciano d' Abruzzo
Region: Abruzzo
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "Deep ruby red color with violet highlights and a pleasant and fruity bouquet. Full bodied, soft tannins and good acidity. Excellent with pasta dishes and red meats."

My Review: This was a very nice full-bodied red. I was surprised to smell buttered popcorn on the nose, with just a faint hint of vinegar. It tasted very warm, and was only slightly tannic. The sweetness and acidity were well balanced and fairly uniform throughout.  It reminded me of a sweet red, but with a little oomph to it - slightly spicy but not overwhelmingly so - and with a velvety finish.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - Monte Aman

Name: Monte Aman
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Arlanza
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "Fermentation of selected grapes in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Agin in American oak casks for 5 months followed by 3 months in the bottle before being released in the market. Inky ruby. Ripe cherry and plum on the nose. Smooth and fleshy, with deep dark fruit flavors complicated by bitter chocolate and anise. A spicy quality adds lift and focus to the weighty fruit. Offers an appealing mix of power and energy and drinks very well right now."

My Review: This wine had what I can only describe as a bright flavor, very sweet when it first hit and fading to a hint of rubber. It was a little bit heavier on the palate than on the nose.  It was very tannic with a taste of sour cherries and black licorice and a bitter finish. It was substantial and smooth on the palate, but I had trouble pinpointing specific favors. I would definitely try this wine again by itself to explore some of the complexities mentioned in the review.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - Maipe Chardonnay

Name: Maipe Chardonnay
Variety: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "30% malolactic fermentation, 30% was aged in French oak barrels. Brilliant yellow golden color with green hints. The wine is crisp and filled with white peach, pear, green apples flavors, toasty vanilla. Elegant and luscious wine, well balanced. Crisp and long finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, pork, veal, vegetables."

My Review: This chardonnay was buttery on the nose, and slightly sour. The flavor was rich and complex. It was very creamy with a tart lemon essence starting out. Peach and apricot flavors came after that, leaving a light, fresh aftertaste that reminded me of a peach Jollyrancher.  I was impressed by the range of flavors and textures in this wine, and by how smoothly they blended from buttery, to tart and creamy, to sweet and fruity.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - Villa d' Orvieto

Name: Villa d' Orvieto
Variety: Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), and Malvasia
Region: Orvieto
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "Fresh and crisp, it has a beautiful, floral bouquet. It is wonderful with appetizers, fish, chicken, and salads."

My Review: This wine had a very heavy floral bouquet. The strength of the aroma surprised me given the wine's delicate color. The flavor was very nice, and evolved smoothly over the palate. I initially detected floral notes similar to that experienced on the nose. This was followed by a strong, fresh, fruitiness, consisting mainly of a sweet apple flavor over the mid palate. The finish was slightly dry, but this contrast with the wine's sweetness was just subtle enough to work. I would try this wine again to further explore its complexity.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Name: Dibon Cava Brut Reserve 

Variety: 45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada

Region: Penedes

Country: Spain

Year: No Vintage

Price: $9.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "Light gold with plenty of bubbles, this wine has aromas of apples and pears with pleasant floral notes. Crisp and light-bodied on the palate, stone fruit flavors are accompanied by a mild minerality and balanced acidity. A delicious sparkler for a great price!"

My Review: The bouquet on this wine was very light and floral, and almost sweet. I was expecting something similar on the palate but I should have known better based on the "brut" label. I couldn't detect any particular flavors, but it was definitely crisp and bitter. While this wine was lacking in the fruitiness I was looking for, it was definitely an engaging experience in terms of texture and body.  These were even throughout the palate, and the bubbles added a refreshing kick despite the dryness.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - Luzan Jumilla Rouge

Name: Luzan Jumilla Rouge
Variety: Blend (Mourvedre, Syrah)
Region: Jumilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $9.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "Colour: Red purple with an intense violet rim. Aroma: Clean, fragrant, fruity, intense smells of red and black fruits, powerful and very enjoyable. Palate: Soft and warm, glyceric, nice tactile sensations, very fruity and well balanced acids. Mature tannins."

My Review: This wine was much more complex on the nose than it was on the palate. There was some fruitiness, kind of like plums. More intriguing than that, however, were notes of grass hay and manure (weird, but not bad). With all these scents going on, I was expecting a very interesting drinking experience, but I was disappointed. The flavor was generically fruity, and very one-dimensional from front to finish, ending with a slight peppery aftertaste which could have been good if it blended more smoothly from the taste on the palate.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - Moobuzz Pinot Noir

Name: Moobuzz Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Sonoma County, CA
Country: U.S.A.
Year: 2011
Price: $16.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "The 2011 Pinot Noir is brick red with purple edges in color. Aromas of wild cherry, toasty caramel, and fresh strawberry jump from the glass. Your first sip starts with roasted cherry, sweetened dried cranberry, and strawberry as well as savory notes of grilled mushroom, forest floor, and cedar. Notes of watermelon rind, red berries, and sandalwood are noticeable on the finish."

My Review: The first scent I detected was vinegar, but that was quickly followed by strong hints of honey and caramel.  Though slightly acidic on the nose, the overall bouquet was warm and sweet.  The flavor was not what I expected based on the aroma.  While I was looking for it to be slightly mild with a hint of caramel, it was actually very dry and kind of spicy.  None of the caramel came through on the palate.  This is not to say the flavor was bad, just unexpected.  It had an astringent finish with a surprising kick of clove-like spiciness.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - Trentadue Chocolate Amore

Name: Trentadue Chocolate Amore
Variety: Merlot
Region: California (Sub-region: Sonoma County)
Country: USA
Year: ??
Price: $22.95

Winemaker's Notes (from www.vintagecellar.com): "Formerly known as 'Merlot Port with Chocolate Essence', we proudly announce the release of Chocolate Amore, a red dessert wine with natural chocolate flavor added. The new name is due to regulatory changes announced last year by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF). Aside from the change in name, nothing else about Chocolate Amore has been altered. It is still the same great product and same great package. We produce this opulent dessert wine from Merlot grown on our Geyserville Ranch. Borrowing from the traditions of Port making, we add grape neutral spirits to stop fermentation, trapping a percentage of sugar in the wine. Once Chocolate Amore is finished aging and is ready for bottling, we infuse a tiny amount of natural chocolate extract to the final blend, creating the perfect marriage of food and wine."

My Review: I've been interested in trying a chocolate flavored wine for a while now, but was always turned off by the milky concoctions sold at Kroger. When this higher value Trentadue turned up on the tasting counter, I was excited.

When swirling the glass, I noticed that the legs on this wine were much more prominent than those on the average table wine. This is caused by the increased viscosity that is characteristic of wines with higher sugar content.

I could smell this sweetness immediately, with the sole aroma being chocolate-covered cherries. This flavor carried through to the palate and was bold and unchanging from start to finish. Although the wine itself was not cream-based, it did have a very smooth texture. The high alcohol content (18%) was evident in the slight burning aftertaste. I am not a fan of this contrast between sweet/creamy and biting alcohol (like Bailey's Irish Cream), but I was impressed by how seamlessly the natural chocolate flavor was blended with the fruitiness of this wine.

This wine was tasted without food. (The only food I personally would attempt to pair with this dessert wine would be a rich chocolate cake.)

Tasting - Chambers Muscat

Name: Chambers Muscat
Variety: Muscat
Region: Rutherglen
Country: Australia
Year: ??
Price: $17.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "This Muscat is even better than the Muscadelle (Tokay), offering a rose/amber color followed by notes of black tea. This sexy effort is the equivalent of liquid Viagra. This singular treasure from Australia should not be missed!" (95 points, Robert Parker)

My Review: This fortified wine smelled like perfume. Hints of cinnamon and vanilla extract gave this wine a warm and sweet but slightly spicy scent. One specific aroma that stood out to me was that of raw honey or a beehive (not exactly honey in a jar).  Overall a very sensual nose.

The flavor was just as complex.  This Muscat was extremely sweet and syrupy, like a watered down honey stick.  I detected flavors such as honeysuckle and vanilla over the mid-palate, that finished with an essence of chamomile tea.

Thick legs of this wine indicated a high sugar content even before smelling or tasting the wine.  The texture of this wine was very smooth and velvety, finishing with a bite from the high alcohol content (18.5%).

This wine was too sweet and heavy for my taste, even to drink on its own. It also has that super sweet, creamy paired with burning alcohol which I really don't like.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Mas de Daumas Frizzante Rose

Name: Mas de Daumas Frizzante Rose
Variety: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Manseng
Region: Pays d'Herault*
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $24.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "A genuine rose wine - it could almost be a fruit juice - delights the palate with lively fine bubbles, smooth fruity aromas, very fresh thanks to its low alcohol content. Serve Daumas Gassac "Rose Frizant" well-chilled to quench thirst, indulge the taste-buds and banish gloom. To drink within two years. An ideal aperitif, delightful with desserts."

My Review: This rose had a dry, bitter bouquet with a floral hint.  It reminded me of petunias and roses.  It had a nice effervescence, and a flavor that was fruitier than detected by the nose. I definitely tasted apricot and some citrus. The overall flavor was much sweeter and lighter than a typical Cabernet Sauvignon, even though it is 90%. It was bright and crisp on the palate, and slightly sour with a tannic finish.

This wine was tasted without food.

(*http://www.selfridges.com/en/Food-Wine/Categories/Shop-Wines-Spirits/Wine-by-country/France/Sparkling-Rose-750ml_414-2001450-NVDGFZTF/)

Tasting - Opera Prima Sweet Red

Name: Opera Prima Sweet Red
Variety: 50% Tempranillo, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon*
Region: La Mancha*
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $4.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "Doesn't try to hide its warm-climate terroir, with a soft texture framing jammy-sweet black raspberry, cherry, red currant, root beer and sweet tea.  Drink now."

My Review: I could detect the sweetness of this red wine from the initial sniff.  Out of all the wines I've tasted, this one definitely rang true to its review more than some others do.  Raspberry was the predominant flavor, but there were definitely layers of other fruity flavors mentioned in the review.  It was very smooth, almost velvety, on the palate and had a very sweet, delicate aftertaste that wasn't at all overbearing.  It didn't seem to be very tannic, and there was no burn at all from the alcohol (only 10.5% ABV).  By my undistinguished taste, this is not a complex wine, but it is delicious nonetheless.  Great if you're looking for something sweet to pair with a dessert.  Drink now.

I tasted this wine without food the first time, but have since had it with chocolate covered strawberries, and will most definitely try that pairing again.

* http://www.civusa.com/assets/PDFs/Opera-Prima-Sweet-Red-2010-Final.pdf

Tasting - La Cappuccina Soave

Name: La Cappuccina Soave
Variety: Garganega
Region: Veneto (Sub-region: Soave)
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "Bright straw yellow in color. Delicate on the nose, with notes of flowers and almonds.  Dry, well-structured and delicately fruity, with hints of bitter almonds on the finish that is typical of Garganega-based wines."

My Review: I really liked this sweet, white wine.  It had an almost floral scent, but very delicate.  I picked up a slight almond fragrance both on the nose and palate, but an even stronger presence of honey.  It was a little bit tangier in flavor than I expected, what with the light aroma, and left an acidic aftertaste.

I tasted this without food, but I think it would pair nicely with a light dessert.

Tasting - Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Name: Mars and Venus Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Central Valley*
Country: Chile*
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag.  No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple.  Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping."

My Review: This Chardonnay had a very sour fragrance, and more of a bite to it than the smoothness I was expecting based on the review.  I definitely tasted pine (trees, not apples), and experienced a fizziness that lingered on the tongue.  

I tasted this without food, although I think something is needed to cut the acidity and balance out the wine's flavors.  Will try again with food.


* From http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-192424-0001-mars-and-venus-chardonnay-central-valley-chile - different from the VC's notes

Tasting - Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Variety: Gamay
Region: Beaujolais
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $3.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "Bright and tangy, offering a classic banana note on the nose, with flavors of raspberry, wild strawberry and light spice.  Modest finish."

My Review: This red wine was surprisingly rich in both fragrance and flavor compared to the description.  It smelled strongly of vinegar and strawberries and was very dry on the palate.  The fruitiness in the flavor was harder to pick up, with a spicy acidity predominating over a hint of strawberry.  I was disappointed to not detect the "banana note" mentioned in the review.

I tasted this without food.

Tasting - Finca del Castillo Tempranillo

Name: Finca del Castillo Tempranillo
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $4.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "Rooty, spicy and baked on the nose, with aromas that lean towards raisin.  The palate is more gritty and acidic, with raisin, cola, and spice flavors.  Darkens up on the finish, which is long and peppery, with adequate juiciness and a final note of tomato."

My Review: The first thing I noticed about this Tempranillo was its sharp, peppery fragrance.  This strong flavor carried over to the palate, along with a clove-like spiciness and warmth.  It was heavy with tannins which gave an astringent sensation on the palate, and seemed especially dry compared to the other wines at the tasting.

(This complex wine would be good to try again with more tasting experience.)

I tasted this without food.

My Personal Wine Experience

Up to this point in my life, my experience with wine has been pretty much limited to Sunday Mass and the occasional Tour de Franzia.  Hence, my reasons for taking this class include expanding my knowledge of different varieties, learning a bit about the process of wine making, and developing a relatively distinguished taste with which to impress my family and friends.

I usually drink liquor rather than beer or wine because it goes a little further and thus seems fairly economic in comparison.  When I do drink wine I've tended towards white wines over reds because of their fruity freshness.  That, and I prefer my drinks cold to room temperature.  I've sampled a variety of Arbor Mist fruit flavored wines, and Moscato was pretty much my go-to "real" wine.

It may be that the winter weather has deterred me away from colder drinks, or that the character of red wine seems more seasonally appropriate - smoother, darker, warmer, and less tangy and tart.  Nevertheless, as of late, I've acquired a taste for reds.  In a major way.  I've been to two tastings so far this semester, and both times my favorite sampling was a red wine, not a white.  I'm looking forward to exploring the vast field of options that red wine has to offer and venturing away from the fruitier sweet reds to something more bold and sophisticated in flavor.