Tasting #5 - Soave

Name: La Cappuccina Soave

Variety: 100% Garganega

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: $7.95

Shop 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: Pale yellow color. I smelled citrusy and floral aromas with maybe a hint of pear. It was a strong flavor right from the get go, acidic, and bitter with only a slight fruity taste. It was a little dry as well. I liked the wine 

but it didn't have a lot of taste to me.

This wine was not tasted with food.

Tasting #4 - Chardonnay

Name: Rex Goliath
Variety: Chardonnay
Region:  Madera, California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $6

Critic Review: Rex Goliath Chardonnay is a true sun-kissed California Chardonnay with bold aromas of apple and pear, combined with the classic spices of Grandma's apple pie. Tropical fruit, pineapple and melon flavors combine with well-integrated layer of creme brûlée and a smattering of vanilla.

My review: Initially the smell was really strange. It was kinda funky although the more I "sniffy sniffed" the more I was able to detect a citrusy, banana smell. Something still lingered that wasn't fruity though it was maybe like a wet moldy grass smell. It wasn't overpowering but was definitely funky. While tasting I detected hints of pineapple and banana with an overall citrusy taste. There was an acidic taste followed by a dry lingering aftertaste.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting #3-  Sweet Red

Name: Opera Prima

Variety: Red Blend

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: $4.95

Shop 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: Right from the beginning there were sweet berry aromas most likely cherries and strawberries. There was a red licorice and strawberry flavors. If there was a wine made for little kids who like sugary drinks this would be the one. The taste was a little too sweet for my liking and did not linger long.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting #2  Pinot Noir

Name: The Naked Grape

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: Modesto, California

Country: USA

Year: 2011

Price: $6

Wine Critic Review: This is a light, jewel red colored wine with gads of ripe red fruit on the nose.  The aromas are primarily cherry and red plum, but there’s also a Diet Coke characteristic to the nose.  The palate is fresh and fruity with ripe cherry and pomegranite flavors.  The tannins are a little too light, in my opinion, but the acidity is good.  The finish, short.  Very short.  But, if fresh and fruity is what you like, then you may enjoy this pinot noir.

My Review: Great taste. There was a cherry and berry aroma. It was sweet berry flavor at first but then the dry and slightly acidic taste quickly follows. There was a dry lingering taste but it didn't stay around long.

I had the wine with dinner which consisted of cheese and crackers, lasagna, and a squash and mushroom dish. The wine paired well in my opinion.

Tasting #1 - Encostas do Lima Vinho Verde

Name: Encostas do Lima Vinho Verde
Variety: 80% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura
Region: Lima
Country: Portugal
Year: 2010
Price: $4.95

Shop review: Pale golden silver color. Bright floral aromas of peaches, raspberry and honeysuckle with a soft, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a crisp, tart citrus and talc accented finish. A delightful sipper that is sure to please.

My review: Very light pale yellow appearance. The smell reminded me of flowers but I couldn't say which ones. There wasn't an overwhelming taste. It was light, fruity, and citrusy. Compared to other wine I've tasted it was bubblier. The finish was light and didn't linger.

I tasted this wine without any food.

My personal experience with wine thus far.

I haven't had much experience with wine so far. I've had several glasses of several different varieties most of which I can't remember the names of. My experiences so far have been having a glass at my Grandma's house with dinner or tasting wine at home with my Mom. I like the taste of wine and I want to continue to build my palate through the Geography of Wine course and exploring on my own.

Up to this point I have preferred the taste of white wine. I definitely like the sweeter, crisper taste as opposed to the dry, "harsh" taste of red wine. I know this is because I am just getting started in my wine drinking and I know the more I drink and build my palate the more I'll like red wine.

In this wine class I'm interested in learning about the entire wine making process from the grapes on the vine to drinking a glass. I want to know why different regions affect wine making. I've already found a great interest in craft beers and I hope that through this class and my own experiences I can build a similar interest in wine.