Tasting #10 - White

Name: Nykteri Santorini Yannis
Smell: fruit
Taste: pears or apples
Dryness/Sweetness: slightly sweet
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Greece (Santorini)

Alcohol Content: not sure
How much? $13.95
Where'd you try it? Vintage Cellar
Would you drink it again? I'd keep it in mind

Extra thoughts: After reading the description from the Vintage Cellar (below) I want to try it again. Obviously, I missed a few things.

Other reviews:

The Vintage Cellar says:

"I fell first for the compelling story of this 'night work' wine, and then for the aroma and taste, and can't think of a wine to compare it to. "Nykteri - Dry White Wine Appellation of Origina Santorini of superior quality since 3,500 years ago, the Nykteri is synonymous to Santorini's famous white wines. The formula to 'instant wine making'on the night of the same day that the grapes were harvested solved the problems of the variety's sensitive aroma deterioration. The wine is matured for 3 months at least in barrels. In this way the wine's contact with barrel's wood gives the Nykteri a special finesse. Characteristics Crystal-clear, semi-yellow wine. Dominated by the aromas of jasmine, citrus fruits, flowers and pear, all these enhanced with a gentle vanilla sense. A strong body with warm personality and a long lasting taste. Serve with grilled anything as well as with local Greek dishes such as tomato meatballs and fava dip."

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #9 - Red

Name: Doural Tinto
Smell: light
Taste: earthy, smooth
Dryness/Sweetness: mild dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Portugal

Alcohol Content: 12.5%
How much? $8.95
Where'd you try it? Vintage Cellar
Would you drink it again? If someone else bought it - Honestly I don't remember what this really tasted like

Extra thoughts: This one didn't stand out to me like a few other from the night did.

Other reviews:

The Vintage Cellar says:

"This Portuguese tinto (red) blend exhibits a deep red color with violet hues. The noes is vibrant and fruity. The palate offers notes of spice, cherry, and dark berry supported by good structure. Pairs well with red or game meat, cheese and fish."

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #8 - Red

Name: 2010 Cotes du Rhone Sol'Acantalys
Smell: hot
Taste: flat, hot, acidic
Dryness/Sweetness: medium dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: France/Rhone

Alcohol Content: 13.5%
How much? not sure (other sites have it list for $10 - $12)
Where'd you try it? Vintage Cellar
Would you drink it again? Never Again - There are too many wines out there to linger on one which didn't WOW me.

Extra thoughts: I didn't get much from this except the blast of alcohol on the first sip. Maybe that's just me. I'm sure the French love it.

Other reviews:
This website might help you out more than me...

TASTING NOTES
"Bright and juicy Côtes du Rhône with hints of spice and pepper. This young and fresh Côtes du Rhône from Les Vignerons de Tavel shows superb notes of red berry fruits and spice, particularly pepper."

FOOD CHOICE
Enjoy with a traditional shepard's pie.

GRAPE MIX
Grenache - Syrah - Carignan

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #7 - White

Name: 2010 Erbach Flonheimer Adelberg Silvaner
Smell: fruit, floral
Taste: fruity, sweet yet not (perhaps balanced)
Dryness/Sweetness: balanced
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: German

Alcohol Content: 10%
How much? $9.95
Where'd you try it? Vintage Cellar
Would you drink it again? I would keep it in mind - can't rule it out. I didn't take very good notes, so the details have slipped my mind.

Extra thoughts: I like it and yet don't remember much about it. I do know one thing, I'd have to learn how to spell/pronounce this wine if I am ever to find it again.

Other reviews:
Let Timeless Wines tell you more: (they make it sound more appealing than I do)
Description:
"The fruity, mouthwatering wine has a nice acidity-sugar balance and comes from the so called \'Rheinhessen-Switzerland\', the heartland of Rheinhessen. It has a floral bouquet and smells like yellow fruit, lemon-grass and green tea."

Winery: Winzer Von Erbach

The Estate:
"The wine-growers association was founded in 1897. Today 45 vintners deliver grapes from the Erbach and Kiedrich vineyards to the cellar. There is close a relationship with the vintners, who are all part owners of their winery, all of whom have access to highly skilled and experienced viticultural advice. The cellar was built in 1903 in the "Art Nouveau" style. Today they are the most highly rated Wine cooperation in the Rheingau region, well known for producing high quality Riesling wines with a strong price-value relationship."

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #6 - Red

Name: 2006 Viña Santurnia Crianza Rioja
Smell: strong, woody (like a damp forest)
Taste: woody
Dryness/Sweetness: medium dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Spain - I think?

Alcohol Content: 13.5%
How much? $11.95
Where'd you try it? Vintage Cellar
Would you drink it again? I'd keep it in mind - I'm intrigued by what this can offer.

Extra thoughts? I would definitely revisit this one. It's really distinct from the other wines I've tasted thus far.

Other reviews:
The Wall Street Journal gave this site klwines.com spectacular reviews "the best wine Web site in the U.S. Visiting it is like dropping into an outstanding wine store with plenty of time on your hands to browse."

That's great - Here is what they said:

"Very classic, traditional styling, with a terrific balance between mouthwatering berry fruit and damp forest floor nuances. Traditional Rioja, with its Burgundian characteristics and slightly plumper fruit profile, works wonders with food. Simply put, the 2006 Viña Santurnia Crianza Rioja is pure deliciousness! In all seriousness, this property, located a mere 3 kilometers from Muga over in the Rioja Alavesa, really over-delivers when it comes to consistently making wonderful Crianza, with impeccable balance and typicity, for an incredibly fair price. This wine is produced in comparably tiny quantities for Rioja, 5,000 cases, all the more reason to join the many customers who have purchased past vintages of this terrific, satisfying wine in case quantities.

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #5 - Sparkling

Name: Casa Bianca Spumante Rosato
Smell: simple, rosy
Taste: floral, rosy, sparkling
Dryness/Sweetness: mild dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Northern Italy

Alcohol Content: 11%
How much? $11.95
Where'd you try it? Vintage Cellar
Would you drink it again? I'm between "if someone else bought it" and "never again"

Extra thoughts: This was really interesting. The rose was very distinct. My first reaction was not favorable. However, maybe another try would persuade me otherwise. With that being said, I probably couldn't handle more than a glass of this wine.

Other reviews:
The Vintage Cellar describes this wine as a "spicy rosato spumante with a fine, persistent mousse, juicy fresh red fruit in the aroma and a rich, smooth and lasting flavor." They also comment on the grapes used: white pinot nero prosecco and red.

Tasting #4 - Red

Name: 2010 Nero D' Avola Villa Pozzi
Smell: earthy, woody
Taste: smooth, woody, spicy, savory
Dryness/Sweetness: medium dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Sicily, Italy

Alcohol Content: 13.5%
How much? $9.99 (on sale from $14.99)
Where'd you try it? Gourmet Pantry
Would you drink it again? I'd keep it in mind - the food pairing would definitely bring out more from this wine

Extra thoughts: Brittany, you liked this one! =)

Other reviews:

Here is an excerpt from an online review from WineExpress.com:
"A rich red grape, sometimes called Italy's Shiraz, Nero D'Avola is grown on the island of Sicily with great success. Villa Pozzi sources it's Nero D'Avola from vineyards in the hills on the western side of the island. Elevations of 1,000 to 1,300 feet and clay soils give these grapes the balance they need to mature fully without becoming overripe. The result is a full, succulent wine with rich fruit, spice and deep color. A tremendous value, enjoy this wine with all of your favorite Italian dishes."

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #3 - Sparkling

Name: Opera Prima Pink Moscato (Premium Sparkling Wine)
Smell: very berry, light
Taste: sugary, berry
Dryness/Sweetness: verrry sweet
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Spain

Alcohol Content: 7%
How much? $7.99
Where'd you try it? Gourmet Pantry
Would you drink it again? I'd keep it in mind - for the right occasion

Extra thoughts: The bottle was really cute! Perfect light, fun drink for a bachelorette party! (Brittany =p)

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Sweet Sparkling Saturday

Do you know why we toast?

Apparently in ancient Greece, the host of a gathering would sip the wine before any of the other guests to ensure it was not poisoned. Hence the phrase "drinking to one's health."

I also read that the tradition was adopted in ancient Rome. The Romans made it their own by dropping a piece of toasted bread into their wine glasses. This would absorb some of the undesirable flavors and reduce the acidity of the drink.

Now on with today's events -
I'd say it was a successful day of sampling. The adventure began at the Gourmet Pantry on Main Street for a mini tasting. My good friend Brittany and I both sampled a sparkling, pink Moscato (veeeery sweet) and a nice, earthy red. The journey continued further down Main Street at the Vintage Cellar where my friend Christian decided to join in on the fun. Cheers!

Without further delay, let's being the evaluation....

Tasting #2 - White

Name: 2009 Royal Chenin Blanc Old Vines Steen
Smell: apple, sweet, fruity (the bottle says "hint of honey")
Taste: apple, pear?
Dryness/Sweetness: medium sweet
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: South Africa

Alcohol Content: 13%
How much? $4.95
Where'd you buy it? Vintage Cellar in Blacksburg, VA
Would you drink it again? At least one more time

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #1 - Red

Here goes... just saying what comes to mind...

Name: 2008 Spinelli Montepulciano D'Abruzzo
Smell: black cherries?, dark fruit, alcohol
Taste: plums, soft, smooth
Dryness/Sweetness: slightly dry
Food: homemade baked spaghetti
Country/Region: The bottle says Italy, but the Vintage Cellar says Australia.

Alcohol Content: 12.5%
How much? $3.95 (on sale)
Where'd you buy it? Vintage Cellar in Blacksburg, VA
Would you drink it again? I'd keep it in mind

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

The Journey Begins

Easy Question! Which country consumes the most wine?

Was your first thought France? It may seem like a shocker, but the United States is actually now the biggest consumer of wine in the world! According to Vinexpo and International Wine and Spirit Research (ISWR), the US consumed the equivalent of 3.7 BILLION bottles of wine in 2011.

I'll cut to the chase - I'm in the home stretch of my undergraduate career and decided to pursue my interest in this little beverage called wine. How am I going to do this you ask? Well, I enrolled in a class called Geography of Wine at Virginia Tech. It's taught by this pretty cool guy named John Boyer. (If you don't know who I'm talking about, please Google "Plaid Avenger", you'll be doing yourself a favor.)

As part of the personalized grade package offered in this class, I have the option to blog about my wine experiences. These experiences range anywhere from local wine tastings to food & wine pairings to winery visits. Hopefully, as you follow my blog, you'll witness an increase in my knowledge of wine, the maturity of my pallet, and with that, an improvement in my ability to express these smells and taste in words.

I promise I will try to make this interesting/helpful to you in some way if you...

1. Leave a comment when you have knowledge of something I don't!

2. Ask me questions if you have them!

3. Lastly, cut me some slack. This is an informal wine blog. There may be grammatical/spelling errors. *This will be mostly because of my dedication to this blog. I will taste each wine as many times as I have to in order to deliver the best information I can to my readers.



Bottom line - Thanks for taking the time to check this out, even if you are just the TA grading it...