Quote of the Day

Hello friends!

I hope you're learning a lot about wine! As always, if there is anything you guys want me to post on the blog, let me know!

On a another note,my friend Jacques shared this quote with me the other day and I wanted to share it with you....

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered "Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."

Pretty deep right? Make the most of everyday, try something new, and surround yourself with the people and things who bring you happiness. =)

Have a great day (or night - depending on when you read this)!

Tasting #30 Red

Name: Zentas Malbec
Grape:
Color: red
Smell: raspberries, soft fruit (jam)
Taste: oak, medium body
Dryness/Sweetness: medium dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Argentina

Alcohol Content: 13%
How much? $8.95
Where’d you try it? Vintage Cellar
Would you drink it again? At least one more time

Extra thoughts?
This was very easy to drink, just like the reviews said.

Other reviews:

From the Vintage Cellar:
“This Malbec presents a nice deep red color. The nose offers intense and ripe aromas of red fruits,such as dark cherries, plums, raspberry. On the palate it is fresh and fruity with soft tannins and a nice finish. Pleasant and easy to drink.

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 #29 White

Name: Chateau Mas Neuf Rhone Blanc
Grape:
Color: pale yellow
Smell: fruity, peaches
Taste: crisp, slight oak, accent/hint of floral
Dryness/Sweetness: mild dry/sweet – about ½ and ½ if that makes sense
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: France

Alcohol Content: 13.5%
How much? $11.95
Where’d you try it? Vintage Cellar
Would you drink it again? Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Extra thoughts? Perfect – was the first word that came to my mind after tasting this wine. This was also aged ½ in oak and ½ in stainless. I’m not sure if it was old or new oak.

More description:

From the Vintage Cellar:
Brilliant yellow colour. The up-front nose uninhibitedly reveals fresh fruit aromas (yellow peaches) that combine with hints of white flowers. The palate develops fully with a fresh, tonic finish.

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 #28 Red

Name: Chateau Mas Neuf Rhone Paradox
Grape: Rhone
Color: rich plum
Smell: leather, fresh red fruit, cherries, plum
Taste: distinct leather taste, in a good way, typical dark red fruit characterisitcs
Dryness/Sweetness: mildly dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Southern France

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

Extra thoughts? This is supposed to be a versatile wine as far as it's condition to age further or be had young.

Other reviews:

From the Vintage Cellar:

“Intense garnet colour. The nose reveals red fruits (raspberry, red currants) combined with subtle hints of eucalyptus and bouquet garni. Aromas of very ripe fruit, leather and bouquet garni. The palate is sensual and is distinguished by a good balance bouquet garni indicate full ripeness of the grapes resulting. With its subtle tannins the Mas Neuf Rhone Paradox can be tasted now or could be laid down in the cellar for 2 to 5 years.

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 #27 Red Roses Are for Valentines Day

(I'm a little behind with posting)This was a special wine because my boyfriend gave it to me on Valentines Day along with Dark Chili Chocolate and a specialty glass from the Vintage Cellar! Love you Camp. =)

Anyway, here is what you were interested in reading.
Name: 2008 Antaño Crianza Rioja
Grape: tempranillo, graciano and mazuelo
Color: rose red
Smell: typical rich fruit smell with a distinct rose petal accent
Taste: likes roses, but not a bouquet of fresh roses, very smooth and relaxed
Dryness/Sweetness: mildly dry
Food: Lindt Chili Dark Chocolate
Country/Region: Spain I assume

Alcohol Content: not sure
How much? It was a gift, so I'm not supposed to know.
Where’d you try it? on a date for Valentine Day
Would you drink it again? At least one more time - The distinct rose flavor intrigues me.

Extra thoughts? Try it!

Other reviews:

According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Sep/Oct 11: "(a blend of tempranillo, graciano and mazuelo): Ripe cherry and dark berry aromas are complicated by beef jerky and licorice. A sappy, gently sweet midweight that shows a slightly feral quality and notes of bitter cherry and blackberry. Finishes with good tangy cut and a lingering meaty quality." What a terrific value in everyday Rioja! Produced from one of the largest landowners in Rioja, this value, textbook crianza has loads of balanced, spicy Rioja typicity for a laughably low price. It is composed of primarily tempranillo, with a surprisingly high 10% component of graciano (the tough to grow grape which old timers swear by for adding complexity and ageability to their wines) and a touch of mazuelo. Savory, meaty dark cherry aromas lead to a juicy palate with delicious fruit, balanced acidity and just enough American oak to let you know you’re in Spain. Drink this wonderful wine on its own or with a wide range of foods; for the price you can afford to experiment.

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 #26 - White

Name:Old Coach Road Chardonnay
Grape: Chardonnay
Color: yellow
Smell: spicy, oak,
Taste: balanced with a very obvious, distinct oak barrel finish
Dryness/Sweetness: mild dryness
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: New Zealand

Alcohol Content: 13.5%
How much? $14.95
Where’d you try it? Vintage Cellar
Would you drink it again? At least one more time – This was very good too. Very balanced and with multiple levels of flavor. But it didn’t get me as excited as the Sauvignon Blanc. And I tend to like the less fruity wines.

Extra thoughts?
This wine is ½ naked, which means that is spent ½ of its’ life in an oak barrel and the other ½ in stainless steel. I’m not positive whether this was old or new oak.

Other reviews:

From the Vintage Cellar:
This is a delightfully satisfying wine full of ripe chardonnay fruit characteristics intertwined with smooth, supple, spicy oak. The palate is full and textured, with a clear definition and long lasting flavors.

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 #25 - White

Name:Old Coach Road Sauvignon Blanc
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Color: pale yellow
Smell: pineapple, sweet apple, very fruity
Taste: crisp, fruity, sweet balanced
Dryness/Sweetness: sweet
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: New Zealand?

Alcohol Content: 13.5%
How much? $14.95
Where’d you try it? Vintage Cellar
Would you drink it again? Going to get another bottle right NOW! – As soon as I have the need/means ($$)

Extra thoughts?
This was really good! I’d say it’s worth the $15 bucks. And I’m on a college student budget.

Other reviews:

From the Vintage Cellar:
Fresh, lively and intense varietal fruit with delicious passionfruit flavors in the mouth. Old Coach Road Sauvignon Blanc wine is nicely integrated and has a long lingering finish.

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!