Tasting - Sonnenband Moscato Magnum

Name: Sonnenband Moscato Magnum

Variety: Moscato

Country: Spain

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: The wine is intricate with the delicate perfumes of white flower blossoms, profound tropical fruit sweetness, and energized by citrus nectars.

My Review: This wine had a very muted smell which made it very hard to pick out any distinct smells. After taking a couple of whiffs and thinking, I started picking up the white flour but not much else. The first thing I noticed upon tasting was the ridiculous sweetness of the wine. It was basically like a dessert wine to me, with overwhelming sweetness. I was surprised since I hadn't smelled any of the sugars. I also tasted the citrus. This was my least favorite wine.

Tasting - Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Name: Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: This cabernet Sauvignon shows very good purity of fruit and skillful winemaking. This wine is full of black-fruit aromas, depth and style. The palate pushes ripe plum and berry fruit along with chocolate, and the finish is chewy and correct in terms of tannins and structure.

My Review: After this wine was poured, I could immediately smell it from the table  without any swirling at all. It had a very strong smell that was immediately released. I smelled strong aromas of plum and hints of rose. The smell actually reminded me of an Indian delicacy called paan which I have had quite a bit. The taste also had the plum characteristics, but it also tasted woody with a nice finish. This was my favorite wine of the tasting.

Tasting - Champteloup Pinot Noir 2011

Name: Champteloup Pinot Noir 2011

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: Loire

Country: France

Year: 2011

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: In the heart of France’s Loire River Valley lies the Touraine wine region. Although it produces vast amounts of well-priced, fresh, mostly white wines, lovely reds like this are broaden in Touraine’s appeal. This wine may seem familiar to you. It is a sibling of the Touraine Sauvignon Blanc we’ve offered for years. Serge de Bucy employs a light touch in his winemaking, using no wood and doing as little as possible to preserve freshness. Bright cherry and strawberry fruits are followed by a soft, smooth palate.

My Review: this wine had the smell of dirt, almost like a stale smell to it. I couldn't smell any of the fruits it mentions like cherry or strawberry, which I was dissapointed about because strawberries are one of my favorite fruit. The taste was very earthy as well, which I expected because I had already picked up hints of the dirt smell. Even though I didn't smell it, I could faintly taste strawberry which was nice.

Tasting - Baumann Gentil Classiq 2012

Name: Baumann Gentil Classiq 2012

Variety: Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris

Region: Alsace

Country: France

Year: 2012

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: “A delicious and fresh blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. Light aromas of fresh fruit and delicate white flowers start your journey, followed by crisp flavors of stone and citrus fruit. A well balanced acidity on the dry finish ends this French blend beautifully.” Vintage Cellar

 

My Review: The aroma of this wine was floral and very sweet. I could definitely tell that the wine was going to be sweet just from the smell because I picked it up so distinctly. I felt the wine had good acidity but I did not feel a dry finish at all even though both the review and the person handing out the wines remarked about the dry finish.

Tasting - Fattori Runcaris Soave 2010

Name: Fattori Runcaris Soave 2010

Variety: 100% Garganega

Region: Soave

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: From the local Italian word for “to work the soil,” Runcaris represents an easy, fresh expression of Soave Classico with lingering aromas of citrus, yellow rose, honey, jasmine and dried herbs.

My review: This wine had a very floral nose with scents of tropical fruit for me. I could also detect a little bit of honey smell. Upon tasting it, the first thing I noticed was that for me, it was very sour to taste. It actually made me pucker a little, which I don't think any other wine had done so far. It also tasted sweet, but I was so overwhelmed with the sourness that I couldn't taste anything else.

Tasting - Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve 2011

Name: Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve

Variety: 30% Syrah, 70% Grenache

Region: Rhone

Country: France

Year: 2011

Price: $11.99

Winery Review: The Perrin family has taken particular care that this Cotes du Rhone meets their stringent standards of excellence. As propietors of Chateau de Beaucastel in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and producers of La Vieille Ferme from the Cotes du Ventoux and Luberon, the Perrin family has demonstrated exceptionally high standards for nearly a century. Jean-Pierre and Francois father, Jacques Perrin, was a gifted winemaker who brought world renown to the family domaine, introducing innovative techniques in the cellar, such as flash-eat exchange for maximum extract, integrated pest control and organic farming practices in the vineyards. Now the next generation of winemakers – Pierre, Marc and Thomas – has joined Jean-Pierre and Francois to continue the proud family tradition – The Importer

My review: This wine was pretty similar to the Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone that I had at the same tasting, even though they had different makeups of grapes and percentages. I think having the Charles Thomas right before this one mixed my judgement and made them taste similar. Like the Charles Thomas, I smelled the apple in this wine and it was sour and dry to the taste. I don't think I would be able to tell the difference between this wine and the previous one if they were both right in front of me.

Tasting - Ixeia Chardonnay 2012

Name: Ixeia Chardonnay

Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Region: Somontano

Country: Spain

Year: 2012

Price: $10.99

Winery Review: In the far north of the Spanish province of Aragon, lies the up and coming wine region of Somontano. There, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, they use both traditional Spanish grapes, as well as foreign grapes like this Chardonnay. Unoaked and mineral-laden, we loved its aromas of pineapple, green apple, and white flowers, and its crisp yet creamy palate. Interestingly the Bal d Isabena winery’s unique and informative label is in Spanish and Polish (don’t worry, the legal back label is in English)

My review: This wine had a distinct apple juice smell. If I had had my eyes closed and someone had brought this wine to me, I probably would have guessed that it was apple juice instead of wine just by the smell. The taste was very sweet and crisp, but I did not get any creaminess from it. I liked this wine.

Tasting - Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone 2011

Name: Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone

Variety: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvedre

Region: Rhone

Country: France

Year: 2010

Price: $9.99

Winery Review: Importer Fran Kysela commissioned this remarkable red Rhone bargain from a winery near Pont Saint Esprit just north of Avignon in the sunny south of France. A classic blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvedre, it’s delights with loads of juice berry fruits spiced with provencal herbs. Organic and traditionally-made, it delivers great value for a pleasurable price.

My review: The smell of this wine was very vibrant and I could definitely smell the apple in it. However, I noticed that the smell of this wine changed as it settled after I had swirled it. For example, when it was still swirling, I smelled the apple distinctly, but once it stopped swirling and had sat for a bit I couldn't identify the smell anymore and it definitely had changed. The taste of the wine was pretty sour and it had a medium finish.

Tasting - Panther Creek Pinot Gris 2010

Name: Panther Creek Pinot Gris

Variety: 96% Pinot Gris, 4% Viognier

Region: Oregon

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $13.49

Winery Review: Bright, refreshing, and oh so tasty, this Pinot Gris has zesty notes of pink grapefruit and lime with beautiful florals intermingled. Composed of fruit from both the Rogue Valley and the Willamette Valley as well as approximately 4% Viognier, this wine is highly aromatic and has a nice weight to it mid-palate. The finish is long with wonderfully balanced acididty and texture

My review: When smelling this wine, I couldn't smell either the grapefruit or the lime, however I did smell the floral scents intermingled in the nose. The taste had some hints of lime, but what I noticed most was definitely the finish. The finish in this wine was incredibly long, lasting around 10 to 15 seconds. It really stayed in your mouth and let you know that it meant business. I think I'm a fan of long finishes.

Tasting - Raats Original Chenin Blanc 2012

Name: Raats Original Chenin Blanc

Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc

Region: Coastal Region

Country: South Africa

Year: 2012

Price: $14.99

Winery Review: Legend has it that it was an earlier Raats generation that brought the Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc vines to South Africa from the Loire Valley, France. Today, idealistic winemaker Bruwer Raats, continues this legacy by focusing exclusively on these varietals ... Original Chenin is crafted without the use of any oak in order to preserve the wine's 'original' vibrant fresh fruit character. It's packed with luscious flavors of golden delicious apple and citrus, with subtle notes of ginger, honeysuckle and orange blossom backed by a bright, tangy minerality - Cape Classics Import

My review: This wine had a very bitter and acidic smell to me, which was an immediate turn off for me. I couldn't really taste the luscious flavors of apple or citrus, but the bitterness still prevailed. I would have rather not tasted this wine and did not like it.

Tasting - Angove Zibibbo Sparkling Moscato 2013

Name: Angove Zibibbo
Variety: Sparkling Moscato
Country: South Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $15, Sale $7.95

Winery Review: This is a tasty and generous Moscato  that opens with plush aromas of honey, peach syrup, white flower and fragrant exotic fruit. There’s a nice sensation of fullness and creaminess in the mouth that is backed by the foamy effervescence of this sparkling dessert wine.

My Review: This had a very light smell that was overwhelmingly sweet. I distinctly smelled the honey in it (as did everyone else I was with), along with a hint of figs. It also smelled very syrupy, which I think went with the whole sweet and honey smells. As expected, the taste was overwhelmingly sweet as well and I could clearly taste the honey. The bubbly feeling in the mouth also added a nice layer to the wine which I enjoyed.

Tasting - Fetzer Malbec 2011

Name: Fetzer Malbec

Variety: Malbec

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2011

Price: $15, sale $7.95

Winery Review: Delicious Malbec is 100% from Mendoza, Argentina. It has a vibrant red color with violet tones. Subtle and delicious aromas with an intense mixture of red fruits, plum and cherry jam. On the palate it’s juicy and has intense wood-like tannins that make it a rustic, yet versatile wine. Long finish.

My Review: I definitely smelled the plum in this wine more than any other smell of red fruits. On tasting the wine it tasted very juicy which I don't think I'd encountered yet with any other wines. I could also taste the plum. I'm starting to see a pattern here, where whatever fruits I smell are also the ones I taste. I don't often taste fruits that I haven't smelled.

Tasting - Tres Ojos Garnacha 2011

Name: Tres Ojos

Variety: 100% Garnacha

Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: "This semi-opaque ruby, custom cuvée of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre is made specifically for Fran Kysela. It exhibits very fresh, ripe dark red fruit with very good palate weight and depth and ends with rich fruit notes. Made from organically grown grapes. Incredible value!"

- I-WineReview (December 2013), 90 pts.

My Review: The first thing I noticed about this wine was how incredibly red it was, more so than others I've seen. The smell consisted of a red fruit smell but upon tasting it I found it somewhat hard to swallow. I wasn't sure why it was hard to swallow for me, but I think it may have been a combination of the dryness and acidity. The wine also had a very heavy and distinct finish. I think this may have been my favorite wine of this tasting.

Tasting - The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2012

Name: The Royal Old Vines Steen

Variety: Chenin Blanc

Region: Western Cape

Country: South Africa

Year: 2012

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: 90 Points - Robert Parker "One of the greatest buys I have tasted this year is this under $10, 100% Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape. A super flowery- scented nose includes notions of ripe honeydew melons and pears. This medium-weight, fresh, fruity, crisp, dry, textbook Chenin Blanc will provide immense pleasure over the next 12 months"

My Review: This wine smelled very refreshing to me, which I hadn't experienced with any other wine I've tried so far. However, I didn't really taste any of the fruits mentioned, such as the honeydew or pears, probably because their tastes are already somewhat subdued. I believe I may have tasted the honeydew, but I haven't had any honeydew in a while so I may just be imagining things. The winery review also stated that it was dry, but I didn't really taste any dryness. 

Tasting - Bodega-Norton Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Name: Bodega Norton 2012
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $12, sale $5.95

Wine Review: Aromas of pithy citrus and pineapple are decent but unrefined, while flavors of tangerine and pineapple are tropical, zesty and what they are. This is nothing more than a fresh, simple, citrusy white to sip on the patio.

My Review: This wine had a very light aroma, with a hint of pineapple that I could smell. It also smelled very acidic. When I tasted it, I could mostly only taste the alcohol and acidity with possibly light hints of the pineapple again. I didn't really like this wine that much since it seemed like I couldn't really taste many of the aromas or flavors mentioned.

Tasting - Weinkeller Erbach Flonheimer Adelberg Sylvaner

Name: Weinkeller Erbach Flonheimer Adelberg Sylvaner
Variety: 100%  Sylvaner
Region: Rheinhessen
Country: Germany
Year: 2010
Price: $4.95 (on sale)

Winery Review:
“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 is full of lemon zest, hint of passion fruit, and smells like yellow fruit, lemon-grass and green tea, all wrapped around a pleasant creaminess and a semi-dry profile. The finish is zippy and refreshing. Perfect for party on the deck as it comes in a liter bottle!”

My Review:
The very first thing I noticed during the tasting were the crystals on the bottom of the wine bottle, which looked very cool. I had never seen anything but wine in wine bottles so this was something new, and I learned that they were tartaric acid crystals. I could definitely smell a slightly lemony scent to this wine, but otherwise it was pretty mild. This wine was very refreshing to taste, and I tasted overwhelmingly floral notes. I think this was my favorite wine of this tasting, although it was also my last so the alcohol may have something to do with that! 

Tasting - Montebuena Rioja

Name: Montebuena Rioja

Variety: 100%  Tempranillo

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

Winery Review:

"(100% Tempranillo, raised entirely in American oak): Vivid ruby. Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja." - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (September 2012), 90 pts

My Review:

The smell for this wine was very soft with faint hints of cherry and of a woody smell. Reading the official review, I saw that it was raised entirely in American oak. The taste was also woody and I could taste the cherry in the wine. I also really liked the color of this wine!

Tasting - Delaroche Cotes Du Rhone

Name: Delaroche Cotes du Rhone
Variety: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95


Winery Review:
“This semi-opaque ruby, custom cuvee of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre is made specifically for Fran Kysela. It exhibits very fresh, ripe dark red fruit with very good palate weight and depth and ends with rich fruit notes. Made from organically grown grapes. Incredible value!” –I-WineReview (Dec 2013) – 90 pts. (The Vintage Cellar)

My Review:
The smell of this wine was very mild for me. I couldn't really make out any distinct smells or things that stood out for what it could taste like. However, upon tasting it I definitely tasted various red fruits and it tasted less dry than the other wines I'd tried so far during this tasting. I found it funny that the official review mentioned that the wine used organically grown grapes... how would you taste the difference?

Tasting - Maipe Torrontés

Name: Maipe Torrontés
Variety: 100% Torrontés
Region: Medoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Winery Review:
Spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon, and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish. Best enjoyed in its youth either by itself, or as a wonderful partner with smoked meats, mild to medium-strong cheeses, seafood and a great partner for spicy food as well.

My Review:
The Torrontés had a floral and overwhelmingly sweet smell for me with a hint of peaches. I was surprised to read the official review and see peaches listed as the top fruit, as well as jasmine and rose petals. I couldn't believe I actually caught those smells! This wine tasted very sweet to me along with lots of acidity, which was listed in the official review as well. This wine may have been my favorite purely because of how accurately I caught the tastes in it!

Tasting - Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio
Variety: 100% Pinot grigio
Region: Venezie
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Winery Review:
Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the finish. Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos, spaghetti with clams, sole in white wine. Perfect also as an aperitif. (The Vintage Cellar)

My Review:
The very first thing I smelled after taking a big whiff was a strong citrus smell. Reading the official review, I didn't see any citrus fruits listed so I think I still need more practice identifying smells. After my first taste, I felt that it hit the tongue with a strong taste and I again tasted something citrusy. As I was tasting the wine, I read the review but didn't really notice any of the hints of pears, apricots or bananas but I definitely noticed the floral taste.

Wine and Me

I can actually remember the first time I ever had wine. My mother, although not a frequent consumer of alcohol, would occasionally buy wine to treat herself. One particular evening in high school, after she had already opened the bottle and consumed some portion of it, I snuck a sip to taste what this world renowned beverage would taste like -- and hated it. 

After that, I didn't touch wine again until college, when I had become more accustomed to the taste of alcohol. Even then, it was mostly to take a break from drinking classics such as Natty Light or Aristocrat. My older brother had already graduated from college, and he would often tell me of how, by his senior year, he would usually be drinking wine with his friends instead of beer. I didn't understand how he could prefer wine over beer or mixed drinks, and would buy wine to feel a little bit classier and older.

Walking into the wine section at any store can be extremely overwhelming, especially for someone with almost no knowledge about the differences between the wines. The extent of my wine knowledge before this class had been the difference in taste between red and white wine, and the temperatures each would be served. I had no idea that some wines were named after grapes and others with regions. I had no idea what a chardonnay tasted like versus a cabernet sauvignon. I would always just go for Barefoot, since that seemed like an acceptable choice for college wine. My personal preference until this year had always been white wine - with my drink of choice being Barefoot Moscato. Red wine always seemed too strong and almost sour for me. However, wine drunk is one of my favorite kinds of drunks -- it just seems so much happier and lively than other drunks. Hopefully, after this class is over, I will be able to actually appreciate and understand wine. I want to be able to wow my parents and friends with my extensive wine knowledge. I want to be a wine snob!