Tasting - Andre Brut

 Name: Andre Brut

Variety: Brut, Rare White blend
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2019
Price: $6.49

Wine critic review: 
"I don’t like to sound like a snob but if I’m drinking champagne it’s normally a bit of a nicer bottle like veuve or moet but with that being said i think this stuff is just perfect if you’re looking for a super cheap bottle. this is the stuff I grew up drinking in college on game day mornings!! I never like to waste a good bottle of champagne on mimosas or cocktails so this is such a cheap and easy grab" (emmal290,  totalwine.com)

Wine Folly: 
pg 284 - United States

California has increasingly grown as a wine region in popularity and acclaim in the last five or so decades. In 2016, of the 600,000 acres of land used for viticulture in the US, over 3/4 were in California.

pg 55 - Pairing Methodologies: Congruent Pairing

One method of pairings is finding balance through a shared flavor compound. This pairing style is very common in Western cultures. The acidity in the wine in this a case both balances and is enhanced by the acidity of the orange juice. I enjoyed this pairing a lot.

My review: 
I love bubbles. So much. Honestly not a ton to be said about the taste on its own. It is relatively sweet and semi-dry. Best part about this wine is that it's very cheap.

We ended up making mimosas for Easter brunch with this sparkling wine and since the wine itself has a low profile set of flavors, the orange juice shines and it was a wonderfully refreshing part of the day.

There was no back label on this wine so this was it.

Happy Easter! Celebratory bubbles!! Ended up enjoying mostly as mimosas... so yum :))

Tasting - La Marca Prosecco Rose

 Name: La Marca Prosecco Rose 

Variety: Glera and Pniot Noir Blend
Region: Prosecco, Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2019
Price: $14.99 

Wine critic review: 
"Smells like cherries and cinnamon. The bubbles are very active, filling the glass. On the palate, the fruit is rich and round under the layer of bubbles. Great, easy-drinking, casual wine." ((VinePair Inc)

Wine Folly: 
pg 251 - Prosecco Superiore

This is the the most popular sparkling wine in Italy, using the Glera grapes. Though it is usually mass-produced, you can find exceptional quality in certain hilly regions. The noted flavors are listed as "white peach, orange blossom, vanilla cream, and lager".

pg 155 - Prosecco

The best prosecco comes from Valdobioaddene and these wines generally have a light body, medium to low sweetness, low tannic structure, medium-high acidity, and average alcohol level. Known for flavors such as green apple, honeydew, pear, lager, and crean.

My review: 
Immediately strong floral notes on the nose and there is a stronger alcohol smell than I notice in most table wines. Fruit notes are mainly apple and pair. Upon tasting, my first thought is BUBBLES. I never get used to the hit of freshly opened bubbly wine. Flavors were mainly strawberry and rose. There was a pretty light body that seems consistent with other sparkling wines I have had in the past. There is a light acidity that makes this wine very refreshing.

Enjoyed on its own.

Wine and Cheese Night

Wine and Cheese Night

Wines: Artie Sauvignon Blanc, Josh Cabernet Sauvignon, Spyglass Pinot Noir

Cheeses: gruyere, sharp cheddar, goat cheese (I forgot to take pictures of the cheeses on their own, but they can be seen on the cheese board in following images)
    Gruyere review: sharp, strong flavor, medium firmness, warm, nutty flavor
    Cheddar review: delicious, creamy and relatively soft, sharp, bold flavor but not overwhelming
    Goat cheese: very soft and creamy, heavy, coats the mouth and throat 

Food (to enjoy cheese): focaccia bread and assorted crackers (also pictured in subsequent photos)

Wine #1: Artie Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Vin de Pays / Pays d'Oc, France
Country: France
Year: 2020
Price: $5.99

Review: Fruity, apple smell immediately with undertones of lime. The wine is moderately dry, with a light refreshing flavor. On the tongue there is mainly apple flavor which was expected given the smell, but there was more lime and some light pear as well.

Gruyere pairing: The cheese was very overbearing in this pairing, covering the light flavors of the wine. The sharpness clashed with the citrus flavors in an unpleasant way.

Sharp cheddar pairing: This was such a bad pairing. The medium soft texture of the cheddar was very strange with the dryness of this wine. I almost gagged.

Goat cheese pairing: The creaminess of this cream surprisingly worked nicely with the dryness here. This was by far the best cheese for this wine and it was very enjoyable. The tanginess of the wine complimented the creamy, softness of the cheese in a beautifully unexpected way.

Wine # 2: Josh Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country: America
Year: 2020
Price: $13.99

Review:  A very soothing, pleasing smell laced with blackberry and cinnamon and not at all overwhelming. A heavy, full-bodied red with lots of tannins and dry mouth feel. There was more cinnamon in the taste than I picked up in the smell and far more acidity than I expected. Overall, very satisfying; would recommend.

Gruyere pairing: The flavors clash, stopping the flavors from melding in the mouth. Both flavors are very strong though so there is a balance that is satisfying. I think it is the warmth of the cinnamon clashing with the sharpness of the cheese. Not a horrible pairing, but also not my favorite.

Sharp cheddar pairing: The textures of the cheese and the wine together worked very well, but again the cinnamon stopped this pairing from being great. The flavors of the wine were a little too bold for the more subtly flavors of the cheddar, and all the cheese was lost in the aftertaste.

Goat cheese pairing: Not horrible, not great. Edging more towards horrible honestly. The wine and the cheese are both very heavy which is slightly overwhelming. The cheese is too creamy and the wine is too smooth.

Wine #3: Spyglass Pinot Noir

Variety: Grillo
Region: Monterey, CA
Country: America
Year: 2020
Price: $19.99

Review: Very grape-y on the nose. There are warm aromas of nuttiness, smokiness, roasted fruits, and a lot of toasted coconut. There are heavy tannins that make this wine very drying and a little difficult to drink, though I still found it to be enjoyable. It is a pretty dry wine with silky and woody flavors, and is almost a little spicy (??). I am maybe getting some turmeric. The fruity flavors here are more subtle but well balanced. The cherry profile compliments the warmth of this wine and it is well balanced.

Gruyere pairing: The flavors blend nicely in the mouth as both have a similar intensity of flavor. The sharpness and warmth of the cheese is a nice compliment to the dry warmth of the wine. Sort of tames the flavor of the wine with the nuttiness. Great pairing.

Sharp cheddar pairing: Made the wine more palatable and easier to drink. The creaminess of the cheese is offset beautifully by the dryness of the wine. There is a great balance of flavors that once again had a taming effect on the wine.

Goat cheese pairing: When I had the cheese before the wine, the wine flavor was amplified in a bad way. Though I liked the wine, the flavors together just did not work. The very strong, heavy individual flavors prevented any mixing of flavors. Both are far better on their own.

My bestie, Gracie, who is also in this course, enjoying our beautiful cheese board and feeling fancy.

A very blurry selfie of me with a hint of Gracie showing how happy I was to be drinking wine!!

Tasting - Torre delle Grazie Chianti

 *It might be too late, but I realized I didn't get full credit on this blog and I just noticed the pictures never uploaded. They have been added.

Name: Torre delle Grazie Chianti

Variety: Sangiovese Blend (specific percentages not listed)
Region: Chianti, Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2019
Price: € 8,20 for half bottle (at restaurant in Italy)

Wine critic review: 
"Medium dark red color. PNP, split bottle at dinner in Rome. Dried earth, crushed tobacco leaves, dark cherry on the nose. The palate is medium-full bodied, deep red fruits, mixed spices, lots of mineral and loamy character. Medium finish with plenty of round tannins. Surprisingly good." (Kevin Mueller)

Wine Folly: 
pg 161 - Sangiovese

As noted, the Sangiovese grape is Italy's most planted and the key variety in Chianti. It is stated that the high acidity makes it one of the few wines that won't get lost when had with tomato sauce, which I found to be entirely true. The most obvious fruit flavors I got were cherry, blackberry, and maybe even some strawberry, all common according to the tasting notes wheel. I also got some underlying earthy flavors that I described as woody at the time, which could probably be described as sandalwood, though I don't know my woods very well.

pg 253 - Italy

This wine fell under the DOCG classification which is used in Italy. This means that it was of top tier quality, and you could tell. The fullness of the body was something that I do not think I had yet experienced with American wines, and it truly was just wonderful to drink.

My review: 
First of all, Italian wine is just so much better for so much cheaper. Right off the bat, the wine was very aromatic, with aromas of black fruits with an herbal/earthy hint. The wine was moderately sweet with a moderate amount of tannins, but very full bodied. As I thoughtfully reflected on each sip, I found new ways to describe the flavors each time (much to the annoyance of my travel companions) though none seemed to accurately portrait the experience. The wine had a pretty high alcohol percentage (13%), and I could definitely feel the warmth of the wine as I drank it. The aftertaste was very hardy and lasted for quite some time, which was nice as the flavors could be savored.

After about a glass, the food arrived and it made the wine all the better. The cherry flavor went surprisingly well with the tomato sauce on my margarita pizza and the creaminess of the cheese was wonderful with the tannins of the wine that made it slightly bitter. I still think about this meal all the time: absolute heaven.

Front of wine label and the glass it was poured in. What a cute half bottle!

Back wine label. In Italian oooooo so fancy.

Cheers! Only wine drinker of the night hence the half bottle: all for me!

Oooooooo yummyyyyyy

Literally the best I had ever had... until the next day.

Wine Dinner

Wine Dinner

Wines: McBride Sisters Sauvignon Blanc, 19 Crimes Shiraz, Paul Mason American Marsala

Foods: Vodka sauce and pasta, ratatouille, and cannoli cake (cannoli cake not pictured, I forgot, but it can be seen in selfies at the end)

Wine #1: McBride Sisters Sauvignon Blanc
Name: McBride Sisters Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2020
Price: $15.99

Review: Immediately get crisp apple and light citrus on the nose. There was a mild herbal aroma as well. On the tongue, the wine was pretty dry with a mild sweetness. I noticed a different fruit flavor upon tasting as well, perhaps grapefruit. There was a very nice balance of flavors; the fruitiness and the subtleness of the citrus paired nicely.

Vodka sauce and pasta pairing: The creaminess of the sauce was a little overpowering for this light white. The vodka sauce coats the palate in a way that covers the subtleties of the wine. Neither flavor was made worse, though neither was made better. Might as well just enjoy each on their own.

Ratatouille pairing: The tomato flavor was a great addition. Both the food and the wine were enhanced by the other: good synergy! The basil, herby-ness of the ratatouille was offset by the lightness of the wine in a very satisfying way. The palate was cleared nicely.

Cannoli cake pairing: The cake is very creamy and sweet, resulting in similar problems with the pairing to this wine with the vodka sauce. Again, neither was made worse but also neither was improved. Still enjoyable, but not a pairing I would recommend. A few sips was enjoyable, though I would not want a full glass with this cake.

Wine # 2: 19 Crimes Shiraz
Name: 19 Crimes Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: South Eastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2020
Price: $10.95

Review: This wine had a very bold, warm, fruity aroma. This was a very full-bodied wine with deep plum flavors that immediately strike you, followed by more subtle oak and vanilla. The finish is smooth and almost chocolatey. A very pleasant wine with well-balanced flavors and a mouth-watering finish that made me excited to eat!

Vodka sauce and pasta pairing: This was maybe the best pairing of the evening. The full body of the wine was enough to keep up with the flavor of sauce and the smoothness of the wine complimented the smoothness of the sauce. The tomato paired surprisingly well with the fruity flavor and the oak was brought to the forefront, making the cheese in the wine extra yummy!

Ratatouille pairing: This time the soft, light vegetables in the ratatouille were completely overtaken by the strong flavors of the wine. The warmer vanilla and oak flavors were elevated in a way that was not appreciated with the ratatouille. A good example of a wine I really enjoyed that I did not enjoy with this particular food.

Cannoli cake pairing: Genuinely just so bad I am not sure what to say. I had high hopes for this pairing after the vodka sauce was such a hit, but the flavors ended up clashing. The vanilla and chocolate did not come through at all leaving just the fruity plum flavor, which was not pleasant with the ricotta cheese in the cake icing. Would not recommend.

Wine #3: Paul Masson American Marsala
Name: Paul Masson American Marsala
Variety: Grillo
Region: California, US
Country: America
Year: 2018
Price: $7.99

Review: Turns out this is more of a cooking wine, and I actually ended up using it to make cannoli's afterwards as it was the least consumed. This wine is very tart, almost sour, and not very easy to drink. There was a heavy alcohol/brandy smell and a lot of herbal notes (almost like green tea). The taste was less aggressive than the smell, and mostly enjoyable, though strong and not as sweet as I imagined for a dessert wine.

Vodka sauce and pasta pairing: For this wine and all the pairings, I will again note that this wine is mainly for cooking, which was not realized when my guest picked this dessert wine. That being said, horrible pairing. The brandy flavor completely overpowered the food making both less enjoyable. I genuinely could only manage a bite before I had to give in.

Ratatouille pairing: There was a very similar problem with this pairing as with the vodka sauce. The wine was more brandy than wine and brandy is just not my thing. Though I love ratatouille, the aftertaste was just not at all good and for a second I thought it was the ratatouille, because I was still getting the ratatouille flavor, but it was just the fact that I was eating it with the wine that made the flavors I usually love unenjoyable.

Cannoli cake pairing: I was really looking forward to this because Marsala is a dessert wine, and the recommended pairing for cannoli, which is made with marsala wine. Perhaps it was my mistake thinking cannoli cake and cannoli would have the same pairing, because Marsala is used to make cannoli but is not in cannoli cake, but this was the worst pairing of the night. The creaminess of the icing almost made a curdle feeling in the mouth combined with the strong, alcohol taste of brandy in the wine. I wrote "made me wanna die", which is mostly certainly dramatic but I think this speaks for itself.

Loved this experience and had a great time with my friends :))

This is me and some of my friends enjoying the meal. A piece of the cannoli cake can be seen in this picture (proof it really did exist).

Here is me with my main courses. Class of 2019 champagne glasses were the only glasses we had enough of for everyone, so that was the glass of choice for the night.

Tasting - Alamos Malbec

 Name: Alamos Malbec

Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Country: Argentina
Year: 2017
Price: $12.99

Wine critic review: 
"From La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza wine region, Alamos Malbec is always a crowd-pleaser and the 2018 does not disappoint with concentrated flavours of dark plum, dark berry, ripe cherry, baking spices and smoky vanilla flavours supple and silky on the palate. Produced from mostly Malbec with a splash of Syrah added to the mix. A great value Argentinean Malbec under $17." (Natalie MacLean)

Wine Folly: 
pg 125 - Malbec

Malbec is the most important variety in Argentina, though it originated in France from a place called Cot. Malbec's are known for chocolaty finishes and bold fruit flavors, though a short-lasting finish. The common flavors are noted as red plum, blackberry, vanilla, sweet tobacco, and coca. These wines are meant to be decanted for 30 minutes, though I only decanted mine for about 15. Mendoza is noted as a common region for growing Malbec grapes.

pg 126 - Mendoza, Argentina

Wines from this region generally receive minimal oak aging which allows for a "fresher and juicer style". Red fruit notes such as cherry and plum are common with softer tannins and herbal notes.

pg 198 - Argentina: The Land of Malbec

Most Argentinian vineyards are at the base of the Andes Mountains which has a sunny and wet climate due to snowmelt from the mountain peaks which gives the wines a plump, deep color. The high elevation of the mountains allows for cold nights that maintains the wines acidity. Mendoza is the largest and most important wine region in Argentina, containing three-quarters of the vineyards, with a focus on red wines.

My review: 
The first thing I noticed was the dark, pomegranate color. The fragrance was warm and rich with mainly blackberry, but subtle hints of nutmeg and oak were present as well. The taste was heavily cherry and blackberry. There was pretty average dryness/sweetness and body, though the flavor had a long-lasting finish in the mouth, mainly in the back of the throat. The finish was completely with a very subtle chocolatey flavor that was very smooth. The light tannins of this wine combined with the soothing after-feel make it very drinkable.

Enjoyed on its own.

Tasting - Schmitt Söhne Dry Riesling

 Name: Schmitt Söhne Dry Riesling

Variety: Riesling
Region: Mosel, Germany
Country: Germany
Year: 2020
Price: $11.99

Wine critic review: 
"Squirts of grapefruit pith and fresh lemon introduce this dry, pleasantly puckering Riesling. Light bodied but pleasantly silky in texture, it's an uncomplicated but bright-fruited white that would accompany seafood pasta or oysters on the half shell nicely." (Anna Lee C. Iijima)

Wine Folly: 
pg 158 - Riesling

Rieslings are capable of producing wines at a wide variety of sweetness to dryness from bone-dry to very sweet making the results very diverse. Common flavors are listed as line and green apple, as well as beeswax, jasmine, and petroleum. Mosel (where the tasted wine originated) is listed as a popular location for Riesling growing.

pg 253 - Germany

Germany is known for single -variety wines which all started with the growing of Riesling grapes, and is now the top producer. The climate is also good for "light reds and aromatic whites". Germany now places a focus on developing organic and biodymanic wines. Most of the wine in Germany is grown in the Southwestern part and the 13 wine regions are called anbaugebiete. Two of these regions, separate from the rest (Sachsen and Saalen-Unstrut) are known for their Pinot Blanc.

My review: 
The smell immediately reminded me of pears and apples,with strong citrus smells (I felt it to be lime, but the bottle claims lemon flavors) and floral aromas. I could practically feel the acidity in my nose when I smelled it; I would describe the smell as "sharp". Upon tasting the most prominent feature is the acidity, which is very high. The wine is pretty which with the acidity left my mouth feeling dry. There was less pear and more apple in the mouth, a sharp green apple being the most prominent flavor. There was also a mineral and slightly floral quality to the wine. The aftertaste was quite subtle and did not last long, though the dry feeling did linger.

I enjoyed the glass with a cannoli I had gotten early from Halwa bakery. The sweetness of the cannoli filling and the creaminess of the ricotta paired excellently with the dryness of the wine. I very recently discovered that cheese and apples were good together (after my first time at the Melting Pot) and this was true for this pairing as well. The acidity of the green apples was very well complimented by the ricotta cheese. The chocolate chips were also a good addition to the flavors, though I don't think chocolate makes anything worse. Overall, the flavors blended nicely and the combination made them both better.