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.

Tasting - Casal Garcia Vinho Verde

Name: Casal Garcia Vinho Verde

Variety: 100% Vinho Verde
Region: Vinho Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: not listed
Price: $9.49

Wine critic review: 
"The hotter the weather the better this wine gets. Look for frizzante on the palate, with lemon blossoms, green apple and pleasant lees aromas. The attack is fresh and juicy with watery, pear skin, lemon, lees, quince and apple skin flavours. Light, delicate, juicy and fresh for any summer seafood. Super value." (Anthony Gismondi)

Wine Folly: 
pg 184 - Vinho Verde

I took note of the low sweetness and body immediately. I picked up on the yellow apple and white blossom flavors that were said to be common among this grape varietal, but I did not get really any lemon at all from this wine. I also drank this wine right out of the bottle (oops), so I was unable to experience the smell at its fullest which may have resulted in a lower understanding of the flavor.

pg 318 - Portugal

"The region of Vinho Verde is ideal for zippy, low alcohol whites", which is exactly what this wine was. Very light-bodied, but with noticeable acidity. To me this acidity was more of a lime flavor than a lemon, though lemon flavor was more noted in Wine Folly for this varietal.

My review: 
Before tasting, I noticed a light green hue to this wine (which are generally some of my favorite whites to drink on their own). My first notes on this wine was that there was low sweetness and high acidity, maybe even a hint of sourness. This combined with the lightness of the wine made it very refreshing and easy to drink. I would put the fruity flavors of wine in the apple/pear category; very crisp! The wine had nice layers, with a fruity palate taste originally and a turn to a more citrus aftertaste. I also noticed a bit of a herb flavor, almost like grassy?? Not sure exactly how to explain it, but overall a very pleasing wine at a very decent price.

I tasted this on its own with no food.