Tasting - Opera Prima Sparkling Moscato

Name: Opera Prima Sparkling Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: N/A
Price: $15.00
Shop Review: "85 Points - Wine Enthusiast. Flowery and sweet smelling, then round and fairly smooth in the mouth. The bubbles and flavor package of tropical fruits galore is pleasant and shouldn't offend anyone. Finishes clean and easy. A mango boat of flavor."
My Review: This wine was very easy to drink. It had a pale, translucent yellow color that I wasn't expecting of a Moscato (I thought they were usually more golden in color). It smelled very sweet and fragrant of vanilla, a really nice smell. It had a fruity, candy-like flavor that reminded me of pink lemonade. Since a little bit of the previous red wine had mixed in, it also looked like pink lemonade. This lead my roommate and I to purchase our own bottle of the Opera Prima Pink Moscato! Very enjoyable. Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Foxhollow Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Foxhollow Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Proprietary Red
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $5.95
Shop Review: "Rich and supple with juicy plum, blackberry and chocolate flavors and a pleasant sense of sweetness backed up by good acidity and moderate tannins. Offers early complexity and charm with real richness and depth."
My Review: This wine really smelled like grapes to me. It left significant legs along the side of the glass. Its scent also smelled familiar and reminded me of something, possibly another Cabernet I've tried in Italy previously. It tasted good, not too strong but nice grape flavor. It had a light finish that I enjoyed. I would most definitely drink this again. Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - B&G Chicken & Turkey Cotes du Rhone

Name: B&G Chicken & Turkey Cotes du Rhone
Variety: 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Carignan
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $10.00
Shop Review: "85 Points - Wine Enthusiast. A blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Carignan. Deep red garnet color with purple highlights. Intense nose of morello cherry, tobacco and liquorice. Good structure on the palate with lots of fruits and a long fruity and spicy finish. A true delight."
My Review: I thought that this wine smelled both sweet and savory at the same time (possibly because of the fact that I knew that it was named "Chicken & Turkey"). It didn't seem to leave behind legs on the side of the glass, so I guess that means there wasn't much sugar in the wine despite its sweet smell. It tasted tangy to me, but also warm, spicy, and full-bodied due to its deep color. I didn't really enjoy the seemingly dry aftertaste, but I still enjoyed this wine. Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Foxhollow Chardonnay

Name: Foxhollow Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay, Floral Whites, Proprietary White
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $5.95
Shop Review: "This Chardonnay's aromas of tropical pineapple, crisp green apple, and citrus are supported by underlying nuances of vanilla. The finish is smooth and creamy yet balanced with enough acidity to accentuate the vibrant fruit flavors with a hint of orange blossoms."
My Review: The Chardonnay had a pale golden color. It smelled sweet and fresh, and left a thick coating around the glass when it swirled it. It also tasted sweet and left no particular aftertaste. I found it quite enjoyable and would probably drink it again. Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Fontana Candida Frascati

Name: Fontana Candida Frascati
Variety: 60% Malvasia Bianca di Candia, 30% Trebbiano, 10% Malvasia del Lazio
Region: Frascati
Country: Italy
Year: N/A
Price: $12.00
Shop Review: "A blend of 60% Malvasia Bianca di Candia, 30% Trebbiano, and 10% Malvasia del Lazio. This Frascati, made from grapes grown in volcanic soils near Rome and cold filtered, is a pale straw gold. On the nose it offers light-as-a-zephyr lemon and a hint of grass. On the tongue it is ultra crisp and delightfully flinty, its lemon and clementine flavors as smooth as old silk. At the end of a nice clean finish a dab of ripe pear takes a bow."
My Review: After swirling around the glass, I noticed that legs didn't seem very apparent with this wine. To me its color looked pale yellow. It had a flowery smell that was light and not too overbearing. Its taste was slightly acidic, leaving a kick at the end of my tongue. Something about it tasted bitter as well. I don't believe that I would search for this wine again! Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Masseria Surani Puglia Ares Red

Name: Masseria Surani Puglia Ares Red
Variety: 50% Primitivo, 30% Negroamaro, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $12.95
Shop Review: "Intense ruby red color. Red fruits, black-cherry on the nose. Sapid, balanced acidity, soft tannins, medium-bodied. Rich first courses, red and roasted meats."
My Review: It smelled strongly of alcohol. Something about the taste was sour to me. Could not detect anything else specific within the flavor of this wine but do not believe I would drink it again! Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Dom La Grand Ribe Cotes du Rhone

Name: Dom La Grand Ribe Cotes du Rhone
Variety: Grenache, Syrah
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2009
Price: $14.95
Shop Review: "Beautiful intense ruby color, profound, lively and brilliant. The nose is intense with aromas of cassis and red fruit. In the mouth, you'll discover a fresh and fleshy wine, still with blackcurrant and crushed strawberry, fine tannins."
My Review: This vintage, organic wine had a flavor that seemed to have forest undertones. It was very full-tasting to me, not empty or bland. I enjoyed it and would certainly drink it again. Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Dog Point Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Dog Point Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Malborough
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2014
Price: $19.95
Shop Review: "Bouquet: Distinctive varietal character; ripe tropical fruits, melon, lemongrass, citrus. Soft textured palate, purity of fruit, intense flavor, balanced refreshing acidity. Food match: White meats, pale cheeses, seafood especially scallops and oysters."
My Review: Smelled rather weird. It also had a weird, empty taste to it. It reminded me slightly of cat urine. The alcohol content did not seem overbearing, but for some reason its flavor was not pleasant. Probably would not drink this again. Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Telmo Rodriguez Rueda Basa

Name: Telmo Rodriguez Rueda Basa
Variety: 85% Verdejo, 3% Sauvignon Blanc, 12% Viura
Region: Rueda
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $12.95
Shop Review: "85% Verdejo, 3% Sauvignon Blanc, and 12% Viura, dusty aromas of unripe melon and apple are pyrazinic. A bit of spritz greets you on the palate, while flavors of green citrus run heavy and pithy."
My Review: This wine had a strong smell to it. It tasted rather bland, and there was a bitter aftertaste. The flavor was not sweet, but it did not feel heavy on the palate either. I don't believe that I would seek to drink this wine again. Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Rivarose Brut Sparkling

Name: Rivarose Brut Sparkling
Variety: Syrah, Cinsault
Region: Salon de Provence
Country: France
Year: 1909
Price: $13.95
Shop Review: "Unexpectedly delicious. Never had Provence Sparkling until now, and this was an excellent wine, clearly reminiscent of Provence Rose, but with the addition of toasted bread and yeast."
My Review: Smells exactly like champagne. The perfect amount of bubbles and intensity. Flavor is sweet and light on the tongue. No particular aftertaste, the entire sip is pleasant. Also decently priced! An enjoyable, refreshing, and special wine that I would gladly drink again. Was not paired with any food.

Introduction

My experiences with wine are very limited at this point in my life. I would say that I'm somewhat familiar with the different types of wine, but I don't know many details. For instance, I was not aware that names like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay referred to grapes, or that Bordeaux and Chianti were locations that specialize in wine. I know that wine is considered better after it has aged longer, but I never knew the reason why.
In terms of tastes and preferences, I do know that I prefer white wine over red and that sweet wine is more appealing to me than dry wine. I know that I like Moscato and White Zinfandel. If I do drink red wine, it's a very sweet blend - names of red brands that I know I enjoy drinking are Roscato and Stella Rosa. I do not enjoy boxed Franzia. I've had wine on several occasions, usually at a restaurant or at home with family. On my 21st birthday, I tried a Chianti flight of wine at an Italian restaurant called Carrabba's which I enjoyed.
For this class, I would like to learn more about the types and varieties of wine, including specific grapes and which regions they come from. It would also be cool to learn about wine pairings, such as what wines go well with certain foods. I'd also like to learn about the process of making wine. We have already talked about several interesting topics in class so far, and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the semester!