Winery Visit - Chateau Morrisette

On Sunday afternoon, 9 of my friends and I decided to take a trip to Chateau Morrisette for their open-house weekend. Some of my friends were in the Geography of Wine class, but others were just along for the experience. We got really lucky because during open-house weekend at Chateau Morrisette they offer free wine tastings!

The beautiful Chateau Morrisette winery.

Chateau Morrisette is located just off the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd County, Virginia. It is known for bringing a unique style and character to both its wine and fine foods. My boyfriends parents had taken us there once before last year for an amazing dinner, but we were not yet 21 and couldn't sample any of the wines. This time, we got a free wine tasting with 12 different wines ranging from dry to off-dry to sweet to fruit. We were only supposed to taste 9 wines, but the employee who was hosting our wine tasting was so friendly and generous that she gave us 3 extra! The dry wines that we tasted were a 2010 Chardonnay, a 2010 Viognier, a 2011 Dry Rose (which was the wine of the month), a Liberty, a 2010 Cabernet Franc, a 2008 Merlot, and a 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon. The dry wines were mostly very tasty (the Cabernet Sauvignon was my favorite because it didn't have the typical over-powering peppery or spice taste of other red wines but was more subtle and fruity), but the Cabernet Franc gave off aromas like reminded me too much of a matchbook and the Merlot tasted a tad bit too leathery. The off-dry wines that we tasted were The Black Dog, a 2010 Vidal Blanc, and a Blushing Dog. These were all amazing--I bought a bottle of the Blushing Dog because it was my favorite of the day and only $10.99! It had lovely aromas of sweet florals and tropical fruits and tasted crisp, refreshing, and fruity. The sweet wines we tasted were a Sweet Mountain Laurel and a Red Mountain Laurel. The first was white and the second was red, and they tasted almost exactly like white Welch's grape juice and red Welch's grade juice, respectively. I preferred the Red Mountain Laurel because it had a nicer aftertaste than the Sweet Mountain Laurel. The fruit wine that we tasted was a Blackberry Wine, which was delicious and very sweet. 

All 10 of us and the host of our wine tasting!

After our tasting, our host continued her generosity by taking us back into the section of the winery where the wine is made and aged in either wood barrels or stainless steel. This part of the winery was supposed to be reserved for tours of Wine Club VPI Members, but since we were there for "educational reasons" she got us through. Seeing the countless amount of barrels in person was amazing; there were wood barrels (mostly oak) for aging the red, heavier dry wines and stainless steel barrels for aging the white, lighter off-dry and sweet wines. Our host told us that the stainless steel barrels produce more crisp and refreshing wines while the wood barrels produce more oaky and richer wines. Chateau Morrisette makes and ages all of their wines right there at the winery, so it was very interesting to be able to see how it works first hand. 

In front of the wood barrels.

Another great part about the winery was that there were dogs everywhere! Chateau Morrisette decided to name a lot of its wines after the owner's dog (Star Dog, The Black Dog, Our Dog Blue, Blushing Dog, Frosty Dog, etc) after realizing that putting pictures of dogs on the wine labels increased sales substantially. Chateau Morrisette also sponsors "For the Love of Dogs" which is medical research that benefits dogs with EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency), which is an incurable disease that takes the life of countless dogs. Chateau Morrisette contributes a percentage of the gross adjusted sales to non-profit veterinary school canine genetic labs responsible for EPI research. Since I love dogs, this just made the winery all the better. 

The steel barrels, they were huge!

Overall, all 10 of us had a great time visting Chateau Morrisette. The wine tasting, service, and mini-tour just enabled us to enjoy it even more and to learn about all the different wines and the wine making process. We each left with at least one bottle of wine or souvenir from the wine shop, and since I will be in Blacksburg during the summer I will definitely try to visit Chateau Morrisette again soon. 

Enjoying our tasting. :)

Dinner - Zeppoli's (French Wine)

My boyfriend and I tasting one of the red wines.

My boyfriend, a few of my friends, and I went to our third and final wine dinner at Zeppoli's on Sunday night. I was especially excited for this dinner because it was French themed, and French wines are known to be tasty. We tried 3 whites and 7 reds, which I was kind of disappointed about because I prefer white wines over reds, but I was still interested in tasting a variety of French wines. The food that we were able to pair with the wines was the best yet, so I was glad that we decided to come to this dinner. 

My dinner included salad with calamari, Greek pasta salad, pasta pinwheels, cheese raviolis, garlic bread, and a variety of cheese and crackers.

First, we tasted the white wines. Though there were only three whites offered, the waiter said that they were very representative of the French wine culture. We tried a Chateau Gaillard Touraine Sauvignon Blanc first, priced at $11.99 with an alcohol content of 12.5%. This white had sweet aromas, mostly of florals and tropical fruits. It also had hints of buttery aromas. It tasted fruity, somewhat like grapefruit, and had a crisp acidity and dry texture to it. I enjoyed it okay, but would not rank it as my favorite white of the night. It paired very nicely with the cheese and crackers, though. The second white that we tasted was a Chateau Suau 2010 Bordeaux Blanc Sec, priced at $10.99 with an alcohol content of 12.5%. This white smelled very much like honeysuckles and peach, and tasted equally as enticing, mostly like citrus fruits. It was very crisp and refreshing, with a good balance between sweetness, acidity, and tannins. Though it had a pretty high alcohol percentage, it did not have much heat and had a very smooth finish. I paired this with the Greek pasta salad and the salad with calamari. It was my favorite white of the night. The last white we tried was a Prochaine 2009 Chardonnay Vin de Pays d'Oc France, priced at $10.99 with an alcohol content of 13%. This had more oaky aromas than the first two whites, and it tasted much more musky and woody. It was a very creamy Chardonnay, but it did have hints of fruits like mangos and pineapple. I did not really enjoy the aftertaste of this white (possibly it was not completely matured due to less aging), but it did pair nicely with the pasta pinwheels which were heavy in cheese. 

Next, we moved onto the red wines. The first one was actually a Manoir Du Carra 2010 Beaujolais noveau, priced at 10.99 with an alcohol content of 12.5%. This tasted extremely unfinished and was not very enjoyable. Apparently this was supposed to be a direct representation of the 2010 growing year, but I don't see why someone would buy something that tasted bad for solely this reason.  The next red was a Jean-marc burgaud 2010 Beaujolais Villages, priced at 14.99 with an alcohol content of 12.5%. This was much better than the Beaujolais noveau  because it was actually aged properly. It also had aromas of dark berries and spices, but had a hint of vanilla as well. It was still full-bodied and balanced. I paired it with calamari and it went together well. My favorite red of the night was a Clos de sixte 2004: Lirac, priced at 11.99 with an alcohol content of 14.5%. It's aromas were very strong, smelling mostly of plum and spices. It tasted mostly like dark berries and jam, had a fully body, great tannin, as well as a lot of definition. It was easy to see why Robert Parker gave it 88-90 points! 

Personal Wine Dinner – Wine, Cheese, and Dessert

Over the weekend, my boyfriend (Travis) and I decided to have our own wine dinner, pairing wine with cheese and desserts. We asked Travis’ parents for advice on how to appropriately pair wines with different cheeses and desserts, because they have thrown these types of dinners several times. We had a ton of fun, and now that we are familiar with some wines that pair well with what cheese and desserts, we definitely want to host a wine dinner for more of our friends in the future.

First, we paired a 2007 Jackson-Triggs Vidal Icewine with St. Andre cheese. The bottle was $19.9, but since I had never had an icewine before, it was definitely worth it. The wine itself is considered a Canadian dessert wine and is made from grapes that are left to freeze on the vine long after harvest. The result of this process is delicious. The wine’s aroma was dominated mostly by tropical fruits, like mangos and apricot. Its taste had equally as bold fruit flavors, was very complex, and was well-balanced between acidity and sweetness. The crispness of the wine surrounded my palate and the finish was silky and smooth. The cheese has a soft, buttery texture, tangy edible rind, and tastes similar to Brie but with more intense flavors. The strong, cheesy flavors matched perfectly with the fruitiness of the wine. 

Next, we paired a Sandeman Madeira with chocolate cheddar cheese and blue cheese with crackers (because this wine is supposed to pair well with hard or veined cheese). The bottle was roughly $18.99, but again, experiencing this new type of wine made the purchase worthwhile. The Sandeman Madeira is made in the “traditional” manner on the Atlantic island of Madeira where the rich soil and volcanic subsoil give the wine a unique character. The wine is enhanced by the winemaking and ageing process in “estufas.” The wine description suggested that it would pair well with rich desserts, like chocolate, which is what led us to try it with chocolate cheddar cheese (with was tasty, but a little strange due to the combination). The wines aroma was dominated by nuts and cream, and it tasted medium rich with nutty and complex flavors that surrounded the palate. It was well-balanced between acidity and sweetness and had a good tannin structure and a clean finish.

Lastly, we paired Cooper Noche chocolate dessert wine with éclairs. This combination was brilliant. The Cooper Noche has received several awards, including “Best in Show” Town Point 2008, Gold VA Governors Cup 2009, Gold Medal Tasters Guild 2007, and a People’s Choice Award. The wine is described as “Virginia Norton infused with essence of chocolate” which results in a sweet, red wine with a chocolate aftertaste. Unlike some other dessert wines I have tried, this wine did not have a syrupy texture, which I was happy about, and tasted mostly of berries on the front and chocolate on the finish. The aromas were similar, reminding me of chocolate covered cherries. While this dessert wine would be a good match for following almost any meal, we paired it with éclairs, which was delicious.

Although my boyfriend and I splurged a little to experience this wine dinner pairing with cheese and a dessert, having a traditional “wine, cheese, and dessert” dinner was really satisfying, especially after learning about different flavors and pairings in class. Now that we are getting into wine even more than we were before, I have a feeling we might host several more of these types of meals in the future. 

Tasting - Dr. Loosen Bros Riesling

Name: Loosen Bros Riesling 
Variety: 100% Riesling 
Region: Mosel
Country: Germany 
Year: 2010
Price: $30

Wine review: Dr. L embodies the elegant and racy style of Riesling from the steep slate soil vineyards of the Mosel valley. It is fruity with a refreshingly crisp taste that cools the palate making it an excellent wine for spicy foods. 

My review: This was my favorite Riesling, and my favorite overall wine, that I have tried yet since being in this class. I would rank it a 9.5 out of 10. The fruity aromas were refreshing and enticing, they smelled mostly of tropical and citrus fruits. It tasted equally as refreshing, with a range of fruity flavors (mostly apples) on the tongue and a cool, crisp finish that surrounded my entire palate. It did not have much heat, with 8.5% alcohol, very low tannins and acidity, and a great balance of sweetness. I did not pair this with spicy food (I had it with crab cakes and asparagus) but would definitely try it with something spicy next. 

Tasting - Bodegas Triton Tempranillo

Name: Bodegas Triton Tempranillo 
Variety: 100% Tempranillo 
Region: Zamora
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $30



Wine review: Meticulously vinified in small lots and aged in the best French oak for 15 months, the wine has a distinctive balance of ripe red fruit flavors and a delicate spiceness. A hint of dark chocolate completes the long finish. 



My review: I enjoyed this red wine a lot; I would give it a 9 out of 10. It smelled beautifully of black cherries with hints of spice, and it tasted equally as satisfying. It had flavors mostly of dark berries and a tad of pepper, but its dryness allowed it to go down smoothly and with a long finish. It did have a good amount of heat, with 15% alcohol, but it was still easy to drink because it had a good tannin structure and balanced acidity and sweetness well. I paired it with a crab cake dish with asparagus and rice and it went very well. Though it was a little expensive for my budget, I would definitely treat myself to it again someday. 

Tasting - Cartlidge & Browne Chardonnay

Name: Cartlidge & Browne Chardonnay 
Variety: 100% Chardonnay 
Region: North Coast, California 
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $8.99

Wine review: Tropical fruits, ripe citrus, and a gentle oak spice are key notes of this subtle, elegant Chardonnay. It pairs beautifully with poultry, seafood, and light cheeses. 

My review: This was an okay Chardonnay, but not my favorite that I have tried. I would rank it a 6.5 or 7 out of 10. The aromas were nice, mostly of sweet fruits but it also had creamier, buttery hints. It tasted very oaky but was a little too dry for my liking. It was definitely creamy and rich, but it did not have as many fruit flavors as I would have liked. It didn't have much heat, and it was balanced between acidity and sweetness. I did not pair it with any food, but would probably drink it with seafood if I got it again. 

Tasting - Black Box Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon 
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon 
Country: California 
Year: 2010
Price: $20


Wine review: Rich aromas of dark fruit complemented by a deep, lush body. The finish is soft and long with lingering notes of berry. 


My review: This was my first experience with boxed wines, and it was a pretty good tasting Cabernet Sauvignon. I am not a huge fan of spicy red wines, which this was, so I would rank it a 7 out of 10. It was a great value, considering I got 4 bottles of wine for $20 dollars and they will last longer since they are stored in the box. The aromas were very strong and intense, mostly of dark berries and spices. The tastes were equally as strong, ranging from black berries to spices to herbs. The wine was well balanced, with equal proportions of acidity, heat, and tannin structure. It was not a sweet wine, but it did have a smoother finish than some other reds I have tried. I did not taste this wine with any food, but I would probably buy it again in the future now that I know it is a pretty good red wine and a great value. 

Tasting - Peter Mertes Platinum Riesling Pfalz

Name: Peter Mertes Platinum Riesling Pfalz 
Variety: 100% Riesling 
Region: Rheingau-Pfalz
Country: Germany 
Year: 2010
Price: $12


Wine review: Light-bodied slightly sweet white wine; medium pale slightly greenish yellow. Inviting fresh white peach aroma and flavors. Easy to drink, not complicated, very pleasant, and flavors develop in the glass. Food pairing: Compliments a wide variety of light foods from fish to fowl and even spicy Asian cuisine. Also, enjoy on its own. 


My review: I really enjoyed this Riesling; I would rank in 8.5 out of 10. It was on sale from $18 to $12, and the bottle was about 2 feet long. Thus, it was a great value considering it had much more wine in the bottle than average wine bottles. The aromas were very sweet and fruity, like peaches and green apples. The flavors were very crisp, clean, and balanced. The taste was fruity and sweet but not acidic and had a nice tannin structure. I did not pair this wine with any food, but I would definitely buy it again and probably drink it with fish. 

Dinner - Zeppoli's (Italian Wines)

On April 1st, I went to my second Zeppoli's wine dinner with my boyfriend and a couple of my friends from the class. We got to sample red and white Italian wines paired with some of Zeppoli's appetizers and light dishes. The same two employees hosted the event as last time and they were, again, very knowledge of the wines. The difference between this dinner and the other dinner we did at Zeppoli's was that this time we got to taste some of the wines "blindly." For a few of the wines, the grape type, price, and alcohol percentage were blank and we had to compare them together to try and figure out what was what. It was a lot of fun!

My vegetarian dinner: regular salad, Greek pasta salad, garlic bread, crackers and 3 different types of cheese, and pasta shells with marinara sauce.

First, we tasted 3 white wines and one dessert white wine. We started with a Fossi Bianco White Table Wine, priced at 6.99 with 11.5% alcohol. The waiter told us that the grape variety was unknown for this table wine, but that it probably had a majority of Pinot Grigio along with a little bit of everything. This wine smelled very citrusy and fruity, and tasted mostly of green apple and lime. It was light, clean, and had a crisp finish, as well as having low acidity and heat. It paired the best with the regular salad and the Greek pasta salad. This was my second favorite of the white wines. Next, we blind tasted two whites. It turns out that one was a La Fiera 2010 Pinot Grigio Veneto, priced at 7.99 with 12% alcohol. This white was dryer than the Table Wine, tasting mostly like a combination of peach and pears. It had soft aromas of fruit, like apples, and was well-balanced between sweetness, acidity, and heat. This was actually my favorite white of the day. The other blind tasted white was a Nals Margried 2010 Pinot Grigio Alto Adige, priced at 14.99 with an alcohol content of 13.5%. This white was creamier and a little heavier than the La Fiera, but it still smelled and tasted sweet, like pear, lemon, and apples. It paired best with the mozzarella cheese and Greek pasta salad. This was my third favorite white. Lastly, we tried a white dessert wine, Lodali 2011 Moscato D'Asti, priced at 12.99 with an alcohol content of only 5.5%. It was hard to decipher many aromas with this white, it mostly just smelled sweet and sugary. It tasted almost like white Welch's grape juice, plus some alcohol. It was very bubbly and spritzy. I thought that I was really going to enjoy it because I love sweet wines, but I actually didn't care for it that much. It did not have the texture I prefer and it really did not taste like much, more like just sugar water. I liked the red dessert wine, the Red Dream, that we tried at the first Zeppoli's wine dinner much better.

My boyfriend and I happily wine tasting.

Next, we tasted 5 red wines. First, we did a blind tasting. It turned out to be a non-vintage Luca Primitivo del Salento Puglia, priced 8.99 with 13% alcohol content. This red had strong aromas of spices and herbs, and tasted mostly of pepper and burnt cherries. It had high tannins and heat and paired well with the pasta marinara (the description said it would go well with hearty pasta sauces). This was my forth favorite red. The other blind tasting wine was a SUD 2010 Primitivo Puglia, priced at 11.99 with an alcohol content of 13.5%. This red had intense aromas of spices and cherry but also had hints of vanilla. It tasted again like pepper and some plush fruits and herbs. It also paired well with the pasta marinara, but this was my least favorite of the red wines. Next, we did another blind tasting. The first turned out to be a Morli Neri 2009 Cianti, priced at 9.99 with an alcohol content of 12.5%. The waiter considered this a "medium red" because it was not too overpowering but not totally boring either. It had soft aromas of cherries and tasted mostly of dark berries and jam. I paired it with the pizza bread because the description said it would go nicely with pizza. It was my second favorite red of the night. The other blind tasting red was a Bibi Graetz 2010 Casamata Toscana, priced at 12.99 with an alcohol content of 12%. It had aromas of mostly dark berries and tasted soft and silky, with earthy tones and cherry flavors. It was surprising how easy this red was to drink, it had barely no heat and very smooth finish. I paired it with the garlic bread and it was perfect. This was my favorite red of the night. The last red we tasted was a Lodali 2009 Nebbioli D'Alba Sant Ambrogio, priced at 17.99 with an alcohol content of 13.5%. The waiter said that this is the most expensive wine they have given out at a tasting for our class yet. It smelled pretty nice, mostly of florals and cherries, and tasted full and well-rounded, mostly of pepper and dark berries. It paired well with the goat cheese and crackers, but, despite having the highest price, it was my third favorite red of the night. 

All of the red and white wines that we tasted lined up at the end of the night.

Tasting - Schumann Nägler Riesling

Name: Schumann Nägler Christopher Philipp RieslingVariety: 100% Riesling 
Region: Rheingau
Country: Germany 
Year: 2007
Price: $12


Wine review: The wine is named after two sons Christopher and Philipp. They represent the 25th generation of Schumann family winemaking. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel at closely controlled temperatures in order to maintain clean purity of the Riesling fruit. Off dry, this Riesling features a low alcohol level and crisp structure. Peach and green apple aromas are followed by citrus and mineral notes on the palate.


My review: I enjoyed this Riesling; I would rank it a 7 out of 10. The aromas were very nice, dominated mostly by crisp citrus fruits. It tasted very crisp and fruity as well, like peaches and apricots, but it also had a bit of a creamy texture. It was medium-bodied and balanced, with a good amount of sweetness, low acidity, and low heat, which made it smooth to go down with a clean finish. I paired this white wine with vegetable pot-pie and the fruity/creamy texture complimented the dish very well. I would probably try this again, though it is not my favorite Riesling I've tried so far. 

Tasting: Picpoul de Pinet

Name: Picpoul de Pinet
Variety: 100% Picpoul
Region: Languedoc 
Country: France 
Year: 2010
Price: $7.99

Wine Review: Always a great value, the new vintage of Beaulieu Picpoul is super fresh and bursting with aromas of exotic luscious mouthfuls of round, spicy fruit. According to Robert Parker, this has been a perennial BEST BUY selection from an excellent cooperative in the Languedoc. 


My review: It's very interesting because I tasted this white wine at the Zeppoli's wine tasting dinner a while ago and loved it. I bought a bottle and brought it home, kept in in a drawer until I wanted to chill it, and then tried it again. This time, I did not enjoy it at all. I would rank it about a 4 out of 10 for a white wine. Whites are my favorite, and there hasn't been one that I've tried yet that I did not enjoy, until now. I tried to figure out what had changed; maybe something had gone wrong where I stored it, or maybe since I only had a couple sips at the dinner I didn't really get to experience the whole wine. Anyway, the second time around, this white wine did not have strong aromas at all. It smelled mostly of floral and light fruits, but it was hard to get much from it. The taste was just as dull; it was bone dry and not sweet at all, which is what I prefer with my white wines. I could identify some flavors of white pepper and lime, a combination that I was not thrilled with. I did not pair it with any food, but since it is a dry white wine, it would probably go together nicely with a fish dish. Unfortunately, I will not be buying this again. 

Tasting- Rosemount Shiraz

Name: Rosemount Shiraz 
Variety: 100% Shiraz
Region: South Eastern Australia 
Year: 2010
Price: $9.99


Wine review: A full bodied, juicy sweet palate with cherry, chocolate and plum flavors with a smooth finish.  


My review: I liked this red wine; I would rank it a 7.5 or 8 out of 10. It had sweet, subtle aromas of dark berries and spices. It's rich flavor was dominated mostly by ripe berries and had hints of chocolate and spice. It was full bodied and balanced, with a good amount of sweetness, acidity, and heat, making for a very long and smooth finish. It also had a pretty good/high alcohol content of 13.5% but the alcohol was not overbearing. I did not pair this red with any food, and I'm pretty sure it was the first Shiraz I've tried, so I would probably try it or another type again soon. 

Tasting - Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon 
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Washington State
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $9.99


Wine review: Red Diamond celebrates the personality of Washington's distinctive red wines. Layers of luscious flavors are revealed in each bottle, exuding style and confidence. Our Red Diamond Cabernet is multi-faceted and complex with layers of berry, cherry, and toasty oak flavors, sure to offer an enjoyable wine experience every time. 


My review: This was an okay red wine; I would rank it a 6.5 or 7 out of 10. The aromas were very nice, but a little strong. It smelled mostly of dark berries and wood (probably the toasted oak mentioned above). The taste, however, was much too peppery for me. The wine itself was pretty dry, and it did not actually have much heat (13.5% alcohol), making it go down smoothly without much mouth puckering. The texture was nice, but the taste was not my favorite. I did not pair this with any food, which may have helped balance this wine out since it was so full bodied. I probably would not try it again. 

Tasting - Urban Riesling

Name: Urban Riesling Nik. Weis Selection 
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: Mosel
Country: Germany
Year: 2010
Price: $11.99


Wine review: Urban Riesling is a contemporary wine with traditional roots. The best grapes available from our neighbors' vineyards are selected to produce a wine which reflects the authentic taste profile of top quality Mosel Riesling; racy and spritzy with ripe aromas, smoky and floral in the nose, with brilliant fruit and the typical Mosel slate minerality. Delicious on its own, or a perfect accompaniment to light or spicy dishes, Urban Riesling is a sensory delight.


My review: This is definitely my favorite white wine that I have tasted so far; I rank it a 9 out of 10. It had very appealing aromas of florals and fruits, mostly dominated by pears. It also tasted sweet and fruity with a crisp finish, as the typical Riesling does. I first paired the wine with fried raviolis, asparagus, and pasta which worked very well. Then I tried the wine again a couple of days later on its own and it had matured to taste even better than the first time. The scents and flavors were more accentuated, yet it was still sweet, not acidic, and did not have much heat (9% alcohol). The bottle has a screw top instead of a cork, which may be one of the reasons why it held up so nicely after some time. I will definitely drink this wine again. 

Tasting - R. Stuart Big Fire Pinot Noir

Name: R. Stuart Big Fire Pinot Noir 
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Oregon
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $19.00

Wine review: Voluptuous, ripe. Coquettish. Vibrant, playful, warm. Honest, mysterious.

Wild rose, tea leaf, mushroom, violet and spice. Pomegranate, tarragon, red plum and cranberries. So soft! With Piquant Cioppino. With eggplant & tofu with tomato curry sauce.

My review: This red was very interesting; I would rank it a 7.5 out of 10. It smelled very strongly of spices and pepper. It had a big kick to it when tasted, probably because it had strong hints of pepper and was very spicy like cinnamon. I paired it with pizza, which worked very well. I wanted to try an Oregon Pinot Noir because it was mentioned in class, and I am glad that I did because this one was an interesting wine. It did have a lot of heat and a very full body, but I would probably have it again if I was in the mood for a spicy wine. 

Tasting - Casa Bella Mont'arquato Unoaked Chardonnay

Name: Casa Bella Mont'arquato Unoaked Chardonnay 
Variety: 100% Chardonnay 
Region: Piacenza
Country: Italy
Year: 2008
Price: $11.99


Wine review: Montarquarto's Chardonnay emanates a straw yellow color with golden accents. On the nose, it is persistent with notes of white flowers and fresh peaches. The taste is elegant and harmonic, while still maintaining a full-bodied presence. Best served with appetizers and light dishes. 


My review: I really enjoyed this white wine, ranking it an 8 out of 10. It had a very soft, yellow color to it and nice aromas of sweet, local fruits. It also tasted sweet, mostly like peaches and green grapes. It was not acidic and did not have much heat, with 12.5% alcohol, so it's body was moderate and balanced. I paired it with Italian appetizers, like fried mozzarella, zucchini, and mushrooms,  which worked perfectly. I would definitely try this white again. 

Tasting - Casa Bella Mont'arquato Cabernet-Sauvignon Barbera Blend

Name: Casa Bella Mont'arquato Cabernet-Sauvignon Barbera Blend 
Variety: 85% Cabernet, 15% Barbera 
Region: Piacenza Country: Italy 
Year: 2008
Price: $11.99


Wine review: Full-bodied and well balanced, this blend is overflowing with sabory tastes of wild berries with a rich velvety finish. The nose is persistent, with delicate hints of chocolate and roses. Serve this wine with hearty meat dishes and stews.


My review: This red wine was pretty good; I ranked it an 8 out of 10. It was a very hearty, dry wine, that paired very well with the Italian food (garlic bread, pasta and breaded fish) that I tasted it with. It's aromas were mostly florals, but there was a hint of dark chocolate. It tasted mostly of dark berries and did not have much heat, despite it's alcohol content of 13%. I would definitely try this wine again. 

Tasting - Francis Coppola Pinot Noir

Name: Francis Coppola Pinot Noir: Diamond Collection 
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Monterey County, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $19.99


Wine review: 2009 was a great vintage for all California appellations and an excellent vintage for Pinot Noir. Light spring rains were followed by warm summer days and no abrupt climate changes at season’s end. As a result of these fortuitous conditions, we harvested very high quality fruit with true physiological ripeness and great concentration. Our 2009 Diamond Collection Pinot Noir offers a rich, velvety texture, profuse aromatics, and a beautiful tapestry of juicy fruits and spice nuances. This wine is delicious when paired with a sautéed mushroom topped salmon steak, herb-rubbed pork chops, or creamy risotto.


My review: This was a pretty good red wine; I ranked it a 7.8 out of 10. I would characterize this red as smooth and supple, with a medium body that makes it go down easy and smooth tannins and supple fruit flavors. The wine gave off aromas of mostly dark berries, but it also had some hints of spices. It tasted very smooth, dominated by dark berries but with hints of mandarin. It was not very sweet or acidic, and for an alcohol content of 13.5% it didn't have that much heat to it. I did not pair this wine with food, but if I were to in the future I would probably try to it with fish and sauteed mushrooms. 

Tasting - Prince Michel Chardonnay

Name: Prince Michel Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Central Region, Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2005 (note: label is borrowed from 2008 vintage)
Price: $7.99

Wine review: The 2005 Chardonnay from Prince Michel is a result of grape selection, barrel fermentation, and sur lie aging. The vineyards selected for this wine are noted for their history of producing Chardonnays with elegant, lingering flavors and fresh, enticing aromas. To integrate and preserve the fruity, creamy, peach and vanilla nose, this wine was fermented in new and one year old oak barrels. A portion was fermented in stainless steel before blending to introduce a crispness to the structure of the wine. Aging sur lie allowed this wine to develop a butterscotch dimension with the broad mouth feel characteristic of our Chardonnay. The barrels also add a dimension of fruitiness and nuttiness. This Chardonnay is complex and lovely, with the structure and character to age well. The delightful aromas and clean, elegant fruit of this wine make it the perfect complement to fresh vegetables, fowl and French Provincial cuisine.

My review: This was a very good white wine; I ranked it an 8 out of 10. It had a delicate soft yellow color and mostly light floral aromas. It was very smooth on the palate and tasted mostly of pear and vanilla, though there were some hints of clove. With an alcohol content of 12.5%, this white had a medium body with lower sweetness and medium acidity and tannin structure. Since this white was not as sweet as most, and was recommended to pair well with vegetables, I tasted it while eating a vegetable pot-pie. The pairing was delicious and I would definitely try this white again. 

Tasting - Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir

Name: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi 
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $11.50


Wine review: Our silky, fruit-focused 2010 Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with many foods. Its elegant aromas and flavors offer light cherry and strawberry notes accented by a hint of cinnamon. On the palate these velvety, rich red fruit flavors mingle with a touch of smoke from the toasted oak aging. Enjoy this versatile wine with grilled tuna steaks, roasted lamb, or wild mushroom risotto.


My review: I enjoyed this red wine, rating it a 7 out of 10. It's deep red color gave out aromas of light citrus fruits but also some musky hints. It had a lot of body and an alcohol content of 13%, but lower acidity, tannins, and sweetest. For a red, it was smooth and did not have much heat. It tasted of dark berries and grape and had some hints of wood. I did not pair this wine with any food, but I would taste it again. 

Tasting - Bohemian Highway Pinot Grigio

Name: Bohemian Highway Pinot Grigio 

Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2009

Price: $7.99

Wine review: A pleasing and fruit-forward Pinot Grigio, full of honeydew, apricot and pear flavors. Crisp grapefruit and light floral aromas round out the very refreshing finish.

My review: I enjoyed this white wine, ranking it a 7 out of 10. It has fresh, sweet aromas of citrus fruits and light spices, and it tastes of mostly melon and pear. I found that this white wine had a lot of sweetness and was smooth due to a good tannin structure and low acidity. There was not much heat, despite the alcohol content of 13%, which gave the wine a medium body. I tasted this on its own without food. For the low price, I would definitely try this white again! 

Dinner - Zeppoli's (South American)

Zeppoli's Italian Restaurant on Feb. 6th

On February 6th, I went to the Zeppolis dinner with my boyfriend, Travis, and two of my friends, Jam and Yen. We got to taste 9 different wines (4 reds, 1 dessert red, and 4 whites) and try a variety of foods from the restaurant. Overall, the experience was great--we had a lot of fun while enjoying some delicious wine and tasty foods in the South American genre. The two employees who were conducting the wine tasting were very knowledgeable about each of the wines and what foods would be appropriately paired with them while we were tasting. 

My pescetarian dinner included caesar salad, pasta salad, garlic bread, cheese and crackers, and crab rangoon. 

The nine wines that we tasted. 

First, we tasted 4 white wines; the first was 2010 Crucero, Sauvignon Blanc, Curico Valley, priced at $10.25 a bottle. This white was best paired with the pasta salad, and had a sweet, citrus smell with some hints of pine and grass. The taste was also very sweet, dominated by citrus and zesty fruit flavors.The alcohol content was 13% and the wine itself did have a considerable amount of heat. Next, we tasted the Picpoul de Pinet 2010 Conteux Du Languedoc, priced at $8.50. This also paired well with the pasta salad, but also worked nicely with the crab rangoon since it was supposed to be a "perfect match to seafood or shell fish." Again, this white had a very citrus and sweet smell, but it also had very crisp and fresh aromas. The taste was dominated by exotic fruits, mostly grapes but also potential citrus melons or berries. It had 12.5% alcohol content and did not have as much heat as the first white, making it smoother and more refreshing. The third white was Manos Negras 2009 Torrontes San Juan Argentina, priced at $12.75. This white paired very nicely with the mozzarella cheese and crackers that I had and is made entirely from Spanish grapes that flourish during the warm days and cool nights in the Tulum Valley in San Juan. The smell of this white was more floral than the others, but the taste was still pretty citrus and fruity. This white had 13% alcohol content but actually did not have that much heat, it was crisp and smooth like the second white. The last white we tried was Sombras Del Sol Chardonnay Valle Central Chile, priced at $6.99. This white also paired nicely with the cheese and crackers and with the caesar salad as well. It had intense aromas of sweet fruit but also had a hint of vanilla; the taste blended the freshness of fruit with the creaminess of vanilla making this white a little more syrupy than the others. It has the highest alcohol percentage, 13.5% and did have a little more heat than the others we had tried. My favorite white wine was the Picpoul de Pinet 2010, followed by the 2010 Crucero, Sauvignon Blanc, the Manos Negras 2009 Torrontes, and lastly the Sombras Del Sol Chardonnay. 

Jam, Travis, me, and Yen while tasting the white wines. Notice all of our glasses are empty... yum!

 After trying the four white wines (which I actually prefer) we moved onto trying the reds. The first red, Allaman Malbec 2010 Valle de Uco Argentica, had a very intense smell, characterized mostly by violets and paired well with the garlic bread. When tasted, it had a lot of acidity and a rather peppery taste. The high acidity and peppery taste could possibly be a result of the grapes being grown at the bottom on the Andes. With 14.1% alcohol content, there was a high amount of heat with this red. The second red we tried was Crucero 2010 Carmenere Chile, priced at $7.99. Our waiters told us that this red was ranked in the "Top 10 under 10" by Wine Enthusiast in Dec. 2010, because of it's high 88 point rating and low price per bottle. This red had some herbal aromas, reminding me of herbal berry teas.The taste was dominated by black berries and the 13.5% alcohol content gave it a considerable, but not overbearing, amount of heat. The third red that we tasted was Maipe Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Agentine, priced at $8.99. This red also paired very well with the garlic bread, and was supposed to pair nicely with "grilled meats or pizza," which I did not try because of the pepperoni. The smell had some intense aromas of ripe berries, pepper, but also some minty chocolate and vanilla hints. The taste was interesting because of this combination, and it seemed as though the high tannins and alcohol content, 13.5%, made my mouth pucker a lot while tasting this wine. The last red, Gen 5 Cabernet Sauvignon California, priced at $11.25, was rated very highly by Wilfed Wong in 2009 at 92 points. I agree with this high rating; this red was much smoother and had less heat than the other reds, despite it's high alcohol content, 13.9%. It also paired well with mostly everything I had left on my plate, particularly the caesar salad, garlic bread, and crab rangoon. The aromas were nice,subtle red and black berries and the taste was well-balanced, soft, and more fruity than the previous reds. My favorite red wine was this last one, Gen 5 Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by the Crucero 2010 Carmenere, the Allamand Malbec 2010, and then the Maipe Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. 

Jam and Travis demonstrating the proper way to smell a wine, by putting their noses all the way in the glass! 

The last wine that we tasted was probably my favorite of the whole night, mostly because it was unlike any red wine I had ever tried before. It was Rinaldi Red Dream Filtrato Dolce dessert wine, priced at $12.99 a bottle. It had a much lower alcohol content than the other wines of the night, at 7%, which made it much smoother and softer. It also had some carbonation, making it seem more like a soda than a strong, red wine, but it's fruity aromas and fruity, honey-suckle tastes made it a very enjoyable light wine to finish on. I paired my glass with a delicious vanilla cupcake and it went together great.

Red Dream dessert wine and my cupcake!

Upon leaving, my boyfriend and I purchased one bottle of our favorite white, the Picpoul de Pinet 2010, one bottle of our favorite red, the Gen 5 Cabernet Sauvignon, and two bottles of the Red Dream dessert wine. My friends and I had a great time at the Zeppolis dinner learning about and tasting a variety of wines, and we all look forward to doing another wine dinner sometime soon! :)