Wine Tasting: Sonnenband Qualitatswein Riesling Mosel

2011 SONNENBAND QUALITATSWEIN RIESLING MOSEL

Variety: Riesling

Region: Mosel

Country: Germany

Year: 2011

Price: 24.99

Review: "These fully ripened grapes result in an elegant floral bouquet leading into semi-sweet flavors of peach, crisp apple, and lime. PAirs well with most poultry and seafood, salads, and spicy cuisine."

My Review: This sweet white wine has a crisp sour apple taste.  I also taste a lot of apricot.  A very smooth little wine.

Wine Tasting: Cellar No. 8 Cabernet Sauvignon

Cellar No. 8 Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2011

Price: $12

Review: "Opens with intense aromas of black cherry and currant. Notes of dark chocolate, coffee, and oak are supported by ripe, supple tannins and followed by a long finish. Pair with beef tenderloin topped with bleu cheese butter."

My Review: The Cellar No.8 gives you a very smooth delivery but then surprised you with a bitter finish.  I also pinpointed and peppery taste and smell.  A miraculous little wine.

Wine Tasting: Mendoza Cupcake Vineyards Malbec

Mendoza Cupcake Vineyards Malbec

Variety: Malbec

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2012

Price: $9.99

Review:  "A round, full palate with a touch of creaminess yields into flavors reminiscent of a dark chocolate flourless cupcake accented with fresh berries. Enjoy with aged prime beef with crumbled bleu cheese or Cajun eggplant on the grill"

My Review: This strong red wine had a long, bitter finish, and was very dry.  It had an acidic, woody flavor, accompanied by nice plum/prune scent.  A very welcoming little wine.  

Wine Tasting: Our Dog Blue Chateau Morrisette

Our Dog Blue Chateau Morrisette

Variety: Chateau

Region: Virginia

Country: United States

Year: Not Listed

Price: $8.99

Review: "This popular white wine is a semi-sweet Riesling-Traminette blend, using Vidal Blanc for added depth. Aromas of melons, citrus fruits, apricots, and delicate flowers highlight the soft finish of this soothing wine. Serve chilled with fruits and cheeses, fish, or spicy foods."

My Review: This wine had a pretty creamy, thicker body.  It had a typical white wine sweetness to it.  An interesting characteristic was the initial carbonated/acidic taste on your tongue.  It's a fantastic little wine. 

Wine Tasting: Bell'agio Chianti

Bell'agio Chianti

Variety: Chianti

Region: Castellana

Country: Italy

Year: 2012

Price: $12

Review: "Very subtle aromas of berry (cherry and cranberry) lead you into a very middle of the road red wine.  Good tannins will pair well with red meat or a saucy pasta."

My Review: This is another bitter red wine.  It has a painty, woody scent.  I got a lot of raisin in the taste.  Super cool little wine!

Hello reader,

My name is Will, what's yours? I am pretty excited about the upcoming semester and the chance to learn all about a super cool beverage, wine.  I am not a very experienced wine drinker, but here's to getting turnt and changing that. *clink*

I can't remember the first time I tried wine, but I'm sure I didn't really enjoy it.  I mostly preferred white wine because I hadn't acquired a taste for the stronger, bitter red.  After experimenting with different wines sparingly over the past year or two, I have come to appreciate the many different varieties that are out there.   

I'm hoping that this class will teach me a lot about wine.  It's a popular beverage and a centerpiece of many social gatherings, and I would like to be knowledgable about it in the future.  I want to learn about different types of wine, types of grapes, and more about the process of making wine, vinification.    See, I've already learned something!

Until next time,

W