Tasting - "Crane Lake Riesling"

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Riesling

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $5.95

Winery Notes:
The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine. Great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled.

My review:

This wine was pale yellow in color, and had a fruity smell. It tasted sweet and tasted like a mix of pear, green grapes, and green apples. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Crane Lake Shiraz"

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Shiraz

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $5.95

Winery Notes:
Beautiful ruby appearance, with blackberry and pepper notes. Tannins and fruit marry well for a soft finish. This wine pairs well with sharp cheddar cheese and hazelnuts. Also try it along with roast lamb at Easter time, veal marsala, or grilled salmon.

My review:

This red wine smelled like wet wood, or a campfire after the rain. It had the taste reminiscent of an antique shop, and was smokey and dry. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Georges Duboeuff Nouveau"

Name: Georges Duboeuff
Variety: Nouveau

Region: Beaujolais

Country: France

Year: 2015

Regular Price: $12

Sale Price: $5.95

Winery Notes:
George Duboeuf is THE king of Beaujolais. His wines are full of pop, charm and great flavor and his Beaujolais Nouveau is no exception. A cornucopia of expressive fruit wrapped in an almost-bubblegum-like frame; it is the flagship Nouveau.

My review:

This primrose-colored wine had the smell of buttery pie crust. It tasted dry, and a bit like wet leaves and the outdoors after fresh rainfall. It was sweet and tasted like berries. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Maipe Torrontes"

Name: Maipe
Variety: Torrontes

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2014

Regular Price: $14

Sale Price: $7.95

Winery Notes:
The wine has a spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well-balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish.

My review:

This wine was mostly clear with a slight yellow tint. The wine smelled like pear, and was blunt. It tasted like candied pear and dried apricots. The wine was also very sour. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Tonnino Pinot Grigio"

Name: Tonnino
Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2014

Regular Price: $14

Sale Price: $7.95

Winery Notes:
Tonnino’s exotic example of Pinot Grigio has a straw to pale gold color. It is fresh and clean on the nose with fruity notes of pear, green apple and white peaches. The palate is true to the nose with a fresh acidity, coriander and lime notes followed by a crisp finish. This wine pairs well with youthful aperitifs, clams or mussels, pastas and risotto dishes.

My review:

This wine was clear, and smelled like pear and yeast. It smelled warm, and tasted very very tart. The wine still was a bit sweet, but was much less sweet than it smelled. It tasted like lemons. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Peter Mertes Sweet Red Dornfelder"

Name: Peter Mertes
Variety: Sweet Red Dornfelder

Region: California

Country: Germany

Year: 2014

Regular Price: $12

Sale Price: $6.95

Winery Notes:
The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine. Great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled.

My review:

This sweet red wine smelled like a cross between cherries and strawberries. The wine tasted sweet at the beginning. Towards the end, the wine tasted more sour, and felt dryer. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli"

Name: Castello Sonnino
Variety: Chianti Montespertoli

Region: Chianti

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Regular Price: $15

Sale Price: $8.95

Winery Notes:
A blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti. Rich and modern, with a dark, saturated color and aromas of graham cracker and lemon rind. A juicy palate packed with plum and raspberry is carried by a creamy texture that’s rather toasty in terms of flavor. The finish is round, full and chocolaty.

My review:

This wine was deep red in color, and also smelled like generic red wine. It had a fuller body than other wines I tasted at the Vintage Cellar this week, and also had sour/tart undertones. It had a tannic mouthfeel that made it clear that the wine was dry. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Bolla Bardolino Magnum"

Name: Bolla Bardolino
Variety: Magnum

Region: Bardolino

Country: Italy

Year: 2013

Regular Price: $18

Sale Price: $9.95

Winery Notes:
A blend of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara this bright ruby red wine has hints of black cherry on the nose. It is soft and fruit-forward, with black-fruit flavors followed by a bright and fresh finish. Serve it as the Italians do – young and lightly chilled. Pairs perfectly with fleshy fish, beef, lamb, red-sauced pastas and pizza.

My review:

This red wine smells like wet cat food. It felt dry, and what can only be described as "generic red wine taste." It was also sour, and blunt. This wine was tasted sans food.

Tasting - "Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico"

Name: Tenuta le Velette
Variety: Orvieto Classico

Region: Orvieto

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Regular Price: $18

Sale Price: $6.95

Winery Notes:
"The Berganorio Orvieto is a subtle wine with a bright palate. It shows white flowers on the nose and light citrus notes in the mouth. Its neutral character means it can accompany a wide range of foods. A blend of 30% Trebbiano, 30% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia, 15% Verdello, and 5% Drupeggio. The estate has 103 hectares on the hill opposite the hill town of Orvieto."

My review:

This golden wine smells like a tart apricot. The wine was relatively flat, as opposed to full bodied. It tasted like a tart granny smith apple. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde"

Name: Aveleda Praia
Variety: Vinho Verde

Region: Vinho Verde

Country: Portugal

Year: 2013

Regular Price: $10

Sale Price: $8.95

Winery Notes:
A blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura and 10% Azal. Full of fruit, a lasting peach flavor targeted with laserlike acidity through the finish. It has the bite of salty ocean air and a lot of zing. For langoustines.

My review:

This wine was clear and smells floral, and like pear, with a few hints of butter and yeast. The wine tasted warm, fruity, specifically like green apple. The wine smelled acidic, but tasted well balanced. There was a metallic aftertaste reminiscent of the smell on your hands after handling coins. This wine was tasted without food.

Dinner - Homemade with Family (Spain)

Over spring break, I made a three course wine dinner with my mom, dad, sister, and brother-in-law.  We first decided on each course, and then decided on a wine pairing to go with it.  The first course was crustini with goat cheese and Spanish cured meat, paired with 2014 Lost Creek Chardonnay.  The second course was paella paired with 2015 Reserva Rose Wine.  The third and final course was a molten chocolate cake, paired with 2013 Plungerhead Zinfandel.

When tasted without food, the first wine, the chardonnay, had a light citrus and pear smell.  It was almost clear in color, with a very light yeast or butter taste.  The mouthfeel was hot and smooth, and not dry.  The strong legs of the wine indicated high residual sugar, which agreed with my feeling that it was on the sweeter side.  When paired with the crustini, the wine smelled sweeter.  Along with increased acidity, the wine tasted more buttery, less fruity, and cooler.

Before eating the main course, I tasted the rose.  Without food, it smelled of raspberry or cherry and had weaker legs.  It tasted fruitier, sweeter, and less dry than I was expecting.  It reminded me of an acidic fruit punch.  When paired with the paella,  the wine got more acidic and less fruity.  Some family members were not in agreement, mainly my sister and dad, and felt as though the wine got more fruity.  Most agreed that the food gave the wine more burn.

The zinfandel had strong legs, was deep red in color, and had what can best be described as a "red wine" smell.  It tasted strongly of campfire, and had a dry mouthfeel.  Once paired with the very sweet molten chocolate cake, the wine got significantly more acidic, and the campfire smell was brought out.  My dad felt that this wine paired very well with the cake, whereas my mom felt that it "kills the chocolate cake."

I am unsure whether I felt that any of these wines truly paired with the food.  I enjoyed the chardonnay, whereas I was definitely not a fan of the zinfandel, but I don't believe that those opinions had anything to do with the food pairings.  I don't think that my wine pallet is developed enough to recognize the flavors in wines that I like, let alone to pair them with foods that I like, but I feel that this dinner was a decent attempt.  I see how these wines pair better with the food than others, but they did not make me enjoy the food any more or less than I would normally.

Tasting - "Dona Sol Shiraz, Petite Syrah & Symphony"

Name: Dona Sol
Variety: Shiraz, Petite Syrah & Symphony

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: Unknown
Price: $6.95

Winery Notes:
Shiraz has a unique jammy fruit character that is well represented in the Sweet Red. Both on the nose and on the palate, jammy fruit, like strawberries, cherry pie and red licorice, entices the senses and pair well with cheeses and desserts.

My review:

This wine was dark red and smelled of blackberries and other generic berried. It tasted much sweeter than it smelled, and was a bit acidic, but mostly berry. The level of sweetness was unexpected in comparison to the savory smell. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Velvet Crush Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petite Sirah"

Name: Velvet Crush

Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petite Sirah

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: Unknown
Sale Price: $6.95
Regular Price: $18

Winery Notes:
Velvety smooth texture just like its name. Soft tannins and lush dark fruit character. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah bring backbone and character, while the Merlot balances out the blend for a soft, smooth texture.

My review:

This wine was deep red in color, with hints of an unknown berry. It was very smokey in taste with a tiny acidic bite. It tasted slightly of warm plum, with a cold after-feel. This was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Grand Cru Pinot Noir"

Name: Grand Cru

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013
Price: $6.95

Winery Notes:
This ruby-colored wine has aromas of raspberry, cherry and a hint of vanilla. Flavors of cherry and plum lead to a soft velvety finish. This wine can be enjoyed by itself. It is also an excellent accompaniment with Brie, goat cheese and smoked salmon. Lamb shanks and pork tenderloin are a favorite main dishes to pair with this wine.

My review:

This wine had a hot smell, and was light red in color. It was dry, with woody undertones and medium tannins. The taste was acidic, with not much fruit to speak of. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Prime Brume Gaganega"

Name: Prime Brume

Variety: Gaganega

Region: Soave

Country: Italy

Year: 2014
Sale Price: $6.95
Regular Price: $11

Winery Notes:
Pale color. Fruity, floral minerally inviting aromas of passion fruit, white grapefruit, spice poached pear, and papaya with a lean, racy, bone-dry medium body and a smooth, complex, long lemon, passion fruit, raw hazelnut, and wet stones finish with no tannins and light oak. From the tantalizing nose full of exotic fruit, citrus and minerality thru to the long, crisp finish, this soave can seamlessly go from cocktail hour thru to vibrantly flavored dishes.

My review:

This wine was clear, and smelled distinctly of pear. It had a warm smell, and was light and crisp. It tastes mostly of pear, with a slight acidic bite at the end. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Quintas Melgaço Blue Vinho Verde"

Name: Quintas Melgaço Blue

Variety: Vinho Verde

Region: Vinho Verde

Country: Portugal

Year: 2013
Sale Price: $5.95
Regular Price: $10

Winery Notes:
Refreshingly crisp white wine from Portugal--Vinho Verde is soft, light and refreshing, and is an uncompromising and ideal wine for everyday pleasure. Its bright color and pineapple aromas are followed by citrus notes. The palate is clean and fresh. Vinho Verde is an excellent accompaniment to fish and shell fish, white meats and salads.

My review:
This wine was clear, with a yeasty, warm, smell. There were also hints of green apple in the aroma. The taste was acidic and a bit fruity, but the fruit was not bold enough to stand out as any one fruit in particular. The wine was tasted without food.