Name: Arrow Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Graton, California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $7.99 [on sale from $15.99]
Winery Review: A tribute to coastal California's distinguished reputation for fine wines, this Cabernet Sauvignon embraces ripe, fruit-forward aromas of blackberries, dark raspberries and a hint of earthy terroir. The tannins are soft and the mature berry flavors are evident throughout the lingering finish. In true California style, enjoy this wine with a peppercorn sirloin or a grilled blue cheese burger
My Review: Color is a pretty dark red. Lots of black cherry smells followed by very oaky and wood scents. When tasting the berry really bursts through and overtakes any other flavor. It's A LOT of berry. Finishes a little on the acidic side. Overall a well-rounded wine but wouldn't pay the full $15 for it. Glad to have found it on sale.
I tasted this wine while eating beef, noodle and vegetable soup.
Name: Chateau Massiac Minervois Rouge
Variety: Syrah + Carignan
Region: Azille
Country: France
Year: 2008
Price: $17.95
Winery Review: Chateau Massiac's red wine is a blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Carignan. The vines are grown in rocky clay-limestone soil, a geologic composition common to the estate. It is dark in color and rich when young, with dominant flavors of blackcurrant. These primary fruit aromas give way to herb/garrigue characteristics as the wine opens.
My Review: This was a very light red wine. I didn't think it was very earthy at all. The taste didn't really seem too deep and it didn't really linger much.
I did not taste this with food.
Name: Dom de Mirail Cabernet Merlot Rose Cotes de Gascogne
Variety: Cabernet + Merlot
Region: Gascony
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95
Winery Review: Wow, That's some Rose! There is a fresh, crisp character to this light rose. It is eye-watering in its refreshing character, with balancing acidity, smoothing out the edges with a touch of caramel.
My Review: I've never really had a Rose before but the blended wine is an interesting taste in between white and red wine. It definitely has an acidic smell and taste. One of the fruiter wines I've tasted. Not really sure about the caramel taste that the review indicates. Didn't get any of that.
I did not taste this with food.
Name: Dom Chene Macon-Villages Bourgogne Blanc
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Burgundy
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $14.95
Winery Review: Richly textured, wine delivering broad orchard fruit and peach skin flavors supported by vibrant lime acidity and stony mineral notes. This is a ripe, rich, wine that's very seductive from the first but with fantastic vibrancy on the finish and lingering flavors of yellow apple and limestone. A fine young Burgundy that will delight fans of New World unwooded Chardonnay, too!
My Review: This chardonnay was on the dryer side, for me. It wasn't as fruity as I expected. It actually wasn't fruity at all, for me. I haven't had many chardonnay's to be able to really judge this one.
I did not taste this with food.
Name: Badia Corti Orvieto Classico Abboccato
Variety: Trebbiano + Malvasia Blanca
Region: Tuscan
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $9.95
Winery Review: The "abboccato" in the name means the wine is just off-dry, of about the same sweetness as the Vouvray we featured recently. But the Italian word "abbocare" means "to bite," so we've also got a nice bright crispness on the finish. The grape here is principally Trebbiano, Italy's most widely planted [and sometimes uninteresting] white grape. Here it is enriched with Malvasia Blanca, giving it a luscious fruit and flowers redolence that makes it most refreshing.
My Review: Tasting this following the Sauvignon Blanc gave me a nice comparison. I felt both held a buttery smell but this wine didn't have as strong of a taste compared to the Sauvignon Blanc. The taste didn't linger very long at all.
I did not taste this with food.
Name: Dom Massiac Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Languedoc
Country: France [South]
Year: 2011
Price: $13.95
Winery Review: Viticulture in the Languedoc is often characterized by over cropping and concomitant dilute wines with little or no character, varietal or otherwise. Such is not the case with this superb Sauvignon Blanc that renders a rich varietal character in combination with a sense of place that can only be described as "south of France." The wine is perfect on its own as an aperitif or for seafood or shellfish dishes of any kind be they appetizer or main course, sure to please.
My Review: After my first wine tasting ever I'm still trying to work on putting taste to words. Had a bit of a buttery taste that lingered for quite some time after sipping.
I did not taste this with food.
My personal experience with wine started a year ago when I was studying abroad in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland. Riva is located in the Ticino region of Switzerland, located on the southern border, just north of Italy. This region is full of vineyards and is known for their Merlot. We began drinking wine more often when we realized we could buy a bottle of wine from the store for $2-$10. We would go to the store and try to never by the same bottle twice just so that we could taste as many kinds of wine as possible. Throughout my four months in Europe, I traveled to Italy, Germany, France, Spain, UK, and Austria. Many of my meals included wines, so I began developing an interest and liking towards many different wines and regions.
When returning home for the summer, I ate most meals with my parents who really enjoy wine as well. My sister also works at a higher-scale restaurant that is known very well for their wine selection. Through my parents and my sister, the summer was filled with a lot of different wines to taste. My parents are mostly Cabernet Sauvignon [ex. Bogle] drinkers but recently we have been trying a lot of Malbec [ex. Colores del Sol].
I typically do most of my wine drinking when I am home for breaks with my family. When I'm back here at school it's more of a rare occasion. I hope to use this class to build my wine knowledge so that I actually have a clue of what to expect from a bottle or glass of wine I buy at the store or bar. I also hope to drink more wine even when I'm not with my parents, so eventually I can start making suggestions to them of wines they might enjoy. Wine makes great gifts for holidays and birthdays for them!
Name: Arrow Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
