Wine in my Life

Growing up my dad would drink wine and when I was old enough I would have wine with him at dinner.  I have tried differnt types of wine but I was never really sure of what to taste and how to.  I rember trying expensive bottles that I knew were extremly florvorful, but I felt as though all wine tatsed the same.  I have had wine with meals and my dad has tought me a little about what to look for and how to swirl and sniff.  My favoriyte meal to have with wine is usually steak and rissoto.

I can notice some flavors and I think I know what I like.  I like red wines the best and I really like dry wines.  I like wines that are dry, and I like to taste wood/smoke.  I also really like vanilla and blueberry flavors.  I don't like sweet red wines and I am not a huge fan of whites.   I don't like vinegary and wines that are super powerful/alcoholic.

In this class I would love to learn how to better taste wines and how to be able to articulate my opinions
better.  I would like to be able to converse with my family about the wine and in the future with other professionals.  I also want to know about the different types of wine and to know what I want.  I would like to learn how to buy good wine that would pair well with meals I like.  I also want to be able to understand what goes into a wine.  The last thing I want to learn is what is truly important abut wine and what is fluff.  I just found out that "legs" mean nothing about the quality/taste of wine, what else is there?

Tasting - Miriam California Chenin Blanc

Name: Miriam California Chenin Blanc 2021

Varietal: Chenin Blanc

Region: Napa Valley, California

Country: USA

Year: 2021

Price: 11.99

Winery Review: Ay, caramba! Fresh and fruity whites will have your taste buds doing the merengue. Prepare for festive, tropical flavors that keep your tongue tingling with delight for hours on end. 

Wine Folly: Given the wide range of styles Chenin Blanc is quite versatile. That said, you cannot fail pairing Chenin Blanc with Thai or Vietnamese cuisine (p. 98). 

My Review: I came into this not expecting to like it because I am not usually a fan of white wine, but I was pleasantly surprised.  I immediately tasted fruity flavors such as oranges and apples.  I thought the wine was sweet and dry which was a very nice combination.  This wine would pair well with almost any cuisine which is great.  3/5.

I did not taste this wine with any food.

 

Tasting - Cigar Box Old Vine Pinot Noir 2020

 

Name: Cigar Box Old Vine Pinot Noir 2020

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Region: Leyda Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2020

Price: 11.95

Winery Review: Born at the mecca of Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley, Chile. In color, you’ll appreciate a light ruby red and, in nose, the aromas of fresh cherries, pure raspberries and mild spice notes like cinnamon and mocha. The sweetness everyone has expected from you plus that acidity that represents you so well, all balanced in the shape of a Pinot Noir bottle.

Wine Folly: The world’s most popular light-bodied red is loved for its red fruit and spice flavors that are accentuated by a long, smooth, soft-tannin finish (p. 150).

My Review: I found this wine very delicious. It was a little sweeter than I usually like but I found it very good in this wine. It had hints of blueberry and I think it would pair well with tobacco. Very good for the price and would recommend to any wine drinker. 3/5.

I did not taste this wine with any food.

Tasting - F. Stephen Millier Legend Series Dickson Road Zinfandel

 

Name: F. Stephen Millier Legend Series Dickson Road Zinfandel 2021

Varietal: Zinfandel

Region: Amador County, California 

Country: USA

Year: 2021

Price: 25.99

Winery Review: This Zinfandel is juicier than a handful of fresh, ripe raspberries – and rich like spoonful of blackberry jam – with a light touch of warming spice that carries through the long, luxurious finish.

Wine Folly: A fruit-forward yet bold red that’s loved for its jammy fruit and smoky, exotic spice notes. Originally from Croatia, Zinfandel is related to Croatia’s #1 red, Plavic Mali (p. 189).

My Review: I was a very big fan of this wine.  I tasted smoke and blackberry on my first few sips.  I also liked how dry the wine was.  I tasted spices and upon discussion with peers, some tobacco aftertaste.  Overall this wine was very delicious, but not worth the price (I got it for free).  4/5

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend

Name: Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend

Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Zinfandel
Region: Lodi and Central Valley areas in California
Country: USA
Year: 2021
Price: $11.99

Winery review: 

The 2021 Apothic Red is a rich Zinfandel-led Red blend with red silky, smooth layers of black cherry, boysenberry and black pepper. Syrah and Merlot add intriguing notes of ripe blueberry and boysenberry, while a mix of other red varieties add dimension and depth with hints of spice. Soft and plush on the palate, the long finish brings vanilla and mocha characteristics, a reflection of the selective oak aging used to enhance and support the wine’s elegant appeal.

Wine Folly: 

Dark meats and exotic spices bring out the fruit notes of Syrah. Try it with lamb shawarma, gyros Asian 5 spice pork and Indian tandoori (Pg 172).  

Zinfandel is ideal with Turkish, Moroccan, and Arabic cuisine, which bring out the grape’s cinnamon-like spices. Try it with Asian BBQ (Pg 189).

My review:

 I was not the biggest fan of this wine.  The first thing I tasted was butter and then sweetness.  I didn't find it very dry as well.  The aftertaste was too vinegary for me and I also tasted some dark chocolate towards the end of my glass.  Overall this wine was a dark abyss of sweet butter. 1/5.

I tasted this on its own with no food, but I would like to have it with Indian Tandoori.