Tasting - Daniel Cellars Aurora Chocolate Raspberry Wine

Name: Daniel Cellars Aurora Chocolate Raspberry Wine
Variety: Blend, red wine
Region: Barboursville, Virginia
Country: USA
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $18, on sale for $3.95

Shop Review: Aurora is a sweet red wine that Daniel Cellars have added Chocolate and Raspberries to. Chocolate is the dominate aroma and flavor with Raspberry accents. This is a perfect wine for chocolate lovers. Best served ice cold with a friend.
~ Vintage Cellar

My Review: I found this a surprisingly excellent dessert wine. There was a strong smell of chocolate, though subtle raspberry underlayer. The taste was mostly raspberry with a chocolate-y aftertaste. The chocolate aftertaste was not too strong or too light to leave a bitter flavor. I would definitely buy this again because it is a splendid blend of red wine, chocolate, and raspberry.    

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Estrella Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Estrella Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $17, on sale for $5.95

Shop Review: Bright medium dark garnet color. Fruity, creamy, attractive aromas and flavors of berry and cherry custard pies, watermelon, and chocolate and floral honey with a silky, vibrant, fruity medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length spiced blueberries and cherries and vanilla custard finish with soft tannins and light oak. A very smooth, charming, and fruity cabernet crowd pleaser.
~ Vintage Cellar

My Review: A subtle sweet scent with a bit of a kick. None of the listed flavors came across in the smell, which means the blend of the flavors is perfect. Though there was no strong flavor in tasting the wine that stood out. It would be a good red wine for anyone who isn't into strong flavors or smells. It was on the drier side, which is good considering it is blend of berry and sweet flavors.  

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Terre dei Savoia Dolcetto d’Alba

Name: Terre dei Savoia Dolcetto d’Alba
Variety: Dolcetto d’Alba
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $20, on sale for $6.95

Shop Review: Violet, red berry and underbrush scents come together in this Dolcetto. Its savory, juicy palate evokes crushed blackberry, cherry and a touch of toasted almond alongside lithe tannins.
~ Vintage Cellar

My Review: There is a deep and rich smell to the wine. Sort of an earthy smell, but not of a dirt or floral. While it is a berry flavored wine, it is dry enough so that your palette is not overwhelmed with a sugary or sweet taste. I would definitely consider buying this.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Terra Minei Treixadura Ribeiro

Name: Terra Minei Treixadura Ribeiro
Variety: Treixadura
Region: Ribeiro
Country: Spain
Year: 2015
Price: $17, on sale for $6.95

Shop Review: Firm and focused, this white supports the core of apple and pear flavors with flinty, steely and briny notes, accented with fresh herb and smoky details. Juicy acidity keeps this fresh and racy through the mineral finish.
~ Vintage Cellar

My Review:  This wine surprisingly had a muted smell. There were no distinct or strong smells. There was a bitter taste, nothing pleasing on the palette. I was incredibly disappointed by the lack of stimulation of the senses. I would not have this wine again.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - J & P Matheus Piesporter Treppchen Sauvignon Blanc

Name: J & P Matheus Piesporter Treppchen Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Mosel
Country: Germany
Year: 2014
Price: $17, on sale for $5.95

Shop Review: The wine is fresh and lively with tropical fruits aromas, a hint of citrus and ripe vineyard peach flavors. It has a multi-layered structure with a refreshing acidity with mineral notes.
~ Vintage Cellar

My Review:  A perfect white wine for an afternoon. The soft floral aroma, paired with a light and crisp taste, makes it a refreshing drink. There is something to be said about its citrus flavor on a warm day. Definitely a wine to have on hand for any occasion.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Introductions

Hello fellow wine lovers!

My name is Karling. I am an undergrad at Virginia Tech. I am taking a course called ‘Geography of Wine’, which is the reason for this blog. This blog will hopefully cover my experience in the course, and of course, with wine. Now a bit about my experience with wine.

I’ve recently turned 21, which makes my experience with alcohol on the small side. But, I do know that when I drink alcohol, I get the ‘Asian glow’ right away. So, you’ll often find that I tend to stay indoors when I decide to pop open a bottle of wine for the evening. But do not let that deter you in thinking that I don’t go out at all. I love going to wineries. There is so much to learn about the winery, the grapes, the flavors, etc. when you go to one. I have been to a handful of wineries, but I know that there are so many more waiting to be visit. Over the summer, I plan to visit more wineries at home since there are a plethora of them nearby.

I will say though, most of my experience with wine has been cooking with it. So, if you need a good wine for the sauce of your shrimp scampi dish, you can come talk to me. As for drinking wine, I’ve gained most of my understanding of it with my parents. During holidays, my parents often open a bottle of wine and let me have a glass now that I am of age. Though I have bought some wines that have been on sale or featured while I’ve been shopping in Kroger. Like many other students, my experiences with wine has been simply trying it out and seeing what I do and don’t like.

I have found that I tend to prefer very dry wines or very sweet wines. I know that my preferences are on complete opposite sides of the spectrum. But it makes my search for a good tasting wine a fun challenge. There is so much I've learned about the different wines that I have come across. I have been focusing on trying out red wines. I find reds to more pleasant in taste than whites. But I do like having a glass of Chardonnay here and there.

There is great depth in the knowledge of wine and I know that my knowledge is a drop compared to it. I can only hope that I will gain a better understanding of the terminology, what is good wine and what is bad wine, and wine in general. I want to be able to confidently look through a list of wines at a restaurant and know what I’d like. One thing I am looking forward to is learning all the random facts about wine. But most of all, I am looking forward to the experiences I am going to have.

Well that's all folks until next time!