Dinner and Wine

For some paring of food and wine we, myself and my girlfriend, went to a winery to try some wines. After we try them we then pick out favor three. Then we bought three different foods and pared then with each wine. This is what I got. 

In the two pictures above, the one on the left is what wines and food parings I did and the one on the right is a picture of my girlfriend. Now into the parring and tasting. 

Paring one: I pared this wine, which is a chardannly, with the sausage pizza. The wine smelled fruity with a hint of flower. It had a nice sharp taste to it, but was still well balance. The sausage really did bring out the sharpness and the tartness of the wine. However the crust was able to cool it off. I would not try this again, was not the best choice. But still was fun trying.

Paring two: I pared this wine, which is the vad blanc, with the winery special pizza. This wine was a very fruity tasting wine. It was a nice light wine as well, very good wine. With the winery special pizza, it really toned down the wines flavors of the berries and brought the acid out of the wine. The pizza was also good it had its own vinger which is why I think it brought out the acid of the wine. over all not bad at all.

Paring three: With this wine, which was a Concrod, I pared it with the cheese plate. This wine was cool because it was not the most common grape and this wine tasted just like grape juice, because of the concord grape which was AWESOME. It was so cool how I just learned about this grape last week and then I got to try the wine made from that grape. But onto the paring. The wine and the cheese went really well together. With the wine nice balance with the cheese just brought out the flavors of both really well. It was a great paring that i really enjoyed.

Over all it was really fun trying new wines with different food. Was a great time and I had a great time taking this class and writing this blog. 

White Barrel Winery Visit

My Visit to the White Barrel Winery

I have to say this was  my first winery visit and it was fun. It was a much smaller winery then most but it was still fun. We first took a tour of the grounds of where they grow the grapes. They have 15 acres of land to grow their grapes. The vines have been planted every year, beginning in 2007 through the present day with many of their vines bearing fruit beginning in 2010. There are now over 11,000 vines on the property & many thousand raspberry and blackberry plants as well. They also have won many awards.

They age their wine in US natural oak or in plastic containers. They age their wine from 7 to 8 months and they only bottle wine once or twice a year. They get most of their grapes from the vineyard but they also get some from Roanoke. 

Now after the tour of the winery we then where able to try some wine which was the best part about the trip

Name: Similan To Sonnet 98
Variety: Vidal Blanc]
Price: $22
Winery Review: This has a floral bouquet and vanilla undertones and fresh green herbs. This wine has a delicate flavor profile a clean finish. Perfect for holiday dinners, chicken, and crisp salads or fish dishes.
My Review: This wine smelled just like bananas with a nice flower back ground. After tasting it, iy als taste like bananas with a very nice fruit taste

Name: Off the Cuff
Price: $18
Variety: Blend
Winery Review: This is a blend of white wines, which is mellow, slightly sweet, and bright. This wine has a sweet mineral and citrus characteristics.
My Review: The wine had a nice lovely flower smell to it. It was loving sweet and had a very nice dryness to it. It tasted like lightly sugar covered candy.

Name: Just Kissed Blush
Price: $17
Variety: Blend
Winery Review: This wine has a raspberry undertones and a sweet fruity flavor.
My Review: The smell was a very lovely strong raspberry smell. When I tasted it  it tasted just like raspberries, almost like raspberries fruit juice.

Name: After Midnight
Price: $18
Variety: Blend
Winery Review: This deep, mellow red blend has a sweet start, with a dry finish and velvety texture.
My Review: Has a nice dirt oak smell to it. You can taste the sweetness but it balances the tartness of the oak rather well. Has a very nice spicy after taste in the back of your mouth.

Name: Bull Frog Symphony
Price: $20
Variety: Blend
Winery Review: This is a blend of red wines, and offers smooth, fruity, dark jam flavors with smoky, peppery flavors on the finish
My Review: Has a nice light berry smell with a hint of dirt and grass. It is a bit dry nut it is nice and smooth. Very good wine

Name: Aviator
Price: $25
Variety: Cabernet Franc
Winery Review: Dry, rich mocha flavors, smoky, leather, and tobacco come together with this wine
My Review: Has a nice very light smell with a hint of flowers. It was a nice dry wine but a bit to much tannins for my taste but I will just sip this wine.

Name: Vertex
Price: $21
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery Review: This wine has rich tannins, black currant, and smooth french oak flavors
My Review: It has a nice sharp smell to it. Was a nice and dry wine with a little spice with the taste. Tasted like the grate outdoors. Was a good wine.

After the Wine tasting we all bought our own glass of wine and a nice big cheese plate, then we just sat outdoors and enjoyed each others company, the wine, and the cheese. All in all was a great trip and was fun to do.

Tasting - Baci Dolci Mosto Di Uve Parzialmente Fermentato

Name: Baci Dolci Mosto Di Uve Parzialmente Fermentato
Variety: 50% Marzemino, 50% Merlot

Region: Colli Euganei
Country: Italy
Year: Non Vintage
Price: $12

Winery review: A blend of 50% Marzemino 50% Merlot.  A delicate, slightly frizzante wine with an intense ruby red color. Fresh strawberry & black cherry aromas with hints of roses. Cherry pie flavors, medium-full bodied with refreshing sparkle to balance the semi- sweet finish.

My review: Was a very sweet smelling wine. After tasting it was a really good kind of sweet, Was like sweet candy gummy warms. Just lightly covered in sugar. I will buy this wine and drink it all the time. was a very good wine. 

Did not have food with wine.

Tasting - Oasis Del Cuyo

Name: Oasis Del Cuyo
Variety: Malbec

Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: Non Vintage 
Price: $12

Winery review: Deep ruby color. Appealing red fruit nose with hints of tobacco. Medium bodied with a smooth and lush mouth-feel. Finishes dry with lasting flavors. Excellent choice for a young and fruity everyday wine. Enjoy as an aperitif or with meats and pasta dishes.

My review: It smelled like alcoholic wipes with a light berry smell. Was a nice thick wine and had a nice burn to it.It was a very peppery taste with a nice full body berry taste. Had some good oak in it.

Did not have food with wine.

Tasting - Terranoble

Name: Terranoble 
Variety: Cabernet Sauvgnon

Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95

Winery review: This Cabernet Sauvignon offers an intense and deep color and lovely aromas of red fruit, pepper and tobacco. It has smooth tannins, very freshness and rich fruit, which gives the wine a good balance. Pair with barbecued beef ribs, grilled sea bass, or spaghetti alla Bolognese.

My review: This wine smells like cranberries. It is a lightly dry wine and a light looking wine. It had a nice burn in the back of the mouth. Has a nice pepper  taste taste. I would drink again, was a nice sipping wine.

Did not have food with wine.

Tasting - Terranoble

Name: Terranoble 
Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2014
Price: $8.95

Winery review: This Chardonnay offers a wine with an attractive color and lovely aromas, such as ripe pear and pineapple, mixed with butter and vanilla notes. It is a fresh style of white wine, with medium persistence in mouth. Ideal as an aperitif.

My review: Has a smell of peaches and a light smell of oak. The taste had a nice kick of spice with it. IT was smooth going down like an apple flavor. 

Did not have food with wine.

Tasting - Santola Vinho Verde

Name: Santola Vinho Verde
Variety: Loureiro and Pederna

Region: Vinho Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: Non Vintage
Price: $7.95


Winery review: Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh. 

My review: Has a nice apple and apricot smell, A very light sweet green apple taste. It is lightly sour with a light tart. Was a really good wine and would buy again.

Did not have food with wine.

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Spumante Italiano

Name: Lost Vineyards Spumante Italiano
Variety: Moscato

Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: Non Vintage
Price: $6.95


Winery review: Pale color. Confected, fruity aromas of yellow apple, honeysuckle, pear tartlet, and honeydew melon with a satiny, shy, spritzy, moderately sweet light-to-medium body and a sleek, fast yellow apple, candied pear, honeycomb, and sweet papaya finish with no tannins and no oak. Simple and approachable with sweet apple, melon and candied pear on a framework of gentle, delightful bubbles. 

My review: Had a very lovely sweet smell to it as well as a hint of dirt. Over all a great smelling wine. It tasted like lightly sweet candy with bubbles. Was a great wine would drink a bottle and then some.

Did not have food with wine.

Tasting - Jip Jip Rocks

Name: Jip Jip Rocks
Variety: Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Padthaway
Country: Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $19


Winery review: 87 – Robert Parker
This red wine is a well above average effort with lots of flavor as well as Australia's so easily obtainable, lush fruit. The 2013 Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon (55% and 45% respectively) exhibits a dark ruby/purple hue along with a layered, peppery, berry fruit-scented nose revealing licorice and meaty notes. From a much lighter vintage, it is a supple, easygoing red to enjoy now and over the next several years.

My review: Was a very spicy smelling wine with just a deep red wine smell like a damp musk cave. It was a dry wine that really got into your nose when smelling it. It tasted like dirty old grass. Would be a good glass of wine to drink after a couple of glasses.

Did not have food with wine.

Tasting - Cavit

Name: Cavit Alta Luna
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Vigneti delle Dolomiti
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $20

Winery review: On the nose cherry, plum and berry aromas mingle with notes of spice and tobacco. On the palate soft, supple tannins and refreshing acidity are beautifully balanced by ripe cherry fruit flavors on the finish which is dry, harmonious and elegant.

My review: Had a mix smell like a mix of white and red wine with a nice berry smell. It also a nice dryness with it. Not as much spice but was very smooth.

Did not have food with wine.

Tasting - El Cortijillo

Name: Cortijillo
Variety: Verdejo
Region: La Monacha
Country: Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $5.95

Winery review: 90 Points – Beverage Testing Institute
"Golden straw color. Bright, attractive, tropical aromas of creme brulee and fruit tart with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, intriguing, snappy lime and apple finish with crunchy, fruit tannins and light oak. A super smooth and pure white sipper. 


My review: Has a lovely banana smell with a hint of peaches. This wine is also watery and was a flat wine to me. Did not have much flavor or taste to it. However it did have a nice spice to it and tickles the tongue a bit. Was an okay wine

Did not have food with wine.

Tasting - Trattoria Busa Alla Torre

Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $7.95

Winery review: A Venetian favorite!  It is crisp and dry, rich and spicy with hints of peach and honey…perfect with salads, pasta, chicken and fish!  Musaragno is an organic wine estate near Venice, Italy

My review: It has a very nice flower smell with alcohol back drop and a hint of berry. It was a very watery tasting wine. As well as a flower taste which was wired but still kinda of good.