Tasting - "Vega Duoro 2011"

Name: Vega Duoro 
Variety: Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional
Region: Duoro
Country: Portugal
Year: 2011
Price: $9.95
Wine Critic Review (Roger Voss): This is a firmly structured, dark wine. It has black cherry and berry fruit, a solid core of tannins and tight acidity. With its dense character, there is every chance of this impressive wine aging well, yielding a more rounded wine. Drink from 2016.
My Review: This red wine had a nose of dark berries and smelled musky, like old wood. The tongue was acidic with hints of pine and dark berries that mellowed out with a smooth, long finish with a bit of heat and mild pepper. It had a good mouth feel and was full bodied. I would age this wine a year or two longer before drinking it.
With Food: No

Dinner - "Palisades (Italy)"

Last Wednesday, my friend Sierra and I went to Palisades in Eggleston, VA with a couple friends for Wines Around the World featuring Italy. Therefore, we share some of the images from our dinner. It was a beautiful day to go out to dinner, and unfortunately the number of guests who got the special exceeded the supplies. Therefore, two of the three food items were different than those listed on the Wines Around the World menu.

Sierra and I at Palisades for Wines Around the World featuring Italy.

Our Italy-themed dinner included a slice of pita bread with white bean hummus, winter bruschetta, and a slice of Taste of Italy Pizza with tomato, mozzarella, parmesan, Kalamata olives, and pepperoni. 

Slice of pita bread with white bean hummus.

Winter bruschetta.

Taste of Italy Pizza with tomato, mozzarella, parmesan, Kalamata olives, and pepperoni.

The pita with white bean hummus was delicious. It was extremely flavorful, like salsa mixed with white beans and peppers. The winter bruschetta was also very tasty and refreshing, with bursts of crab, creamy cheese and sweet green apples. The Taste of Italy Pizza was very savory. It was like a typical good, non-greasy pepperoni pizza with olives and fresh arugula.

La Carraia Orvieto Classico 2013

La Carraia Orvieto Classico 2013 image from http://tinyurl.com/87q9v3m.

The first wine of the pairings was La Carraia Orvieto Classico 2013 from Umbria, Italy. This white wine is 40% Grechetto, 30% Trebbiano, and 30% Malvasia. It had a nose of butter and fresh grass, and a scent like a clean room. It starts with a tongue of fresh grass and a citrus, mineral bite. It finishes dry. I really enjoyed this wine by itself.

The La Carraia Orvieto Classico in the tasting glass.

With the pita and white bean hummus, the white wine paired very well. It was delicious--very smooth and fresh, and the bite and mineral taste went away. The wine paired well with the winter bruschetta too. It was refreshing and brought out the basil taste in the food. I didn't favor the white wine paired with the pizza, because it made the wine taste bitter.

Tiamo Chianti 2013

Tiamo Chianti 2013 image from http://tinyurl.com/olpk6fv.

The second wine was Tiamo Chianti 2013 from Tuscany, Italy. It is 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon with a nose of alcohol and dark berries. It had a very strong dark berry taste that was mineraly and had a slight bite. The mouth feel was on the lighter side. I would enjoy this wine with something savory.

The Tiamo Chianti 2013 in the tasting glass.

Paired with the pita and white bean hummus, the Tiamo Chianti was okay. It still had the slight bite, but the dark berry taste was lessened to a more tolerable level. With the bruschetta, the dryness was brought out and the dark berry taste became subtle. I enjoyed this pairing. I did not favor this wine paired with the pizza because it brought out the tannins and bitter dark berry taste.

Bonaventura Rosso Toscano 2009

Bonaventura Rosso Toscano 2009 image from http://tinyurl.com/ow68fn2.

The third wine of the pairings was Bonaventura Rosso Toscano 2009 from Tuscany, Italy. This Sangiovese had a nose of cherries and cow dung with a tongue of dark berries, cherries, tannins, and spice. It had a very dry, tannic, and complex finish. It gave a very interesting tasting experience.  

The Bonaventura Rosso Toscano 2009 in the tasting glass.

The third wine was decent paired with the pita and white bean hummus. While it brought out the cow dung taste, it wasn't bad because it was well balanced with the salsa-like taste of the hummus. I didn't favor the third wine with the bruschetta because it brought out a tannic, strong dark cherry taste. I enjoyed the third wine the most with the pizza, with which it was originally paired. It brought out the cherry taste in the wine and softened the tannins.

Thoughts

This is my first experience tasting good quality Old World red wines. I enjoyed their complexity and had to taste them several times to fully describe them. Even with that, I couldn't describe the third wine completely. It was an eye-opening experience and I can see why many people are so fascinated with wine enough to make a career of reviewing it. I look forward to expanding my palate with Old World wines. 

Tasting - "Hahn Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling"

Name: Hahn Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Piesport
Country: Germany
Year: Unknown
Price: $9.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): This wine’s light, airy mouthfeel belies its sweetness and intensity of flavor. Honeyed pineapple aromas; similar flavors on the palate, adding gentle citrus notes toward the long, sweet finish.
My Review: This wine had a pleasant nose of roses. It tasted like refreshing roses, but unfortunately had an acidity that tasted like stomach acid. Therefore, I probably wouldn't drink this wine again.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Tres Ojos Garnacha Calatayud 2012"

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha Calatayud
Variety: 85% Old Vine Garnacha, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Tempranillo, 1% Syrah
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Wine Critic Review (Robert Parker): The 2012 Tres Ojos Garnacha contains 15% Tempranillo (I wonder why), and unoaked cuvée of 200,000 bottles that matures in vat for at least seven months before bottling. What I tasted was a very honest, fresh and fruit-driven red with aromas of cherries, garrigue and thyme with a medium-bodied palate, some weight and tannins that would do better with food. This is a red that sells for a song.
My Review: This wine had a nose of blackberries and raspberries. It tasted of tannins and raspberries. It was dry with lots of body. I enjoyed the experience of drinking this wine.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Torre Castillo Cosecha Monastrell 2011"

Name: Torre Castillo Cosecha Monastrell
Variety: Monastrell
Region: Jumilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): 100% Monastrell, aged in American oak for four months. Bright ruby. Powerful, spicy aromas of dark berry preserves and lavender. Fleshy and round on the palate, offering spicy blackberry and blueberry flavors and gaining sweetness with air. Finishes smooth, long and slightly warm. 
My Review: Nose of alcohol with a hint of dark berries. It tasted strongly of oak and dark berries, but not in a bad way. I enjoyed the experience of drinking this wine.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Chateau Suau Bordeaux Rose 2013"

Name: Chateau Suau Bordeaux Rose
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon 
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $18 Regular, $7.95 Sale
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Light, lurid pink.  Tangerine, raspberry and white pepper on the fragrant nose.  Juicy and focused in the mouth, offering zesty red berry flavors with a refreshingly bitter edge.  Closes clean and tight, with lingering spiciness and a touch of orange zest.
My Review: The nose on this wine was predominately alcohol and reminded me of orange kitchen cleaner. It tasted like orange cleaner and stomach acid, like when you get sick. I did not like this wine at all. 
With Food: No

Tasting - "Terre di Poggio Laude Pecorino 2013"

Name: Terre di Poggio Laude Pecorino
Variety: Pecorino
Region: Terre di Chieti
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Bright and savory, this floral scented Pecorino offers juicy tropical fruit and lemon drop sensations accented by notes of mint and thyme. The ripe fruit is balanced by brisk acidity that leaves the palate feeling cleansed and refreshed.
My Review: The nose on this wine was predominately alcohol and reminded me of lemon kitchen cleaner. It also tasted like bitter lemon cleaner. The acidity was too high for my liking and I did not favor the taste. 
With Food: No

Tasting - "Peter Mertes Riesling Platinum 2013"

Name: Peter Mertes Riesling Platinum
Variety: Riesling
Region: Rheinhessen
Country: Germany
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): This quality Riesling is crisp, clean and easy drinking. Floral and fruit aromas suggest sweet melon and honey with enough acidity to ensure a beautifully balanced and versatile wine.
My Review: This wine had a nose of pineapple and tasted like pineapple. The tongue was dry. I quite liked this wine and would drink it again by itself.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone 2013"

Name: Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone
Variety: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): 56 Ha grown organically since March 2009 (in conversion). Part of the vineyard is plowed with horses. Average age of the vines : 30 years old. Clear ruby wine with overtones of red berry fruits. Round and supple with smooth aftertaste. A good all round red wine for meat courses, poultry and light cheeses. Best drunk now while fresh with good keeping up to 4 years.
My Review: This wine had a nose of blueberry. The tongue was tart and dry. I probably wouldn't have this wine by itself as a result, but I would have it with food. 
With Food: No

Tasting - "Terre di Poggio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Laude 2012"

Name: Terre di Poggio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Laude
Variety: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Region: Abruzzo
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): This opens with dark aromas of leather, tobacco, cured meat, plum and prune. It shows soft tannins and loads of dark fruit on the finish.
My Review: This wine had a nose of plum. It had a very dry, dark fruit tongue. The mouth feel was on the lighter side. I would like to try drinking this paired with cheese!
With Food: No

Tasting - "Sean Minor Pinot Noir Rose Vin Gris 2013"

Name: Sean Minor Pinot Noir Rose Vin Gris
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Carneros
Country: California
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): The Vin Gris is a bright and vibrant salmon color with cherry, strawberry, cranberry and ripe watermelon aromas on the nose.  On entry, the wine displays bright strawberry flavors. Throughout the mid-palate and finish, raspberry and cherry fruit characters are balanced with spicy and crisp acidity that linger creating a refreshing and lengthy finish. 
My Review: This wine had a nose of fresh fruit, the specifics of which I couldn't place. It tasted like slightly tart fresh fruit. Nevertheless, it was also quite refreshing and had a good mouth feel. I would drink this wine again.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Grande Resereve des Bastides Gaillac 2013"

Name: Grande Resereve des Bastides Gaillac
Variety: 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Loin de l'Oeil, 30% Mauzac Blanc
Region: Gaillac
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $9.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): A crisp and fruity blend featuring 20% of the herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc, 50% creamy Loin de l’Oeil and notes of fresh apple and crisp pear, plus a touch of herb from the 30% Mauzac. It has a bright feel, with a hint of mineral on the finish.
My Review: This wine had a fresh pear and apple nose. It tasted like tart pear and apple. It was very refreshing and well-balanced, in between dry and sweet. I really liked this wine and would drink it again by itself. 
With Food: No

Dinner - "Palisides (Oregon)"

This past Wednesday, I took my boyfriend Josh with me to Palisades in Eggleston, VA to experience the Wines Around The World special. The Oregon-themed dinner included bacon-wrapped and roasted Quail Leg, Smoked Pacific Salmon in a blackberry gastrique, and Oregon Forage Pizza with mushrooms, hazelnuts, and Havarti cheese.

Josh and I were seated near the entrance of Palisades.

The Quail Leg in bacon was incredibly savory and juicy. The quail leg itself was very tasty, and the bacon added a saltiness that was quite welcome. The Smoked Pacific Salmon with blackberry gastrique was both sweet and smoky. I haven't had salmon cooked this way before; it tasted like it was artificially salmon flavored and sweetened. The thick toasted bread/cracker it was on had an odd texture. I unfortunately didn't like this dish as a result, which I think affected my wine pairing results for this one as a result. The Oregon Forage Pizza was absolutely delicious. I even contemplated getting a whole pizza to eat all by myself. The combination of mushroom and Havarti cheese complimented each other, and the pizza was well balanced--not too greasy or overwhelming at all.

From left to right: Quail Leg, Smoked Pacific Salmon, and Oregon Forage Pizza.

Wildewood Pinot Noir 2013

Wildewood Pinot Noir 2013 image from http://tinyurl.com/osshw8d.

The first wine of the pairings was Wildewood Pinot Noir 2013 from Willamette Valley, Oregon. This red wine is 100% pinot noir and has a nose of dark berries that also comes in subtly on the tongue. It was dry with medium body and a short finish. This wine was a little drier than I usually prefer.

The Wildewood Pinot Noir in the tasting glass.

The pinot noir was originally paired with the Quail Leg. The savory, juicy quail brought out the dry, dark berry taste of the pinot noir. I quite liked this effect, although the two different flavors (savory vs. fruity) were in danger of clashing. The dryness helped it stay at bay. The salmon, on the other hand, brought out a bitterness in the wine as well as the dark berry taste. This clashed and I didn't like this pairing at all. As for the pizza, it brought out the dark berry taste and a sweet, mushroom-y taste not from the pizza itself. The sweetness it brought out was too much for my liking as it clashed with the cheesy pizza. 

A to Z Rosé

A to Z Rosé 2014 image from http://tinyurl.com/ozjemrq.

The second wine of the pairings was A to Z Rosé 2014 from Oregon and is 100% sangiovese. It had a very prominent strawberry nose and a tongue of fresh strawberry with a slight bite and a long, fresh, and warm finish. 

The A to Z Rosé in the tasting glass. 

The rosé was originally paired with the salmon. The combination of the sweet dish and the wine brought out even more sweetness in the wine that I didn't favor. With the quail leg, the strawberry and alcohol taste was brought out much more. Although the fruitiness didn't quite match with the savory quail, the taste of the wine was so delicious as a result that I actually liked it. With the pizza, the sweetness was brought out just a touch so that it was not overwhelming, and I could taste more of the strawberry. I definitely liked this pairing as well.

Wildewood Pinot Gris 2013

Wildewood Pinot Gris 2013 image from http://tinyurl.com/okwyqsj.

The final wine of the pairings was also a Wildewood wine, Wildewood Pinot Gris 2013 from Willamette Valley, Oregon that is 100% pinot gris. This white wine had a fresh pear nose, a dry tongue, and a long, warm finish with a nice hint of acidity. 

The Wildewood Pinot Gris in the tasting glass.

The pinot gris was originally paired with the pizza. The pizza brought out a sweetness in the wine, which I actually did not favor. With the salmon, the acidity came out and clashed with the sweetness, which I also did not like. The quail, on the other hand, brought out a freshness in the wine which was very refreshing, and the tongue of the wine was also more prominent. 

Thoughts

The wines for the pairings came in little tasting glasses. While they were perfectly portioned for the activity, they made it impossible to swirl and very difficult to sniff (I put my nose right in the first one by accident). Nevertheless, the flavors of the wines still came out when paired with the food. 

The little tasting glasses the wines were served in. While the portions were favorable, they made it impossible to swirl and sniff.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed my experience at Palisades. While the original pairings were not always to my favor, there was another wine in the pairing that went well with the food. I also liked the portion sizes of both the food and the wine. I look forward to my next experience at Palisades for Wines Around the World.

Tasting - "Bolla Moscato"

Name: Bolla Moscato
Variety: Muscat
Region: Pavia
Country: Italy
Year: Unknown
Price: $9.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Loaded with juicy exotic fruit, mature apricot, yellow peach and tangerine flavors, this sweet and delightful wine is perfect for Sunday brunch or picnics.
My Review: Thank goodness this wine did not taste like it smelled! It had a nose of skunk, like when you're driving down the highway and the aroma wafts through your car. The tongue was sweet, like pineapple juice. I liked the taste but probably would not drink it because of the nose. 
With Food: No

Tasting - "Monte Degli Angeli Sangiovese 2013"

Name: Monte Degli Angeli Sangiovese
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): The aromas are rich and dark, with lots of black cherry and a hint of balsamic. In the mouth the wine is round and energetic, with cherry and black raspberry fruit complemented by hints of damp earth. If you like Sangiovese-based wines like Chianti or our best-selling Colsanto from Umbria, you'll love this! The wine is ripe, fresh, and fruit-driven with a wonderful dash of earthy complexity at the end. Buy it by the case and drink with pizza, grilled poultry, and pasta.
My Review: I had trouble placing the nose on this one, although it was pleasant and smelled like some sort of sweet berry. This red wine was dry and I could tell there were tannins present, giving it a slight bite. I also didn't mind this wine and would have it with food. 
With Food: No

Tasting - "Oracle Pinotage 2013"

Name: Oracle Pinotage
Variety: Pinotage
Region: Unknown
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price: $7.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): An unusual style of Pinotage with complex aromas of black pepper, smoke, tomato, and dark fruit. The palate is packed with ripe mixed berry flavors, making this unoaked red wine a real crowd-pleaser.
My Review: The nose was interesting and bold on this wine, reminding me of dark berries, blackberries, black pepper, and dark chocolate. The tongue was on the bitter side in the mid palate and had a short finish. I didn't mind this wine and would drink it with something savory.  
With Food: No

Tasting - "Alvarez de Toledo Godello 2013"

Name: Alvarez de Toledo Godello
Variety: Verdelho/Godello
Region: Bierzo
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Clean pale yellow color. Nose fruity, persistent and elegant aromas. Good backbone on the palate.
My Review: The nose reminded me of fresh pineapple. This white wine was refreshing and nicely balanced with a dry mid palate all the way to the finish. I enjoyed this wine and would have it with creamy dishes or by itself.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Villa Jolanda Brut"

Name: Villa Jolanda Brut
Variety: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Gris
Region: Unknown
Country: Italy
Year: Unknown
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste.
My Review: The nose on this sparking white wine reminded me of fresh pears, and the tongue was dry and carbonated. It had a long finish. I prefer sweeter white wines, so I would give this wine a pass.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Villa Pozzi Moscato"

Name: Villa Pozzi Moscato
Variety: Muscat
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: Unknown
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Loaded with juicy exotic fruit, mature apricot, yellow peach and tangerine flavors, this sweet and delightful wine is perfect for Sunday brunch or picnics.
My Review: The nose was pleasantly floral and rich. The tongue was sweet and had a slight bite from the carbonation. It had a short finish. I quite enjoyed this wine and would drink it again by itself.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Cortenova Pinot Grigio 2013"

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste.
My Review: This wine had a nose of fresh pear and pineapple. The tongue was lemon-y with good body and there was a long finish. I didn't like the bite from the acidity, however. 
With Food: No

Tasting - "Mars and Venus Chardonnay 2013"

Name: Mars and Venus Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag. No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple.  Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping.
My Review: This wine had a floral and pineapple nose. The tongue was bitter and had a short finish. I would give this wine a pass.
With Food: No

Tasting - "Paul Laureano Tinto Classico 2013"

Name: Paul Laureano Tinto Classico
Variety: 40% Trincadeira, 40% Aragonez, 20% Alfrocheiro
Region: Alentejano
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): This is a full bodied red that reveals all that the terroir of Portugal has to offer. Light cigar tobacco and soft leather present beautifully on the nose. Dark, black fruits fill the mouth, but the wine flows smoothly over the palate, with a good bit of spice on the finish. Pair with spicy, cured meats and hard cheeses.
My Review: This wine had a nose of dark berries, blackberries, and alcohol. The tongue was very bitter and dry with a short finish. I would give this wine a pass because it didn't taste like much and it had no body. 
With Food: No

Tasting - "Bodegas Atalaya Laya 2013"

Name: Bodegas Atalaya Laya
Variety: 70% Garnacha Tintorera/Alicante Bouschet, 30% Monastrell
Region: Almansa
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Wine Critic Review (Provided by Vintage Cellar): Fermented in stainless steel, followed by four months in French oak.  Bright purple.  Cassis, blueberry, pungent herbs and mocha on the nose.  Smooth and open-knit on the palate, displaying fresh cherry and dark berry qualities and a hint of black pepper.  Finishes with gripping tannins and good length, leaving a subtle floral note behind.
My Review: This wine had an alcohol, dark chocolate nose. The tongue had hints of dark chocolate and had a bite at the end. This wine was decent; I didn't dislike it and would drink it again.
With Food: No