Tasting: Daniel Cellars Aurora Chocolate Raspberry Wine

Name: Daniel Cellars Aurora Chocolate Raspberry Wine
Variety: Red wine
Region: Barboursville, Virginia
Country: USA
Year: -
Price: Frontline $18, Sale $3.95

Winery 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.

My Review: This red wine was BY FAR my favorite wine I've ever tasted. It's definitely a substitute for having dessert in my opinion, as the chocolate and raspberry flavors are STRONG.  I don't like raspberries at all, but the raspberry and chocolate flavors worked incredible together. Without even swirling and sniffing, I was hit almost immediately with the scent of dark chocolate and it reminded me of the chocolate covered acai berries. After the initial sniff and swirl, it smelled like how a grandmothers house would smell, but it was pleasant!

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting: Estrella Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Name: Estrella Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Variety: Cabernet Sauvinon
Region: Napa, California
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: Frontline $17, Sale $5.95

Winery 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.

My Review: This wine smelled like raisins. I definitely received the berry and cherry scents, but I think watermelon is a bit of a stretch from the winery review. The taste was strong on the blueberries and darker fruits. The aftertaste did taste silky and I did get hints of vanilla. I liked this fruity wine and would try it again!

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting: Terre dei Savoia Dolcetto d' Alba

Name: Terre dei Savoia, Dolcetto d' Alba

Variety: Dolcetto

Region: Piedmont

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: Frontline $20, Sale $6.95

Winery 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.

My Review: This wine smelled old, like how I imagine a church would smell or a library with older books. It was sweet, but more savory than sweet. I got a strong berry scent, and upon tasting, a cherry flavor. I did not get an aftertaste of almonds. This wine was very dry, but I did like this wine and would try it again! 

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting: Terra Minei Treixadura Ribeiro

Name: Terra Minei Treixadura Ribeiro
Variety: Treixadura
Region: Ribeiro
Country: Spain
Year: 2015
Price: Frontline $17, Sale $6.95

Winery 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.

My Review: Chemical and sulfur notes in both the smell and the taste. Mineral flavors, like the winery review suggested. I did not get the apple and pear flavors, but more of the mineral, metallic and mineral flavors. Very bold and persistent with flavors. I was not a fan of this wine, but can see how others would like it. 

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting: J&P Matheus Piesporter Treppchen Sauvignon Blanc

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

Winery 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. 

My review: This white wine is citrus-y and acidic. Hints of mangoes and lemon. The aftertaste was a bit strong for me, as I received some chemical/mineral, vibes, as noted in the winery review. Overall, I think it would be nice to drink chilled in the summer, and would drink it again! 

I did not taste this wine with food. 

The First Post!

Hello! My name is Martha Legg and I'm taking Geography of Wine to learn more about wine and expand my knowledge on it so that maybe I can actually enjoy drinking it. Because I am a senior (and am currently looking for jobs), I'm well aware of the fact that potential future employers may take me to dinner and I'd like to know what type of wine pairs well with the food and not look dumb while ordering.

I know almost nothing about wine, as I only ever drink it while I am with family for dinner, and even then it is extended family that brings a random bottle of wine without knowing what is for dinner. Because of this, I drink wine about once a month. I am Chilean on my mom's side and whenever my Chilean family visits, they always bring a bottle of wine and they've told me that they drink wine with every meal they have, so I'd like to get into the habit of having a glass with dinner like my Chilean family does, and exploring new wines while I do so. My roommate last year would always have a glass of wine with dinner, and I always felt a bit intimidated by the wines she had and felt like they were too sophisticated for me.

The first time I had wine was with my roommates a little over a year and a half ago, and it was a cheap bottle of Liberty Creek pink Moscato. It was a very casual setting, so I didn't feel pressured to like or finish the wine, but I distinctly remember hating it and thinking it was too sour. I haven't tried to explore wine because of this, so I have no clue on what flavors and types of wine I like, other than the fact that Liberty Creek pink Moscato is not my friend. Throughout the course of this class, I'd like to be able to appreciate wine, and the culture and history behind various wines, more.

^ This is me!