An early dinner meal with three distinct wines and food from West End, featuring warm temps and the first sunshine rays of the season.

Three wines on their own

Better Wine Co.’s Nitro Rosé Spritzer — This rosé spritzer smelled sweet, with notes of strawberry and bamboo. The taste, however, was far from the pleasantries of its aroma. I mostly tasted gas, similar to the taste of helium when you suck in a balloon and go high-pitched for a gleeful moment. I am guessing this is the nitrogen that the winemakers added to the can in order to create a richer and frothier texture.

Boet le Roux Old Vine Colombard 2016 — 100% Colombard — There was a grassy scent to this one. Most prominent, however, were the herbal notes. There was a pleasant medium body, but high level of acidity. There was nothing buttery or mellow about this wine, characteristics that I’ve come to enjoy and look for in white wines. There was no aftertaste at all.

Mas Fi Brut Cava NV — 40% Xarel•lo, 35% Macabeo, 25% Parellada — The wine itself smelled delicious. The bouquet was similar to other Spanish wines I’ve tasted. It smelled warm with notes of dark caramel. This cava was light bodied with fine bubbles. There was a strong aftertaste that lasted about five seconds.

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Appetizer

Our first course was a flavorful cheese sandwich. On a bread roll from JP Chop’s in West End, I slapped on a slice of Pimento Colby and a slice of Sriracha Jack. It was a spicy, creamy sandwich that I could eat over and over

I paired this appetizer with the old vine colombard. Although they say that spicy foods should be paired with a similar, spicy wine, I felt the colombard would be a good pair as the other two wines on the table were quite fizzy, and might clash with the spicy dish. This was an excellent pairing! The acidity of the white cut through the richness of the two cheeses. The flavors of the cheeses still shone through because their flavors were quite strong. The wine did not affect the flavor of the cheeses. The wine did enhance the bready flavor of the roll. The liquid softened the texture of the bread as well. I enjoy soft foods, so this was pleasant for me. The food made the wine taste slightly more acidic. The wine did not become more unpleasant, but I felt more of a pucker when the wine was paired with the cheese and bread. Overall, the colombard white wine with the spicy cheese sandwich was a great pairing.

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Le Plat Principal

I give you, my favorite dinner selection at West End!! This is the freshly cooked salmon on a white roll, complimented with dill mayo. This scrumptious meal can be found on the ~fancy~ side of JP Chop’s.

I decided to pair the nitro rose with our main dish. I don’t love the over-fizzy rosé but decided to take a chance on it. I was pleasantly surprised by its ability to shine with the salmon dish. The light acidity of the wiwne nicely complimented the fish. The wine brought out salty flavors of the dish. Because the salmon sandwich was light in flavor, I thought the fizzy nature of the rosé was able to amplify the salmon flavor. The food made the wine less fizzy and carbon dioxide-smelling. The wine and food did not overpower each other. Rather, they were perfect compliments.

Dessert

Finally, for dessert, we chose a decadent, three-tiered, chocolate ganache cake with peanuts on the side.

The Spanish sparkling wine was a wonderful significant other to the rich chocolate cake. The acidity and freshness of the cava cut through the density of the chocolate quite nicely. The wine nor the cake affected each other’s flavors and textures. Rather, the flavors were complimented by each other, and did not clash whatsoever. I would pair this cava and chocolate cake together any day, everyday.

Name: Dr. Henry John Lindeman’s Bin 85 Crisp Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2018

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: “Notes of tropical fruits intertwined with lemon & green apple. A medium bodied palate with grapefruit acidity supported by subtle fruit sweetness make for a crisp, fresh palate with a lingering finish.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: This pinot grigio was light and refreshing. There were hints of fresh fruit and pears. I also picked up the scent of salty saltine crackers. The wine was light bodied, sweet, and acidic. There was definitely a mouth pucker here. No aftertaste. No food pairing for this wine or any of the other wines today.

Name: Santa Julia Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2018

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: “This Pinot Grigio has delightful, ripe fruit aromas of pears, apple, melon, and some tropical notes of pineapple and banana. It has good balance, nice acidity, and a long, fresh finish.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: Strong notes of citrus in my nose for this pinot grigio. Flavor: none. Mouthfeel: medium body. Acidity level: high. There was a pleasant aftertaste that lasted about ten seconds. I would have liked to pair this crisp white wine with a thick and creamy cheese. I think the acid would cut the richness quite nicely.

Name: Rubus Proprietary Reserve Red

Variety: 44% Rubired, 31% Durif, and 25% Shiraz

Region: South Eastern Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2014

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: “Deep, dark ruby color, aromas of blue fruits, confectionery and subtle licorice characters, thick luscious palate with good structure and soft finish. A blend of Durif, also known as Petite Sirah, a grape known for its very aromatic, plummy character. Rubired is a cross between Tinto Cao and Alicante Ganzin, known for being particularly adapted to the hot climate and producing dark wines. And Shiraz, which we all know for being the most recognized grape varietal of Australia, brings some minty, spicy and fruity characteristics to the wines.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: Mmmm I could spray this wine in my house all winter long. That being said, this red blend was a thick, warm aroma. Strong notes of jammy red berries as well as dried cherries. For such a dark and strongly smelling wine, the body was surprisingly light. The balance was absolutely spot on. Slight astringency at the back of my throat. The aftertaste lasted about five seconds. I would definitely drink this wine again, over a spicy dinner, maybe in the wintertime.

Name: Bodegas Breca Garnacha de Fuego

Variety: Grenache [Garnacha de Aragón]

Region: Towns of Munébrega, Murero, and Paracuellos, Zaragoza, in the south of D.O. Calatayud

Country: Spain

Year: 2017

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: “Brought up in a mix of concrete and stainless steel, the 100% Garnacha 2017 Garnacha de Fuego offers a deep black/purple color to go with terrific notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, scorched earth, and melted licorice. Ripe, sexy and forward on the palate, with notable purity, it’s a classic Garnacha.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: Another warm wine. Aroma was warm and smelled like red currant. Bouquet contributed the most warm characteristics, like caramel. This garnacha was nicely well-balanced. There was a medium body. A medium level of astringency was felt on the tongue and the back of the throat. A light aftertaste lingered for approximately ten seconds. I would drink this wine again.

Name: Dr. Henry John Lindeman’s Bin 90 Fruity Moscato

Variety: Gordo and White Frontignac

Region: South Eastern Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2017

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: “Modest in alcohol, offering up notes of oranges, melons and honey that are balanced on the finish. The price makes it a bargain.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: I dreaded trying this moscato. The aroma was pleasant. I keep thinking how much I’d like to bottle some of these wines as perfumes and wear them. I did have an eau de toilette from Anthropologie called Rosé that I adored. I digress. This moscato smelled of peaches, nectarines, strawberries, and honey– extra ripe and juicy fruits. There was a medium body but a thick feeling on the tongue. This wine left a sugar coating on the tongue, similar to what happens after you eat a handful of Swedish Fish. It’s not a high quality sweetness here. It simply tasted like artificial candy. Five second aftertaste. Hated it and won’t be picking this bottle up for any occasion.

On a beautiful, sunny Thursday afternoon, my classmate and I skipped from the Vintage Cellar to Kroger to buy some cheese! Before that, we had a delightful tasting and bought some of the most fun and cheapest wines money could buy.

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Our pairing session featured three very different types of wine: a canned rosé nitro spritzer, a classic old vine Colombard, and a mini bottle of Spanish Cava. I like cute and mini things and chose two of the three items– can you tell which?

For the cheeses, we went to the deli section and ordered a quarter pound of each: a Swiss cheese, a pimento Colby, and a Sriracha Jack.

First, I wanted to try the most boring of the three wines.

Colombard white wine: There was a grassy scent to this one. Most prominent, however, were the herbal notes. There was a pleasant medium body, but high level of acidity. There was nothing buttery or mellow about this wine, characteristics that I’ve come to enjoy and look for in white wines. There was no aftertaste at all.

Swiss cheese: Rubbery texture. Subtle effects on the tastebuds. The smell is stronger than the taste here.

Colombard + Swiss: The most distinct change in flavors that I have ever experienced with a pairing! The colombard brought out a lot of extra oomph and pizzazz to our mellow Swiss. The cheese flavor became sharper and better with the wine. I was able to pick up hints up nuttiness in the cheese. As for the wine, the flavor also became stronger as well as more acidic. Swiss cheese and old vine colombard from 2016 is an excellent pairing.

Second, I went with the pimento cheese instead of the sriracha because I thought it might be less spicy than the sriracha cheese and didn’t want to ruin my tastebuds. I thought a sparkling cava would be a refined choice next to spice.

Mas Fi Cava: After learning about Spanish sparking wine this week, I was excited when I spotted this little bottle at the Vintage Cellar. I absolutely love Champagne. For my 21st birthday, I sabered a bottle of Moët with a butter knife. It was clean cut perfection. I was hoping to find a new sparkling wine favorite that isn’t as expensive as the legit “from Champagne” stuff.

The wine itself smelled delicious. The bouquet was similar to other Spanish wines I’ve tasted. It smelled warm with notes of dark caramel. This cava was light bodied with fine bubbles. There was a strong aftertaste that lasted about five seconds.

Pimento Colby: Yum yum yum yum YUM! This cheese was creamy, spicy, and full-flavored. It coated my entire mouth and I wasn’t mad about it at all.

Cava + Pimento Colby: Unfortunately not a good pair. Both the wine and the cheese came on strong individually, and the flavors clashed. There was no change in flavor for each. What acid that was in the wine was not enough to cut the immense creaminess of the cheese. While neither overpowered the other, the clash of flavors made for an unpleasant pairing.

Third, and finally, we have the canned rosé. My first wine in a can!

Nitro Rosé: This rosé spritzer smelled sweet, with notes of strawberry and bamboo. The taste, however, was far from the pleasantries of its aroma. I mostly tasted gas, similar to the taste of helium when you suck in a balloon and go high-pitched for a gleeful moment. I am guessing this is the nitrogen that the winemakers added to the can in order to create a richer and frothier texture.

Sriracha Jack: Although I love Sriracha hot sauce, I surprisingly did not love this cheese. There was a medium level of richness to this sriracha jack, similar to the texture of a plain white cheese.

Nitro Rosé + Sriracha Jack: The immense bubbliness and fuzzy quality of the rosé completely overpowered the cheese. The sriracha jack was hidden. The fizz did cut the creaminess of the cheese. The wine itself did not have much flavor to begin with, so the cheese did not affect the flavor of the wine. The rosé’s fuzzy mouthfeel was still prominent. Together, this was not a good pairing.

Name: Cantina di Gambellara i Basalti

Variety: Garganega

Region: Soave

Country: Italy

Year: 2017

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: “The color is a brilliant straw yellow with fresh fruit perfumes, especially apple and pear, and floral notes such as elder and bloom. The taste is very fresh and fruity, (yellow plum, star fruit and ground ginger), with a very interesting acidity. There is an important presence of mineral salts due to the volcanic origin of the soil.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: Swirl and sniff, I’m going to miss this. This baby white wine smelled youthful. I picked up a berry frozen yogurt scent, like an artificial berry. I also smelled what I can only describe as wet, young twigs, the type of wood that you can try snapping, but it flexes and the inside is lime-green. This white garganega came on strong, but quite pleasantly. There was a full body accompanied by strong acidity. I experienced a strong pucker sensation, following from my mouth to the back of my throat. I did not pair with food, but would like to try again with a creamy cheese. I think the acidity would balance well with thick cream.

Name: Lo-Fi Wines

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Santa Barbara

Country: USA

Year: 2015

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: “The philosophy behind Lo-Fi (just like music production) isn’t to create wine that is too polished or perfect, but rather that which embraces a more natural, raw expression. For winemakers Michael Roth and Craig Winchester, less is more: neutral barrels, native yeasts, little to no sulfur additions, and no acid adjustments. The Chardonnay is aged in 6-year old barrels, then racked and matured in concrete eggs for 6 months. The wine has a leesy texture and crisp snappiness, accompanied by flavors of ripe peach, banana, and white flowers.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: A fun wine to smell! A couple deep inhalations produced scents of herbs and grass. A secondary scent was blueberries. Although I did not completely enjoy this wine as a whole, I really liked its full and buttery mouthfeel. What I didn’t enjoy as much was the aftertaste, as it felt dry, powdery, and rocky. The aftertaste lasted only about ten seconds. I did not pair with food and probably would not drink again.

Name: Quercia al Poggio Chianti Classico

Variety: 80% Sangiovese and 20% Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo and Colorino

Region: Tuscany

Country: Italy

Year: 2009

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: “Showing notes of sandalwood, espresso and red berries on the nose, this wine has a lovely silky attack and an attractive ferrous quality complementing red plum and earth notes. It has excellent length and is ready to drink now. A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 20% Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo and Colorino aged 24 months in 500L oak tonneau. Produced in the Monsanto – Barberino Val d’Elsa zone with limestone and clay soil at about 400m altitude. The 15 ha vineyard is organically farmed.” (90 — i-wine-review)

My Review: Mmmmm, a thick, rich wine right here. I picked up immediate notes of jam, blackberry, and cherry. This chianti was surprisingly light in body, but what it lacked in body, it made up for in astringency! So dry. This was the most drying wine I have ever tasted. The inside of my lips dried up immediately and even after 30 seconds, I felt my tongue was shriveling up. I would recommend to dry-loving friends only. If I were to pair with food, it would have to be with the juiciest cut of meat possible, like a bloody steak or well-cooked pork chop.

Name: Terra dei Trulli Pinnacoli

Variety: Primitivo di Manduria

Region: Manduria

Country: Italy

Year: 2014

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: “A ruby-red wine with full flavors of ripe red fruits and a hint of spice. Pinnacoli has flavors of wild strawberry through the palate, finishes with a rich fullness and hints of cinnamon. Roasted and spiced meats, pasta with meat sauce, game, and spicy cheeses.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: This primitivo really perplexed me for a while. I knew the primary aroma was distinct and something I was familiar with, but I could never quite my finger on it. The best was I could describe the smell is like a beef dish that my mom makes. This red had a spicy bouquet with hits of something warm, like caramelized sugar. There was no spectacular experience here. Medium body and light aftertaste that lasted only about ten seconds. I did not pair with food.

Name: Cobetckoe Πpemиуm

Variety: Soviet Semi-Sweet Red Sparkling

Region: Moldova

Country: Moldova

Year: N/A

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: “Sweet red sparkling wine from Moldova (former Soviet Union) Splendid dark ruby color with rich aromas of blackberry, nicely balanced and full of flavors. Goes well with soft cheeses, ice cream and pudding, as well as fresh fruits and berries.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: I know this scent! I once had a jalapeño beer at Rising Silo in Blacksburg, and this sweet red surprisingly smelled very similar. The tasting itself was pleasant. This sweet red was light bodied and sweet as the label suggests. There was no capsaicin effect despite the spicy jalapeño I smelled. There was barely any aftertaste. I would not purchase this wine but enjoyed it without food during the tasting, mostly because of its distinct scent.

Name: One Pio Lugana

Variety: Trebbiano di Lugano

Region: Lombady

Country: Italy

Year: 2017

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: “100% Trebbiano di Lugana. Soft, harmonious, full and well-balanced wine with straw yellow color. It impresses the nose thanks to its multifaceted and fragrant perfume, that gives off almond and citrus emotions, where it’s possible to recognize even a fresh pineapple touch.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: I enjoyed this wine’s smells and tastes. I picked up strong notes of apple and strawberry, as well as the scent of dry rock gravel. The wine was quite astringent with a medium body. The aftertaste lasted about one full minute. I did not pair with food. I would certainly drink again or buy as a gift for a white wine lover.

Name: Chakana Numa Field White

Variety: Trefilari Catarrato, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Viognier

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2016

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: “This unoaked Agrelo blend combines mostly Sauvignon Blanc with lesser amounts of Chardonnay and Viognier. White peach, lemon and grapefruit flavours combine to good effect here with a refreshing, limestone-like tang. 2017-19” (91 – Tim Atkins)

My Review: This white blend smelled sweet with hints of peach, apricot, and honeysuckle. The taste, however, was not as sweet. This wine actually tasted bitter. I experienced a medium body and a strong aftertaste that coasted my entire mouth, especially the roof of my mouth, for about 40 seconds. I did not particularly enjoy this white and would not buy. It was not paired with food.

Name: Figaro Tinto

Variety: Garnacha

Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Year: 2014

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: “The 100% Garnacha 2016 Figaro Tinto Calatayud is a smoking value and is another red brought in by Kysela that knocks it out of the park on the value scale. Bright berry fruits, dried herbs, earth, and a touch of spice all flow to a medium-bodied, rounded, fleshy red that has loads of upfront charm and accessibility. It’s not going to make old bones, but as a house red to enjoy over the coming couple of years, it’s hard to beat ” (90 – Jeb Dunnuck)

My Review: This red had a warm aroma, characterized by notes of caramel, butterscotch candy, and crunchy forest twigs. For such a light bodied wine, this garnacha surprised me with a strong level of astringency. The wine tinged the back of my throat for a good 15 seconds before mellowing then disappearing after another 20 seconds. I would drink again if it were one of limited options, but I would only recommend to friends who enjoyed high astringency and dryness.

Name: Mt. Monster

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Limestone Coast, CA

Country: USA

Year: 2014

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: “Deep purple in color. Classic aromas of lifted blackcurrant, blackberry and mint on the nose. Flavors follow through of sweet berry-fruit accented by fresh muddled mint. Elegant, structured palate with big velvety tannins.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: What an interesting scent! The guys behind the serving bar were taking notes on what different people smelled. I got the distinct scent of Vick’s VapoRub. Swirl and sniff resulted in a slight burn in my nose, but like the burn of inhaling the scent of a Christmas tree. This cab sauv completely dried out my tongue and the inside of my lips. Although there was a nice full body to the wine, the oaky air overpowered the the wine itself and I could not detect any lighter notes.

Name: Crane Lake

Variety: Moscato

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2017

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: “This sweet wine is light in color with floral aromas including notes of orange blossom, jasmine and honeysuckle. Flavors include peach, melon and spice. This wine can be sipped by itself, but is complementary to a number of foods. With appetizers try prosciutto, melon, brie cheese, or smoked salmon. For a main course I suggest baked ham, grilled red snapper or chicken.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: A sweet wine, ok here we go. Swirl and sniff a few times: honeysuckle, lychee, and artificial bubblegum. This moscato was so sweet. There was so dryness and a medium body. This wine could be called rather dangerous because it was so easy to drink. It really tasted like juice. I would drink again maybe with or as a dessert, but not often. I would definitely recommend for sweet wine drinkers.

Name: Michael Chapoutier Tournon Victoria Mathilda

Variety: Viognier Marsanne

Region: Victoria

Country: Australia

Year: 2014

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: “Orange blossom and mango aromas leap out of the glass, with a fleshy core and a juicy finish, accented by hints of citrus zest. Viognier and Marsanne.” (89 – Wine Spectator)

My Review: Swirl and sniff test: bright and zesty! This viognier marsanne smelled of cranberries and sweet citrus fruits. I enjoyed the taste and mouthfeel of this wine. It was light bodied but still coated my back teeth. The wine tasted sweet but produced a slight pucker in my cheeks. I thought it was well balanced, especially between the sweetness and acidity to alcohol. The aftertaste lasted about four seconds. I did not pair with food, and would say that this wine could be enjoyed by itself.

Name: Casa Bella Provincia di Pavia

Variety: Pinot grigio

Region: Pavia

Country: Italy

Year: 2017

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: ” Produced by macerating Pinot Grigio grape must with its skins. The skins’ pink hue give the wines its copper color. Flavors of green pear, pomegranate, and honeysuckle. It is somewhat of a big burst of opulent tropical flowers, orchid-like scented, with hints of flower, pungent oily floral notes. ” (Orange Wine)

My Review: From this pinot grigio, I got a mellow smell, with characteristics of cherries and candied ginger at the end. Tasty! This rosé was well balanced and light bodied. The wine had a tart flavor, but not too strong. I would describe the tartness as the level of tartness of frozen yogurt (hah, remember when that was the trendiest thing ever). There was no astringency at all. After the initial taste on my tastebuds, I also felt a woody, oaky air come into play. I did not pair with food.

Name: Vina Temprana

Variety: Old Vines Garnacha

Region: Campo de Borja

Country: Spain

Year: 2017

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: “This wine’s bright raspberry and plum aromas are typical of Garnacha. Its fresh, racy palate isn’t heavily structured, offering a lovely mix of plum, oak and chocolate flavors.” (85 – Wine Enthusiast Best Buy)

My Review: There were really fun aromas in this old garnacha. I identified watermelon, tobacco, and wood. This wine was very high in acidity but also in tannins. It had a medium body. The feeling and aftertaste hurt my throat. I hated this wine and would not drink again, paired with or without food.

Name: Bricco dei Tati

Variety: Piemonte Barbera

Region: Piedmont

Country: Italy

Year: 2014

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: “This is a young, fresh, lively Barbera with a persistent and attractive bouquet of black cherries and a bit of spice on the palate. It has few tannins which is typical of the Barbera varietal, and a medium finish. Delightfully approachable, pairs great with cheese, barbecue and game.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: This wine smelled distinctly like oak. I also smelled cherries. Based on my gained knowledge of the use of oak to mask poor quality, I did not have high expectations of this wine. I did not like this wine at all. Tasted so oaky. While there was a pleasant medium body, I didn’t taste a sense of balance at all. The aftertaste was sour on my tongue. I did not pair with food, and would not drink again.

Name: Douglas Hill Sweet Red Table Wine

Variety: Shiraz, Barbera, and Grenache

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: (Blend)

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: “A blend of Shiraz, Barbera, and Grenache with flavors of fresh berries and stone fruits, this sweet-style, easy-drinking wine is delicious when served with appetizers, seafood, shellfish, pork, poultry, and desserts.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: Sweet wine! I don’t like sweet wines, but my mind was open to enjoy this one. The smell was definitely in line with the label: notes of juicy and sweet-smelling origins, like raspberry, nectarine, and honeysuckle. But the taste? I thought I was drinking expired maple syrup. There was no balance. The sugars in this sweet blend tipped the scale too far. The aftertaste, thank goodness, was only about two seconds. I did not pair with food, but if I did, I would pair with a strong cheese that would cut the wine’s sweetness.

[Written in the San Diego Airport on Sunday, March 17, before 12am PDT!!!]

Name: Antonella Cassara

Variety: Trefilari Catarrato

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2016

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: “ Aromas of mature orchard fruit, spring blossom and Herbs de Provence lead the nose. On the tangy palate, a hint of bay leaf accents honeydew melon and citrus. A saline note signals the close.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: The smell of this wine really stays in the nose for a while. I got hits of  cranberry and apple, as well as a mineral undertone. This was very dry but also acidic! I enjoy its balanced qualities and would drink again. There was a medium body. A bitter aftertaste lingered for about ten seconds. I did not pair with food, but would have liked to have a crazy cheese of a juicy fruit with this wine from Antonella Cassara.

Name: Château des Muraires Cotes de Provence Seduction

Variety: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Vermentino, Carignan

Region: Provence

Country: France

Year: 2016

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: “A blend of 35 % Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 10% Vermentino, and 20% Carignana this is a lightly perfumed wine with a strong herbal element. It is a ripe finely structured wine, with great acidity and orange flavors. A style of wine that will be better for a few more months, it should be drunk from late 2017.” (91 – Wine Enthusiast)

My Review: Now this had an interesting smell! I smelled creamy butter and other natural hits, like fresh leaves on a tree. I also smelled dust. Swirl and sip revealed a very light body. Slightly acidic but not unpleasant. Such a light wine. The aftertaste only lingered for about three seconds before dissipating. An average wine. I did not pair with food and would not pair with food for fear that anything else in parallel with this wine would completely overshadow its light presence on the palette.

Name: Crane Lake

Variety: Sangiovese

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2015

Price: $5.95

Winery Review: “Medium-garnet color; blackberry, plum and vanilla aromas; raspberry and cherry flavors; with supple tannins for a soft finish.  This wine pairs well with fresh mozzarella and Brie cheeses. Also try it along with veal piccata, chicken parmesan or meat lasagna.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: Ohhh this wine smelled savory and yummy. I smelled butter, popcorns and blackberries, my favorite berry fruit. Swirl and sip! To my surprise, this wine had a light body. It tasted like a light, natural jam without the feeling of coating the entire mouth. Sweet but balanced but a dry and tannic structure. An aftertaste lingered for about 3 seconds. I did not pair with food.

Name: Hecht & Bannier

Variety: Minervois

Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Year: 2013

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: “Medium-garnet color; blackberry, plum and vanilla aromas; raspberry and cherry flavors; with supple tannins for a soft finish.  This wine pairs well with fresh mozzarella and Brie cheeses. Also try it along with veal piccata, chicken parmesan or meat lasagna.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: Ohhh this wine smelled savory and yummy. I smelled butter, popcorns and blackberries, my favorite berry fruit. Swirl and sip! To my surprise, this wine had a light body. It tasted like a light, natural jam without the feeling of coating the entire mouth. Sweet but balanced but a dry and tannic structure. An aftertaste lingered for about 3 seconds. I did not pair with food.

Name: Declan’s Irish Cream

Variety: Irish Cream

Region: Lewiston, Maine

Country: USA

Year: (It’s a cream)

Price: $11.95

Winery Review: “For a true taste of Ireland without the travel, look no further than Declan’s Irish Cream Wine Cocktail. Inspired by the bold yet tranquil beauty of the Emerald Isle, its rich flavors evoke images of the lush Irish countryside. Delightfully smooth and indulgently sweet, Declan’s is easy to enjoy anywhere and anytime. Whether you take it in coffee or by itself, keep a bottle on your shelf.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: I was not excited to try this. My friend who loves everything sweet, especially his alcohol? I knew he would love this. This Irish cream smelled like a candy store! Specifically, it smelled exactly like my favorite vintage-style candy shop in Tysons Corner called Lolli and Pops. The wine had notes of milk, cinnamon, spiced, and the warmth of Christmas. Swirl and sip! Coats the entire mouth as if you were drinking heavy cream. Well… I’ve never had straight unwrapped heavy cream, but I imagine this is what you’d feel. While I could still taste the alcohol, I also tasted heavy notes of coffee, chocolate, and mocha. Put this in my coffee every morning and I think I’d be a different person. I did not pair with food, but I would love to sip on a mixed drink with this and pair with a crisp, buttery, chocolate ship cookie.

Name: Vina Galana Sangria

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: (Blend)

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: “Natural fruit flavors and succulent red wine all fused together in one bottle. This doesn’t require a punch bowl and big ladle, you can chill your bottle in a cooler and head out to the beach or a hike and enjoy a cup of the best sangria anywhere you choose to be.” (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg)

My Review: Smells like cinnamon! I definitely get the scent of Fireball and sugary, spicy red hot candies. I also smell cloves. I taste snack dried mangoes. This sangria is sweet as hell. No acidity. A slight cinnamon does come across the palette. Not bad but also not amazing. I did not pair with food.

Name: Tres Ojos Old Vines Garnacha

Variety: Garnacha

Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Year: 2016

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: The wine has a brick red color with a bouquet of red raspberries, spice and white pepper. The palate is incredibly concentrated and rich. The modern styles of Garnacha in Spain are continuously being perceived worldwide as wines of extraordinarily good quality. This wine is fruity, juicy and shows a great depth, ripe tannins, length but yet with wonderful elegance and lightness.

My Review: This garnacha wine smelled like rocks and blackberry wine. Delicious! Medium body and very dry mouthfeel. This had an acidic aftertaste that dissipated after about 15 seconds. I did not pair with food this time.