Wine Tasting Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz

Name: Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz 
Region: 
Country: South Eastern Australia 
Year: NV
Price: $9.95

Winery review: A relatively light, fresh style of sparkling Shiraz, with berries and hints of chocolate picking up just a touch of sweet vanilla on the finish. 

My review: The wine had a sweet chocolaty smell with a mix of berry. The wine had a nice semi-sweet taste, which I really enjoyed because the sweetness didn't over power the wine but I could still taste the berries. The wine left a slight tingle to my tongue which made my mouth water more. This was a very good balanced wine. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Tres Ojos Garnacha

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha
Variety: Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

Winery review: This 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. Enjoy with sausages, roasted meats, aged cheeses etc. 

My review: This wine had a very nice berry smell. This wine was fruitier than most red wines I've had. I could really taste the mixed berries in this red wine. It was a little dry but it was a good balance to the fruitiness of the wine. There was a little bitterness at the finish which I thought meshed well with the wine. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Montebuena

Name: Montebuena
Variety: Tempranillo 
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Winery review: Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Piliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fire-grained tannis providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja.

My review: This wine had a sweet berry smell that made my mouth water. I can't say the same about the taste however. The wine was really strong and acidic. There was so much body and flavor that it created an unbalance in the wine, and it made it difficult to drink. The finish was a little dry and it didn't match anything that the wine had going. Overall I did not enjoy this wine at all. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Sainte Victorie Cotes de Provence

Name: Sanite Victorie Cotes de Provence
Variety: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault 
Region: Provence
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Winery review: Bright Salmon pink; typical of the fresh but warm Provence style. Refine and complex on the nose, with summer fruit and floral notes. Dry and crisp, with a delicate flavor and full texture.

My review: The wine had a nice floral smell to it. The color of the wine was a lot lighter than the rose I was use to seeing. The wine was tart with a bitter after taste. It was a little but dry but it had a good balance with the crispness of the wine. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Canyon Road Chardonnay

Name: Canyon Road Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay 
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

Winery review: Medium- bodied wine with notes of crisp apple and ripe citrus fruit with a hint of cinnamon spice. Delicious complement to grilled chicken, lighter pasta dishes or mild cheese

My review: The wine smelled of granny smith apples with a sweet twist. The taste was tart but crisp with a smooth finish. Overall the wine was pretty good. I would like to try it with some chicken to see how it will taste. 


I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Potluck Sweet Malbec

Name: Potluck Sweet Malbec
Variety: Malbec 
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95

Winery review: Deep red brilliant with violent hints. Complex, fruity, and predominant red fruits. Easy to drink, round with persistent sweetness, very well balanced with sweet tannins.

My review: The wine had a sweet berry mixed with pomegranate smell to it. I loved the aromas of the wine. There were little tartic crystals at the bottom of the glass which was something I've never seen before. It was quite interesting to see that in a wine for the first time. The wine itself was a little dry. There was a bitterness to it but it wasn't too over powering. It was complex but not to the extreme.   

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Domaine de Grange de Payan

Name: Domaine de Grange de Payan
Variety: Grenache
Region: Cotes du Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Winery review: Intensely spicy and precise, with lively red berry flavors and a hint of black pepper. The Grenache, which makes up the majority of the wine, is deeper and more powerful, offering cherry and black raspberry qualities lifted by zesty minerality 

My review: This wine smelled of intense cherries. The first initial smell was a big tannic cherry smell, it was quite intense. The wine was really bitter and mineral tasting. It was something really different for me and I did not enjoy it. I couldn't get past the mineral and bitter taste to taste anything else. I did not enjoy this wine at all. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Tinto Figaro

Name: Tinto Figar
Variety: 100% Garnacha
Region: Calatayd
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $6.95

Winery review: Figaro is 100% Garnacha, made from a selection of the best grapes grown in the oldest vineyards. While not truly an "oaked wine", a short stay in oak barrels provides a nice spicy flavor boost. Bright violet. Dark berry and cherry aromas show a jammy aspect. Supple and gently sweet, with good lift to its black raspberry and boysenberry flavors. Smooth and broad on the finish, leaving behind a hint of spiciness. Extremely easy to drink and an excellent value. 

My review: This wine had a really strong tannic, cherry smell. It was so strong that I ended up coughing after the first sip of wine. It was a bit complex than the wines that I've had in the past. The wine was also bitter with a little spice kick at the end. It was an interesting wine but I wouldn't want too much of it. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Maipe Malbec Rose

Name: Maipe Malbec Rose
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winery review: Intense pink color with violet hints. Fresh red fruit bouquet, strawberry and cherry flavors, balanced acidity, dry and lingering finish. Excellent with tuna or green salad, pasta, spicy Asian dishes.

My review: This wine had a cherry smell mixed with tannic. I'm not a big fan of that smell. The wine was a little semi-sweet, which I enjoyed. There was berry flavors that left a tingle on the tongue. It was a little dry but I think it was a really good balance. Overall I thought it was a good wine. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Corenova Pinot Grigio

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio
Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region:
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Winery review: 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. Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi, spaghetti with clams, sole in white wine. Perfect also as an aperitif.

My review: The wine had a green apple smell. I didn't smell any of the pears or apricots, just apples. The wine itself tasted tart and crisp. There was a tartness in the wine that gave it a bite at the end. It was really easy to drink as well.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Vin Blanc

Name: Vin Blanc
Variety: 
Region: Virginia
Country: US
Year: NV
Price: $17.95

Winery review: Vin Blanc is meant to capture the lighter qualities of floral, semi-sweet Riesling, while adding its own natural flavors of lemon and pineapple. Ideal for spicy Thai food or cheese and fruit.  

My review: I loved the sweet fruity smell that the wine gave off. It had a mix of lycee and lemon and I loved the combination of the two. The wine tasted of sweet berries mixed with the tartness of lemons. I absolutely loved this wine. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Petit Verdot NV

Name: Petit Verdot NV
Variety: 100% Verdot
Region:  Virginia
Country: US
Year: NV
Price: $21.95

Winery review: This unique wine delivers a burst of dark fruit tempered by black currant, spices and tobacco. A touch lighter than previous vintages, the tannic structure leaves a dry finish with lingering notes of orange flowers and chocolates, rosemary and thyme. 

My review: The wine had a very herby smell to me, it reminded me of some sort of Chinese medicine mixed with some fruits. When I tasted the wine I could definitely taste the herbs with a bit of tartness. I enjoyed the herb taste because it did bring me a bit closer to home. The wine was also really dry but that fit into my perception of Chinese herb medicine. Overall good wine but I'm not so sure I would want to drink it more than 1 glass because it was quite strong. 


I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Johannisberg Riesling

Name: Johannisberg Riesling
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region:  Virginia
Country: US
Year: 2011
Price: $21.95

Winery review: A perfect match of acidity and fruitiness. With only half of a percent of residual sugar, this is our first dry Riesling in a long time. This wine offers rich apricot and orange peel aromas with honey and lemon flavors on the palate. 

My review: The wine smelled really fruity. It seemed like I was smelling a citrus fruit punch, so that was quite lovely. The wine itself had hints of apricot which I loved, and a little bit of lemon. It was tart but just the right amount of tartness. A little dry but it seemed to combine well with the tartness. Overall I enjoyed this wine.  

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Chardonnay Reserve

Name: Chardonnay Reserve
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region:  Virginia
Country: US
Year: 2011
Price: $24.95

Winery review: Rich pineapple and vanilla aromas precede delicious granny smith apple, honey, and pear notes across the palate. Hints of oak in the finish add weight, grace, and elegant.   

My review: The wine smelled of butter mixed with some cheese and oak, which made it seem very creamy. The wine was very smooth and easy to go down. It tasted tart with a hint of apples. I enjoyed this wine for the creaminess mixed with fruit. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting Pinot Gris

Name: Pinot Gris
Variety: varietal
Region:  Virginia
Country: US
Year: 2011
Price: $17.95

Winery review: Crisp acidity and bright citrus flavors are beautifully expressed by this varietal. A fragrant nose of lemon zest and orange blossom is followed by flavors of apple and lime on the palate, and a clean finish.  

My review: The wine smelled of pears mixed with orange. The wine tasted tart and very crisp. It was an easy wine to drink and there was nice finish. I really enjoyed the tart pear flavor that accompanied the crispness of the wine. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Jefferson Vineyard Winery

On March 11, 2013, my sister and I went to Jefferson Vineyards in Charlottesville, VA. The place was in the middle of no where. We had to drive through some rocky roads before getting to the vineyard.

Barrels outside of the shop

The building was a small little house with the walls lined with their wines. The tour of their winery was nice but cold. I was expecting to taste some wines during this visit but they were done for the day so we had to come back another day for the tastings.

Crushing machine

The first place they showed us was the machine they used to crush all the grapes. Everything was done in the steel crushing machine. I was surprised that they only had 1 machine with how many bottles of wine they produce. 

Steel barrels

Then they showed us where they fermented and then stored the grapes. A lot of the grapes they used were aged in the steel barrels. They leave the grapes in the steel barrels from a few months to a few years, depending on the type of wine they are producing.

Barrel room

After the steel barrels they take the wine and put them in wooden barrels for a few months. The room that held the barrels was really cold. The room wasn't air conditioned or anything, just really dark and cold. I was surprised at how cold it was considering it wasn't in the basement or anything. They also said that there were some wines that they stored for a year or more after they had been bottled. It was cool to be able to see a winery that stores their wine after bottling for a year before they release it, because Boyer said that not that many wineries would do that unless they were well established. I didn't think this was a well established winery until our tour guide told us how they store bottles of wine. After seeing all the rooms and barrels we went to see the vineyard, but there wasn't much to see...

Everything was bare and they were just starting the harvest. I was a bit disappointed because I was hoping to try some of the grapes during this visit. But maybe next time.

Me

My sister

I enjoyed my visit to this winery because of the history behind it. The tour guide told us the winery had been around since before the Civil War. The land was originally owned by Thomas Jefferson and he gave the land to an Italian to produce a vineyard and winery.