Tasting - Butterfly Kiss

Name:  Butterfly Kiss
Variety: Moscota
Region:  Central Valley/Southern Region
Country:  Chile
Year:  2015
Price:  $10
Winery review:  Aromas of honeydew and apricot, gently kissed by orange blossom, candied pineapple and a hint of lime zest.
My review:  Unfortunately, the Vintage Cellar was all sold out of this wine, so I was unable to taste or sample it.

Tasting - Purple Paws Zinfandel

Name:  Purple Paws
Variety: Zinfandel
Region:  Lodi, California
Country:  United States
Year:  2012
Price:  $15
Winery review:  Our 2012 Lodi Zinfdandel exhibits hints of cherry on the front of your palate and vanilla on the finish that will have you begging for more. Like most zinfandels it pairs well with good friends and barbecue.  The Vintage Cellar also added that this is a lighter zinfandel, and has a lower percentage of alcohol - only 13.5%, compared to a normal range of 14-15.5%.
My review:  I picked up on smokey, black pepper/spicy, and raspberry tones.  I could see myself drinking this wine on its own, or paired with food.  I did not try it with food.

Tasting - Purple Paws Cabernet Sauvignon

Name:  Purple Paws
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Non-Vintage
Region:  Lodi, California
Country:  United States
Year:  Not Specified
Price:  $15
Winery Review:  Our 2012 Lodi Cabernet has all the classic notes of a California Cabernet Sauvignon. Cloves, olives, and oak with a no nonsense, fruit forward finish remind you why this, the heaviest wine in the Purple Paws line, lends itself to pairings of robust steaks or lamb.
My review:  I liked this wine.  I picked up hints of blackberry and cherry, as well as the floral aspects of black pepper.  While tasting it, I could see that it would pair nicely with a steak.  I did not try it with food.

Tasting - Rosemont

Name:  Rosemont
Variety: Chardonnay
Region:  South Eastern Australia
Country:  Australia
Year:  2013
Price:  $10
Winery review:  Vibrantly aromatic, with mouth-watering stone fruit flavours and lemon zest. A refreshing and crisp style of Chardonnay, with just a hint of creamy toasted almonds.  The Vintage Cellar also added that the Chardonnay grape is the most planted grape in Burgundy, however this wine hails from Australia.
My review:  I picked up on some citrus while smelling the wine, and some sour cherry when tasting it.  I did not enjoy this wine as much as the La Lejania - I would not drink this wine by itself, it tasted rather flat actually (ie, lacking in a rounded-flavor, not lacking in carbonation).  I did not taste it with food.

Tasting - La Lejania

Name:  La Lejania
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region:  Central Valley
Country:  Chile
Year:  2015
Price:  $10
Winery review:  A light, refreshing, balanced sparkling wine with fruit flavors and aromas of citrus, pear and peaches, followed by a nuance of spice.  Enjoy this sparkling wine as an aperitif, or with salads and spicy dishes, especially those using citrus fruit. For dessert this wine pairs well with fresh berries or a fruit tart.

My review:  During my initial "sniff" of the wine, I picked up on grapefruit and apple.  After tasting it, the overall mouthfeel was light, and dry, but not overly so.  After the second taste, I picked up on some light cranberry tones.  I did not try it with food.

Welcome!

Ew, yuck.

That was my first experience with wine.  

Growing up, my parents were - and still are - big wine connoisseurs.  They believed in exposing their children to alcohol at an early age, too.  Around the age of 11 or 12, for special meals at home, such as Christmas dinner, I would be allowed to have a small glass of watered down wine.  I remember tentatively sipping it and wrinkling my nose, thinking how "icky" and sour it tasted, never finishing the glass.  

I also have not-so-fond memories of visiting many wineries and wine & beer stores growing up.  In addition to being a wine connoisseur, my dad loves brewing beer.  When you're 5 years old however, there's only so much you can look at in a beer store when he's picking out grains and hops.  The same goes for when your parents drag you to a winery.  Boredom  was always sure to ensue.

*     *     *

I started my undergraduate degree in 2011, but it still took me another year or so to realize that alcohol isn't "icky".  And I really didn't start drinking wine until this past fall semester.  

Merlot is, I quickly discovered, my favorite.  It's smooth, and an easy drinking/sipping wine - great for a girls' night in.  I've done a few wine tastings - I'm from the area, so I've done the wine tastings at  the Gourmet Pantry, the Vintage Cellar, as well as Mr. Bill's Wine Cellar and Barrel Chest Wine & Beer (both in Roanoke).

But my taste buds are still unrefined.  I hope that taking Boyer's Geography of Wine will help me understand what to taste in different wines, understand the different grapes and regions, and understand how to drink wines - with what foods, how long to let the wine breathe, etc.  In other words, I want to learn how to drink this now!