Tasting: Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Name: Dibon Cava Brut Reserve
Variety: 45% Macabeo, 25% Xarello, 30% Parellada
Region: Penedes
Country: Spain
Year: Non-Vintage
Price: $12.50

Wine Enthusiast Review: "Dibon is new to us, and after tasting this complete, well-made Cava we are happy to make its acquaintance. The nose offers regal yeast and richness, while the palate has complexity to prop up apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors. Solid from front to back, with health and freshness." 88 points.

My Review: Super dry, but delicious sparkling wine! Smells mineral-like. The flavors of grapefruit stuck out to me the most while drinking it. This wine was crisp and had a very short finish.

I tasted this on its own, with no food.

Tasting: Chateau Guiot Costieres de Nimes

Name: Chateau Guiot Costieres de Nimes
Variety: Grenache, Syrah-Shiraz
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2014
Price: $10.95

MajesticWine Notes: "Deep purple hue, a beautifully scented nose with herby aromas, lashings of juicy forest fruits and spicy, rich berry flavours on the palate and a good, smooth finish."

My Review: Faint on the nose. Medium-bodied and slightly dry. Flavors of chalk and black pepper on the mid-palate. Finishes with a taste of cherries.

I tasted this wine with chocolate. The sweetness of the chocolate made the chalk and pepper become replaced by flavors of oranges and ripe cherries.

Tasting: Terranoble Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Terranoble Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Central Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2013

Price: $8.95

Vintage Cellar Notes: "This Cabernet Sauvignon offers an intense and deep color and lovely aromas of red fruit, pepper and tobacco. It has smooth tannins, very freshness and rich fruit, which gives the wine a good balance. Pair with barbecued beef ribs, grilled sea bass, or spaghetti alla Bolognese."

My Review: I loved this cabernet! I definitely want to go back and buy this sometime. It was full-bodied, while also being extremely smooth and balanced. It smelled like ripe strawberries and cherries. It tasted like dark berries at the start, and finished with a light taste of vanilla.

I tasted this on its own, with no food.

Tasting: Santola Vinho Verde

Name: Santola Vinho Verde 

Variety: Loureiro and Pederna 

Region: Vinho Verde

Country: Portugal

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Notes: "Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh."

My Review: This wine smelled and tasted very citrusy, lemon and lime in particular. It was refreshing and slightly acidic. I also tasted zesty and mineral-like flavors.

I tasted this on its own, with no food.

Tasting: Baci Dolci Sweet Kiss

Name: Baci Dolci Sweet Kiss

Variety: 50% Merlot 50% Marzemino

Region: Colli Euganei

Country: Italy

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: Regularly $15.00, Sale Price $9.95

Vintage Cellar Notes: "A blend 50% Marzemino 50% Merlot. A delicate, slightly frizzante wine with an intense, ruby red color. Fresh strawberry & black cherry aromas with hints of roses. Cherry pie flavors, medium-full bodied with refreshing sparkle to balance the semi-sweet finish."

My Review: The smell of this wine reminded me of cotton candy--it was so sugary and sweet. The wine tasted like strawberry jam. I felt like I was drinking a glass of Welch's grape juice rather than wine. 

I tasted this on its own, with no food.

Winery Visit: Beliveau Estate Winery

     Today my roommate Olivia and I ventured out to the Beliveau Estate Winery in Blacksburg. Believeau Estate Winery is in a beautiful picturesque location that is great for a wedding or relaxing weekend stay at their Bed & Breakfast. We got to do a wine tasting, hear live music, and roam freely around the estate. It was a beautiful spring day, and we got to enjoy our wine tasting before a bunch of large crowds starting showing up.

The vineyard (left) and the winery (right)

I really liked getting to taste wine that is grown and made right here in southwest Virginia. Beliveau does not offer tours of their property, so we did not get to see where the wine is produced. However, we did a self-tour and got to walk through the vineyards to see where the grapes are grown. 

Where the grapes are grown

During our wine tasting, we learned that the estate opened up in the spring of 2012. The wines are handcrafted by Yvan Beliveau, who is also the owner of the property. Many of the grapes are grown onsite and some are shipped in from California. The Beliveau wines have won many medals individually and the winery was voted Silver Best Winery by Blue Ridge Country Magazine in 2013.

Wine menu with descriptions

      We chose to do the "dry" wine tasting, which consisted of seven different wines in this order:

1) Pristine 2013: A dry unoaked Chardonelle. This was crisp and slightly acidic. I tasted sour flavors like lemon and green apple. It was very refreshing and a good wine to start with.

2) Mystique 2012: A dry oaked Chardonnay. This had an interesting underlying taste that was a bit hard for me to describe--kind of like artificial butter.  

3) Mystique 2013: A dry unoaked Chardonnay. I tasted this and immediately thought of ginger ale. I preferred this vintage over the 2012 vintage. 

4) Reflection 2013: An off-dry Traminette. This tasted exactly like a Muscat. It was a little too sweet and fruity for me.

5) The Reserve 2012: A Cabernet Sauvignon. I was surprised to learn this was a Cabernet because it was so light. It was very smooth and tasted a bit watered down.

6) Soul Singer 2013: A Chambourcin Reserve. The various spice flavors were very prominent. The nutmeg flavor reminded me of Egg Nog. I liked this and it was very different from the wines I am used to drinking. 

7) Sunset Sipper 2013: A red Zinfandel Reserve. Delicious! One of my favorites of the day. I tasted flavors of strawberries and cherries mixed with a bit of spice. 

A wall of wines in the tasting room

Olivia and I shared a cheese plate that had olives, nuts, crackers, Brie, a sharp Cheddar, and a cream cheese with tomato sauce. The Brie was soft and creamy--definitely my favorite of the three cheeses. 

The cheese plate-- with Brie (left), Cheddar (right), and cream cheese (top).

After the wine tasting was finished, I got a glass of a 2014 wine called Warm Glow to sip on as we walked around. This was a semi-sweet Chambourcin and my favorite wine of the day. Warm Glow was the first Chambourcin that I have ever tried and I loved it! This was a nice balance between sweet and dry. It was light and had soft tannins. 

My glass of Warm Glow (left) next to Olivia's glass of Sunset Sipper (Right).

I was too busy taking pictures of the mountain views to get any of myself, except for this one that Olivia took...

Exploring the property

Tasting: Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2014
Price: $8.99

Winemaker Notes: "Sourced from the South Island of New Zealand, this Sauvignon Blanc exhibits complexity and a vibrant zing. Flavors of Meyer lemons and Key limes integrate with hints of grapefruits, gooseberry and citrus, culminating in a long, creamy finish. Long, cool seasons in New Zealand's Marlborough region allow our grapes to mature slowly and gain character and complexity. The grapes are harvested at night and gently crushed before undergoing cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks. An extended fermentation sur lie adds richness and softness, complementing the fruit's natural zest and acidity."

My Review: This wine was very citrusy--I picked up flavors of lemon and lime juice. The acidity and tartness make it light and refreshing. Would be a good pair for grilled chicken.

I tasted this on its own, with no food.

Tasting: Relax Riesling

Name: Relax Riesling
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: Longuich
Country: Germany
Year: 2014
Price: $9.49

Winemaker Review: "Slightly dry with an enticing fruity bouquet, it shows intense flavors of apples and peaches with a hint of citrus. Serve chilled."

My Review: This is my moms favorite white wine right now. I really like it too--it is not overly sweet like other Rieslings I have tried. It is light bodied and has a low-acidity with a nice apple crispness.

I tasted this on its own, with no food.

Tasting: Venta Morales Tempranillo

Name: Venta Morales Tempranillo

Variety: 100% Tempranillo

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2015

Price: $6.99 (sale price)

Winemaker Tasting Review: "This riper version of Tempranillo shows black cherries and blueberries, along with sandalwood and sawdust from American oak. The finish reflects its warm region origins with some raisins and dusty earth lingering on the palate. Drink soon or in the next few years."

My Review: This was my first time trying a Tempranillo. I could tell that this wine came from a ripe grape--it was slightly acidic and tart. I really liked the vanilla, full-bodied taste.

I tasted this on its own, with no food.

Tasting: La Marca Prosecco

Name: La Marca Prosecco

Variety: Prosecco

Region: Veneto 

Country: Italy

Year: 2015

Price: $13.99

Winemaker Review: "With delicate, golden straw color and lively effervescence, our Prosecco opens with aromas of fresh citrus, honey and white flowers. The palate is fresh and clean, with flavors of ripe lemon, green apple and grapefruit framed by mineral undertones. The light finish is refreshing and crisp." 

My Review: I loved this sparkling wine! This Prosecco was delicious and refreshing. It was a little sweet, and I could definitely taste the citrus-like flavors. This was the perfect sparkling wine to receive for my birthday!

I tasted this on its own, with no food.

Tasting: Two Vines Merlot-Cabernet

Name: Two Vines Merlot-Cabernet
Variety: 50% Merlot, 49% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $7.79

Winemaker Review: "The Merlot-Cabernet is a fruit-forward wine featuring generous blackberry, huckleberry, dark currants, and plum flavors wrapped around a core of vanilla. The soft tannins impart a velvety texture that leads to a rich, silky finish."

My Review: I liked this simple and affordable wine. The berry flavors are prominent. This wine goes down smooth and does not have a long finish.

I tasted this on its own, with no food.

Tasting: Menage a Trois Merlot

Name: Menage a Trois Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Napa Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $9.99

Winemaker Tasting Review: "With its alluring aromas and lush flavors, Menage a Trois Merlot reminds you of what it's like to fall in love. Ripe blackberries and juicy black cherries flirt with smoky spices and sweet vanilla in a deliriously delicious way, wrapping you up in a silky-smooth embrace. It's the perfect wine to add a spark to date night, and it knows just how to romance a roast chicken or a cheeseburger. Love me do, indeed."

My Review: This merlot was smooth, with a slight vanilla flavor coming out in both the aroma and the taste. It also tasted plum-like and a bit dry. This would be a nice pairing with chocolate.

I tasted this on its own, with no food.

Tasting: Paranoia Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Paranoia Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Santa Barbara County, California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $9.99

Winemaker Review: "Aromas of cedar box, dried tobacco leaves, and mission fig lead to flavors of black cherries and sugar plums with a hint of vanilla. Enjoy this Cab with beef stroganoff, prime rib, or roast goose."

My Review: I loved this! It initially tasted smoky and berry-like, but then had a smooth vanilla finish. This wine had good balance and a medium body. I will definitely buy this again, when in the mood for a Cab Sav.

I tasted this on its own, with no food.

Tasting: The Dreaming Tree Crush

Name: The Dreaming Tree Crush

Variety: 59% Merlot, 16% Petite Sirah, 15% Zinfandel, 4% Syrah, 6% Other

Region: Sonoma County, California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $15.00

Winemaker Review: "2013 The Dreaming Tree Crush is a blend of the California's finest varieties, this wine has some great raspberry jam and vanilla oak characters on the nose, it has juicy mixed berry flavors, and full-but-soft and approachable tannins. A wonderful wine, enhanced by such foods as barbecue ribs, Vietnamese-style pork sandwiches, or vegetarian stuffed poblano peppers." 

My Review: I wanted to try a wine from The Dreaming Tree because Dave Matthews is a contributor to this winery. This wine tasted dry, vegetal and somewhat dirt-like. It was full-bodied and a little bitter. I wasn't a huge fan the first time I tried it, but I would be willing to try it again.

I tasted this on its own, with no food. 

Tasting: Chateau La Verriere Bordeaux Superieur

Name: Chateau La Verriere Bordeaux Superieur 

Variety: 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc

Region: Bordeaux 

Country: France

Year: 2012

Price: $8.99

Wine Enthusiast Review: "This complex, spicy and fruity wine is big, with attractive acidity. It is piled with berry fruits that give a rich character. The fruits are supported by well-judged wood. This full-bodied wine will develop well; drink from 2017." Scored 90 Points. 

My Review: This was my first time trying a wine from the Bordeaux region of France, so I cannot compare it to others from this region. However, I really liked this wine--especially for the price. This wine was initially smooth and fruity, but finished spicy and tart. I tasted flavors of black cherry. I would definitely buy this again. 

I tasted this on its own, with no food. 

Tasting: Chateau Morrisette Our Dog Blue

Name: Chateau Morrisette Our Dog Blue
Variety: Riesling, Traminette, Vidal Blanc
Region: Floyd, Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Price: $11.99

Winemaker Review: "This popular white wine is a semi-sweet Riesling-Traminette blend, using Vidal Blanc for added depth. Aromas of melons, citrus fruits, apricots, and delicate flowers highlight the soft finish of this soothing wine."

My Review: A little too sweet for me, but still a nice Virginia white wine. I tasted flavors of pear and honeydew. A very light and fruity wine--would be nice to drink at a cookout in the spring or summer.

I tasted this on its own, with no food.

First Blog Assignment

Welcome! My name is Helen, and I am super excited to start recording my adventures with wine on this blog. I have been looking forward to this course since my freshman year, so I am excited to finally be able to take it during my final semester at VT. Hopefully, I will have lots of newly acquired knowledge in the domain of wine drinking upon graduation in May.

As for now, my knowledge about wine would fall somewhere within the “little-to-none” category. I have done far more drinking of wine than I have actually learning about wine. Wine is a staple in my family of self-proclaimed wine connoisseurs, and the majority of my wine drinking has come from family gatherings. I have gotten to try some delicious wines from the awesome home wine cellars of family members, all of the wines being far nicer than anything I would purchase on my own. I am not too picky when it comes to food and beverages, so I cannot think of any particular wines that I have tried and strongly disliked. However, I would definitely say that I prefer red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. I try to stay away from the sweeter wines like Moscato and Riesling.

I have only done one wine tasting, which was at “The Overlook” in Giles County on the drive to Mountain Lake. There I tried, and ended up buying, a few different wines from the Altillo Vineyards near Altavista, Virgina. I am determined to explore more of the nearby Virginia vineyards during this semester. While taking this course I would like to learn what I should be considering when deciding which wine to buy at the grocery store, along with how to properly pair wine with meals.