Tasting- 2010 De Bortoli Petite Sirah

Name: De Bortoli Petite Sirah
Variety: Petite Sirah
Region: Bilbul, New South Whales (South East)
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Deep purple/ink hues. A bouquet of ripe plum and spice combined with well integrated mocha/chocolate oak. The palate is rich with firm tannins merged with ripe plum and spice fruit flavours together with the mocha/chocolate characteristics of the oak.

My Review: This wine has a very dark, almost inky, ruby-purple color. On the nose this wine has a great bouquet of chocolate/mocha, plum, and raspberry. On the palate the petite sirah shows its concentrated flavors beginning very fruit-forward. It has a light spice on the mid-palate, and finishes semi-dry with some heat.

Tasting- 2010 Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes de Rhone

Name: Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes de Rhone
Variety: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $14.95 (for 750mL bottle), $38.95 (for 3L Box)

Winery Review: As for their other values, the 2010 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Reserve (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault) displays loads of ripe flavors. It is very concentrated for a Cotes du Rhone, and is actually an amazing wine. Classic garrigue, black cherry liqueur, lavender, licorice and spice box are all present in this fullbodied, intense, and rich Cotes du Rhone. This is a sensational effort to drink over the next 4-5 years, although it might last even longer.

My Review: The color is a dark ruby that shows complexity. On the nose this wine has aromas of cassis, plum, and a jammyness. On the palate this wine is complex with a full body and mature tannins. There is a spicy start, slight heat on the mid-palate, and a dry finish. I really like that this is a good Rhone Valley wine that is being sold in a box.

Tasting- 2011 Lobetia Tempranillo

Name: Lobetia Tempranillo
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $10.95

Winery Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. It shows a nice cherry color with a violet shade because of its youth. Red berries and cherries on the nose. On the palate it is fresh, slightly astringent, and harmonious with a long finish.

My Review: The youth of this tempranillo is seen in its light ruby color. The nose has a wonderful bouquet of milk chocolate, plum, raspberry, and cherry. On the palate this wine has a warm full start, a juicy mid-palate with some spice, and finishes slightly dry.

Tasting- 2011 Lobetia Chardonnay

Name: Lobetia Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $10.95

Winery Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. Clean, bright color with a greenish-yellow tone. On the nose, exotic fruits like pineapple. Full flavored, fresh, with good acidity in the mouth, it finishes with tropical fruits.

My Review: The color of this white is a light golden. The nose has a crisp granny smith apple complimented with lime. On the palate the wine has a smooth start, then crisp fruit flavor comes through on the mid-palate, and has a smooth finish with slight heat.

Tasting- Trattoria Busa Alla Torre De Lele

Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre De Lele
Variety: Pinot Grigiot
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: NV
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Named after the famous restaurant in Italy! This is their house white wine! Coppery color from extended skin contact, round and rich texture with juicy melon aromas and flavors with a sweet fennel note on the ultra smooth finish. Great value Grigio! Drink now

My Review: The color of this pinot grigiot is a very light golden, almost clear. The nose has hints of sour grape and lime. On the palate it starts out very light, has a sour tang on the mid-palate, and has a juicy finish.

Dinner- Zeppoli's (Virginia Wines)

On Wednesdays and Sundays Zeppoli's hosts wine tastings that is accompanied by a spread of appetizers. When we last went, we were presented of a tasting of solely Virginia wine. Almost all of the wines that we tasted were from a winery only about 20-30 minutes away from the Virginia Tech campus. We tasted eight wines from Beliveau Estate Winery. Since this vineyard is only about 2 years old, their vines are not not mature enough to produce grapes for wine. Beliveau Estate imports most of the fruit for their wines from California. There was one other wine that was added to the tasting that was produced by Gabriele Rausse. Lastly, we were given a cider to start off the tasting.

Foggy Ridge Cider: This was a crisp apple cider that is a great apertif because of its frizante. The nose smelled just like apple juice, and the wine presented a pleasant experience with its bubbles. The palate was very refreshing, yet light. This is a great palate cleanser.

We tasted three white wines first:

Afternoon Delight: This is a lightly oaked Vidal Blanc that has a light golden color. On the nose this wine has a light grape aroma mixed with rubber. The palate was bland, light, and has a bitter finish. It was suggested that we try the wine with cheese or meats. After pairing it with cheese the wine was less bitter.

Destiny: This wine is also another Vidal Blanc. The color was a light golden, almost champagne-like. On the nose there was almost no scent, if anything it was very light. The palate was tangy with apple and pear, and finished sweet. It was recommended that I try the wine with some talapia that was served. Pairing the wine with the talapia the tangy edge was smoothed out. Cheese mellows out the sweet finish.
 
Lovers' Quest: A semi-sweet Vidal Blanc. This wine has a light golden color, with a bouquet of apple and peach. On the palate it is sweet, with some frizante and tangyness. After pairing this wine with lamb, the tangyness and frizante is removed.
 
After these three, we tasted five reds:
 
Silhouette: This a cabernet sauvignon that has the color of cranberry juice. On the nose that are hints of chocolate, raspberry, and cherry. The palate has a fruity start, with spice and heat on the mid-palate, and a medium-dry finish. Pairing cheese with this wine cuts out the heat of the alcohol, but the spice still comes through on the mid-palate.
 
Rainbow: This zinfandel is also has the color of cranberry juice. The nose has a palate of rubber and grape. The palate is fruity and hot, then has some spice, then goes back to hot. This zin has a dry finish. Again here, cheese masks the hotness of the wine, but brings out a distinct peppery taste.
 
Sunset Sipper: Another zinfandel, this one with a dark ruby color. On the nose it is rubbery, with hints of blackberry, cherry, and red grape. On the palate this one had heat that masked any other tastes. We paired it with bread, which did little to mellow the heat.

 
A Capella: The color of this landot noir is dark and complex. The nose is a combination of nail polish remover and apple. The palate is strongly fruity all the way through, and has a sweet finish. This wine was unfiltered and one of the people at my table had some lees poured into their glass. We paired this wine with a pork dish, and the wine complemented the pork very well. The fruit of the wine helped to make the pork more juicy, and less dry.
 
Serenity: This after dinner wine, made of Chambourcin, is 5% sugar. The color of it is a dark, complex purple color. The nose is very jammy (like grape jelly), also has hints of strawberry. The palate is fruity and sweet. We paired this one with some chocolate and it helped the wine to taste less sweet.
 
After these wines, we were given one more wine out of Virginia by the wine producer Gabriele Rausse. This wine was a Merlot with a dark ruby color. On the nose it had notes of chocolate, plum and red grape. On the palate this wine has a full body, a little heat, and a dry finish. Pairing with bread eliminates the heat on this wine. The person at Zeppoli's who was presenting all of the wines brought the cork of this wine and one from the Beliveau Estate Zinfandel to show the difference of must on the color of the wine. The picture to the right shows the dark stain that this Merlot produces compared to a light pink stain that is left behind by the zinfandel.

Overall, this was a fun experience. We were able to taste a bunch of wines and pair them with appetizers to experiment with how foods can affect the taste of a wine. I would like to go to a true wine dinner where each course is paired specifically with one wine that is meant to compliment the food.

Tasting- 2008 Concannon Shiraz

Name: Concannon Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz/Syrah
Region: Central Coast, California
Country: United States
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: This is an extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the palate

My Review: The color of the wine is a dark cranberry. On the nose there is a strong aroma of tomato sauce and green bell pepper. The palate is fruit forward, has a full body through the mid-palate, and the finish is semi-dry.

Tasting- Ksana Bonarda

Name: Ksana Bonarda
Variety: Bonarda
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2008
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid. Very sweet, berry smell with some rooty undertones. Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker

My Review: The color of this wine is a dark ruby red. On the nose the aroma is full of plum, blackberry, leather, and some rubber tire. On the palate it has a fruity start, some hotness on the palate, and finishes dry and tannic.

Tasting- Black Ridge White

Name: Black Ridge White Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: NV
Price: $3.95

Winery Review: This fruit forward White Zinfandel displays fresh aromas and crisp flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. It is incredibly food friendly and will pair well with burgers, sandwiches, fruit salad, and more

My Review: The color of this wine is a pink, rose. On the nose there are hints of cherry and raisin. On the palate it starts hollow, then becomes full with fruit on the mid-palate, and has a semi-sweet finish.

Tasting- Chandon Sweet Cuvee

Name: Chandon Sweet Cuvee
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: NV
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: This wine is an innovative sparkling wine style revealing vibrant stone fruit and floral aromas with rich, luscious mouthfeel. This wine enlivens the senses and sparks spontaneous moments, complementing your passion for a good life

My Review: The color of this wine is rose. On the nose there is a strong scent of raisin and currant. The palate of this wine is very strong with bubbles, and sweet also.

Tasting- 2010 Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Wilson Daniels
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Central Coast, California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Orange blossom and citrus permeate the aromas. Alluring flavors of orange and grapefruit dominate the palate. Bright acidity balances the plush mouthfeel, resulting in a clean finish.

My Review: The color of this white is a nice light golden shade. On the nose this wine is reminiscent of Sprite/ Sierra Mist with its fresh smelling lemon-lime bouquet. On the palate it starts with a fruity zing and finishes with some spice, and a tad hot. I think that this wine would benefit from being slightly more chilled.

Tasting- 2004 Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne

Name: Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne
Variety: 60% Semillon/36% Sauvignon Blanc/4% Muscadelle
Region: Sauternes
Country: France
Year: 2004
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Very clean, with lemon, mineral and honey aromas that follows through to a medium body. Shows vanilla, apple and melon flavors, with a medium finish. Lightly sweet.

My Review: This wine has a strong golden color. The nose smells of sweet grape and also slightly rubbery. On the palate it is very, very sweet. I really only tasted an overwhelming amount of sweetness.

Tasting- 2010 Torre Castillo Alegre

Name: Torre Castillo Alegre
Variety: Monastrell
Region: Jumilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: 4 months in new American oak barrels. Bright ruby-red. Dried cherry, pipe tobacco and rose aromas with a hint of woodsmoke. Sweet and fleshy on the palate, with blackberry and cherry flavors complimented by licorice and a suggestion of dried herbs. The cherry and smoke notes repeat on the finish.

My Review: This wine has a good dark complex color.The nose has pungent notes of prunes, raisins, and dried figs. On the palate the dried fruit comes through on the start, and it finishes dry.

Tasting- 2010 Wilson Daniels Merlot

Name: Wilson Daniels
Variety: Merlot
Region: Central Coast, California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Made predominately from Paso Robles grapes, the wine is full-bodied and silky yet robust with aromas of black cherry and plum and a palate of blackberry, raspberry and blueberry jam laced with vanilla and toast.

My Review: The color of this is a nice ruby color with a hint of brown. On the nose this merlot is reminiscent of saltwater and the ocean at low-tide with hints of plum. On the palate it starts slightly salty, has some spice on the mid-palate, and finishes dry.

Tasting- 2012 Bricco Dei Tati Rose

Name: Bricco Dei Tati Rose
Variety: Barbera
Region: PiedmontCountry: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and rose petals, this is an ideal wine with shellfish, salads, chicken, and appetizers.

My Review: This Rose has a classic pink color that is very pleasing. On the nose there are strong aromas of strawberry and cherry. The palate starts sweet, has a slight zing on the mid-palate, then finishes slightly hot and dry.

Tasting- 2009 Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Smoking Loon
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: $7.95

Winery Review:This bleached blonde beauty is reminiscent of fresh green apples, pineapple and has hints of hibiscus blossoms. The concentration of zesty lemon and gooseberry fills your mouth leaving notes of thyme and melon behind. The bright acid in this wine gives you a zing while the fruit keeps your mouth watering for more. This wine pairs beautifully with a grilled prawn salad with a grapefruit vinaigrette, veggie spring rolls or grilled tilapia with mango salsa

My Review: The color of this Sauv Blanc is a light gold with a hint of green to it. On the nose there is a very refreshing and energizing bouquet of citrus fruit (especially lime), along with sour grape. The palate of this wine is fruity, moist, and semi-sweet. There is an aspect of a citrus fruit "zing" on the palate.

Tasting- Ruta 22 Malbec

Name: Ruta 22 Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Patagonia
Country: Argentina
Year: NV
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Stout and dense from the beginning, with blackberry and violet aromas. Despite being a bold and dark Malbec, this is fresh and composed, with sweet blackberry and cassis flavors. Good on the finish, with candied fruit and caramel sweetness.

My Review: This Malbec has a dark ruby color, with violet mixed in. On the nose I noticed some cherry and strawberry, a pleasant bouquet. On the palate this wine starts with sweet fruity notes, has light spice on the mid-palate, and finishes dry.

Tasting- Chateau Serres Sainte Lucie Corbieres

Name: Chateau Serres Sainte Lucie Corbieres
Variety: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre
Region: Corbieres
Country: France
Year: NV
Price: $4.95

Winery Review: Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. Superb dark garnet color with a few reflections of dark orange. Intense nose of ripe fruits, spices, and roasted coffee. The palate is rounded and full, with silky matured tannins and hints of vanilla. This wine is rich and powerful with layers of tannins.

My Review: This wine has a dark ruby color that hints at its complexity. On the nose this wine is very unique. It has an aroma that is reminiscent of horse manure and rose petals. Though this wine does not have the most pleasant bouquet, the palate is much nicer. It starts out fruity, has a slight spice on the mid- palate, and finishes dry.

Tasting- Cresta Azul

Name: Cresta Azul
Variety: Moscatel, Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo
Region: Emporda
Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Moscatel, Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo. Peach, orange cream and vanilla flavors mingle in this softly bubbly white. Off-dry, but with crisp acidity and a clean finish.

My Review: This wine is almost entirely clear, there is very little color. The nose of this wine is very light, and has hints of sweet grape juice and peach. The palate of this wine is sweet, almost moscato-like with floral notes.

Tasting- 2010 Veleta Tempranillo Rosado

Name: Veleta Tempranillo Rosado
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Granada
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $3.95

Winery Review: Fresh in flavor and crisp in texture, this dry rosé offers berry, tart cherry and light herbal flavors, with firm acidity and a clean finish. Focused and juicy.

My Review: This wine has a classic pink rose color with a brown-ish hue. The nose of this wine has a floral bouquet with cherry and raspberry. On the palate the wine starts fruity, but finishes slightly dry.

Tasting- Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado

Name: Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Granada
Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $3.95

Winery Review: Rosé salmon with copper reflections. Slow rising fine bubble that forms “lace” and “rosary”. In the nose is complex and elegant with red fruit, citric, exotic, fresh flowers, and notes of dry fruits and dry flowers. Fresh, gentle, and alive. Perfectly integrated “perlage” with serious and subtle flavors of dry fruits, pomegranate and lemonade. Long lasting scent of flowers and herbs.

My Review: The color of this wine is a caramel brown. On the nose this wine smelled a little bit like rubber to me. The palate has a bubbly, tangy start with a smooth lightly-dry finish.