Wine Dinner Blog Report

Wines:

• Sunshine Bay Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand, 2022): this wine is definitely fruity. Upon first sniff, this wine smells like cat pee and tuna water. It tastes very acidic, fresh, and fruity. I’m getting a bit of tart, crisp apple and lemon/lime and tropical fruit like maybe mango, as well. This wine does not linger well on the palette. This wine was aged in stainless steel tanks which I have never heard of, which may contribute to the odd taste. 

• Tailslide Pinot Noir (California, United States, 2021): This wine smells like butter and seafood! But despite the smell, it tastes absolutely amazing!!!! It tastes jammy, plummy, blackberry and dark cherry. There’s definitely a hint of silky vanilla in there and definitely pomegranate. It’s not sweet, and definitely lingers, this wine is full to the brim with acids, tannins, and big, bold taste. I’ve never had a Pino Noir before, and this was definitely the place to start. I think I’ve found a new favorite red wine!

• My 2 Cents Cabernet Sauvignon (Languedoc, France): This wine by itself is quite tasty! I’m no stranger to a Cabernet Sauvignon, but this one tastes much different than what I’m used to. It is definitely a big, bold red, which is full of tannins and flavor. It’s giving a currant/cassis vibe and is very plummy and smooth. I definitely taste spice in this wine, definitely a cinnamon component and is quite dry. This one is heavy and almost smoky. 

Thoughts:

• I paired the Pinot Noir with a creamy alfredo pasta dish. I think these 2 paired really well together considering the acidity of the wine brought out the creaminess of the pasta. The aftertaste was delicious. The wine lights up in your mouth after tasting a sip and pairing it with this pasta dish which is quite heavenly. I think it brings out the spices in the alfredo too, it leaves a warm, hot feeling in my mouth after I’ve eaten and drank. 

• I paired the Sauvignon Blanc with a light caesar salad with some bread instead of croutons. I thnk the wine overpowers the salad in general, but it complements the parmesan cheese in the salad. The nuttiness of the parmesan is brought to the forefront of the tongue and oddly enough leaves you wanting another sip and another bite. The herbs in the bread are noticeably highlighted when paired with this Sauvignon Blanc. 

• I paired the Cabernet Sauvignon with warm, ooey, gooey, chocolatey brownies!! THIS IS SO DELICIOUS. I think this combination is truly mezermizing! The wine brings out the chocolate in the brownies EXCEPTIONALLY well, and the brownies bring out the spice in the wine. The dry wine brings out the sweetness and gooeyness of the brownies and emphasizes the chocolatey taste in a way that you just dont get when eating the brownies by themself. I dont really know how to describe it, but something about this combination is just right. 

Tasting - Winking Owl California Chardonnay

Name: Winking Owl California Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: N/A

Price: $2.95

Review: User “R” on Vivino wrote: “Light Yellow/pale gold color. Light body, no legs (reminded me of a water fall). I would say It Is semi sweet/leaning dry because of its citrus tartness. No oak whatsoever. Presence, even if faint, of pear, apple in the five to eight seconds (top, I counted) finish that has, nonetheless, balance and is quite tasty. An affordable, unpretentious Chardonnay that is made for grilled fish/chicken or white meat. It will not go well with an "Alfredo". All in all, a quaffable everyday wine.” (https://www.vivino.com/users/rodney.par/reviews/47482257) 

Wine Folly: Wine Folly describes Chardonnay as having primary flavors of yellow apple, starfruit, pineapple, vanilla, and butter. I definitely tasted apple in this wine, but not in a good way. It was like a super tart and bad apple. Wine Folly also mentions that Chardonnay should be slightly chilled at around 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Chardonnay pairs well with anything creamy and buttery, which helps accentuate those flavors in the wine. (https://winefolly.com/grapes/chardonnay/)

Personal Review: I’ve never experienced a bad wine until this Chardonnay. This was the first chardonnay I have ever tried and I think it will also be the last. Something about it does not sit right on my tongue at all. It tastes like alcoholic pollen water. I am a bit nervous to try another chardonnay, given this cheap one was a huge disappointment, but maybe a more expensive one paired with some creamy cheese or buttery lobster would help it out a bit. 

Tasting - Winking Owl Pinot Grigio

Name: Winking Owl California Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: N/A

Price: $2.95

Review: Michael Bertino on Vivino says, “Surprisingly complex for $3. Smells of pear, cantaloupe, kiwi. Tongue a bit of stone, and peach. Mineral. Easy to drink, but smells better than it tastes. Honestly, it's like wine made from skittles.” (https://www.vivino.com/users/michael.bertino/reviews/123587119)

Wine Folly: Wine Folly describes pinot grigio as having primary flavors of white peach, lemon zest, cantaloupe, raw almond, and crushed gravel. I get the peachy, lemon, light and airy fruit vibe from this wine, but not so much the crushed gravel. They pair well with meals that involve fruits like lemons, oranges, peaches, and apricots. These wines do not need to be decanted, but they should be served slightly chilled at 45-55 degrees fahrenheit. (https://winefolly.com/grapes/pinot-gris/)

Personal Review: I think pinot grigio is my favorite white wine right now. This wine smells fruity and floral and tastes like honey, peach, crisp apple, and a little pear. The light body of this wine enables it to pair well with pretty much most of the foods I eat on a daily basis. The back of this particular bottle recommended to pair it with grilled salmond and creamy pasta, and I made a crockpot chicken alfredo to go with it, with which it paired so beautifully. The fat of the parmesan and cream in the pasta really brought out the fruity notes in the wine and the pair made my overall meal taste exquisite and expensive.

Wine & Cheese Pairing

 Wines:

• Moscato : Wine Folly describes Moscato (AKA Muscat) as having notes of mandarin orange, honey, lychee, peach skin, and white flowers. It also says that it pairs well with charcuterie and soft/pungent cheeses. (https://winefolly.com/newsletter/what-is-moscato-wine/) 

• Merlot : Wine Folly describes Merlot as having notes of cherry, plum, chocolate, bay leaf, and vanilla. It also says that it pairs well with aged goat cheese. (https://winefolly.com/grapes/merlot/)

• Champagne : Wine Folly describes Champagne as having notes of citrus, yellow apple, cream, almond, and toast. It also says that anything salty pairs well with this kind of wine. (https://winefolly.com/wines/champagne/)

Cheeses:

• Mozzarella

• Pepper Jack

• Extra Sharp Cheddar

I chose these 3 cheeses because I am familiar with them as well as I am with the tastes of the wines I chose. Mozzarella is very light and tastes fantastic when paired with just about anything in my opinion. Pepperjack is a light cheese too, but I think the spice will add a kick when paired with the wines. The sharp cheddar tbh could be a hit or miss, but I eat this all the time and I had some on hand so we will see what happens when it mingles with the wines. 

The Moscato is very sweet and makes the sides of my tongue light up with its acidity component. I get the floral taste Wine Folly talks about and definitely the honey. I think this wine pairs well the best with the mozzarella cheese. Since this wine is sweet, it’s best to balance out that component with a soft mozzarella. The pepper jack also pairs well with this wine. The spiciness of the cheese balances out the sweet of the wine and together they create a beautifully smooth combination on my palette. 

The Merlot goes GREAT with the sharp cheddar I picked. The bold taste of the cheddar really showcases the smooth, jammy, cherry taste of the merlot and brings it right out on the talent show stage. 

The Champagne goes really well with the sharp cheddar and mozzarella. I think you really can't go wrong when pairing mozzarella with any wine, it’s so light and fatty that it really enhances the notes of the wine you pair it with. The cheddar, being a bit salty, balances out the sweetness and tartness of the sparkling wine here. I should have had some prosciutto or some sort of meat on hand to go with this combo, I think that would have really made the experience. As for the mozzarella, again, the light, creamy texture and taste enables the sweetness of the wine to shine through. 

Tasting - Winking Owl California White Zinfandel

 Name: Winking Owl California White Zinfandel 

Variety: White Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: None on bottle

Price: $2.95

Review: Hannah Morelli says, “I was pleasantly surprised by how refreshing and easy to drink this wine is. It has a very nice fruity and tangy flavour and would be excellent as a brunch drink in lieu of a mimosa. It is super smooth and tastes like a non-alcoholic Washington apple. I love the hints of pineapple, strawberries, and how well-balanced/not overly sweet it is. This wine is a great value for the price.” (https://www.nichemarket.co.za/blog/masterchefs/guide-winking-owl-wine) 

Wine Folly: Wine Folly describes Zinfandel as having primary flavors of blackberry, strawberry, peach, preserves, cinnamon, and sweet tobacco. I get the strawberry and peach preserves taste, this wine is as sweet as can be. It is paired well with spicy, cinnamon-y dishes, though I did not pair it with anything.  I would never think to pair wine with dishes like that, but I will have to try it with the next Zinfandel I decide to try. (https://winefolly.com/grapes/zinfandel/)

Personal Review: I’ve never had a Zinfandel before, so I figured I would start with a light, rosy colored one that is relatively cheap. This wine smells florally, tastes tart, sweet, fruity, and is almost like watermelon juice. I think I could definitely drink this wine like juice, that is how sweet it is. I had this wine chilled.

Tasting - Winking Owl Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Winking Owl Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: None on bottle

Price: $2.95

Review: Natalie Cain on Vivino: “Dark ruby in color and garnet at the rim. Bold aromas/developing bouquet of toasted vanillas and plum. However on the palate, it has a mild flavor of dark/red fruits without any hint of its aromas and is pretty fleeting. It's mild to moderate in tannins and moderate to high in alcohol.” (https://www.vivino.com/users/natalie-cain/reviews/250628256)

Wine Folly: (online, https://winefolly.com/grapes/cabernet-sauvignon/) Wine Folly describes Cabernet Sauvignon as having primary flavors of black cherry, black currant, cedar, baking spices, and graphite. I get the black cherry and a hint of spice. Wine Folly says to decant this wine for an hour, which I did not do. It also says to store this wine in a cellar for 10+ years which more likely than not has not been done, which I think contributes to the taste and lack of bold flavor. 

Personal Review: I wanted to try this Cab to see if I could compare it to other Cabs I’ve had. This one is tart and tastes like cherry, raspberry, and the aftertaste is kinda bready. It smells very dark and heavy. Overall, I think it’s a decent cheap wine. 

Tasting - Stella Rosa Blueberry Wine

Name: Stella Rosa Blueberry

Variety: Varietal, Brachetto 

Region: Piedmonte

Country: Italy 

Year: 2021

Price: $11.99

Review: Stella Rosa Blueberry Semi-Sweet Red Wine is a proprietary blend of several Italian red grape varietals. The wine is then combined with natural flavors of natural blueberry distillates and puree to create a delicious and refreshing experience. Serve chilled by-the-glass, pour over ice, or mix with your favorite spirit for an all-natural, fruit-forward cocktail. 90 point Gold Medal Winner on Tastings.com! (https://drizly.com/wine/specialty-wine/fruit-wine/stella-rosa-blueberry-semi-sweet-red-wine/p103944)

Wine Folly: (online, no page # https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/piedmont-wine-map-of-italy/) Wines from the Piedmonte region of Italy are known for their high quality and is one of the most famous wine growing regions. Many of the wines from this region are known for their dark berry taste, which is no surprise as this wine is infused with blueberry puree. 

Personal Review: This is another one of my favorite wines! I am a huge fan of anything blueberry and the hints of blueberry in this wine make it spectacular. It is a very blueberry-y, jammy sparkling wine. I think it kinda just tastes like juice. The low alcohol percentage makes this wine great to enjoy the entire bottle in one sitting, which I did as I paired it with some sharp cheddar cheese and crackers. I dont think it’s very tart, but it definitely is sweet.

Tasting - Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Southeastern

Country: Australia

Year: 2021

Price: $10.98

Review: (yellowtail cab sauv) Australia - The most popular wine in America, lush, fresh fruit greets the drinker through an opulent bouquet of black cherries and chocolate. These flavors persist thorugh the palate with a hint of mocha and cinnamon. Perfect for entertaining. 

Wine Folly: (online, no page numbers https://winefolly.com/grapes/cabernet-sauvignon/) Wine Folly describes Cabernet Sauvignon as having primary flavors of black cherry, black currant, cedar, baking spices, and graphite. I definitely taste the black cherry, bvlack currant, and spice. I’ve yet to bite into a pencil to taste graphite, but honestly this wine gives a graphite-y kind of vibe to it. Wine Folly says to decant this wine for an hour, which I did not do. It also says to store this wine in a cellar for 10+ years which may or may not have been done, but it tastes big and full of tannins. 

Personal Review: This is one of my favorite wines to drink to relax after a long day, while watching a movie, or just anytime. I think this is a deep red wine that reminds me of red velvet cake almost. It’s super smooth and rich in flavor which is kinda like red velvet cake. This Cabernet Sauvignon is warm and tastes like black currant, spice, and is slightly woody in a way. 

Wine & Dinner Pairing (1 wine) - WellHung Vineyard

Name: WellHung Wishful Thinking

Variety: Pinot Grigio, other

Region: Monticello

Country: USA

Year: 2021

Price: $10/glass

Review: Bright and sweet, Well Hung Vineyard’s Wishful Thinking features a refreshingly light bodied symphony of tropical notes, a honey dripping midpalate with cascading fruit elements and brief, clean bright finish. (https://wellhungvineyard.com/product/well-hung-vineyard-wishful-thinking/) 

Wine Folly: (online, no page numbers, https://winefolly.com/grapes/pinot-gris/) My wine was not served chilled as Wine Folly recommended, and it was not decanted either. Wine Folly describes typical Pinot Grigios as having notes of white peach, lemon zest, cantaloupe, raw almond, and crushed gravel. I definitely tasted the white peach and a little lemon zest, which likely aided the bright taste I had. This was a sweet and fruity type of Pinot Grigio.

Personal Review: For an early Valentine's Day celebration, my boyfriend and I visited WellHung Vineyard Restaurant and Winery at their location in Roanoke, VA. I had the Garlic Butter Cream Tortellini with Shrimp which was a part of their Valentine's menu. The dish consisted of cheese tortellini with garlic butter cream sauce, grape tomatoes, parmesan cheese, shrimp, and served with a French baguette. I was feeling a fruity white wine, so I asked our server what she recommended that fit into that category, and she suggested "Wishful Thinking", a Pinot Grigio wine from the vineyard. Upon sniffing and swirling, my first impression is that the wine smelled like apples. It tasted sweet, crisp, bright, and had notes of apples and honey. It paired tremendously well with my pasta! The wine itself was GREAT, but the creaminess of the pasta made the wine taste so much better in my opinion. I don't think the wine overpowered the food, but fit hand in hand together, just like a couple on Valentine's.

Tasting - J.L Quinson Le Rosé

Name: J.L. Quinson Le Rosé (from Trader Joe’s)

Variety: French Rosé

Region: Not listed

Country: France

Year: 2021

Price: $6.99

Review: Psst...we’ve got the story on some excellent sparkling wines, just in time for summer! As the name implies, French Fizz sparkling wines come to us from France. A crisp blend of a variety of grapes from the South of France, Le Rosé is bright and vivacious, with aromas of ripe fruit and moderate acidity. The not-too-sweet, not-too-dry nature of this wine make it a swell companion to cool summer salads, and an ideal partner for your next summer cheese board; the swing-top closure allows you to tote the bottle to parties and picnics with ease, ensuring your bubbly stays… well, bubbly, until the last drop. (https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/french-fizz-le-ros-2021-072944) 

Wine Folly: (Page 219) I totally get the strawberry and orange zest, but I’ve never tried a clay pot before, so I didn’t really get that in my tasting. Since this is not an “authentic” French wine, it was labeled by the grape variety, and not the vineyard where it was produced. 

Personal Review: This wine transformed my dreary and cold day (thanks Blacksburg weather), and made me crave the summertime so I can experience this wine on a picnic with a little straw hat and a sundress on. Le Rosé definitely tasted sweet and florally, but not overwhelming in any way. The balance was perfect and the body was smooth. My favorite part about this wine was the fizz/bubbles! I also think the way the manufacturer chose to close this bottle was unique since we hadn’t learned about any type of closure like that.

Tasting - Ring Ring Italian Rosé

Name: Ring Ring Italian Rosé (from Costco advent calendar)

Variety: Italian Rosé blend

Region: Not listed

Country: Northern Italy

Year: 2022, though not listed

Price: $4

Review: When your love of pink wine calls, it’s crucial that you answer. Ring Ring is a true Italian rosato—what Italians call rosé. You might find that the flavors stand out a little more than your average rosé, and that the color is a tad more eye-catching. These qualities are classic of Italy’s take on pink wine. The best part of Ring Ring is the fresh, zippy fruit followed by a hint of wild herbs, a dead giveaway that the wine was made in the romantic land of all things oregano and thyme…Italy! (https://www.wineadvent-ure.com/ringring) 

Wine Folly: (Page 219) This is obviously not a high-end French wine, but I think it definitely tastes like it. I kind of tasted a little bit of celery, like the book mentions, in this rosé, but more than anything got a more citrussy vibe from it. This wine is definitely an aroma collector! It smells so fresh and fruity. 

Personal Review: After thoroughly sniffing and swirling, I can infer that this Italian Rose is definitely fruity. This wine is giving me a citrussy grapefruit taste with hints of strawberry. It’s also dry and herby. I’m getting a bit of a rosemary taste. I think I taste a little almond as well. This wine paired really well with some burrata cheese and crackers. I think the wine brought out the fattiness and creaminess of the burrata and they go hand in hand excellently well. I would enjoy this combination again.