Tasting - Crane Lake Riesling

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2017
Price: $9
Winery review: This light-colored wine displays aromas of honeysuckle and orange blossom; flavors include green apple and peach. The finish is mildly sweet, crisp, and lingering. This wine is an excellent aperitif, yet it pairs well with a number of different foods. Try it with New England clam chowder, smoked salmon, Chinese chicken salad, roasted duck, or scallops in a cream sauce.
My review: So lets get it. I usually like Crane Lakes so I was excited for this one. This smelled like a sweet white wine. The taste was of a sweet riesling. I like rieslings, I like sweet wines. I like this wine. If you are looking for something deep, look elsewhere. If you want a nice sweet and light wine, pick up a bottle of this.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Terre dei Savoia

Name: Terre dei Savoia
Variety: Nebbiolo (Barbaresco)
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: both 2010 and 2012 (explination below)
Price: $40!!! (but on sale for 9 sweet heh)
Winery review: Red berry, rose, leather and baking spice aromas come together in the glass. The structured, juicy palate doles out ripe black cherry, licorice, roasted herb and tobacco alongside firm, velvety tannins. Still young and bracing, give this a few more years to fully develop. Drink 2016–2026.
My review: Oh boy, this has a story. Sit on down and lets spin you a tale. I came into the tasting and after having a few mediocre wines that  was meh about, we got to this one. They :ran out" of the 2010 bottles so we tried that instead. What I wrote down was "power, tastes like its a really good wine, but just a bit more tannic than it should be". I then hung around for a bit and they just happened to find a bit more of the 2010. Oh Savoia, you were holding out on me. This wine got so much better with the 2 years. I am currently drinking the bottle that I bought from this tasting cause it was good. It smells far deeper, and more fruity. The taste is of slightly bitter fruits that really just pop. It also has a bit of citris in there. Honestly I kinda got this cause of the huge sale, its no CK Mondavi (I think my fav wine cause price/taste), but this is still a REALLY good wine.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Vigna Lenuzza

Name: Vigna Lenuzza
Variety: Cabernet Franc
Region: Friuli
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $15
Winery review: With a ruby red color and with intense purplish reflections it has a nose of red fruits like cherry, raspberry, and blackberry, to spices like marjoram, rhubarb and white pepper. On the palate it is pleasantly fresh, not too heavy, with sweet tannins and with soft herbaceous notes, which are the traditional characteristics of the Cabernet-Franc.
My review: To start off, this smelled deep, and purple. Image the color purple in smell form, it is this. I know that sounds stupid, but it makes sense when you smell it. There was some spice to it and what I think was pepper there too. The taste was deep and woody with a pepper aftertaste. There was no fruit in the flavor whatsoever and had a bitter end. If that is what you are looking for then go for it, otherwise eh.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Peter Cruythoff

Name: Peter Cruythoff
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Swarthland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $10
Winery review: Made in a definite herbaceous style, this Sauvignon Blanc also offers tropical undertones of gooseberries that add fruit to the palate. Well-balanced with zesty acidity, every glassful is fresh and crisp, and perfect for warm summer days.
My review: Well usually I don't like Suvignon Blanc cause I don't like the taste of cat piss. Lets give it a go though. It started out smelling like not much, and not like cat pee, so not bad considering the grape. The taste was sweet but kind of sour after. Overall it tasted like a sweet water with a very tiny amount of cat pee mixed in. Just enough to taste, but not enought to detract from the wine. In the end, not bad, but considering the grape, this is one of the good ones if you don't have a non Sauvignon Blanc.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Masseria Pertuso Avelium

Name: Masseria Pertuso
Variety: Bombino Bianco/Chardonnay
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: 2016
Price: $15
Winery review: From the Apulia region of Comune di Andria nella zona, the color is Straw yellow with greenish reflections. A fresh bouquet with floral and cirtus fruits characteristics. A wonderful wine to pair with fish.
My review: So the smell was of sugary grass. It didn't have very much smell to it. The taste was smooth and sweet. It had a few hints of herb to it and stayed light throughout. At the end of drinking this I found myself wanting some french toast. This is probably cause someone was making french toast in the corner but I still wanted it. If I had to choose between this wine and french toast....I'd go France.

I did not have this with food.

Wine Dinner 2

Well here we go again with another Wine Dinner. I will say the last one seemed a little better than this one.
To start we had a Terra de Trulli which when I tried by itself at first smelled of an assortment of spices that I couldn't put my nose on. The taste was an acidic, tart grape that started out kinda crappy but had a nice finish to it. I paired it with salad with a balsamic vinaigrette which I will say I tried without the wine first and I just don't like it (the dressing cause it is garbage). The wine with the salad was really good tho
ugh, it brought out some of the underlying richness of the wine. I then tried the same wine with the same salad with ranch and it brought out alot of the creamy goodness that is ranch (I know, I must have amazing taste to like ranch more).

The pairing was of Finca Rio Negro and a Slavic dish made by my friend that was called plov. It was my first time having either so I was excited to try both alone and together. The wine alone was fruity with what I think was apple, but had a bitter note to it. Alone it was pretty pleasant, but onto the food pairing. With the meal, it added sweet undertones and brought out the spice that was hiding on the meat. The wine tasted more dry which was a plus in this instance.

The last pairing was of Camelot Mead (honey wine) that I wish I first tried before having some of the peanut butter fudge. The next day I had the rest of the mead without a pairing so I'll talk about what it was then so you can have a good example as to what it tastes like untainted. It was a very sweet meed that was a bit much for me tbh, it also was bitter at the same time and reminded me of a sour apple juice. Wouldn't buy again especially if alone. But with the fudge, it brought out the deep chocolate parts of the flavor, but it seemed way dryer and less sweet so it just paired pretty badly in my opinion. Everyone else at the table disagreed with me, but I just didn't like them together.

Tasting - Douglas Hill

Name: Douglas Hill
Variety: Blend: Shiraz, Barbera, and Grenache
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: Not listed
Price: $7.95
Winery review: A blend of Shiraz, Barbera, and Grenache with flavors of fresh berries and stone fruits, this sweet-style, easy-drinking wine is delicious when served with appetizers, seafood, shellfish, pork, poultry, and desserts.”.
My review: This was kinda a generic sweet California. It smelled sweet and of blackberries. It tasted like a juice that was a mix of grapes and pineapple. It was sweet and tasted non-alcoholic so it was kinda fun. The best way to describe it was liquid jello. Usually that means juice, but it was kinda just plain and not deep. It seemed fine and I could have picked it up, but I feel like I would want a different sweet wine that had more to it.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Bricco dei Tati

Name: Bricco dei Tati
Variety: Barbera
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $8.95
Winery review: This is a young, fresh, lively Barbera with a persistent and attractive bouquet of black cherries and a bit of spice on the palate. It has few tannins which is typical of the Barbera varietal, and a medium finish. Delightfully approachable, pairs great with cheese, barbecue and game.
My review: Ooooo boy, sometimes I get a wine that I know I could pick up. This wine didn't have much in the smell department. I got some spice, earth, and what I think was cherry. The taste was dry, light bodied, earthy, and had some light berry. This wine left my mouth wanting more of something. Was it wine? I'm not sure, but my mouth wanted something...probs cheese. I can say that this was definetly a chugging wine for me if it were a bit cheaper.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Vina Temprana

Name: Vina Temprana
Variety: "Old vines" Garnacha
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2017
Price: $9.95
Winery review: This wine's bright raspberry and plum aromas are typical of Garnacha. Its fresh, racy palate isn't heavily structured, offering a lovely mix of plum, oak and chocolate flavors.
My review: The smell was pretty deep with the scents of velvet, earth, and leather. The taste was of oak, coco, and cassias. It was smooth throughout with a earthy aftertaste. It was mildly dry. It was OK, but I didn't get too much out of it. I could drink this if I wanted to have something kinda slow to drink, but rn I'm not looking for that. I can just drink some whiskey and have a better time.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Casa Bella

Name: Casa Bella
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Pavia
Country: Italy
Year: 2017
Price: $20
Winery review: Produced by macerating Pinot Grigio grape must with its skins. The skins’ pink hue give the wines its copper color. Flavors of green pear, pomegranate, and honeysuckle. It is somewhat of a big burst of opulent tropical flowers, orchid-like scented, with hints of flower, pungent oily floral notes.
My review: This was alright, I might have grabbed it but it could have had a bit more to grab me and I would have bought one. Onto the tasting part though. The smell was of butter, like if I took a biscuit, wiped off the butter with a paper towel, and then squeezed out the butter into the glass I was drinking. The taste was also butter, but was smooth and had prunes and grapefruit mixed in. Was pretty good for my first orange wine.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Michael Chapoutier Tournon

Name: Michael Chapoutier Tournon
Variety: Viognier Marsanne
Region: Victoria
Country: Australia
Year: 2014
Price: $20
Winery review: Orange blossom and mango aromas leap out of the glass, with a fleshy core and a juicy finish, accented by hints of citrus zest. Viognier and Marsanne.
My review: This was an OK wine. It smelled of fresh bell pepper in a generic white wine. The taste was a rosy sweet taste that was gone the second after I drank it. There was next to no finish and it was just gone after a light taste. I wouldn't grab this cause I want to have something more in my wine.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Declan's

Name: Declan's
Variety: Irish Cream
Region: Lewiston
Country: Maine
Year: Not listed
Price: $20
Winery review: For a true taste of Ireland without the travel, look no further than Declan's Irish Cream Wine Cocktail. Inspired by the bold yet tranquil beauty of the Emerald Isle, its rich flavors evoke images of the lush Irish countryside. Delightfully smooth and indulgently sweet, Declan's is easy to enjoy anywhere and anytime. Whether you take it in coffee or by itself, keep a bottle on your shelf.
My review: This was not wine. This was an irish cream that somehow got mixed in. That is not me dissing it, I'm just saying I don't get why it was in this "Wine tasting". But back to the tasting part. It smelled like Irish cream....cause it is irish cream. It tasted like...irish cream...cause it is irish cream. How supprising. I did enjoy it but that is cause Irish cream is so tasty, I was gonna grab a bottle cause it was cheaper than most Irish cream I ever find but my friends were doing a tasting and one of them said he wasn't going to buy a wine for it so I had to grab an additional bottle of something and I wasn't about to spend over $30 in total today. So would have bought, just circumstance made me not.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Hecht & Bannier

Name: Hetch & Bannier
Variety: Minervois
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $26
Winery review: Pureed raspberry, plum and spice flavors are lined with dusty tannins in this fresh, focused red. Hints of milk chocolate add a touch of richness, with floral and spice notes lingering on the crisp finish. Drink now through 2019. 645 cases imported.
My review: Again, I will be honest with you TA's looking through this wine blog, this wine smelled like not a thing. You could have said there is nothing in the cup and I would have believed you (my nose was stocked up so that could made a difference). I could have yelled "THIS BITCH (cup) IS EMPTY, YEEET" and yote the wine across the room and I would have been surprised if wine even came out of my glass. The taste however was smooth until it hit the after taste. It was earthy, spicy, and creamy which was pleasant. But the aftertaste was just straight garbage and made me unhappy. Would not buy this wine.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Crane Lake (Sangiovase)

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Sangiovase
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2015
Price: $10
Winery review: Medium-garnet color; blackberry, plum and vanilla aromas; raspberry and cherry flavors; with supple tannins for a soft finish.  This wine pairs well with fresh mozzarella and Brie cheeses. Also try it along with veal piccata, chicken parmesan or meat lasagna.
My review: Another Crane Lake? I'm excited (I was just informed afterwards apparently Crane Lake isn't good??? I liked the last one, so imma ignore this random dude who showed up). So to start this seemed kinda weird to me, it smelled deep and earthy. I have a distinct note that it smelled like what the color brown should smell like. I don't know how to explain that other than maybe earthy but it was more than that. It was like it was trying to be deep like black, but couldn't quite handle it so it ended up falling out. Onto the taste. It was like a juicy fruit (type of candy if you've never had it) and had the fruit that I guess is current? Idk, people keep saying that fruit and to this day I have no idea what it is. Lastly it had a flat aftertaste. Wouldn't pick this up for myself, maybe somebody else might want it.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Ch des Muraires

Name: Ch des Muraires
Variety: White blend: 35 % Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 10% Vermentino, and 20% Carignana
Region: Cotes de Provence
Country: France
Year: 2016
Price: $29
Winery review: A blend of 35 % Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 10% Vermentino, and 20% Carignana this is a lightly perfumed wine with a strong herbal element. It is a ripe finely structured wine, with great acidity and orange flavors. A style of wine that will be better for a few more months, it should be drunk from late 2017.
My review: My first whiff of this wine was of peach and seemed like a full wine. When tasting it, it was so light that it almost seemed like water to me. It had a bit of a sour taste and had elements of butter like a biscuit. It was pretty OK, I could have gotten a bottle of this considering the huge sale, but eh, I'd rather just not bother.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Antonello Cassara

Name: Antonello Cassara
Variety: Trefilari Catarrato
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2016
Price: $15
Winery review: Aromas of mature orchard fruit, spring blossom and Herbs de Provence lead the nose. On the tangy palate, a hint of bay leaf accents honeydew melon and citrus. A saline note signals the close.
My review: At first I found a sent of apple and fruit. Seemed like I would enjoy it, as i drank the wine I felt the apple, but it got more and more sour as I drank. Oddly it was smooth with the transition to more a more sour taste. It was pretty light and not too much body. Not much else to say about this wine, I wouldn't pick it up but if you like apple, then go for it.

I did not have this with food.

Wine Dinner 1

Well I never thought I would enjoy one of these a few months ago. I actually really enjoyed this. We had myself and my friends Kaleb, Andrew, Chris, and Grace for this dinner.




















The first wine was a Sauvignon Blanc called Panul. Before pairing it with anything it was kinda a generic white dry wine. We paired it with some salad and it brought out a little more. On my salad I had ranch (yea getting real fancy here) and it was just general lettuce. The wine worked with it because it felt like the salad was refreshing me from drinking the wine (cause I didn't like the wine too much). The salad smelled of leaves and ranch.

The next pairing was of a red tuscany wine with spaghetti with meat sauce. The wine by itself was bad. It was so dark, sour, and bitter that I really would never want to drink it on its own. It did however pair fantastically with the meat sauce. The best way to describe it is that it enhanced the meat and tomato parts of the sauce. I tasted some deep hidden flavors in the wine that were some kind of berry (I think its black current) and just the real fullness of the wine. One thing to note is that I did have to eat the food right after drinking the wine (and not do the reverse order) to get the full grasp of what was accomplished here. The best way to describe how I felt about the pairing can only be captured in the picture to the left.



























The last pairing was of brownies and a delicious honey wine. Alone both the brownies and the mead were awesome. Long it has been sense I have eaten deserts so I was pretty ecstatic about this pairing. Before I even started puting these two together I was happy. I kinda just wanted to eat them separate to make it last longer but nooooooooooooooooooo. When I did pair them together it brought out more of the apple and inner sweetness of the honey wine and gave me a deeper understanding of what brownies really are. Imagine you have a choice between going to jail for 5 years and you get to have this once a month, or never having brownies or this wine ever again. It would be a very easy choice, I'd go jail and be happy once a month.
I hope you enjoyed this blog TA, have a great day and get some of the honey wine for sure, its pretty cheap compared to the other ones at the vintage cellar. Overall this was a great time and I hope to do it again.










Tasting - Vina Galana

Name: Vina Galana
Variety: Sangria
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: Not listed
Price: $9
Winery review: Natural fruit flavors and succulent red wine all fused together in one bottle. This doesn’t require a punch bowl and big ladle, you can chill your bottle in a cooler and head out to the beach or a hike and enjoy a cup of the best sangria anywhere you choose to be.
My review: This started with a chalky smell mixed with chilled fruit. It was as if they made this out of smarties somehow. It tasted pretty different from the smell other than the chalk was still there. It was almost just grape juice so for the rest of these just imagine grape juice with other stuff added to it. It kinda tasted like they added a bit of fireball to it (fireball as in the cinnamon whiskey) and then it went bad overnight with how it was sour. Not a great wine, which is kinda expected from it being in a plastic bottle.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Tres Ojos

Name: Tres Ojos
Variety: Garnacha "old vines"
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2016
Price: $12
Winery review: The 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.
My review: To begin, this smelled of some kind of berry with hints of earthy tones. Not really much else to pull out from the smell. The taste was of again some kind of berry, earthy elements, some vegitation, and cherry. The wine was kinda dry which was a nice touch. Not the best wine I've had but not the worst either. Wouldn't pick this up for myself.

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Tenuta Rapitala

Name: Tenuta Rapitala
Variety: Campo Reale
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2016
Price: $14
Winery review: This early-drinking Nero d'Avola opens with ripe black-skinned fruit, tilled soil and cooking spice aromas. Straightforward and savory, it delivers black cherry, blackberry and ground pepper flavors alongside round tannins.
My review: This started with smelling deep with coco, and earthy elements. The taste was deep dark cherry, earth, and a hint of dark chocolate. The finish was puckering. This isn't a wine that I would want for myself again, but I could see how someone else might want to grab a bottle of this

I did not have this with food.

Tasting - Four Sisters

Name: Four Sisters
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Victoria
Country: Australia
Year: 2016
Price: $17
Winery review: Vibrant passionfruit, gooseberry and lemon citrus flavours shine through on the nose and palate with a fresh, crisp finish. A fantastic match with fresh shellfish, sushi or smoked salmon.
My review: Well this wine at first just smells like urine. I tried so hard to pull some fruit or something else, but someone could have told me that this was urine and I would have believed them. The taste was kind of appley, floral, and of grass. It was sour while drinking and after it just tasted bad. Overall, not a great wine so I wouldn't recommend it.

I did not have this with food.