Tasting - "Mogen David, Concord"

Name: Mogen David, Concord
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: California
Country:United States
Year: N/A
Price: $7
Winery Review: Mogen David Concord is full of dark berry fruit flavors with a smooth mouthfeel. Serve chilled for a classic American taste, or with your favorite mixer - club soda, lemon lime soft drink or ginger ale.

My review: I enjoyed this wine.  It reminded me of drinking grape juice when I was little.  It didn't have a very strong aftertaste.  It seemed more like juice than wine.  I drank this without food.  

Tasting - "Vandori, Pinot Grigio"

Name: Vandori, Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Italy
Country:Italy
Year: 2016
Price: $7
Winery Review: Vandori Pinot Grigio is a very pleasant and easy to drink medium bodied wine showing citrus aromas and presenting flavors of apples and pears.  Its refreshing characteristics can be enjoyed before dinner or with light dishes such as pasta, grilled fish and chicken.

My review: I liked this wine, although it was drier than I normally like.  It reminded me of apples.  I really liked that it wasn't too overpowering for a dry wine.  I drank it with some leftover fried chicken strips, which was not the best idea because the chicken's seasoning did not go well with the apple aftertaste.  It made the chicken seem rather dry.  

Tasting - "Hogue, Gewurztraminer"

Name: Hogue, Gewurztraminer
Variety: Gewurztraminer
Region: N/A
Country: United States
Year: Washington
Price: $8
Winery Review: Our often intense aromas and flavors of sweet lychee, rose petal, and grapefruit.  It's delicious on its own or paired with chicken salad, Thai curry, or other Asian dishes

My review: This wine was very light.  It smelled like flowers.  I did not pair it with any food.

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Tasting - "Gallo Family, Sweet Peach"

Name: Gallo Family, Sweet Peach
Variety: Non-Grape Wines
Region: N/A
Country: United States
Year: N/A
Price: $6
Winery Review: This sweet light to medium-bodied wine has flavours of juicy peach, citrus, pineapple and orange blossom, which complement a crisp, refreshing finish.  

My review: This wine tasted to me like the peach ring candies.  That artificial peach flavor, with sugar.  I love those candies, so I really enjoyed this wine.  

Tasting - "Yellow Tail, Sweet Red Roo"

Name: Yellow Tail, Sweet Red Roo
Variety: Red Blend
Region: South East Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2017
Price: $5
Winery Review: This wine has bold, expressive and naturally sweet flavors that make you want to jump for joy!  Serve at room temperature or chilled if you want to cool things down.  

My review: I tried this at room temperature because it seemed odd to chill red wine.  I am considering trying this again chilled to see if it tastes different(I did not consider this while drinking, or I could have just popped it in the fridge for a bit after pouring myself a glass).  As advertised, this wine was very sweet.  It had a fruity aftertaste as well, which I enjoyed. It didn't taste like chocolate to me but it left me wanting chocolate.  

Tasting - "The Crossings Unoaked Chardonnay"

Name: The Crossings, Unoaked Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2008
Price: $15
Winery Review: With no oak to mask its pure fruit flavors, this fresh and elegant Chardonnay displays ripe stone-fruit characters and hints of tropical fruit, balanced with a crisp citrus finish.   

My review: This wine was dry yet fruity, which is not a common combination for me.  It smelled like citrus, and had a very fresh taste.  I paired this with some leftover pasta.  I honestly do not remember the type of pasta because it's what my sister ordered and left in my fridge, but the pasta was very cheesy.  This wine went well with it; it was dry enough that it did not take away from or mask what I was eating, but actually helped me taste some of the seasonings in the food better.

Tasting - "Canadian River Winery, Chocolate Drop"

Name: Canadian River Winery, Chocolate Drop
Variety: Red Blended
Region: Oklahoma
Country: United states of America
Year: 2018
Price: $16
Winery Review: I could not find a winery review.  

My review: This was very sweet.  You could taste the chocolate additive.  I did not enjoy this as much as I thought I would.

I did not pair this with any food

Tasting - "Canadian River Winery, Moscato"

Name: Canadian River Winery, Moscato
Variety: Riesling
Region: Oklahoma
Country: United states of America
Year: 2018
Price: $15
Winery Review: I could not find a winery review.  

My review: This wine was very sweet, especially considering they made it from a riesling.  It did not have much of an aftertaste.  I was told by one of the people at the winery that what can qualify something as a moscato is not the types of grapes used, but that there are 55 lbs of sugar per drum of wine.  

I did not pair this with any food

Tasting - "Rio Rojo"

Name: Rio Rojo
Variety: Cabernet Cubin
Region: Oklahoma
Country: United states of America
Year: 2018
Price: $15
Winery Review: I could not find a winery review.  

My review: This wine was very sweet with a dry finish.  You could definitely taste the sugar in this, making me wonder if they added sugar after fermentation.  It also tasted rather oaky, which was interesting because I have never had an oaky wine that was this sweet before.  

I did not pair this with any food

Tasting - "Oklahoma Reisling"

Name: Oklahoma Reisling
Variety: Reisling
Region: Oklahoma
Country: United states of America
Year: 2018
Price: $15
Winery Review: I could not find a winery review.  

My review: This wine smelled very acidic to me.  I did not like the taste at first, but once I got used to it I was reminded of eating oyster crackers as a kid when my parents would take me to wineries.  I also tasted apples.

I did not pair this with any food

Tasting - "Aymara, Cabernet Sauvignon"

Name: Aymara, Cabernet Sauvignon 
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon 
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2016
Price: $13
Winery Review: This wine denotes a splendid deep ruby color. Aromas of cedar and spice. In the mouth, it is medium bodied with rich soft layers of plum, black currant and spices. Good concentration and the right amounts of oak. Well balanced with elegant tannins and a long finish.

My review:  I did not enjoy this wine.  It dried out my mouth, the malic acid was too much for me.  It was warm to me as well.  It smelled a bit like plums, but I could not get past the taste to be able to enjoy this.  

I did not eat anything with this, but I believe that this would have tasted better with cheese.  

Tasting - "Barefoot, Pink Moscato"

Name: Barefoot, Pink Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: California
Country: United states
Year: 2017
Price: $5
Winery Review: The winery describes it as a juicy and refreshing wine with ripe nectarine aromas and flavors.  Layers of raspberry and pomegranate compliment the lingering, sweet citrus finish. 

My review:  I really enjoyed this wine.  It was sweet, but also had some acidity to it.  You could feel the acidity on your tongue when you first took a sip.  The bottle recommended that I eat it with strawberry shortcake, but I just ate it with strawberries.  The slight acidity complimented the strawberries well, but it was still sweet enough that it went with the tartness of the strawberries as well.  

Tasting - "Pink Catawba"

Name: St. James Winery, Pink Catawba
Variety: Sweet Rose Wine
Region: Midwestern
Country: United states
Year: 2017
Price: $10
Winery Review: Pink Catawba is fragrant and fruity with a delightful  balance of sweet and tart.

My review:  This wine reminded me of apples.  It was both sweet and tart.  I would not describe the tartness as tannic.  The finish definitely leaves an apple taste in your mouth. 

I tasted this on its own, it tasted good even when not paired with food.

Tasting - "Villa M"

Name: Villa M
Variety: Rose
Region: Piemonte
Country: Italy
Year: 2015
Price: $15
Winery Review: A sweet treat obtained from the natural fermentation of finest grapes.  Delicate and fresh. Serve chilled on it's own, as an aperitif or with fresh fruits and deserts.

My review:  This wine was very subtle to me; it did not have a very strong flavor intensity.  It tasted sweet, but I was not getting much more than that apart from the initial grape flavor.  It was light bodied.

I tasted this on its own, it tasted good even when not paired with food.

Tasting - "Altos Del Plata"

Name: Altos Del Plata
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2016
Price: $10
Winery Review: Intense red with violet highlights, the 2016 Altos del Plata Malbec has great intensity of fruit. Outstanding notes of cherries and forest berries, with subtle notes of caramel, spices and toast provided by oak aging. Important structure, its fruit intensity and roundness are its defining features and make it an elegant wine with high varietal typicity.  

   

My review:  This reminded me of cherries.  It was sweet and rather smooth. 

I tasted this on its own, it tasted good even when not paired with food.

Tasting - "Santa Ema, Select Terroir, Merlot"

Name: Santa Ema, Select Terroir
Variety: Merlot
Region: Santa Ema
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $13
Winery Review:Our Merlot is made with selected grapes from the Cachapoal Valley. Intensely red in color with exceptionally intense aromas that will recall black fruits, spices, and a bit of tobacco.  The Palate is silky and pleasing with good balance and a persistent finish.  

My review:  It smelled rather heavy.  I could taste the tobacco, and it left a dry taste in my mouth.  I was not getting any spices, but I did taste some fruit.  I could not decide on what the fruit tasted like to me.

I tasted this on its own, it tasted good even when not paired with food.

Tasting- "Wild Fire, Proprietor's Reserve"

Name: Wild Fire, Proprietor's Reserve
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Texas wine
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Price: $15
Winery Review:Dry and heavy in body.  It features cherry, fresh plum, subtle tomato flavors as well as some vanilla.  It is a bit rustic, showing some leather and tobacco notes. It pairs well with cured meats, pasta dishes, corned based dishes, like polenta, and many Mexican foods.  

My review:  Smells full and heavy. It tasted like a smokey leather. You can definitely taste the plum and cherry in it, but I was not getting tomato.  

I tasted this on its own, it tasted good even when not paired with food.

Tasting - "Legendary, Estate Series"

Name: Legendary, Estate Series 
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Recas
Country: Romania
Year: Unknown
Price: $7
Winery Review: Pineapple, citrus blossom, and white peach aromas prepare your palate for tastes of green apple, lemon zest and apricots. The finish is crisp and acidic. 

My review:  It’s dryer than any other PG I’ve had, slightly fruity. Not sour, so no puckering. Slightly acidic. Smells grassy with a hint of citrus.  Also tasted apple.  My friend that I was drinking with tasted grapefruit, but I was not getting it.  

I tasted this on its own, it tasted good even when not paired with food.

Tasting - "The Naked Grape, Harvest Red Blend"

Name: The Naked grape, Harvest Red Blend
Variety: Red Blend
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: Unknown
Price: $6

Winery review: Our Red Blend's unrestrained character is celebrated with smooth blackberry and robust plum flavors. 

My review: This tasted very dry to me.  I usually drink very sweet wines, so this was a little different than I am used to.  

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - "Carlo Rossi, Sangria"

Name: Carlo Rossi, Sangria
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Central Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: Unknown
Price: $10

Shop review: University Liquor did not have a review for this wine.

My review:  I enjoyed this wine.  It was very sweet and had a fruity flavor. It tasted less like grapes than other wines I have tried.

I tasted this on its own, it tasted good even when not paired with food.  

Mandatory Intro Post

Your personal experience with wine thus far in in your life! You can write about experiences, or lack thereof, your tastes, what you like, what you don’t like, how often you have tried wine, and in what circumstances. Also, include some things you hope to learn about wine from this course. Be as specific as possible How easy is that to grab 10 points right out of the gate?

My personal experience with wine:

I had a very limited knowledge of wine growing up.  I knew that my mom drinks wine with ice cubes in it.  My older sister only drinks red wine, unless its prosecco.  Most of my family is more interested in beer, but many family trips we would stop at wineries as well as breweries to learn more about the products in general.

I studied abroad in Italy for a semester in college, but at the time I was 19 and wasn't too interested in how wine is made or where it came from(I was more interested in being able to legally drink it).  I went to one wine tasting at the person who described it to us was not very knowledgeable.  I do enjoy wine, and have come to appreciate it more than I did while in Italy.  I personally like white wine more if it is dry, and red wine more if it is sweet. 

In this course I would like to learn more general knowledge about wine.  I am interested to know the more cultural side of it.  I want to learn about how it effects the world in general. I like learning about how things as simple as wine can have a large influence.