Wine Tasting - Crane Lake White Zinfandel

Name: Crane Lake White Zinfandel

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $6

Outside Reviews: 

"Light pink wine with floral and tropical aromas: flavors of strawberry, peach and raspberry with a touch of sweetness. This wine is an easy sipping wine that also pairs well with a wide variety of foods ranging from crab cakes or pâté to spicy Asian dishes, glazed ham, and grilled sea bass." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This white zinfandel is actually a pink rosy color. It smells like tropical fruits, especially pineapple, melon, and raw sugar. It tastes very fruity and sweet, like pineapple, but it has a bitter aftertaste. This is a watery, thin wine. I tasted it without food.

Wine Tasting - Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet

Name: Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet

Variety: Alicante Bouchet

Region: Spain

Country: Spain

Year: 2012

Price: $15 on sale for $10

Outside Reviews: 

"From the rare Alicante Bouchet, one of the few grapes in the world with red flesh  this wine has a plush texture carring flavors of brandied cherry and chocolate ganache in this round red. Light tannins and gentle acidity impart a lovely, balanced structure." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This wine is a rich orange red in color. It smells very earthy, like wet rocks and broccoli. It tastes very oaky and dry, with a grassy flavor initially and a light pumpkin spice aftertaste. This is a watery, thin-bodied wine. I tasted it without food.

Wine Tasting - Tonnino Syrah

Name: Tonnino Syrah

Variety: Syrah

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2013

Price: $14 on sale for $8

Outside Reviews: 

"An intense red color. Aromas of violet and blackcurrant enriched by hints of liquorice and black pepper. In the mouth it is full, round, slightly tannic and with a spicy note on the finish." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This wine is a watery red in color. It smells like butter, sour cream, and vanilla. Surprisingly, none of these flavors come through in the taste; this syrah tastes distinctly of vegetables. Broccoli, tomato, and red bell pepper are very apparent. This is a very watery and thin-bodied wine. I tasted it without food.

Wine Tasting - Riebeek Cellars Viognier

Name: Riebeek Cellars Viognier

Variety: Viognier

Region: Swartland

Country: South Africa

Year: 2015

Price: $12 on sale for $8

Outside Reviews: 

"This is a luscious viognier, featuring a deep yellow color, that explodes with juicy peach and honeysuckle flavors. Viognier can easily become flabby, but this one manages to keep its figure within bounds. I recommend this for immediate, lip-smacking enjoyment."
-Washington Post

My Review:

This viognier is a pale yellow color and has a light aroma of pears and flowers. It tastes sweet initially and ends with a metallic musty flavor. A slight sourness becomes apparent on the mid palette that resembles raspberries. This wine is watery and thin-bodied. I tasted it without food.

Wine Tasting - Dom Michel Thomas Sancerre Rose

Name: Dom Michel Thomas Sancerre Rose

Variety: Sancerre

Region: Loire

Country: France

Year: 2013

Price: $32 on sale for $9

Outside Reviews: 

"Bright orange-pink. Lively, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh red berries, orange peel and honeysuckle, with a hint of anise building in the glass. Dry and nervy in the mouth, offering vibrant strawberry and orange pith flavors and a suggestion of rose pastille. The floral element comes back on the finish, which lingers with very good spicy persistence" -Stephen Tanzer

My Review:

This rose has a bright, orange hue to it. It smells acrid and bitter with faint notes of paper pulp. It tastes very citrusy and sour; grapefruit and lemon flavors are very apparent. It has a bitter, peppery aftertaste, but it is very full-bodied and coats the tongue. I did not think this wine had good balance. I tasted it without food.

Wine and Cheese Pairing

I have a confession; I don't like cheese. I'll eat mild cheeses, like cream cheese and mozzarella, but other than that, cheese is very unpleasant to me. I took a big step outside of my comfort zone last Sunday, though, to do a wine and cheese pairing with my friends Jessica, Lauren, and Kim. It wasn't so terrible, but maybe that's the wine speaking!

We all went on a group excursion to Kroger to pick out some wines, and then we went to Eats Natural Foods on North Main Street to find some eclectic cheeses. Our wine choices were Tarima Monastrell, Thor's Well Pinot Gris, and El Pensador Tempranillo, and our cheese choices were a Wensleydale cheese with Cranberries, and aged, smoked cheddar, and a goat cheese with lavender.

Me with some groceries!

For not being a cheese eater, the smoked cheddar (left) was especially unpleasant to me. It's a hard, bitter, smoky, crumbly cheese that embodies everything I don't like about cheese. The other two were okay; the Wensleydale (center) is sweet, rich, and crumbly and tastes a lot like cream cheese, and the goat cheese (right) is soft, creamy, and has a tangy/sour flavor that is nicely complemented by the lavender.

We chose some really distinct cheeses to pair with our wines, so it was really interesting to see how they all tasted with the different wines and how the flavors of the wines changed. 

Name: Tarima

Variety: Monastrell

Region: Alicante

Country: Spain

Year: 2014

Price: $7

I picked this wine out because I thought the picture on the label looked like a micelle (yes, I'm a nerd)! This is a very dark, purple-black wine. It smells very smooth, creamy, and buttery, and shows aromas of spices and plums. On its own, it tastes very dry and reminds me of cardboard. It has a chewy, full-bodied feel to it, which I enjoy. In combination with the smoked cheddar cheese, this wine took on a more intense, spicy sensation, and the texture of the cheese with the wine was not very smooth. With the Wensleydale, the alcohol in the wine became very pronounced; it almost created a burning sensation in my throat, and the texture of the cheese was again not conducive to smooth mixing. The wine really brought out the sweetness of the cheese, though. My favorite pairing was with the goat cheese. The texture of the cheese mixed nicely with the wine and created a very smooth, full-bodied sensation. This cheese brought out some of the spiciness of the wine again, but the effect was harmonious with the creaminess of the cheese.

Name: Thor's Well

Variety: Pinot Gris

Region: Oregon

Country: USA

Year: 2014

Price: $16

This pinot gris is a pale gold color and smells like flowers, Granny Smith apples, pollen, and alcohol. On its own, it tastes acrid and citrusy with a bitter aftertaste. This is a semi-dry wine that has a very full body. This wine paired much more nicely with the smoked cheddar; the cheese cut through all of the acidity of the wine, and the wine cut through all of the bitterness of the cheese. Mixing this wine with the Wensleydale cheese created a texture and flavor that reminded me exactly of ice cream. The cheese brings out the sweetness in the wine. Finally, with the goat cheese, the wine takes on a mild, pleasant, and sweet flavor. The cheese again cut through the acidity of the wine. 

Name: El Pensador

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: Borja

Country: Spain

Year: 2013

Price: $10

El Pensador is a blackish red in color and smells like smoke, pepper, and cherries. On its own, it tastes woody and oaky with a hint of smokiness, but it also has a sweet cherry flavor as well. This is an extremely dry wine with a watery, thin body. This wine paired really well with the smoked cheddar as well; the effect was very balanced, and the cheese brought a sweet, buttery flavor to the wine. The Wensleydale helped to balance out the dryness of the wine, but it also brought out the alcohol flavor. My favorite combination was again with the goat cheese; the creamy goat cheese helped to add a lot of body to the wine and balance out the tannins. The wine really enhanced the lavender flavor in the cheese as well. The overall effect was very smooth and pleasant.

I guess cheese isn't so bad if you have plenty of wine to go with it! Until next time, friends!

Wine Tasting - Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo

Name: Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $13

Outside Reviews: 

"Bright, deep, cherry red. Intense aromas of ripe black berries to the nose accompanied with balsamic touches which are reminiscent of coconut and licorice. It is fresh and pleasant in the mouth with a noticeable texture where the smokey and fruit assembled nuances reappear. Long and enfolding finish." -Winemaker

My Review:

This Spanish wine is a deep dark red in color. It smells very buttery and tangy and rich. Taste wise, it starts out with a sweetness that ends in a very sour, fresh grape flavor. It has a metallic edge to it as well. When I tasted it with spicy Cajun food, the wine became much smoother and creamier. 

Wine Tasting - Crane Lake Gewurztraminer

Name: Crane Lake Gewurztraminer

Variety: Gewurztraminer

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $6

Outside Reviews: 

"Slightly high-toned notions of rose petal mingle with lemon on nose and palate of this lightly sweet, richly textured yet balanced Gewürztraminer. This is not as heady as you may expect and will be a treat with spicy Asian dishes. Lychee and rose petal make another very fetching appearance on the finish." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This gewurztraminer is a golden yellow color. It smells like very sweet fruit but also like a moldy, musty basement. This is a very sweet wine. It has a pleasant floral flavor that I had a really hard time placing, but the heat of the alcohol does shine through. This is another watery wine. I tasted it without food.

Wine Tasting - Codirosso Chianti

Name: Codirosso Chianti

Variety: Chianti

Region: Tuscany

Country: Italy

Year: 2014

Price: $13 on sale for $8

Outside Reviews: 

"Ruby red color with purple reflections.  Intense vinous bouquet with hints of violets and dark cherry fruit. The flavor is full of ripe fruit and a hint of spice. It is well balanced and dry. The finish is persistent and satisfying." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

The Codirosso chianti is a dark, black red in color. It has a very strong and pleasant scent of vanilla. None of the vanilla comes through in the flavor; it has a slight sweetness to it, but this quickly becomes sour and peppery with a strong resemblance of tomatoes. This wine is very watery in feel, yet it is very drying on the tongue in the aftertaste. I tried this wine without food.

Wine Tasting - Palacio de Bornos Verdejo

Name: Palacio de Bornos Verdejo

Variety: Verdejo

Region: Rueda

Country: Spain

Year: 2013

Price: $12 on sale for $6

Outside Reviews: 

"Zesty and clean, with pure grapefruit and passion fruit aromas. It’s charged up but perfectly balanced, with bright, focused citrus and pineapple flavors. Lemony acidity keeps the finish rolling, then throw in some chive and fresh greens and you have a spot-on Verdejo." -Wine Enthusiast

My Review:

This verdejo is a light yellow-gold in color. It smells very fruity yet has overtones of hot asphalt. It tastes bitter initally, then becomes very sour and reminds me of olives. The body is very light and watery. I tasted this wine without food.

Wine Tasting - Tonnino Grillo

Name: Tonnino Grillo

Variety: Grillo

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2014

Price: $14 on sale for $8

Outside Reviews: 

"Fruit-forward and tangy, this light-bodied, snappy white offers flavors of guava, apricot, candied grapefruit zest and stone. Drink now. 20,000 cases made." -Wine Spectator

My Review:

This greenish-yellow grillo smells acrid, sharp, and metallic. On the tongue, it tastes sour initially, then becomes more sweet and fruity on the mid palette. The metallic flavor really shines through in the sour aftertaste; it almost has a bloodiness to it. This wine is very watery to me and does not have much body. I tasted this wine without food.

Dinner - Homemade (Indian)

Dinner is served! Naan is to the back left, baingan
aloo is to the back right, and the Navratan korma
is in the front.

For Valentine's Day, my boyfriend Ryan and I decided to cook ourselves an Indian feast of Baingan Aloo, Navratan Korma, and Naan. Our love of Indian cuisine was inspired by a local restaurant here in Blacksburg, India Garden, that has a wonderful lunch buffet. I had never tried Indian food until I stepped into India Garden last spring upon a friend's recommendation, but I quickly found out that I had been missing out on one of the most delicious and interesting styles of food in the world.

Indian For Everyone by Anupy Singla

One of my favorite dishes at India Garden is the vegetable korma which has a variety of vegetables drenched in a creamy cashew sauce. I've been so distraught over the fact that after I graduate this spring, I won't be able to go eat it at India Garden anymore! Knowing this, Ryan thoughtfully bought me a cookbook and an assortment of Indian cooking supplies for my birthday back in December. The cookbook, shown to the right, focuses on classic, everyday Indian dishes and provides modifications to veganize every dish. It has a recipe for Navratan "nine jewels" korma, which is a heartier, richer take on the vegetable korma at India Garden. 

The korma we made not only had vegetables, but dried fruit as well. We included cauliflower, carrots, green beans, zucchini, potato, red bell pepper, peas, corn, edamame, tomatoes, and golden raisins in our cashew cream curry, which was spiced with turmeric, coriander, cayenne, cloves, cardamom, ginger, and Garam Masala. Above you can see Ryan manning the korma on the stove.

Baingan aloo is another one of my favorites from India Garden. This dish has one of my favorite vegetables, eggplant, sauteed with potato, cumin, turmeric, serrano peppers, Garam Masala, and cilantro. I regret putting two whole serrano chiles in this dish; it was a little too spicy for me! Here I am stirring up the baingan aloo.

Finally, we couldn't possibly eat korma without our favorite Indian bread: naan. We always pile our plates high with it at India Garden so that we can drench it in our yellow korma sauce. According to my cookbook, naan is actually not eaten very often in India; it is considered a treat for special occasions only. No wonder we love it so much! 

Homemade naan bread with nigella flower seeds

I whipped up the dough earlier in the day on Valentine's Day so that it would have time to rise. We cooked it in the oven at 500 degrees Fahrenheit on the very top rack with a Pyrex dish full of water at the bottom of the oven to simulate the conditions of a tandoori oven. This recipe had the unexpected addition of kalonji, or nigella seeds, which gave our naan a unique and delicious flavor. Needless to say, we were very hungry and exhausted by the time all of this food was ready!

The table is set; time to chow down! (And drink up!)

A quick browsing on the internet told us that sweet white wines, such as Gewurztraminer and Riesling, go well with Indian food and korma specifically. The sweetness is supposed to balance out the spiciness of the food. We chose to drink Willm Gewurztraminer Reserve from Alsace, vintage 2014, and Schloss Vollrads Estate Kabinett Riesling from Rheingau, vintage 2011, based on that recommendation. Our third wine was more of a departure from the styles of the other two; I had a bottle of Indwe Pinotage from South Africa, vintage 2013, that I had picked up from the Vintage Cellar. This dry, red wine got a nice review, so we decided to try it too!

Name: Schloss Vollrads Estate

Variety: Riesling

Region: Rheingau

Country: Germany

Year: 2011

Price: $33 on sale for $14

The riesling on its own has a light, citrusy aroma that is almost musty. The flavor reminds me very vividly of apples. It becomes very tart on the mid palette, but mellows out into a more buttery softness. When I tasted this with the baingan aloo, I really picked up on a fizzing sensation; the slight carbonation had a real zing with this spicy dish, and the sweetness was replaced by a more pronounced sourness. With the korma, the riesling took on a sour, metallic flavor, which ended more sweetly with floral notes. With the yeasty naan, all of the sweetness of this wine pretty much disappeared and was replaced by a sharp, alcoholic pow. It was incredible to taste how differently this wine embodied itself with each of my foods.

Name: Willm

Variety: Gewurztraminer

Region: Alsace

Country: France

Year: 2014

Price: $15

This dark gold wine smells like dust, petroleum, and honey at the same time. Without food, it tastes very crisp, fruity, and sweet yet bitter at the same time. This was the wine that was specifically recommended for korma. When I tasted it with the baingan aloo, it really helped to mellow out the spiciness of the serranos. It took on a buttery, creamy sensation that was a nice complement to the dish. With the korma, the wine became almost like water; I couldn't really taste it at all! The sweetness disappeared, but the korma really shined. I guess this is what was supposed to happen... On the contrary, the sweetness of this wine was exceptionally strong when I tasted it with the naan. Again, the alcohol became very apparent with the naan. I would say this was my favorite wine to drink with all of the food.

Name: Indwe

Variety: Pinotage

Region: Coastal

Country: South Africa

Year: 2013

Price: $7

The pinotage is a dark black-red in color, and it smells very chocolatey and rich, like dried fruit. It tastes dry, like charred wood, but it then proceeds to coat the tongue on the mid palette without food. Interestingly enough, when I tasted this wine with the baingan aloo, all of the woodiness disappeared, and some sweet overtones appeared. The korma, on the other hand, enhanced the woody, smoky flavor of the wine. Finally, the naan brought out a really unpleasant bitterness in the wine along with the now expected alcohol flavor. I didn't particularly enjoy this wine with the food, but it was definitely my favorite to drink on its own.

All in all, I think Ryan and I had a pretty successful Valentine's Day dinner. Not only did we get to recreate some of our favorite foods from scratch, we got to experience firsthand just how different our food could taste with these three distinct wines. To read Ryan's take on the evening, check out his blog at http://rgrove4-wine.blogspot.com/.

Wine Tasting - Peter Mertes Platinum Riesling

Name: Peter Mertes Platinum Riesling

Variety: Riesling

Region: Germany

Country: Germany

Year: 2014

Price: $18 Magnum

Outside Reviews: 

"Light-bodied slightly sweet white wine; medium pale slightly greenish yellow. Inviting fresh white peach aroma and flavors. Easy to drink and not complicated, but what's there is very pleasant, and flavors develop in the glass." -Winery Notes

My Review:

This riesling is a very pale white color. It smells like slightly browned sugar and dried fruits. On the tongue, it is very crisp and is somehow both sweet and tart at the same time. There are even a few bitter overtones to the flavor. I really enjoyed this wine. I tasted it without food.

Wine Tasting - Crane Lake Petite Sirah

Name: Crane Lake Petite Sirah

Variety: Petite Sirah

Region: Lodi, California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $6

Outside Reviews: 

"This wine is ruby-purple colored; notes of blackberry, plums and spice predominate the nose and flavors. The tannins give a soft, full mouth feel." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This wine is a beautiful deep magenta-purple color. It smells simultaneously of tree fruit and flowers, such as jasmine, with hints of something deeper like coffee. The flavor is light and sour, like cranberries. I tasted this wine without food.

Wine Tasting - El Cortijillo Tempranillo

Name: El Cortijillo Tempranillo

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2014

Price: $9

Outside Reviews: 

"Bright purple. High-pitched red berry and floral scents display good clarity and a hint of cracked pepper. Shows a touch of jamminess to its pliant black raspberry and cherry compote flavors, with a spicy quality adding vibrancy. Finishes with good focus and no obvious tannins, leaving a sweet berry note behind." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This tempranillo is a dark, ruby red in color. It has a very rich aroma of creamy chocolate and plum, but the taste disappoints with a watery, dry, woody, sweaty leather flavor. Needless to say, I did not enjoy this wine. I tasted it without food.

Wine Tasting - Les Clos Francs Vouvray Chenin Blanc

Name: Les Clos Francs Vouvray Chenin Blanc

Variety: Chenin Blanc

Region: Loire Valley

Country: France

Year: 2013

Price: $21

Outside Reviews: 

"The cool climate in the Vouvray appellation area insures good acidity, which is balanced by the distinctly fruity character of the Chenin Blanc and the mineral qualities imparted by the soil. Thanks to these natural elements, this Vouvray combines elegance and vigor with honey dipped pears and an inherent freshness." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

The Les Clos Francs Vouvray Chenin Blanc is a pale golden yellow and smells of sundried tomatoes, petroleum, and pineapple. It tastes much sweeter than expected, but with a rubbery, sour aftertaste. It is very wet, and coats the tongue with a distinct creaminess. I tasted this wine without food.

Wine Tasting - La Lejania Chardonnay

Name: La Lejania Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Central Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2015

Price: $10

Outside Reviews: 

"A refined and suave style, with a rich array of white fruit and cream flavors, featuring a plush texture. Ripe citrus and pear notes fill the smooth finish." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This chardonnay is a pale green in color and has a sour yet floral aroma that reminds me of figs. None of the sweet fig flavor comes through on the tongue; this wine is very acrid and sour and leaves a bitter aftertaste. The volatile acidity of this wine made my nose feel funny as I drank it! I did not taste this wine with food.

Wine Tasting - Yellow Tail Red Moscato

Name: Yellow Tail Red Moscato Bubbles

Variety: Moscato

Region: Australia

Country: Australia

Year: Non Vintage

Price: $10

Outside Reviews: 

"With a gorgeous deep pink hue, this is a wine that offers scrumptious aromas of lifted tropical fruits, ripe fresh strawberries with black currant and raspberry texture. Its flavor is a vibrant Moscato, with fresh forest fruits and strawberries and a nice dose of sweetness." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This unique red moscato has a rosy color. It has a sweet aroma of strawberries and cream. It has a strong flavor of apples which develops into a butterscotch aftertaste. The sharp carbonation helps to cut some of the sweetness of this wine. I tasted this moscato without food.

Wine Tasting - Beringer Red Blend

Name: Beringer Smooth Red Blend

Variety: Blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2012

Price: $15

Outside Reviews: 

"A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Without a doubt, very smooth and uniquely balanced. Not too dry but not too sweet. Has a foundation of raspberry and blackberry that lingers in the finish. A slight hint at vanilla and some spice when it touches your tongue." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This red wine is light and watery in color with very orange hues. It has a microbial scent of tangy cheese. It has a flavor of wood and blackberries which sharpens into a slightly peppery aftertaste. I tasted this wine without food.

Wine Tasting - Yellow Tail Cabernet Merlot

Name: Yellow Tail Cabernet Merlot

Variety: Cabernet Merlot

Region: Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2014

Price: $10

Outside Reviews: 

"A classic blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium-bodied and very approachable with soft tannins. Fruit-forward flavors of plum, cherry and blackberry are accented by notes of spice with more juicy berries on the finish." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This deep, dark ruby red wine has a rather unpleasant musty and sour smell. There are even notes of petroleum in the aroma. Despite this, the taste is surprisingly sweet, with wood and cherries on the mid palette and a peppery, spicy aftertaste. I tasted this wine without food.

Wine Tasting - Be. Bright Pinot Grigio

Name: Be. Bright Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $10

Outside Reviews: 

"This effortless Pinot Grigio keeps things light, with sun-ripened citrus flavors and a crisp, fresh finish. An instant taste of optimism, perfect for setting a carefree mood at any occasion. Serve chilled for total deliciousness." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This pinot grigio is a very light yellow color with pale greens. It smells very sweet, like raw sugar and pears. On the tongue, it is very smooth with little aftertaste; it's citrusy, but not sour, nor sweet. It has a very bold taste. I tasted this wine without food.

Wine Tasting - Dynamite Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Dynamite Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Lake County, California

Country: USA

Year: 2012

Price: $13

Outside Reviews: 

"Melon, green apple and citrus flavors are lively and refreshing, with a spicy, floral nuance." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

The Dynamite Sauvignon Blanc is a light, pale gold-green color. It has an aroma of buttery, sweet cream. I tasted this wine without food, and I enjoyed its initially sweet taste which becomes very floral as it settles, maybe even tropical.