Tasting-Foxhollow Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Foxhollow Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Rich and supple with juicy plum, blackberry and chocolate flavors and a pleasant sense of sweetness backed up by good acidity and moderate tannins. Offers early complexity and charm with real richness and depth.

My Review: This red wine came off as being very sweet, both in aroma and in taste. It left me with a feeling of a buttery/smooth finish and was not dry at all. I was pleasantly surprised by this wine and quite enjoyed it. I would consider indulging in it again in the future! 

Tasting-B&G Chicken & Turkey Cotes du Rhone

Name: B&G Chicken & Turkey Cotes du Rhone
Variety: 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Carignan
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $10

Vintage Cellar Review: Deep red garnet color with purple highlights. Intense nose of morello cherry, tobacco and liquorice. Good structure on the palate with lots of fruits and a long fruity and spicy finish. A true delight.

My Review: The wine had a strong, deep red appearance and emitted an aroma of cherry flavors. The taste was more dry in my opinion and seemed to leave a spicy after taste-almost a peppery one. I wasn't a huge fan of this wine and would probably stray away from it in the future. 

Tasting-Foxhollow Chardonnay

Name: Foxhollow Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This Chardonnay’s aromas of tropical pineapple, crisp green apple and citrus are supported by underlying nuances of vanilla. The finish is smooth and creamy yet balanced with enough acidity to accentuate the vibrant fruit flavors with a hint of orange blossoms.

My Review: This white wine gave off a strong fruity aroma-specifically, a pear flavor came to my mind. It had a very smooth finish and was enjoyable to drink. I would definitely drink this wine again!

Tasting-Fontana Candida Frascati

Name: Fontana Candida Frascati

Variety: 60% Malvasia Bianca di Candia, 

30% Trebbiano, 10% Malvasia del Lazio

Region: Frascati

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: $12

Vintage Cellar Review: This Frascati, made from grapes grown in volcanic soils near Rome and cold filtered, is a pale straw gold. On the nose it offers light-as-a-zephyr lemon and a hint of grass. On the tongue it is ultra crisp and delightfully flinty, its lemon and clementine flavors as smooth as old silk. At the end of a nice clean finish a dab of ripe pear takes a bow.

My Review: This wine had a lighter color to it and a fruity aroma about it. I was left with a sharp after taste, but it was pleasant without  being too much. I also sensed a hint of apple flavor. I enjoyed this                                                         wine and would drink it again! 

Previous Experience/Introduction to Geography of Wine

     Up to this point in my life, I don't currently have too much experience with wine or wine tastings. Most of the wine I have had has been with my parents on special occasions. This year specifically, I have had more wine than previously because my current roommate is a big fan. Typically the wines I drink while at school are much cheaper than what I drink with my parents. Also, when I've had wine with my parents we had a tendency to pair it with a nice cheese and crackers combination or a high-quality meal. I have also been to a winery, but only once so far. I live up in Northern Virginia which is surrounded by nice wineries. Hopefully I will get to a few more this semester! 

     In general, I prefer white wine over red. I have only had a few red wines and really haven't been a fan. I also like my wines fairly chilled and enjoy sweeter wines. I used to have no desire to drink wine but I have recently been acquiring more of a taste for it so I am excited to try many more wines and further develop my palate this semester! 

    Through this course, I hope to further my knowledge in the wine department. I am hoping this will make me both a smarter and more experienced wine drinker. Currently, I really have nothing to go off of when purchasing wine-I simply buy wines I've had recommended or I know that my friends like. Therefore, I hope to learn about how to make purchasing decisions based on specific and measurable factors. I also would like to develop an understanding of what differentiates the various types of wine. Personally, I think I would be most interested and invested in learning about the best food and wine pairings-I really prefer to drink my wine with some sort of dish rather than simply by itself. 

   Overall, I think that this course will greatly strengthen my understanding and knowledge. I'm looking forward to seeing how far I progress throughout the semester in regards to my tastes, preferences and knowledge.