Tasting- Cellar 8 Pinot Grigio

Name: Cellar 8 Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: Normally $13 (was closeout priced at $4.95)

Winery review: A lot of wines that were open for sampling at the Vintage Cellar on Jan. 30 do not have professional reviews online.  This is another one.  The only review I could find seems to be one from the winery and reposted in several different places.  The review says: Cellar No. 8 wines are crafted at the historic Asti Winery in California. Cellar No. 8 Pinot Grigio displays notes of pineapple and jasmine on the nose. Crisp and light, this wine has grapefruit and lime flavors that open to a refreshing finish with balanced acidity. Cellar No. 8 Pinot Grigio is perfect on its own, anytime. Cellar No. 8 wines honor and reflect the rich winemaking tradition at Asti. Whether relaxing in your favorite leather chair or celebrating with friends, Cellar No. 8 is a great discovery which might just become your next tradition.

My review: This wine was extremely watered down.  One of the first things I noticed as it was being poured into my glass was the color.  It appeared almost clear in my glass and had very little scent.  As I was tasting it I tried to keep taking sips in order to get some flavor, but I couldn't really get anything.  It had a little bit of a sweet flavor that was too watered down to really taste. Everyone that tasted this wine at the same time as me made a comment that it was just watery.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- George Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: George Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Variety: Gamay Grape
Region: Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages
Country: France (Eastern)
Year: 2011
Price: Normally $12 (was closeout priced at $3.95)

Winery review: There were a ton of articles about this wine, but not a lot of professional reviews.  People get very excited about this wine because it is released every year on a certain date in November, so at midnight there is always a huge celebration for the uncorking of it.  The one review I did find was from Easy food and wine: Aroma is almost tacky sweet and tart, like apple hard candy.  Brightly fruity in the mouth but a little thin.  Balanced though quick finish.  

My review: I don't like that many red wines, and I've never had one that I've liked as much as I like this one.  It has a strong grape smell and somewhat of a grapey taste as well.  Moreso than most other wines I've tried.  It's got a little bit of a bite, but for the most part it's extremely sweet.  I also agree with the review that it is very fruity and I also think that it doesn't have as much as a wood flavor as many wines, especially reds, tend to have.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Neirano Barbera d'Asti

Name: Neirano Barbera d'Asti
Variety: Barbera
Region: Piedmont Region (Asti)
Country: Italy
Year: 2005
Price: Around $8

Winery review: It was nearly impossible to find a review from a critic anywhere online, however I have one from Wine&Spirits Magazine: This simple, meaty Barbera finishes soft and sweet, a light red for sausages. Biagio Cru and Estate Wines, Roslyn Heights, NY.  And here is how it is described by The Wine Reserve: A brilliant fresh and full bodied wine which exhibits round sweet fruit flavours and extraordinary length. It is a delicious modern style of Barbera with both elegance and complexity supported by supple, moderate tannins. Barbera gives intense mouthfilling berry fruit, velvety texture and acidity softened by age in barrel.

My review: I thought it was extremely delicious.  It was heavier and thicker than I am used to, however it was a pleasant surprise.  It has a deep woody flavor and also tastes like darker fruits, such as blackberries and plums.  It has a very overwhelming scent, and a sweet finish.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Getting Started

My name is Erin and I'm currently a second semester senior at Virginia Tech. I am enrolled in a Geography of Wine class and using this blog to document my experiences visiting vineyards, enjoying wine and food at local restaurants and wine tasting around town.  It's going to be an interesting semester because thus far, I haven't spent a lot of time really thinking about the wines that I taste in depth.  I'm sure I'll learn a lot as I get to enjoy many different flavors and varieties of wine each week, including some I'm sure I won't be so into.