On April 28, 2012 (my 22nd birthday) I went to Fork and Cork in Blacksburg, Virginia. My first (and definitely won't be my last) wine festival experience.
Fork and Cork from a distance. Taken with my camera.
I tried several wines and even bought my favorite. It was a day full of fun, friends, and wine, lots of it!
Some of the wineries I tasted wine from were:
Attimo Winery
Fincastle Vineyard and Winery
Naked Mountain Winery and Vineyard
Notaviva Vineyard
Mountain Rose Vineyard
Well Hung Vineyard
White Rock
Peaks of Otter
Savoy-Lee
& others!
I tried all the wines (red and white) from each winery I went to.
I even tried the SPICY wine from Peaks of Otter. It was absolutely terrible. I ran to the water station and chugged water. Not worth the "I kissed the devil" sticker. Should have gotten a medal for that.
My favorite wine I tried the entire day was from Mountain Rose Vineyard. It was one of their white wines, Sweet Mountain Rose. I bought a bottle of that and enjoyed sipping on that while in line to taste other wines.
Some friends and I enjoying wine.
Picture from http://www.attimowinery.com/
On Friday, April 6, 2012, three of my friends and I went to Attimo Winery in Christiansburg, VA. We tasted 9 different wines and walked around outside and viewed the vicinity. The wine tasting was a seated wine tasting. After the wine tasting, three of us shared a cheese and fruit plate. Along with the cheese and fruit plate, I got a glass of Sonnet 98. I thought it paired extremely well with the cheese.
I really enjoyed this winery. The staff was extremely friendly and willing to answer any questions we had. I will definitely be recommending this winery to people.
Most of their wines are barreled in American Oak from Pennsylvania.
Below are the wines we tasted and their description and my thoughts.
My thoughts/what I learned are in blue.
Sonnet 98 (2010)- Dry, Crisp, floral, hints of fresh greens (Vidal Blanc, 13% alc)
I learned this wine was named after Shakespeare. It's a wine that reflects the spring. It was light and crisp. I thought it was more acidic and earthy.
I Do (2010)- Semi-sweet, distinct citrus notes (Traminette/Petit Manseng, 13% alc)
This wine is a blend of two different wines. It's 80-20, respectively. This wine was sweet with a spicy after taste. It pairs well with Asian food and spicy food.
Deep Silence (2010)- Dry red, intense berry flavors and light smokey pepper finish (Cabernet Franc, 13.5% alc)
It had a distinct Cabernet aroma. It had a smokey taste and was not overly dry. It pairs well with cheese.
AD 325 (2010)- Dry red with bold flavors and cherry undertones (Chambourcin, 13.8% alc)
This wine was named after the year 325 AD after the Christian Bible because it is the most inked book in the world. Apparently this wine stains badly. This wine was unoaked. I could taste the cherry and it was tart. The wine was a deep purple/red color.
Sweet Berry Sunset- Semi-sweet, intense berry and fruity flavors (Raspberry/Red Blend, 12.5% alc)
Dessert wine. Sweet, definitely could taste the raspberry. It tasted more like juice than wine. I could not taste the alcohol.
Sudden Downpour- Sweet, apple wine with bourbon notes and earthy tones (Apple/White Blend, 12.5% alc)
Aged in a Bourbon barrel. Tasted apple. It was not overly sugarly.
Masquerade (2010)- Dry, smooth and oakey (Chardonnay, 12.5% alc)
Buttery, light, smooth, and creamy.
Vertex (2010)- Dry red, rich with black currant flavors and French oak notes (Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% alc)
I could taste the berries. It had a silky finish with an oak taste at the end. This wine goes well with rosemary walnuts.
Seduction (2010)- Sweet, vintage ruby port. Direct from Portugal, hints of raspberry and raisins (Tinta Madera/Touriga nacional/Sauzao, 18% alc)
I really, really liked this wine. It smelt and tasted like raisins. It was hot.
I went to a wine tasting at Vintage Cellar in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Image from http://growlerfills.blogspot.com/2010/06/where-to-find-beer-vintage-cellar.html
White Wines
Cellar 8 Pinot Grigio- I bought this wine. It was sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. It was light and fruity.
Coldstream Hills Sauvignon Blanc- I was not a fan of this wine. It had an aftertaste.
Crane Lake Moscato- I liked this wine. It was sweet and fruity.
Ed Hardy/Christian Audigier Chardonnay- Did not like this wine. I felt it in my nose, as weird as that sounds.
Faraway Farm Chenin Blanc- I thought this was a decent white wine. It was light and fruity.
Palos Verdejo- This was a Spanish wine. It was sweet and fruity.
Rocland Duck Duck Goose Chardonnay- This wine was okay. It had a little fruity taste.
Spanish Vines Sauv Blanc 2009- This wine was smooth. I thought it went down like water.
Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling- Sweet, but not as sweet as some of the others. I could taste the fruits.
Waterbrook Sangiovese Rose- I thought this wine was decent. It was fruity. The only thing I did not like about this wine is that it had an aftertaste.
Red Wines
Beringer Pinot Noir- Very dry. Not for me.
Dona Sol Merlot- From California. I liked it. It was fruity and dry.
Faraway Farm Cabernet Sauvignon- Had a woody taste.
George Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2011- It was good, but didn't have a distinct taste.
Obvio Malbec- Okay.
Robert Mondavi Solaire Pinot Noir- Fruity and dry.
Three Rivers Merlot- I liked this one. I bought a bottle of this. It was smooth. I could taste the spices and fruits.
I visited Chateau Morrisette, a winery in Floyd, Virginia. It was a lovely experience. The employees were delightful and made the wine tasting fun.
Image from http://www.meadowsofdanva.com/stories.htm
I tasted a variety of wines. Some I liked, some I did not. All the wines were tasted without food. My thoughts and opinions are in italics.
Dry
2010 Viognier- "This delightful wine entices with classic varietal aromas of fresh peaches and honeysuckle. Tasting reveals nuances of pear, melon and honey. The well-balanced, silky texture eases into a smooth, clean finish glimmering with the suggestion of apricots and limes. This wine pairs well with shellfish, broiled seafood, and grilled or roasted chicken and pork." Price $18.99 I thought this wine was okay. Not one I would buy. I tasted the melon and honey. It was smooth. I think I would have liked this wine better if I tried it with food.
2010 Dry Rose- "Our newest wine, Chateau Morrisette Dry Rose, is made by separating juice from the grapes prior to fermentation, resulting in this lovely rose-colored wine. Made from 100% Chambourcin grapes, our Dry Rose is crisp and juicy, with the character of citrus and strawberries, gently augmented by subtle suggestions of peach and banana evolving from the lingering, aromatic finish. This wine is food friendly, pairing well with ham, roasted poultry, sweet Italian sausage, and most any savory, non-spicy foods. Try it with chocolate-covered strawberries." Price $15.99 Very dry, but very good. I liked it better served cold. When we tried it at room temperature, it tasted completely different. I didn't like it at room temperature as much as I liked it being served cold.
Liberty- "This dry red wine is blended from three of Virginia's finest grape varieties, Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Bursting with deep flavors and aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, and plum. Liberty features a long finish with hints of toast and spice. This sumptuous wine is a worthy tribute to Liberty." Price $11.99 Learned it goes well with everyday foods such as burgers. I thought this wine was good. It was light.
2010 Chambourcin- "Aromas of plums and berries lift from this dark violet wine, augmented by gentle noes of black tea. Tasting quickly fills the mouth with rich fruitiness, suggesting cherries and blueberries. Silky and soft, this medium to full bodied wine features a fruity and exceptionally long finish, revealing glimmers of black pepper. Chambourcin is an exceptionally smooth and food friendly wine. Enjoy it with grilled meats, sausages, roasted poultry, and dishes with mushrooms. Try it with chocolate!" Price $15.99 I really liked this wine. It was a light red. I could taste cherries and blueberries.
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon- "Rich cherry and blackberry aromas arise from this deeply hued wine. Tasting yields plum and cherry flavors predominantly with some spice and cedar for good measure. Aging over fifteen months in oak barrels helped mature the tannins in this wine to a smooth, silky texture in the finish. The aftertaste resonates with spice and vanilla. Merlot, Tannat and a small portion of Cabernet Franc wines were married into the Cab Sauv for depth and complexity. Pair this wine with dishes containing dark roux and mushrooms; should be a good complement to beef or game dishes." Price $18.99 Learned it went well with steak and sausages. I thought this wine was okay. I thought it had a kick from the spices. I could taste the oak.
Off Dry
The Black Dog- "A unique blend of Cabernet, Chambourcin and Merlot produces this exceptionally smooth semi-dry red wine. It's appealing spicy character and medium body enhance many dishes as well as light hors d'oevres. It's obviously well bred!" Price $9.99 Learned it goes well with pasta and cheese. I thought it was okay. But, I wasn't a huge fan.
Angel Chardonnay- "Trumpeting a tropical halo of pineapple, papaya and citrus aromas, this light Chardonnay delights the taste buds with a soft entry and lingering acidity. A fruit forward wine bestowed with a heavenly smooth finish. Angel is a blend of barrel and tank fermented Chardonnay complemented with Vidal and Riesling. It pairs wonderfully with a wide variety of seafood and lighter meats." Price $9.99 I liked this one. It was sweeter. I could taste the different fruits.
Our Dog Blue- "This popular white wine is a semi-sweet Riesling-Traminette blend using Vidal Blanc for added depth. Aromas of melons, citrus fruits, apricots, and delicate flowers highlight the soft finish of this soothing wine. Serve chilled with fruits and cheeses, fish or spicy foods." Price $9.99 Learned it goes well with cheese and fruit. I bought this wine for my mom since it wasn't too sweet. I could taste melons and a variety of fruits.
Sweet
Sweet Mountain Laurel- "A unique and refreshingly sweet dessert style wine made from Native American grape varieties. Firm acidity balances the sweetness, producing a crisp finish with aromas of freshly picked grapes. Pour over fresh berries and sponge cake or blend with vanilla ice cream and fruit for a creamy dessert smoothie." Price $9.99 Learned it goes well with cheesecake and ice cream. This is one of my favorites I tried at Chateau Morrisette. I bought this wine. It was very sweet. I could taste the sweetness of the grapes.
2009 Frosty Dog- "Freezing resulted in a concentrated, aromatic juice, which when fermented became this sumptuous, complex dessert wine. Aromas of apples, citrus, and orange blossoms are accentuated by lively acidity. The lingering finish drips with honey, pear, and subtle mango flavors. This delightful wine is a great dessert by itself, and can also be served as an apertif." Price $18.99 This wine is best served after being chilled at below 30 degrees. I thought this wine was delicious. It was SO sweet. It had 10.6 grams of sugar. I could only bear to take a few sips of this wine because of its sweetness. This is a wine I would buy if I had a group of people over for desserts.
Oak Leaf Pinot Grigio
Image from
http://www.baptistwineclub.com/?p=79
This is a cheap, cheap bottle of wine. $3 wine to be exact. But, it did not taste terrible. It's a wine I have bought several times when my funds are low. It had a melon, honey flavor. It was a smooth, white wine. There wasn't a bad after taste as I've experienced with some cheap wines. I definitely recommend this wine whenever you're low on funds.
Barefoot Moscato
Image from
http://msbuildingupdabenjamins.blogspot.com/2010/12/have-you-ever-heard-of-moscato.html
I found this wine to be sweet. I really liked it. I bought it from a local gas station. I thought it was going to taste like cheap wine since it was relatively inexpensive. But, it did not. It was a light, fruity, sweet wine. Definitely one I would buy again.
Franzia- Refreshing White.."Table Wine with Natural Flavors"
It tasted like the typical table wine. Not too sweet and not too dry. I could taste the grapes. It was light, subtle, fruity flavor.
My roommate Tara bought this wine for celebration of our friend Caper's return to Virginia Tech. This is a wine I would drink again.
Today I tried a lovely wine from Mendoza, Argentina called Maipe Andean Culture Malboc. The date on the bottle was 2011.
It was a red wine. I really, really liked it. It was very smooth and fruity. It tasted kind of in between a Merlot and a Cabernet.
I will definitely be buying a bottle of this wine soon.
My pictures are always such great quality...
Sweet Mountain Laurel cellared and bottled by Chateau Morrisette is one of my favorite wines I've tried so far.
There was no date on the bottle. On the bottle, the wine is described as "Sweet and bursting with just picked freshness. Skillfully crafted from native grape varieties, crisp and full of character."
My thoughts.
It is a white wine that is extremely sweet. I liked it because you couldn't taste the alcohol. It had a grapey taste. Like I said before, it's probably one of my favorites.
I tasted the wine with food and without. I preferred the wine without food because of its sweetness. I believe the wine would be well with desserts.
I went to The Palisades Restaurant in Eggleston, Virginia with a friend. My experience was phenomenal. The food and wine were outstanding. The service was terrific. The waitresses were always checking on us, discussing wine/food, and having a laugh with us.
Below is the different kinds of wine we tasted. The descriptions were given to us on a handout when we went to the restaurant.
Old World Wine vs. New World Wine
Bodegas Nekeas (Vega Sindoa) - Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
"Nekeas is one of the northernmost vineyards on the peninsula in Navarra, Spain. Cultivation of the grapes is only possible thanks to the presence of the Sierra Perdon, which provides a mountainous barrier protecting the Nekeas Valley from teh cold winds of the Pyrenees. Although the Valley of Valdizarbe has always been considered one of the best areas of production in Navarra and viticulture there is centuries-old, it almost disappeared due to the depressed prices of grapes and extreme weather conditions. This winery is one of the first to bring the vineyards back to the valley by the hands of an energetic winemaker, Concha Vecino. Sweet, tobacco-accented aromas of cassis, cherry, plum and and spicecake. Pliant and round with succulent dark berry and bitter cherry flavors and a touch of cracked pepper. Finishes juicy and long, with a lingering suggestion of dark cherry. This is already delicious."
Dante - Reserve Cabernet 2009
"Michael Pozzan Winery is owned and operated by Michael and Mary Ann Pozzan. The Dante Wine Collection was inspired by Michael's travels through the Tuscan countryside and is named after their eldest son, Michael Dante Pozzan. The Cabernet fruit is sourced from vineyards in Lodi, and is rich and fleshy with wonderful cherry and smokey sage fruit upfront. Medium tannins with earthy mineral, dried berry and currant fruit that's full-bodied in the finish. Drinks great now, and will improve over the next few years. Pair it with juicy barbecued rib eye or roast duck. It is even great after dinner with one of my favorite cigars. It spends nine months in American oaks."
Buitenverwachting - Beyond Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
"This beautiful farm on the east-facing slopes of the magnificent Constantiaberg and barely 12km from False Bay, originally formed part of the Constantia Estate, which was founded by Simon van der Stel, the first Governor of the new Dutch colony at the tip of Africa. Crafted by critically acclaimed winemaker Bruwer Raats, this juicy, medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon offers bright flavors of black currant and plum, with gentle licorice and herbal notes. Peppery redcurrant and menthol on the slightly reduced nose. At once plump and energetic with ripe acidity perking up the redcurrant and licorice flavors and giving structure to the wine. Finishes with a soft dusting of tannins, and good sweetness and breadth for a wine in this price range."
Along with this marvelous wine, we were served seared butternut squash with caramelized shallots, truffled lamb ravioli, and blue cheese tart with celery salad. The food was delicious. All of it was homemade. They all paired well with the wine.
Now you ask... How did I like the wine??
Well, let's start with the first wine from Spain. It was kind of bitter. I could taste the tannins. I could also taste the plums and pepper. This wine was my second favorite out of the three.
The second wine from California was my absolute favorite. It went down smooth. It was fruity. I thought this one was sweeter than the others.
And for the last wine from South Africa. I wasn't a huge fan of this wine. It didn't go down as smoothly as the other ones and was tart. I think the reason I didn't like this wine was because I don't like licorice. If I liked licorice, I'm sure this wine would have been my favorite.
Below is a picture taken on my cellphone at the restaurant of the wine. Not the best picture in the world, but you get the idea.
First week of wine tasting. At Kroger I tasted three wines. Tasted all without food.
Wine #1
Name: The Naked Grape Pinot Grigio.
Description from www.thenakedgrapewine.com, "Crisp white wine with aromas of pear and Meyer lemon."
I liked it, but I'm a Pinot Grigio fan. It was sweet, but not too sweet. To me, it tasted like any other Pinot Grigio.
Wine #2
Name: The Naked Grape Pinot Noir
Description from www.thenakedgrapewine.com. "Smooth red wine with aromas of black cherry and blueberry."
It was my favorite out of the three. It was very smooth.
Wine #3
Name: The Naked Grape Cabernet Sauvignon
Description from www.thenakedgrapewine.com, "Rich red wine with aromas of dark fruit and blackberry."
I liked it. It was very flavorful.
