Tasting: Stella Rosa Blueberry

Name: Stella Rosa Blueberry

Variety of Grape(s): 100% Muscat

Region/Country of Origin: Piedmont, Italy

Vintage Year: 2022

Price: $10

Winery Tasting Notes: Italy - Stella Rosa Blueberry is undeniably irresistible. It's sweet and succulent. Pairs well with fresh fruits, BBQ chicken, charcuterie, cheesecake, and cinnamon roll coffee cake (totalwine.com, 2022).

Wine Folly Notes: Wine Folly did not have a description on just Muscat; however, they did have one on Muscat Blanc, so I decided to compare my notes to that. Muscat Blanc is described as having a range of sweetness, minimal body, low alcohol percentage, and medium acidity. This aligns well with the Stella Rosa wine which had a range of sweetness but specifically was marked as semi-sweet. The alcohol percentage was also very low at 5%. Further, Wine Folly recommends serving the wine cold at 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit, which I did with the blueberry wine. Since Muscat Blanc is mainly produced in Italy, I thought it was beneficial to try one from there. Nonetheless, next time I would like to try one from a different country (i.e., Greece, France, South Africa, etc.) (e-text, pg. 328-329)..

My Review: I thought the Stella Rosa was a good dessert wine. I would consider purchasing it again if I was in the mood for something sweet; however, I would try a different flavor first. From smelling the wine, I sensed pomegranate, berry, and candy. The blueberry scent was strangely not that strong. However, after tasting the wine, the blueberry really came through. It was very sweet, tart, and berry/fruit-forward. I had this wine without food.

Tasting: Ile De Conas Le Rosé

Name: Ile De Conas Le Rosé

Variety of Grape(s): 25% Grenache Gris, 25% Grenache Noir, 20% Caladoc, 15% Pinot Gris, 15% Cinsault

Region/Country of Origin: Languedoc-Roussillon, Southeast France

Vintage Year: 2020

Price: $8

Winery Tasting Notes: This unique Mediterranean blend is succulent with a delicate, tongue-tingly zest. Bursting with flavors, this Rosé can be served as a pre-dinner drink or paired with salmon teriyaki, zucchini, carpaccio, or Mediterranean salad (reversewinesnob.com, 2022).

Wine Folly Notes: Wine Folly did not have a specific page referencing rosé, which made sense to me, considering how much they can vary based on blends and terroir. Hue and intensity of rosé was discussed, including various shades: pink, salmon, copper, etc. Wine Folly explained the concept that “a deeper color simply means the wine was macerated in grape skins for longer,” which was also discussed in Professor John Boyer’s videos. The rosé I tried was the pink shade (e-text, pg. 60). Further, Wine Folly explained that rosé generally has more acidity, which made sense to me, given how light and crisp I find rosés to be (e-text, pg. 142). Because Wine Folly recommends pairing rosé with “salty, crumbly cheese feta” and the wine tasting notes indicate that it pairs well with Mediterranena salad, I would be interested to try that pairing next time.

My Review: I do not usually gravitate towards rosés; however, I enjoyed this wine and would purchase it again. For only $8 at Trader Joe’s, think this is a steal. When I smelled the wine, it was floral, acidic, and fruity. After tasting it, I thought it was very light and semi-sweet. I actually did not get much fruit taste, but I sensed a blossom note. It was a bit difficult to pinpoint the exact flavors and notes because it was extremely subtle wine. I enjoyed this wine on its own.

Dinner Tasting: Goat Cheese Cranberry Salad, Roasted Chicken with Carrots and Mushrooms, and Truffle Mushroom Ravioli

For our first dinner blog, my roommate, Gabi, and I decided to visit Kroger to pick up some groceries and of course some wine.

The first course we decided to make was a goat cheese cranberry salad. The salad had mixed greens, goat cheese, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, shredded carrots, bacon, and a balsamic, honey glaze reduction as the dressing.

We thought this would pair well with the Riesling we bought, since Wine Folly recommended pairing it with bacon. As discussed in Professor John Boyer’s video, Rieslings have a range from dry to sweet. This particular one was medium sweet. Some other information on the wine is below:

Name: Fetzer Riesling

Variety of Grape(s): 100% Riesling

Region/Country of Origin: Mendocino Country, California, USA

Vintage Year: 2021

Price: $14

Before trying the wine with food, Gabi and I tasted the Riesling. Right off the bat, from sniffing the wine I could sense lemon and peach notes. After tasting it, I thought it was very fruity, but not as sweet as I was expecting it to be. I would even say it was a little dry, which makes sense considering that it was medium sweet and not full on sweet. Another note that I got was a bit of honey, but again the wine was not overly sweet.

After tasting the Riesling with the cranberry goat cheese salad, I could definitely taste the sweetness more and it was not as dry. The saltiness of the bacon and the sweetness of the wine really complemented each other. The peach flavor of the wine became even more prominent when it was paired with the salad, which I really enjoyed. Overall, I think the Riesling and salad paired very well together and that they made each other better off, tasting-wise. I would buy this wine again and pair it with this salad again; however, I am curious to have a medium dry Riesling, potentially from Germany since I usually prefer less sweetness in wine and because Germany is the main producer of Riesling.

On to the next dish!

Gabi and I decided to make roasted chicken with carrots and mushrooms for our second dish. This was a very simple course with onions, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.

After referring to Wine Folly, we decided to pair the chicken with the Pinot Noir we purchased. Information on the Pinot Noir is below:

Name: Rickshaw Pinot Noir

Variety of Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Region/Country of Origin: California, USA

Vintage Year: 2019

Price: $16

Without trying the Pinot Noir with food, I could smell cherry, vanilla, and slight mushroom notes. It tasted a bit spicy, weirdly enough, and was dry and acidic. Gabi and I agreed that it was not one of the better Pinot Noirs we have tried.

When we paired the roasted chicken with carrots and mushrooms, I thought the Pinot Noir tasted a lot better. It made the wine much less pungent. The acidity of the wine was complimented by the saltiness of the chicken and made the wine much less heavy. I think the chicken would have been good with or without the wine; however, I think pairing the chicken with a different Pinot Noir or different wine altogether would be good to try next. Nonetheless, although the Pinot Noir was fairly strong, it did not overpower the food. Overall, I think they paired okay together, but I would try something else next time. I will not be buying this wine again; it was too punchy and not delicate enough in my opinion.

The final course!

The last dish we decided to make was this truffle mushroom ravioli we picked up from Earth Fare. After heating it up, we tossed the ravioli in olive oil and salt and pepper. After that we topped it off with grated parmesan and basil for garnish.

We decided to pair the ravioli with the Merlot since Wine Folly said Merlots tend to pair nicely with roasted mushrooms. Some information on the wine is below:

Name: Lindeman’s Bin 40 Merlot

Variety of Grape(s): 100% Merlot

Region/Country of Origin: South Eastern Australia

Vintage Year: 2019

Price: $12

Before enjoying the ravioli with the wine, we tasted the wine on its own. From the scent, I got very earthy, yet still fruity notes. I could also sense a bit of plum. When I tasted the wine, it was pretty satisfying and sweeter than expected, which surprised me since it was 14% abv. I could taste the plum and berry notes in it too.  

After trying the Merlot with the truffle ravioli, the Merlot had a slightly bitter aftertaste. It was sour, however still refreshing with the richness and creaminess of the ravioli. I think the Merlot and ravioli paired well together; however, I think they would be fine on their own as well because I don’t think much was added to either. For instance, although the acidity of the wine was cut down by the ravioli’s heaviness, it was not significantly different. Neither the wine, nor the ravioli was overpowered by the other. I think a slightly sweeter wine may have paired with the ravioli better. I would purchase this wine again, but it was not my favorite, so I would choose to try something new first.

I would say this was a successful first dinner tasting, and I am excited for the next one!

Tasting: Zinopolis Zinfandel

Name: Zinopolis Zinfandel

Variety of Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel

Region/Country of Origin: California, USA

Vintage Year: 2018

Price: $16.88

Winery Tasting Notes: The Zinopolis winery in California is home to the Zinfandel grapes used to make this delicious wine. It offers flavors of sun-dried cherries and blackberry spice. It is a full-bodied wine with a slightly sweet taste. Elevate your sipping experience by pairing this Zinfandel with beef, lamb, or poultry (kroger.com, 2022).

Wine Folly Notes: Wine Folly describes Zinfandel as having a high alcohol percentage, low acidity, and medium body, which I agreed with. It is also described as dry, “fruit-forward yet bold,” and “loved for its jammy fruit and smoky, exotic spice notes.” Zinfandel also have flavor notes of blackberry, strawberry, peach preserves, cinnamon, and sweet tobacco. I could sense the spice and fruit notes well. It was good to see that the recommended amount to spend on a bottle is $15 since that is around the value of the bottle I purchased. Because is originally from Croatia, I think it would be fascinating to try a Zinfandel from there, although this may be difficult since it is not as heavily produced there anymore. Lastly, since Wine Folly recommends trying Zinfandel with Asian barbeque, I would be interested to pair it with that next time (e-text, pg. 435-436).

My Review: I thought this wine was okay, but I probably would not buy it again before trying another Zinfandel first. After sniffing the wine, I sensed plum, berry, and blackberry notes. After tasting it, I thought it was slightly spicy with a bit of black pepper. It was also tannic and more earthy than expected, given how fruit-forward it smelled. However, I  was still able to taste the cherry and berry flavors. I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting: Clos du Bois Pinot Grigio

Name: Clos du Bois Pinot Grigio

Variety of Grape(s): 100% Pinot Grigio

Region/Country of Origin: Modesto, California, USA

Vintage Year: 2020

Price: $12

Winery Tasting Notes: The classic Pinot Grigio displays intense aromas of white peach, melon and pink grapefruit, with delicate hints of floral notes. Lively acidity with bright citrus and grapefruit notes lead to a crisp and refreshing finish. Enjoy a glass chilled by itself, or pair with your favorite Asian or shellfish dishes (wine.com, 2022).

Wine Folly Notes: Wine Folly describes Pinot Grigio as having low to medium body, medium to high acidity, and a “range in style from dry to just plain sweet,” which made sense to me. Pinot Grigio has notes of white peach, lemon zest, cantaloupe, raw almond, and crushed gravel notes. The lemon flavor was fairly strong, and the peach flavor was more subtle. Given that the average amount spent on a bottle is $15, I think $12 was a good price. It was nice to try a Pinot Grigio from California since my earlier tasting of it was from Italy. I hope to try Pinot Grigios from other countries, including Hungary, Moldova, and New Zealand since they are less common areas of production, and it will be interesting to taste the different styles. Because Pinot Grigio seems very easy to pair food with, I will try pairing it next time with a white meat or seafood as Wine Folly recommends (e-text, pg. 350-351).

My Review: I did not think this wine was great. It was not bad, but I will not be purchasing it again. From smelling it, I could sense floral notes, honey, and bit of melon. After tasting it, I thought it was bitter, light, and acidic. Moreover, I could taste the lemon and after looking at the back of the bottle, I could sense the white peach and grapefruit notes as well. It was rewarding to be able to pick out some of those flavors and scents before seeing any descriptors from the bottle or producer. The wine tasted a bit sour but did not give that crisp, refreshing feeling I was expecting. I had this wine by itself, without food.

Tasting: Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc

Variety of Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Region/Country of Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand

Vintage Year: 2020

Price: $12

Winery Tasting Notes: Fresh, crisp and clean with zesty flavors of ripe tropical fruits, especially passionfruit and pineapple with subtle hints of green herbs. The wine is intensely flavored with balanced mouthwatering acidity and a generous finish (wine.com, 2022).

Wine Folly Notes: Wine Folly describes Sauvignon Blanc as very acidic, slightly sweet, and minimally tannic which aligned with my experience well. Sauvignon Blanc has gooseberry, honeydew grapefruit, white peach, and passion fruit notes. With Nobilo’s wine, the grapefruit flavor was very powerful for me. Considering that the recommend amount to spend on a bottle is about $15, I think the $12 I spent was fair. I think it would be beneficial to try Sauvignon Blancs from different countries, including France and Chile, since those are other popular areas where it is produced and grown. Also, understanding the different styles would be interesting (e-text, pg. 384-385).

My Review: I enjoyed this wine and will most likely purchase it again. On the contrary, my roommate did not enjoy it as much because she thought it was too acidic, so it was interesting to see a different perspective. When I sniffed the wine, I could immediately smell the grapefruit. After sipping it, I could taste the grapefruit very well, along with a melon flavor (I assume it was from the honeydew note). It was very acidic, fruity, semi-sweet, crisp, and refreshing. I think it would great for the summertime! I enjoyed the wine on its own, without food.

Tasting: Bonterra Organically Grown Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Bonterra Organically Grown Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety of Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon (dominant), Petite Sirah, Malbec

Region/Country of Origin: California, USA

Vintage Year: 2019

Price: $16

Winery Tasting Notes: Petite Sirah and Malbec add a touch of color, texture and spice to this Cabernet Sauvignon-focused blend. A brilliant dark garnet hue hints at the wine’s powerful aromas and flavors of blackcurrant, black cherry and plum, layered over rich notes of leather, tobacco and graphite. This well-structured, medium-bodied Cabernet delivers elegant tannins, pleasing acidity and a lingering finish (wine.com, 2022).

Wine Folly Notes: Wine Folly describes Cabernet Sauvignon as full body, very tannic, and minimally sweet, which made sense to me since I was able to feel the wine, as described in the Wine IQ video on body. Cabernet Sauvignon is also described as the “world’s most popular wine” with black cherry, black currant, cedar, baking spices, and graphite notes. I understand why it is so popular and could taste the cherry in Bonterra’s wine. Considering that the recommended amount to spend on a bottle is about $20, I think the $16 mark was good. I am curious to try Cabernet Sauvignon from France and Spain since those are two other very common places that produce it. Finally, since I did not have this wine with food, I want to try it with “rich grilled meats, peppery sauces, and dishes with high flavor” as Wine Folly recommends (e-text, pg. 223-224).

My Review: I enjoyed this wine and would purchase it again! I have noticed that I tend really gravitate towards Cabernet Sauvignon for red wine. When I sniffed the wine, I sensed the berry, cherry, and plum. After tasing it, I could tell it was dry and fruity since the berry and plum really shined through but was not too sweet. Given that the alcohol content was 14.2%, this made sense to me. There was also a slight spice to it from the black pepper note. After reading the description I could understand how vanilla also played a part in the wine, but I did not immediately sense it. I enjoyed the wine on its own, without food.

Tasting: Toad Hollow Francine's Selection Unoaked Chardonnay with Marco & Luca

Name: Toad Hollow Francine's Selection Unoaked Chardonnay

Variety of Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay

Region/Country of Origin: Mendocino, California, USA

Vintage Year: 2020

Price: $19

Winery Tasting Notes: Aromatics rise out of the glass with orange blossom, tropical fruit essence, and a bit of almond biscotti. Steely, crisp, and bright on the palate with expansive melon and mango flavors. The finish is ample like a creamy custard with snappy and lingering ginger spice (wine.com, 2022).

Wine Folly Notes: Wine Folly describes Chardonnay as having light sweetness and low to medium acidity, which I agreed with. Also, according to the book, Chardonnays have yellow apple, starfruit, pineapple, vanilla, and butter flavors. Further, it is described as having a “wide range of styles from Blanc de Blancs to rich creamy white wines aged in oak.” Since Toad Hollow’s Chardonnay was unoaked, I did not sense the butter and creaminess described and instead had a different style as mentioned in the text. Considering the average amount recommended to spend on Chardonnay is $40, I feel that this wine was a good balance. Lastly, I would be interested in trying a Chardonnay from France, since that is the most popular location where it is produced (e-text, pg. 239-240).

My Review: I enjoyed this wine and would purchase it again. When my friend and I sniffed the wine, I sensed the mango, and she sensed the melon! It was a cool experience being able to get those notes so quickly. I usually tend to avoid Chardonnay because I do not enjoy the creamy, buttery taste, but I thought the wine was great—light, fruity, and a good amount acidic. As opposed to Wine Folly’s recommendation of pairing Chardonnay with subtle spices and lobster, I paired it with sweet and spicy noodles and dumplings from Marco & Luca (***unfortunately, not pictured) . I actually think they paired nicely together but that might be because of the different style of Toad Creek’s unoaked Chardonnay. The wine was refreshing with the strong Asian flavors. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the wine both on its own and with the food.

Tasting: Chloe Pinot Grigio

Name: Chloe Pinot Grigio

Variety of Grape(s): 100% Pinot Grigio

Region/Country of Origin: Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Vintage Year: 2020

Price: $17

Winery Tasting Notes: Hailing from the cool Northern Italian Valdadige D.O.C., Chloe Pinot Grigio is a classic expression of this timeless varietal. Alluring aromatics lead into an intense expression of the Pinot Grigio grape with a generously structured mouthfeel. On the palate, fruit-forward flavors of juicy white peach, soft melon, crisp apple and floral honeysuckle lead to a crisp, refreshing finish with a subtle undertone of Meyer lemon (wine.com, 2022).

Wine Folly Notes: Wine Folly describes Pinot Grigio as having medium acidity and ranging from dry to medium sweet, which I agreed with. It is also described as having white peach, lemon zest, cantaloupe, raw almond, and crushed gravel notes. I could taste the lemon and peach flavors well. Further, I was happy to see that the average amount spent on a bottle of Pinot Grigio is $15, since that is around what I paid. I like that the Pinot Grigio I had was from Italy since it is very commonly made there. I am also interested in trying more Pinot Grigios from both Italy and other countries (i.e., Germany, Australia, France, etc.) and seeing the different styles it has to offer. Also, given that it is recommend to drink Pinot Grigio with white meats and seafood, it sounds like a very easy wine to pair with food (e-text, pg. 350-351).

My Review: I enjoyed this wine but will probably try out a different Pinot Grigio before buying it again. Right off the bat, from smelling it, my roommate and I detected the lemon and honeysuckle notes. It tasted acidic and floral and was very light and crisp. Also, I was able to sense the peach after tasting it. I had the wine alone, without food.