Week 3 Wine Tasting

Ok, so an actual week has passed, but this is the third week of wine tasting, so I'm going with it! This time, instead of doing an at home tasting, we decided to go to an actual tasting and let people pick wines out for us. It will be interesting to see how our wine choosing abilities change throughout this course! Now, to the reviewing...


Wine #1: The Royal

The Royal, Chenin Blanc, South Africa, 2009, $4.95

Smell: Sweet, light, and a little bit of fruit, possibly apple

Taste: This wine is very light, crisp, and a little tart. There is an citrus/acidic taste, but then a sweet finish

Established Review: "Packed with upfront melon fruit, the nose charms with an abundance of guava and gooseberries as well as the signature hint of honey. The palate follows through with fruit flavors balanced by a crisp acid to ensure a fresh and fruity style of wine." Kysela.com

Wine #2: Coldstream Hills

Coldstream Hills, Sauvignon Blanc, Yarra Valley, Australia, 2009, $7.95

Smell: At first, I couldn't put my finger on the scent, but it was very familiar. It wasn't until someone said "grapefruit" that I realized they were right. The grapefruit hit me right away, but there was also a little musty, earthy smell.

Taste: This had a very light taste, even lighter than the Royal wine from earlier. It was tangy and zesty. I suppose the best way to describe it would be light, but with a kick.

Established Review: "The nose shows fragrant gooseberry characters with underlying passionfruit and lychee aromas. Minerally, stalky notes are evident and provide additional complexity. The palate is a fine and elegant style with zesty lemon acidity and length. Varietal characters of passionfruit pulp and gooseberry dominate with hints of lemon peel in the background." Vintage Cellar

Wine #3: Marques de Moral

Marques de Moral, Crianza & Tempranillo, Valdepenas, Spain, 2007, $7.95

Smell: Very sweet, definite caramel scent (for me, at least)

Taste: This wine was also light. It had either a cranberry or cherry taste, though I couldn't decide which. Maybe both? It was tart, anyhow. There was a little bit of heat, and it ended with a peppery taste. I was definitely thrown off, because the smell and taste were so different.

Established Review: "Medium red. Aromas of redcurrant and cherry, plus a hint of dried rose. Fleshy and smooth, with moderate depth to its slightly bitter red fruit flavors. Finishes with decent breadth and grip, with the redcurrant element joined by a hint of white pepper." Stephen Tanzer via Kysela.com


Wine #4: Le Lapin

Le Lapin, Multiplicity, Paso Robles, California, no vintage, $6.95

Smell: Sweet with plum and some sort of berry, though I can't put my finger on specifically which ones, and a hint of spice

Taste: Flavorful but not too harsh. Spice and a little woody. I'm surprised to say that I really enjoy this wine. I never thought I would enjoy a beverage that tasted like wood.

Established Review: "The nose is black cherry, blackberry, a little plum and some spice, with a touch of forest floor. The palate is full of fruit and spice, with flavors of black cherry and a slight cranberry note. Nice firm tannins and a medium finish." Vintage Cellar

Wine #5: Opera Prima

 Opera Prima, Moscato, Spain, no vintage, $5.95

Smell: Honeysuckle, light melon, and something floral (I think jasmine, but I can't be sure)

Taste: This one was sparkling, which automatically makes it more fun! Bright, citrus-y, melon, and very sweet. Floral aftertaste (again, probably jasmine, but possibly a little rose too.) This wine had by far some of the easiest scents and flavors to detect. They were very distinct, yet still blended well together. A couple of bottles of this may have come home with me...

Established Review: "Its bright fruit aromas of lychee and lime are apealing and the flavors of honeydew, lime, and lychee are delightful." Vintage Cellar

What I have noticed so far is that I am smelling and tasting things that are not in the wine review. I'm not sure whether this is because things taste and smell differently to different people, or my inexperienced nose and palate are mislabeling things. I suppose it could be a combination of both. Well, even if I'm wrong, at least I'm having fun doing it! Plus, who can say they're right about everything after a couple of drinks?!