Tasting- Mouton Cadet Bordeaux

Name: Mouton Cadet Bordeaux

Variety: 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc

Region: Bordeuax

Country: France

Year: 2015

Price: $11.99

Review: “The 2015 Bordeaux rouge shows a red garnet color with a slightly crimson tint. On the nose, the wine opens on black fruit aromas of bilberry and blackcurrant, then with airing develops notes of refined spice, especially cinnamon. From a full and firm attack, richly fruited and very smooth, the round and lush mid-palate reveals blackberry flavors and toasted notes, leading into a long and complex finish on expressive fruit.” 

From: https://www.wine.com/product/mouton-cadet-rouge-2015/355558

My review: This wine is very different from what I usually drink. It was very dry and fairly bold, tannic, and acidic. I tasted lots of dark fruits, like cherry and blackberry, and  recognized some earthy flavors. It was also fairly spicy, picking up maybe on some black pepper. It is a lot of wine in one drink and I wouldn’t consider it easy sipping wine. Overall, I enjoyed trying something new and would have it again.

Food Pairing: I did not drink this with food.

Tasting- Landshut Reisling

Name: Landshut Reisling

Variety: Reisling

Region: Mosel

Country: Germany

Year: 2017

Price: $5.99

Review: This is an easygoing, medium-sweet wine boasting loads of juicy apricot, tangerine and grapefruit flavors. It's a touch confected and honeyed, but its light body and fresh acidity make it pleasant. From: https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/landshut-2017-riesling-mosel/

My review: I liked this wine a lot. It was fruity but not super sweet, so it wasn't overpowering. I tasted hints of apricot and citrus with made it very drinkable. I can see myself drinking this wine again, but probably just by itself. 

Food Pairing: I had this wine with cheese pizza and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. The fruity sweetness actually paired well with the salty pizza. 

Tasting- Rosemount Estate Shiraz

Name: Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Shiraz

Variety: 100% Shiraz/Syrah

Region: South Eastern Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2017

Price: $6.98

Review: Complex layers of fleshy, lifted flavor with concentrated dark fruit, spice notes and background oak flavors offering support. The palate has great length, extending to a lovely soft finish.
From: https://www.totalwine.com/wine/red-wine/syrah-shiraz/rosemount-shiraz/p/2470750

My review: I really like this wine and drink it pretty regularly, especially when I'm home with my parents. I tasted dark fruits, like cherry and plum on the front. The aftertaste was more spicy and particularly strong on black pepper. It's bold and a good mouthful of wine, but not overwhelmingly acidic, dry, or tannic. 

Food Pairing: I drank this wine with pasta with garlic and tomato sauce and meatballs. I think it paired well with the food, especially the meatballs. It also brought out the spices in the sauce and provided a good balance to the meal.

Tasting- Giretto Pinot Grigio

Name: Giretto Pinot Grigio

Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio

Region: Delle Venezie

Country: Italy

Year: 2016

Price: $5.49

Review: "Pale golden straw color. Fruity aromas of lemon rind, summer peach, fresh orange, and garden grass with a supple, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length tart lemon sorbet and star fruit, white peach puree, shortbread, and chalk finish with silky, fruit tannins and no oak. A lovely Pinot Grigio with zippy acidity."

From: http://www.urbanwinelife.com/winereviews/2017/12/15/giretto-pinot-grigio-2016

My review: I enjoyed this wine. It’s light and very drinkable. It’s acidic but smooth. I definitely get some hints of lemon or peach. I can definitely see myself drinking this again either with some white fish or by itself when the weather gets a little warmer.

Food Pairing: I had this wine with lemon garlic pork loin with cous cous and roasted brussels sprouts. The wine brought out the citrus in the pork seasoning and went fine with the plain cous cous. It was not a good match with the brussels sprouts.

Introduction

Hi! I’m Erica, and I’m a senior studying Human Development. I’m so excited to be taking Geography of Wine this semester. I have been exposed to wine my whole life. My parents are knowledgeable wine drinkers who enjoy a glass with dinner regularly. I grew up hearing about wine from them, watching them taste it, and being dragged to many wineries to and from family trips when I was young. When I first started drinking wine with them, I didn’t like it. They tend to drink dry red wines and I honestly thought it tasted like nail polish remover.

As I have gotten older and have drunk more wine, I have grown to enjoy drinking it and getting to partake in this beverage that is really a part of my familial culture. I have learned lots from my parents about wine, its taste, and things to look for while tasting. While I am home with my parents, I have a glass of wine with them most nights. When at school, I typically drink wine a few times a week. I tend to like drier wines, and a dry rosé is probably my favorite thing to drink. I am looking to expand my palette and to taste to more wines than the few types I typically drink.

Despite wine being my go-to drink, I don’t know much about it. I am specifically hoping to learn the vocabulary I need to be able to describe the wine that I enjoy. I would love to be able to impress my parents by actually being able to identify flavors in wine rather than make things up. Most importantly, I’m looking to gain across the board knowledge about this beverage that will be a constant factor in my personal, social, and professional life as I go into young adulthood.