Tasting - Grand Cru Pinot Noir

Name: Grand Cru
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Vintage: 2014
Price: $5.95

Shop review: "This ruby-colored wine has aromas of raspberry, cherry and a hint of vanilla. Flavors of cherry and plum lead to a soft velvety finish. This wine can be enjoyed by itself. It is also an excellent accompaniment with appetizers and main courses. This wine goes well with Brie, goat cheese and smoked Salmon, lamb shanks and pork tenderloin."

My review: Not my favorite. It was a beautiful light red color. The aromas were wonderful - butterscotch, smokey, oak, pepper. I tasted cinnamon on the palate. Unfortunately, it just wasn't that great.

Pairing: Not with this wine!

Cheers!
Natalie

Tasting - Douglass Hill Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Douglass Hill
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California
Country: USA
Vintage: 2014
Price: $5.95

Shop review: "This light, crisp Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of grapefruit, bell pepper, and asparagus. On the palate, hints of floral and honey are revealed to yield a well-balanced, refreshing wine."

My review: I'm going to be honest, this one was not my fave. It was just ok. This wine was more of a golden straw color. I got hints of apple and melon. It had a smooth/creamy texture which was nice but overall I didn't like the taste.

Pairing: Not with this wine!

Cheers!
Natalie

Tasting - Prime Brume Soave Garganega

Name: Prime Brume Soave
Variety: Garganega
Region: Soave
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2015
Price: $10, on sale for $6.95

Shop review: "Brilliant emerald straw color. Aromas and flavors of brazil nuts, creme fraiche, and kiwi and starfruit with a silky, lively, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and an effortless, engaging, medium-length watermelon, yellow apple, and clementine finish. A delicious, artfully balanced soave with a great range of fruit flavors." This wine also got 91 points (out of 100) by the Beverage Testing Institute (August 31, 2016)!!

My review: I like this one a lot! The color with a light straw color with a hint of green. As far as aroma goes, I got grapefruit and apple. This wine has such a wonderful balance of acidity and flavors. I liked it so much, I bought a bottle to take home!!

Pairing: Not with this wine, but since I bought it, I'll be trying it with food soon...any suggestions?!

Another must try - can't beat this value!

Cheers!
Natalie

Wine & GIRL SCOUT COOKIES?!

I know, crazy. Or is it genius? Let me tell you how I stumbled upon this wonderful pairing...

I was just finishing up my wine that I paired with a goat brie and baguette (casual Monday night eats) when I realized I still had some Samoas (AKA caramel deLites) in my cupboard. I had finished the cheese and was sipping on the last of this v affordable Italian wine I snagged at the local wine shop. I thought the wine was good but nothing to write about. The description said to pair with soft cheese which is why I was eating it with brie. It was pretty strong in alcohol flavor (probably not the best description lol) and had strong floral aromas. It was great with the cheese....BUT THEN I TRIED IT WITH THE SOMOAS AND MY LIFE CHANGED. I honestly think any floral (non oaky) red wine would pair so well with Samoas because of the chocolate and sweet coconut flavors. OMG.

Here's the info on this particular wine that just blossomed when paired with Samoas:

Name: L' Isola dei Profumi, il Rosso

Variety: Nero d'Avola (60%) and Perricone (40%)

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Vintage: 2014

Price: ~$7

Please comment below any of your favorite GS Cookie wine pairings! I would love to try them!

Cheers,

Natalie

Tasting - Doña Sol Sweet Red Blend

Name: Doña Sol Sweet Red Wine
Variety: Shiraz, Petite Syrah, & Symphony
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: N/A
Price: $6.95
Shop review: "Shiraz has a unique jammy fruit character that is well represented in the Sweet Red. Both on the nose and on the palate, jammy fruit, like strawberries, cherry pie and red licorice, entices the senses and pair well with cheeses and desserts."
My review: Wow! This wine was SWEET, just like the label says! When I first started drinking wines, this would have been my favorite. It tastes like juice. Now I tend to prefer dry reds. Regardless, this was a great sweet red. I got aromas of strawberries and dark fruits. It tasted like juice. Delicious!
Food pairing: I didn't pair this with any food either since it was just at the wine tasting. However, I would definitely want to try this with a classic cheesecake. I think it's a perfect dessert wine because it's sweet but not overly sweet like some ports. One of my best friends loves sweet red wine so I had her try this. She LOVED it and bought a bottle right then and there. 

I definitely recommend this wine for people who like sweet reds! Let me know in the comments below if you try it!

Cheers,
Natalie

Tasting - Avery Quinn Zinfandel

Name: Avery Quinn
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Santa Rosa, California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95
Shop review: "Lightly spicy aromas and rich, soothing fruit flavors make this an attractive, lovable and classically proportioned wine. Cherry and raspberry flavors rest on a lightly tannic but smooth texture, and linger on the finish."
My review: As I've mentioned before, I love Zinfandel. The jammy/cooked fruit flavors are usually consistent in Zinfandels. I also really liked the strong oak aromas that I got from this wine. It had a very smooth texture too.
Food pairing: Not with this wine. Comment below your favorite food to pair with a Zinfandel and I'll give it a try!!



Cheers,
Natalie

Tasting - Pieter Cruythoff Chenin Blanc

Name: Pieter Cruythoff
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Vintage: 2015
Price: Originally $9, on sale for $4.95
Shop review: "A wonderful nose of bananas, oranges and melons jumps from the glass of this 100% Chenin Blanc, which is finished with a screw cap. Another great value from South Africa, this wine is medium-bodied, fresh, lively, and a terrific dry white to drink over the next year."
My review: Yummy! This to me was fruitier than the Verdejo. In fact, I picked up hints of orange, pear, and apples. It was also a darker golden color than the Verdejo. Randle, who works at the wine shop, said that he has had a Chenin Blanc wine (not this brand) that has been in his cellar for over 20 years and it still tastes amazing. That's very rare for a white to last that long, which is what makes Chenin Blanc such a cool grape!
Food pairing: Not with this wine either, but again if you have paired food with a Chenin Blanc, I would love to hear about it!

Cheers,
Natalie