Tasting - Butterfly Kiss Moscato (week 1)

Name: Butterfly Kiss
Variety: Moscato
Region: Unknown
Country: Chile
Year: 2012
Price: $13, sale $5.95
Shop Review: Aromas of honeydew and apricot, gently kissed by orange blossom, candied pineapple and a hint of lime zest.
My Review: The smell was full of honey and very sweet. The taste is buttery and creamy with hints of pineapple.
Did not have with food 

Tasting - Purple Paws Zinfandel

Name: Purple Paws
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $15, sale $7.95
Shop Review: It smells like riple boysenberries and cherries, and tastes generous and broad without being too full bodied. It finishes with more fruit notes and those who love a little spice and smooth tannins will be happy.
My Review: The smell was strong and peppery but a little too wood-like. The taste was full of acids and tannins. I would describe it as a medium to full bodied wine. I think it would taste better with meat and cheese to reduce how strong the tannins were.
Did not have with food 

Tasting - Purple Paws - Cabernet Sauvignon (Non Vintage)

Name: Purple Paws
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon - Non Vintage
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $15, sale $7.95
Shop Review: If a Cabernet can be smooth and creamy, this one is. It offers plenty of fruit flavor, smooth tannins that coat the mouth in a good way, plus a plush texture that keeps it from being even a bit harsh. With light body, a soft mouthfeel and lingering finish, there's much to like.
My Review: The initial impression of this wine is extremely fruity and for lack of a better word, grapey. The palate is full of pepper but not in an overwhelming way.
Did not have with food 

Tasting - Rosemount Estate Chardonnay

Name: Rosemount Estate
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: South East Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2013 (The picture was found online, same label, different year).
Price: $10, sale $5.95
Shop Review: The world-renowned wine shows peachy tropical fruit and melon characters on the nose, with a hint of citrus freshness and judicious use of oak. The palate is generous and soft with full, ripe tropical flavors folded into a creamy backdrop that is beautifully structured with a long satisfying finish.
My Review: This wine was wood and cedar-like on the nose. I felt the taste was empty, plain, and unmemorable.
Did not have with food 

Tasting - La Lejania Sauvignon Blanc

Name: La Lejania
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2015
Price: $10, sale $6.95
Shop Review: Aromas of green apple and citrus are as classic as it gets for Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. This is straight forward but enjoyable, with modest minerality. Flavors of citrus and gooseberry carry over onto a refreshing finish.
My Review: My initial impression by the smell was spicy with hints of pear. I felt the wine had a bold taste with tannins. The after taste was also strong and spicy.
Did not have with food 

Life's too short to drink bad wine

Dear readers and fellow wine lovers,

When I learned that my college was offering a course on wine, I couldn't be more excited. Wine has always been one of my favorite choices of drink (and not just when I'm trying to look classy in front of important adults).

I think the first sip of wine I ever had was at age 15. My mom was relaxing on the couch after a hard day at work and I couldn't help but wonder what was inside the fancy tall glass she was holding. I asked for a tiny sip-and immediately regretted my decision. I thought it was sour and bitter and definitely not what I envisioned the fancy adult drink to be like. I made a face and wondered how adults did this all the time and actually enjoyed it.

As I grew older, my tastes began to develop. I soon became a "Barefoot Moscato" girl and didn't really notice I was drinking liquid sugar. I definitely stuck to the whites and never dared to try the red wines my dad would drink with his dinner. While studying abroad in Europe last semester, I was determined to "do as the Romans do" and actually become educated on what wine is. For my friend's 21st birthday, we decided to venture out to the Tuscan country side to do a wine tour. I tasted about 12 wines, learned about the wine-making process, and tasted italian appetizers during a pairing. It was wonderful in every way except the fact it was over a year ago and I don't remember what I learned.

Me in Chianti, Italy (I am in the middle).

A picture from the wine and food pairing.

Over the past winter break I went to a local winery called Paradise Springs in Northern Virginia. Thanks to my notes app on the iPhone, I wrote that I really liked the Cabernet Souvignon (a red..whaaaa?). I also really enjoyed a sweet white called Sommet Blanc.

Overall, I love wine and tasting wine, but I don't know wine.  I want to be able to get to a point where my choices at restaurants come naturally without having to look at my "notes" app, talk to others about my preferences and learn about viticulture as a whole. This blog will serve as a platform for my opinions and experiences during my time in Geography of Wine.

I hope you all enjoy and please feel free to comment/like anything! I would love to hear input from other users.

Kayley