Tasting: Pinord

Tasting: Pinord

Name: Dibon Cava Brut Reserva
Region: Catalunya
Country: Spain
Grapes: Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada
Year: 2008
Price:  $12.00
Pairing: Tasted without food
Winemakers Notes: DIBON CELLARS is a family business with a long wine growing tradition. Now, three generations work together, counting on the support of the firm's hard workers who contribute to the elaboration and maturing of wines and cavas.

The cellars are in Vilafranca del Penedès, where all the elaboration, storage, maturation and bottling of our products take place; in the same location our ancestors' vineyards can be found, and others of the same quality that we have been incorporating. The vineyard is in the process of becoming 100% Organic by 2009, and consists of 75 hectares of trellised vines 1000 feet above the Mediterranean Sea. 

My Notes: I bought this sparkling wine as a gift for my roommate who had just completed taking her LSAT earlier in the day. As we popped the cork we were very excited to celebrate! It definitely had notes of apples, and some floral notes. It was very light and refreshing. It was definitely dry but it had a little hint of sweetness to it which made it easy to drink the whole entire bottle in an hour span. For $12.00 I would definitely buy it again because it is much better quality than Andre and is only 6 dollars more! 

Tasting: HobNob

Tasting: HobNob

Name: HobNob
Variety: Merlot
Region: Languedoc Roussillon
Country: France
Grapes: Merlot
Year: 2009
Price:  $9.00-$10.00
Pairing: Tasted without food
Winemakers Notes: "The HobNob Merlot is assertive and dynamic. It pairs well with marinara sauces, Filet Mignon, roast veal and chocolate. It is rich like a black currant cobbler."
My Notes: I definitely got a big profile of chocolate vanilla and oak which I do not mind in my reds. I was caught off guard though because before tasting it I was assuming from my sniff that it would be full of tannins but they were surprisingly on the softer side. It was also not very acidic so I was confused, it was kind of a just "there" aftertaste. It did not send me in either direction of liking it or disliking it. Definitely an easy drinking red wine for someone who is again, just starting out with red wines and the price point isn't terrible either! 

Tasting: Albino Armani

Name: Albino Armani Macaron
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Trentino- Alto Adige
Country: Italy
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Year: 2008
Price:  $12.00
Pairing: Tasted without food
Winemakers Notes: "Invented in Italy, today macarons are a global indulgence. Our wines are crafted from premium grapes grown in the Tre Venezie Region."
My Notes: This wine is a dark ruby color and has hints of cherries and chocolate. Although it smells sweet, it is actually a medium dry-to dry wine with a nice smooth taste and a soft pleasant finish. Its definitely okay for a $10-12 wine, but as you can tell from the bottle, it was good enough to finish the whole thing!

Tasting: Woodbridge

Name: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country:USA
Year: 2008
Price: $9.00
Pairing: Tasted without food
Winemakers Notes: Our Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant wine with aromas of earthy tobacco and toasted oak that mingle with deep flavors of fresh blueberry and black currants. The seamless tannins and excellent balance provide structure to the ripe fruit flavors.
My Notes: This Cab was very well balanced between tastes of the oak, blackberry and tobacco. Although rich with tannins it had a nice finish and wasn't super harsh. I would say that this is a good wine to always keep around for a dinner with a good steak!

Tasting: San Pedro Gato Negro

Name: San Pedro Gato Negro
Variety: Merlot
Region: Central Valley

Country:Chile
Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2012
Price:  $4.59
Pairing: Tasted without food
Winemakers Notes: "Gato Negro is a wine for those occasions when you are with your friends, your loved ones or just by yourself, and you want to enjoy the moment in a relaxed and simple way."
My Notes: This wine was very red with almost a purple tint to it. It took me quite a few smells to get away from the somewhat dryness, but once I did I smelled hints of blackberry. There was a nice amount of tannins in the wine, gave it a little finish but not an overwhelming aftertaste or dryness.The wine was definitely well-balanced.  It would definitely be an easy type of Merlot to start out with if you are just beginning to drink red wine. I would say overall it is an okay wine, Im sure there are better Merlots out there with more depth, but this is a good starting point. 

Tasting: Rene Barbier

Name: Rene Barbier
Variety: Mediterranean Blanco
Region: Catalunya
Country:Spain
Grapes: Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada
Year: 2008
Price: $5.00 (on sale at Kroger)
Pairing: Tasted without food
Winemakers Notes: "Lemony yellow color with elegant greenish tones. Intense aromas of mainly apple and pineapple with a light citrus background. Fresh and zesty in the mouth with a light acidity and balance. The fruity taste persists in the mouth."
My Notes: I really, really enjoyed this wine! Although I have dabbled more with red wine while taking this class, white wines like this one remind me of why Im such a big white wine drinker. I was hesitant at first since I saw it on the sale rack at Kroger for $5.00, but boy was a pleasantly surprised. It was very crisp with a little tangy taste, but it settled very nicely on the tongue. You can definitely taste and smell the apple and the citrus background but they complimented each other very well. I would love to try this with a nice light chicken dish or a good piece of white fish. Definitely recommend to friends who like white wine on a budget.

Tasting: St. Francis

Name: St. Francis
Variety: Sonoma County Red
Region: Sonoma County, CA
Country:USA
Grapes: Merlot, Cab Sauvignon, Shiraz/Syrah, Zinfandel
Year: 2007
Price: N/A
Pairing: Tasted without food
Winemakers Notes: "Red is lush with succulent ripe red fruit flavors and spicy aromas. Full-bodied and versatile, RED pairs with a variety of foods for any occasion.
My Notes: I really enjoyed this red from California. Im not sure if it was a combination of drinking it on the beach over Spring Break with friends, but it was a perfect combination of buttery but fruity. It was very dark and very smooth and did not leave a super bitter aftertaste. I would definitely be able to drink this wine on a daily basis and not get tired of it!

Tasting: Toasted Head

Name: Toasted Head
Variety:Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: North Coast (Acampo, CA)
Country:USA
Year: 2010
Price: $11.00
Pairing: Tasted without food
Winemakers Notes:  "Toasted Head is named for the age-old practice of toasting barrel heads with fire, which is what helps to create the distinct toasty flavor in all our wines. Our medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon showcases flavors of blackberry, cassis with hints of cloves and vanilla, finishing with soft, supple tannins."
Aged 18 months in French/American oak barrels-20% new. (Cabernet Sauvingnon, merlot, petit verdot, and petite sirah grapes)
My Notes: I thought that this wine was very sweet, especially in the aftertaste. It was also quite acidic and I was definitely able to smell/ taste the toasted barrel. I experienced strawberry, vanilla and cinnamon while smelling it and when I tasted it I got a hint of what reminded me of Twizzlers. It was not very spicy though which I enjoyed

Found this gem on Pinterest!

Since I am not a super experienced wine drinker, I figured I would share this chart I found on Pinterest which explains types of wines!

Tasting: Three Wishes Sauvingnon

Name: Three Wishes
Variety: Merlot
Region: California
Country:USA
Year: NV
Price: $3.00 (Whole Foods Market)
Pairing: Tasted without food
Winemakers Notes: No notes
My Notes: Somewhat light in color compared to most cabs, not heavy bodied which I like, did leave a bit of a hot and tart aftertaste though. It was very rich and fruity and definitely has an oak taste! For $3.00 I did not expect much, which is good because I have definitely experienced better Cabs in my day.