Drew's Wine Journey

Name: Mil Historias Variety : Malbec Country of Origin : Spain Region of Origin : Manchuela, La Mancha Vintage Year : 2019 Price : $11.99 Critic/Winery Review " The palate is nicely concentrated and with fine tannins. The flavors of blueberry, plum and blackberry are big, with hints of bittersweet cocoa and a subtle stimulating flavor of mint and violet, dark cherry, blackberry, red plum, earth, espresso, tobacco, dark chocolate, black pepper, black tea, violet. Very complex."  (Shelved Wine) References from  Wine Folly Malbec typically presents notes of red plum, blackberry, vanilla, sweet tobacco, and cocoa ( Wine Folly , pg. 125). It is often known for its deep color, bold fruit flavors, and smooth finish, though it can have significant tannins and dryness. My Review The fruitiness on the front was very nice, with noticeable plum, blackberry, and some blueberry towards the end. However, there was a strong dryness that overwhelmed the fruitiness after the initial flavors fa...

Wine/Variety 1: 14 Hands Merlot Wine/Variety 2:  JaM Cellars Butter Chardonnay Wine/Variety 3:  Yellow Tail Jammy Red Roo (Blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and others) Cheese 1: Old Croc Grand Reserve Sharp Cheddar Cheese 2: Emmi Roth Fontina Cheese 3:  Roth Kase Havarti Joining this class, I was extremely excited about the idea of drinking wine and eating cheese for credit. And now, here I am, actually earning points for it. With one of my roommates also taking this class, we decided to take advantage of a snow day and put together a great selection of on-sale cheeses and wines. Our choices included a Merlot, a Chardonnay, and a red blend, which we hoped would provide a nice variety of red wine styles along with a balanced white. For the cheeses, we selected sharp cheddar, Havarti, and Fontina to get a good mix of sharpness and texture. 14 Hands Merlot The first wine we tried was the 14 Hands Merlot. I really enjoyed its deep, dark flavors—it was quite dry but still ...

Name: Longford Variety : Pinot Noir Rosé Country of Origin : USA Region of Origin : Monterey County, California Vintage Year : 2021 Price : $12.99 Critic/Winery Review " A medium-bodied wine that spills forth with lively aromas of fresh strawberries and pomegranates, with lovely floral notes. Bright fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry are framed by a crisp, balanced acidity that unfolds into a smooth, elegant finish. Enjoy its fresh fruit pleasures with lightly cooked salmon or tuna, fish tacos, salads, an array of cheeses, or all on its own as an afternoon aperitif (Yiannis Wine)." References from Wine Folly Pinot Noir is often described as a light-bodied red wine with flavors of cherry, raspberry, clove, and vanilla ( Wine Folly,  pg. 150). The wine's versatility makes it a great pairing with dishes like duck, chicken, pork, and mushrooms. In warmer Californian climates, the wine tends to be riper, while cooler climates bring out more tart characteristics. The bold, j...

  Name : Apothic Variety : Pinot Noir Country of Origin : USA Region of Origin : California Vintage Year : 2022 Price : $11.99 Critic/Winery Review "A flavorful Pinot Noir with rich, smooth layers of dark fruit character and an intriguingly lighter-bodied style. Apothic Pinot Noir offers notes of ripe raspberry and black cherry, with a touch of caramel and vanilla from the oak. Long and lingering on the finish, this is a bright red wine with endless possibilities (InternetWines.com)." References from Wine Folly Pinot Noir is described as the most popular light-bodied red wine, with flavors of cherry, raspberry, clove, mushrooms, and vanilla ( Wine Folly , pg. 150). It is versatile for pairing, complementing dishes like duck, chicken, pork, and mushrooms. Pinot Noir from warmer climates like California tends to have riper flavors, while cooler climates offer more tart profiles ( Wine Folly , pg. 150). My Review This wine is forward with its sweetness and raspberry flavor, whic...

Name : Josh Variety : Cabernet Sauvignon Country of Origin : USA Region of Origin : California Vintage Year : 2022 Price : $8 Critic/Winery Review "I found this wine’s taste to be full-bodied, smooth, and enjoyable with complex flavors of hazelnut, blackberry, and the slightest hint of cinnamon." Honest Wine Reviews References from Wine Folly Cabernet Sauvignon is noted for its rich flavor, high tannin, and being a perfect partner to rich meats and peppery sauces ( Wine Folly , pg. 88). Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons tend to offer more black cherry flavors. Common flavor profiles include black cherry, black currant, baking spices, and graphite ( Wine Folly , pg. 88). My Review This wine had lots of black cherry and blackberry flavor coming through, as mentioned in Wine Folly and the critic review. The tannins in the aftertaste were pleasant and not overly bitter, making the wine very approachable. I enjoyed the smoothness and complexity of this Cabernet Sauvignon and appreci...

My experience with wine so far in my life has been  limited but positive. Growing up, wine was a common part of a family dinner. Bottles of red and white were brought over by dinner guests and it seemed to be an important element. My first time trying wine was a red, and it was dry, bitter, and completely different from the sweet drinks I was used to. Since then, my wine encounters have been more regular. I enjoy wine at weddings, celebrations, or the occasional dinner out with friends. My preferences lean toward drier red and white wines with subtle fruity sweetness. However, I’ll admit I’m still in the stage where I judge a wine based on whether it’s easy to drink. The world of wine is vast, and I’ve barely scratched the surface. From this course, I hope to gain a deeper appreciation for wine, beyond just “this tastes good” or “this doesn’t.” I’m excited to learn how to properly taste wine, detect subtle flavors, and understand how different factors like region and grape variety ...