Tasting - Ruffino Orvieto Classico

 Name- Ruffino Orvieto Classico

Variety- Trebbiano

Region- Umbria

Country- Italy

Year- 2022

Price- $13.99

Winery Review- "Bright straw yellow. Orvieto's fruity and floral bouquet is reminiscent of green apples and meadow flowers. This wine's smooth, refreshing flavors balance beautifully with its structure and acidity. Orvieto also offers a unique mineral character that comes from the chalky limestone soil called tufa. The finish is long and fragrant, with hints of almond. 

Serve Ruffino Orvieto Classico as an aperitif. Or pair it with a wide variety of dishes including crostini topped by roasted tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and garnished with shaved parmigiano cheese; lightly grilled vegetables infused with fennel; thinly sliced prosciutto garnished with basil and olive oil; basic soups such as cold summer squash puree with a light truffle oil infusion; grilled fish with olive oil and rosemary; and mild cheeses such as mozzarella." - via Wine.com

Wine Folly- One of the top grapes in Italy and France, but you wouldn't know it because it's mostly used in the production of brandy or balsamic vinegar.

White peach, lemon, green apple, seashell, basil. (page 179)

My Review- The Ruffino Orvieto Classico is a delicious Italian white wine with lots of fruity notes. I detected flavors of ripe pear, green apple, and citrus as soon as I tasted the wine. Those flavors were complemented by a hint of almond and a refreshing acidity. Its crisp finish leaves a lingering sensation of freshness, making it a great choice for any occasion.

I tasted this wine on its own.

Tasting - Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc

 

Name- Duckhorn Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

Variety- Sauvignon Blanc

Region- North Coast, California

Country- United States

Year- 2022

Price- $24.97 (on sale) originally $32.00

Winery Review- The 2022 Duckhorn Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc delivers excellence from start to finish. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromas and flavors of dried herbs, earthy aromas, and tart citrus. Pair it with a dozen raw oysters topped with freshly squeezed Meyer lemon. (Tasted: May 20, 2023, San Francisco, CA) - Wilfred Wong of wine.com

Wine Folly- Gooseberry, Honeydew, Grapefruit, White Peach, Passionfruit. "Sauvignon Blanc is a wonderful pairing partner with herb-driven sauce, salty cheeses, light meats, and last but not least, asian food." (page 166)

My Review- The Duckhorn Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp and refreshing wine. Its aroma greets you with lively notes of citrus, grapefruit, and tropical fruits. The flavors I picked up on this wine were passion fruit, lemon zest, and a hint of fresh herbs. I could see this wine pairing very well with any kind of seafood.

I tasted this wine on its own.

WINE & CHEESE PAIRING BLOG REPORT#3

The first wine and cheese pairing I did was a Sotavento Sauvignon Blanc paired with Kerrygold Dubliner cheese. The Sauvignon Blanc offered refreshing citrus and tropical fruit notes with a crisp acidity that perfectly complemented the rich, aged cheddar flavors of the Dubliner cheese. The wine's zesty character enhanced the nutty undertones of the cheese, creating a balanced and enjoyable pairing.

The second pairing was an Enriquez Reserve Pinot Noir alongside Jarlsberg cheese. The Pinot Noir revealed ripe berry flavors with hints of vanilla and spice, while the Jarlsberg cheese added a creamy sweetness to the palate. The wine's subtle tannins complemented the cheese's mellow texture, resulting in a delicious combination of flavors.

The last pairing was a Croft Vintage Porto and Clawson Blue Stilton cheese. The Porto boasted luscious flavors of blackberries and dark chocolate, with a velvety sweetness that paired beautifully with the salty tang of the Blue Stilton cheese. The wine's robust tannins provided a wonderful contrast to the cheese's bold flavors.

Wine Dinner Blog Report #3

I decided to do my Wine Dinner Blog Report #3 with my family while I was home for Easter. First on the menu was a crisp vegetable salad dressed in Italian dressing that my mom made. To complement its fresh flavors, we paired it with a bottle of Domaine Maison Cheverny. The wine's bright acidity really accentuating the zesty notes of the dressing. The wine's subtle fruitiness went harmoniously with the assorted vegetables, enhancing their natural sweetness without overpowering them.

Next up was a nice serving of flank steak accompanied by a medley of grilled vegetables — zucchini, asparagus, and peppers. For this dish, we opted for a Chateau Lascombes Margaux, renowned for its rich and velvety texture. The deep, complex flavors of the Chateau Lascombes Margaux paired perfect with the steak almost as if they were meant to be together. The wine's bold tannins embraced the savory essence of the meat, while its dark fruit undertones complemented the smoky char of the grilled vegetables. 

For desert, my mom made an apple tarte tatin (which she was very proud of) and we paired it with a Chateau Guiraud Sauternes. With its luscious golden hue and intoxicating aroma, the Sauternes proved to be the perfect accompaniment to the warm, caramelized apples of the tarte tatin. The dessert accentuated the wine's honeyed sweetness, which was great with the buttery richness of the pastry. It was a delightful finale to an unforgettable dining experience.

Tasting- Famille Perrin Côtes-du-Rhône Réserve Rouge

 Name- Famille Perrin Côtes-du-Rhône Réserve Rouge

Variety- Rhone Blend (Shiraz/Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache)

Region- Rhone Valley

Country- France

Year- 2021

Price- $10.99

Winery Review- "Beautiful intense and deep red color with purple reflections. This wine opens up with a powerful, very expressive empyreumatic nose with toasted notes, undergrowth and mushrooms such as truffles subtly mixed with aromas of kirsch. On the palate, it shows elegance with fine tannins that balance the opulent notes of very ripe black fruit and typical Syrah spices with a superb long finish." (wine.com)

Wine Folly- Blueberry, Plum, Milk Chocolate, Tobacco, Green Peppercorn. "A rich, powerful, and sometimes meaty red wine" (page 172)

Stewed Strawberry, Grilled Plum, Leather, Dried Herbs, Blood Orange. "Rich, flavorful red wines" "High intensity flavors match roasted meats and vegetables that include exotic spices" (page 118)

My Review- Smooth, medium-bodied wine that has a decently long finish. It has a very strong ruby color and is quite mild on the nose. I picked up tastes of oak, red fruits, and leather immediately. Mildly acidic, reasonably priced wine that I will definitely drink again in the future. I tasted this wine on its own.

Tasting - Josh Cellars Sauvignon Blanc

 

Name- Josh Cellars Sauvignon Blanc

Variety- Sauvignon Blanc

Region- California

Country- United States

Year- 2022

Price- $14.97

Winery Review- "This medium-bodied and relatively rich wine offers the classic herb and snap pea aromas followed by nicely ripe citrus flavors. With good acidity balancing the ripness, it comes off as nicely refreshing." - Jim Gordon (WineEnthusiast)

Wine Folly- Gooseberry, Honeydew, Grapefruit, White Peach, Passionfruit. "Sauvignon Blanc is a wonderful pairing partner with herb-driven sauce, salty cheeses, light meats, and last but not least, asian food." (page 166)

My Review- It is a bit of a basic white wine, but I really enjoy it. It tastes very refreshing on a hot day or really any time. I tasted hints of melon, citrus, and herbs. Easy on the wallet too which I appreciate! I tasted this wine on its own.

Tasting- Barolo Bricco Visette

 

Name- Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bricco Visette

Variety- Nebbiolo

Region- Piemonte

Country- Italy

Year- 2013

Price- $72.11

Winery Review- "This fragrant red opens with aromas of wild berry, blue flower, menthol, and a whiff of exotic spice. The structured elegant palate offers raw strawberry, pomegranate, star anise and crushed mint alongside tense polished tannins and nervous acidity. Drink 2022–2028." (Kerin O’Keefe) 

Wine Folly- "One of Italy's top reds made famous by the Barolo region of Piedmont." "cherry, rose, leather, anise, clay pot" (page 141)

My Review- Love this wine! Has a gorgeous tawny color and classic barolo flavors like leather, herbs, cherries, and tar. Aerated for about an hour before drinking. Did not pair with food.