Aainy's Wine Blog

Name: Cantina di Casteggio Variety: Blended (80% Croatina & 20% Uva Rara) Year: Unknown Region: Lombardy Country: Italy Price: Regularly $10, On sale for $7.95 Shop Review: SANGUE DI GIUDA (Judah's blood) name of the wine because of it's deep ruby red color, with purple hues just like blood! The Judah's part of the story is a bit trickier... part local folklore – (i.e. legend) goes something like this: After Judah’s betrayal and hanging, Jesus forgave him and allowed Judah to come back on earth, specifically in the area of Oltrepo’ by the town of Broni. When the local farmers recognized him, they wanted to kill him, but they spared him when he helped to heal their vines that had been affected by a disease. In return, they named the grape after him. Another explanation is that this wine is a "traitor" because it is so delicious that you can get tempted without much effort. Regardless of what you like to believe, this wine is just incredibly delicious! ...

Name: Castle Rock Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Region: Columbia Valley Country: Washington USA Year: 2012 Price: $8.95 Shop Critic: 85- Wine Enthusiast  This wine offers aromas of herbs, black cherry and spice, showing a bit of heat. The dark-fruit flavors have good intensity, with dry, astringent tannins backing them up Personal Review: I personally didn't like this wine. I found it to be too dry. It had an overwhelming spice to it, it felt like a punch to my face. This was disappointing because I really did like the smell, I picked up hints of cherry and spice-- I just didn't expect the taste from the smell.  Cheers, Aainy

Name: Baron de Lajoyosa Variety: Blended (50% Grenache, 30% Tempranillo, 10% Carinena, 10% Cabernet) Year: 2015 Region: Carinena Country: Spain Price: $9.95 Shop Review: #8 World Wine Writers Best Wines in the World It is a wine of beautiful appearance, color dress mature and well covered with light shades of cherry development. Its primary aromas of ripe red berry fruits. The palate expands exceptionally ripe and round: warm and fleshy, long, proud finish. Personal Review: Considering this varietal is only about 10% Cabernet, it really reminded me of a Spanish Cabernet in terms of it flavor and smell. It was incredibly robust and full bodied, but it had a nice balance with slight tastes of fruit. I would like to have paired this some type of meat dish.  Cheers, Aainy 

Name: Rubus Variety:   Colombard & Ugni Blanc & Gros Manseng Region: Southwest France Year: unknown Country:   France Price: $7.95 Shop Review: "Fresh, clean and lively with intense exotic fruit aromas. Crisp, clean and zesty in the mouth, it offers delicate flavors of citrus fruit and grapefruit, and a long lingering finish" Personal Review: In my personal opinion, I thought this had a lot of similar flavors with the Protocolo varietal that I had tried earlier in the day. What I did like about this one more than the other was that this wine left a stronger fruity flavor and wasn't as dry as the Protocolo. I would recommend  this to any friends reading this. Cheers! Aainy 

Name: Portocolo Variety: Blended (50% Airen, 50% Macabeo) Region: Tierra de la Castilla Country: Spain Year: 2015 Price: $6.95 Shop Review: Robert Parker The 2015 Protocolo Blanco is a blend of 50% Airen (the most commonly planted white grape in the world) and 50% Macabeo, also known as Viura. It is crisp, light, with hints of grapefruit and white currant. It is relatively dry, clean, and just about everything one would expect of a wine at this price point, only better. Personal Review: I liked this wine. I found it to be light and very drinkable. I liked that it was dry yet still had hints of fruity flavors. I would recommend and definitely drink again. Cheers! Aainy

Group Picture Hey readers! My friend Molly and I This past weekend my friends and I visited Bold Rock in Nellysford, VA which is in Nelson County about 45 minutes from my hometown of Lynchburg, VA for my birthday. I couldn't think of better way to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon and my 22nd birthday than by sipping yummy cider with some of my best friends! Flight Menu! This Nelson County Cider Barn opened in August 2014 and has the nickname of the ‘Chapel of Apple.’ This beautiful, rustic barn has a very warm and welcoming feel. The inside had plenty of seating area and flat-screen TVs. They also had a really nice patio area that offers views of the Rockfish Valley. The Bold Rock Cider Barn offers complimentary daily tastings, tours, flights, and food. We started off with a tasting.  We tasted Bold Rock's premium dry cider, their IPA (India Pressed Apple), Virginia Apple, Virginia Draft, Pear Cider, and Carolina Apple. The worker that led our tasting w...

Name: Cantina di Casteggio Variety: Moscato Year: N/A Price: $10 -- $7.95 Region: Lombardy, Italy Store Review: "This fun dessert wine has delicate aromas of citrus, tropical fruit and fragrant white flower. The bright foaming palate offers juicy yellow peach, candied nectarine zest and a hint of rose. It's sweet, but it also has enough fresh acidity to stop it from being cloying. Perfect for the afternoon, weekend, or any other time." Personal Review:  As someone who doesn't like overly sweet wines, I actually really enjoyed this one. The fruity smells balanced well with the sweet but acidic flavor. It really reminded me of a Riesling. I've been thinking about it since I tasted it -- going to treat myself and go back this week and hopefully buy a bottle if there is any left.

Name:  Oxford Landing Variety: Shiraz Region: South Australia Year:   2014 Price: $9.95! Store Review: "88- Wine Enthusiast  -Best Buy For such a competitively priced offering, this delivers a lot of complexity. Dried herbs, anise, chocolate and coffee notes add nuance to the raspberry fruit. It's medium bodied and supple, with a lush, lingering finish. Drink now–2020." Personal Review: I tried an Australian Shiraz at a wine dinner a few weeks back that I absolutely loved! I was holding high expectations for this wine, and I was happy to say they were met.  I loved the smell and body of this wine. Perfect balance with the sweet smells and spicy taste! 

Name:  Indwe Variety: Pinotage Year: 2015 Price: $12 (sale for $8.95) Region: Coastal, South Africa Store Review: Parker has yet to review the 2015 vintrage but said in the past.. “A disclaimer: I have never cared much for Pinotage, the indigenous South African grape variety, but this Pinotage from Indwe, named after the country's national bird, the blue crane, comes across like a light Pinot Noir. Subtle notes of cherries, spice and forest floor are followed by a round, light to medium-bodied, pure, seductive, well-crafted wine that should drink well for a year or so.”   Personal Review: I did not like this wine. I sniffed hints of cherries, which I personally do not like. The wine was too spicy in terms of flavor. It also wasn't very balanced in body. 

Name: Aveleda Variety: Blend (40% Arinto,                            30% Loureiro,                            20% Trajadura,                            10% Azal) Region:  Vinho Verde, Portugal Price: $8.95 Store Review: 92 – Wine & Spirits "It's rare to find a Vinho Verde – the famously light and refreshing "green" white wine of Portugal – that isn't delightful, but this is one of the best of the breed. And there's no better time to quaff these wines than in the spring and summer. This version is lightly effervescent, with a lively acidity that wakes up the palate. It combines lime and peach flavors with a whiff of sea breeze. Somehow it manages to be both ethereal and penetrating.  – Baltimore Sun" Personal Review: It was drier than I...

Name: Kennedy Point Grape: Sauvignon Blanc Year: 2014 Price: $22  (on sale for $9) Region: Marlborough, New Zealand Store Review:   88 Points – Robert Parker "This 2014 Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand's Marlborough area offers outstanding value. Crisp and fresh with a hint of herbaceousness intermixed with notes of wet pebbles, melon and caramelized citrus, it is medium-bodied, surprisingly long and very well-crafted." Personal Review: I really liked this wine. It was really light with a slight vegetable  flavor. I also really liked that despite its light flavor and medium body, it actually delivered on a citrus flavor after an initial sip. -- This citrus taste matched the scent -- which was a little fruity/citrus after a good initial swirl and sniff. 

Name:  Codirosso Variety:  Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino Region:  Tuscany (Chianti) Country:  Italy Vintage:  2015 Price:  $7.95 sale (originally $13) Vintage Cellar Review:  "A heck of a value in Chianti, this delicious blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, and 3% Colorino offers up notes of licorice, new saddle leather, black cherry and berry fruit, loamy soil undertones and a touch of pepper and herbs. It is medium-bodied, savory and best drunk over the next several years." Personal Review:  This wine had a nice red color. I also liked the smell-- very smokey with hints of herbs. The taste was very nice because I definitely tasted the fruit but it was balanced with an equally if not overwhelming spice. I also liked the dry finish.  Cheers, Aainy 

Name:  The Royal Old Vines Steen Variety:  Chenin Blanc Region:  Western Cape Country:  South Africa Vintage:  2015 Price:  $8.95 Vintage Cellar Review:  "The 2015 Chenin Blanc offers loads of melony fruit interspersed with hints of honeysuckle and peach. It is delicious, crisp, fresh, lively, and a dead ringer for a good Loire Valley Chenin Blanc. Drink it over the next year." Personal Review: I loved the sweet fruity smell of this wine. I also loved the sweet fruity flavors as they were balanced off with light acidic tones.  Cheers, Aainy 

Name:  Ca'Bea Sangue di Guida Variety:  Uva Rara, Barbera, Croatina Region:  Oltrepo Pavese Country:  Italy Vintage:  2014 Price:  $9.95 Vintage Cellar Review: "Off-dry with a slight fizz, offering bright berry and mineral notes. Medium-bodied, with a clean, fresh palate and fruity finish. This is a rare, sweet red wine that is wonderful with desserts such as dry pastries, cookies, and cakes." Personal Review: This wine had a very deep purple color and an incredibly sweet smell. It tasked strongly of grape--and almost like grape juice. It was a little too sweet for me, but I would enjoy a small glass of this with dessert.  Cheers, Aainy 

Name:  Alvarez de Toledo Variety:  Mencia Roble Region:  Bierzo Country:  Spain Vintage:  2009 Price:  $8.95 sale (regular price is $14) Vintage Cellar Review:   "The 2009 Alvarez de Toledo was bottled just a week before the wine was presented but seems to be showing no symptoms of distress. Balsamic, leather, and black fruits are the principal notes struck by this suave effort that over-delivers in a big way. Like its older sibling, it can be enjoyed now but will have more to say in 2-3 years." Personal Review: I did not like the flavor of this smell. I smelled a strong alcohol smell--like rubbing alcohol almost. The taste that followed was just one that did not sit well personally.  Cheers- Aainy

Name:  Barão de Figueira Vinho Branco Variety:  Siria Region:  Beira Country:  Portugal Vintage:  2014 Price:  $6.95 sale (regularly $12) Vintage Cellar Review: "This wine is soft and rounded. It has lemon and light spiciness along with cool acidity. It is an easy wine that is ripe with apple and fresh lemon juice and ready to drink." Personal Review: The vintage cellar review pretty much hits the nail on head-- which is funny because I find myself always disagreeing. I agree in the fact that this wine is very well balanced-- I found so many sweet fruity smells and flavor that would usually be too much for me personally. I got lucky though because just as I thought it was too sweet, a light flavor of spice followed. Absolutely delicious! Cheers, Aainy

Name:  Crane Lake Variety:  Riesling Region:  California Country:  N/A Year: N/A Price:  $5.95 Vintage Cellar Review: "Pale golden color. Ripe and dried peaches on the nose. Minerals and dried peach flavors. Nicely balanced, leaning towards lime acididty" Personal Review: I found a strong sweet peach scent at first sniff-- almost a little overwhelming. The taste followed hand-in-hand-- very sweet--slightly acidic in taste. I did not like this wine- I thought it was too sweet.  Cheers, Aainy

Name:  Vinedos Real Rubio Rioja Crianza Variety:  Tempranillo, Graciano Region:  Rioja Country:  Spain Year:  2010 Price:  $9.95 Vintage Cellar Review: "Lightly baked berry aromas vie for attention with leather, spice and mild earth notes, and the result is disjointed. On the palate, this is tight as a drum initially, but more expansive as it unfolds. Cherry, plum, raspberry, vanilla and woodspice flavors finish pure, clean and easy. This is a fine yet manageable Rioja that’s not trying too hard. Drink through 2016" Personal Review: I picked up very strong earthy smells from this wine followed by slight hints of vanilla and a little bit of woodspice as described in the review above. The taste for me was a bit spicy, yet balanced by the bitter berry flavors-- like cherry and raspberry. I personally enjoyed this wine-- while I would probably only drink one glass in a sitting.  Cheers! Aainy

Name:  Barao de Figueria  Variety: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca Region:  Beria (Interior) Country:  Portugal Year: 2013 Price:  $7.950 !!!! (originally found at $12) Vintage Cellar Review: " From vineyards at 2000 feet elevation, this is a rich and spicy wine that has a pure streak of fruit freshness and a firmly tannic core. It is perfumed from Touriga Nacional in the blend, with red berry and black plum flavors coming through strongly along, balanced by acidity. It will be better from 2017. " Personal Review: At first scent, I picked up strong hints of plums and berries. The taste was very different however. I tasted great flavors from the spices and pepper. I personally liked this wine because while it was very spicy-- it was greatly balanced by a fruit taste that followed. Cheers, Aainy

Name:  Garnacha de Fuego Variety:  Rose Region:  Aragon Country:  Spain Year:  2013 Price: $2.95 !!! Vintage Cellar Review:  " The Garnacha de Fuego Rose is a solid effort that has a light salmon color to go with notions of cherry blossom, orange peel and herbs de Provence. Medium-bodied, supple, fresh easy-drinking, and an outstanding value at $3 ." Personal Review: Off the bat, I really liked the light pink color . At first sniff, I picked up hints of fruits - specifically strawberries and a little of pomegranate . It was pretty medium-bodied and very dry, and I enjoyed the light fruity flavors. While I wouldn't typically buy a wine as sweet as this -- my friend who works at the vintage cellar grabbed me on my way out and talked me into getting a bottle and making sangria with it! What a great idea and at $3 a bottle--- how could I not?! Cheers! Aainy 

Name: Villa Vitas Variety: Riobolla Gialla Region: Venezie Country: Italy Year: 2014 Price: 6.95 USD THEIR REVIEW: "The 2014 Ribolla Gialla shows more minerality, nice quince, white currant and citrus oil notes, a dry, refreshing mouthfeel and a fragrant bouquet" PERSONAL REVIEW: I personally smelled a strong fruity scent from this wine.  The smell definitely led into the flavor for me as well. I was tasting distinct hints of peach and even some floral flavors. Overall good wine-- a little on the sweet side for taste palate but good none-the-less! Cheers, Aainy

  New Zealand vs. Australia  Wine Around The World  Palisades Dinner  Spicy Shrimp Dip  So excited to begin tasting! I finally got a chance to attend the very talked about "Wines Around The World" dinner at The Palisades restaurant in Eggleston, Virginia. My friend Sophia talked me into going because she raves about the food. This weeks regions were Australia and New Zealand. We had three dishes paired with three wines, but we were so hungry we started with a house salad and a delicious appetizer (spicy shrimp dip)--10/10 - I highly recommend! Dishes with their respective wines Menu Item Dishes: 1. Green Vegetable Curry 2. Lamb Chops with Rosemary Mint Vinaigrette 3. Spiced Beef Pie 4. Kumara Wedges   These dishes were paired with four wines, two of which were Australian and the remaining were from New Zealand.  _________________________________________________________________________ Menu Item Wines: ...

Hi readers! Sorry I have been slacking lately on my blog, but I just have to share my amazing brewery experience from over spring break. It was my first brewery visit ever and I went with a great group of friends. We were lucky enough to have a friend drive us out to Nelson County, VA to the Blue Mountain Brewery. Luckily it was beautiful day and packed with people and puppies in the outdoor seating area. We were given a quick tour before our table was ready to be seated. Outdoor seating area with fireplace in background. The tour was brief, but really fun and informative. Our tour guide, Michael was really funny and helpful in explaining the brewery process. Blue Mountain has two locations, the one we were at has a great restaurant as well as a large brewing operation for their popular ales and lagers. One cool fact was that Blue Mountain (both locations) produces about 100,000 barrels of Virginia craft beer. Blue Mountain is often deemed a "pioneer of the V...

Name:  Dona Sol Variety: Shiraz, Petite Syrah, & Symphony Region: California   Country: USA Year:  Price:  $6.95  Vintage Cellar 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." Personal Review:  So I tasted this on a day that I tried four other wines and this was my favorite! It is full bodied as it is made from 3 different grapes. Amazing scent and even better sweet and savory flavor. Until I try more red wines, this shall be favorite! Cheers! Aainy

Name: Avery Quinn Variety: Zinfandel Region: Santa Rosa Country: California Year:  2013 Price:  $6.95 !!!! Vintage Cellar 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." Personal Review:  So I tasted this on a day that I tried four other wines and this was my second favorite! It wasn't too sweet or too spicy/bitter. It balances both flavors well and still manages to maintain its full body as found in similar red wines. Lastly, this is perfect food wine. I bought a bottle of this and am excited to pair this with meals. Cheers! Aainy

Name:  Finca del Castillo Variety:  Tempranillo Region:  La Mancha Country:  Spain Year:  2015 Price:  $4.95 !!!! Vintage Cellar Review: " Vivid ruby. Spice-accented red and dark berry aromas show good clarity and a hint of fresh rose. Juicy and seamless on the palate, offering lively currant and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter with air. Clings with good tenacity on the energetic finish, which repeats the floral note and shows no tannins . " Personal Review:  It was interesting to learn that this is made from the "great red grape of Spain". This is a perfect sweet yet savory wine. It also has a beautiful red color and amazing floral aroma. While the cellar review claims a bitter cherry flavor, I tasted more of the sweet flavors off the bat. As I have mentioned in previous blogs I do not like very sweet wine. This wine however is perfect as it is not as intense on the pallet. Cheers! Aainy

Name: Pieter Cruythoff Variety: Chenin Blanc Region: Swartland Country: South Africa Year:  2015 Price:  $4.95 !!!! (Frontline $9.00) Vintage Cellar 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." Personal Review:  This wine had a very strong fruity aroma. I could specifically taste the melons in this one. While I liked the body of this wine, personally it was too sweet for my tastes. I would recommend this to any of my friends reading this who are looking for a sweet and dry wine to sip on! Cheers! Aainy

Name: El Cortijillo Variety: Verdejo Region: La Mancha Country: Spain Year: 2015 Price: $4.95 !!!! Vintage Cellar Review: "Golden straw color. Bright, attractive, tropical aromas of creme brulee and fruit tart with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, intriguing, snappy lime and apple finish with crunchy, fruit tannins and light oak. A super smooth and pure white sipper." Personal Review:  This wine is definitely sweet, I smelled that intense sweet flavor before I even tried it. It was also very smooth and I could see myself casually sipping this. While I personally do not like very sweet wines, I found that the sweet flavor was balanced with a little zest from hints of lime and tart flavors. Cheers! Aainy

Hey guys! I am very new to blogging and wine! I am doing this for credit for my wine class, but I look forward to writing about all the interesting things I learn and taste  throughout the semester. For those of you that know me, I am very newly 21 and wine is not something I have been very exposed to before. I currently work at a restaurant part time where I had to learn proper bottle service and a little general information about wines as they are large part of our menu. Other than this, my wine experience has been limited to what my friends bring around on our nights wine nights and wines I have tried over the holidays. I personally don't enjoy wines that are very sweet with the exception of Riesling.  Additionally, I can always go for a glass of Pinot Grigio if I am casually sipping. I am looking forward to expanding my wine knowledge and pallet as the semester progresses and figure out more of what I like and do not like. That is all for now. I have to get to tastin...