Aainy's Wine Blog

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...