Tasting - Fratelli

Name: Fratelli
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon / Pinot Noir
Region: N/A
Country: Ukraine
Year: not stated
Price: $8.95
Shop review: Sweet blackberry and blueberry notes are deeply concentrated on the nose and palate of this Ukranian semisweet red sparkler. Softly petillant, it’s unabashedly fun and fruity, and an enjoyable choice for casual entertaining.
My review: This is definitely the sweetest wine that I had during this tasting at the Vintage Cellar. This wine didn't have a strong aroma. Lots of berry flavors. I really enjoyed this wine and can imagine drinking it after dinner on a nice summer day.
I did not have food with this wine

Tasting - Eikeboom

Name: Eikeboom
Variety: Pinotage
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $6.95
Shop review: This dark-colored 2015 possesses cranberry and cherry richness intermixed with some spice box, earth and herbs. It is fresh, medium-bodied and could be served chilled if readers desire, given its Beaujolais-like weight and texture.
My review: I thought this wine was very interesting and unlike anything I've ever had before. It tasted smokey and earthy. Overall, I didn't like this wine too much but I'd enjoy a glass of it with dinner
I did not have food with this wine

Tasting - Jekel

Name: Jekel
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Monterey
Country: California
Year: 2015
Price: $9.95
Shop review: This medium weight Pinot Noir is rich with layers of bing cherries, rosehips, and lavender herbs. Its opulent richness will exceed your expectations--lingering just a bit until an inevitable smile appears.
My review: This Pinot Noir wasn't as heavy and dense and others that I've had, which I enjoyed. To me, it tasted like it had some spices in it and reminded me in flavor of vegetables. This wine was definitely very rich.
I did not have food with this wine

Tasting - Ch des Arnauds

Name: Ch des Arnauds
Variety: Rose - 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Year: 2017
Price: $7.95
Shop review: Medium pink salmon. Reticent nose of minerals, flowers, and a hint of red berries. Savory, serious, and spicy in the mouth with minerals and red currants showing. A 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from 30+ year old vines. This is a serious, food wine with a good backbone.
My review: The smell of this wine reminded me of the smell of fresh tires. Not in a super bad way, bu that's the first thing I thought of. This wine was sweeter than the one I had previously tried, the Cantina Villafranca. However, I thought it was slightly less refreshing. I'm normally not a fan of sweet wines like this.
I did not have food with this wine

Tasting - Cantina Villafranca

Name: Cantina Villafranca 

Variety: Blend of 45% Malvasia di Candia, 15% Trebbiano Toscano, 25% Malvasia del Lazio and 15% Grechetto

Region: Frascati - Lazio

Country: Italy

Year: 2016

Price: $5.95

Shop Review: This luminous, golden wine shows fragrant aromas of honeysuckle, white melon, peach blossom and almond.

My Review: I found this blended wine very easy to drink and refreshing. It didn't have any overwhelming flavors, but was light, slightly sweet, a little bit tart, and delicious. 

I did not have food with this wine

Intro

Hi everyone and welcome to my wine blog!!!!!

I'm a fairly novice wine drinker. I grew up with it in the house, having a glass of wine with my parents with dinner, but that's about it. Other than that I've stuck to franzia for the most part. However, I just took a trip this past winter break to Northern Italy where I had my mind blown by wine and have since realized all the beauty that wine is.

I tend to like red wines much more than whites. White wine is ok but I normally find them either too sweet or too tart. My favorites include cabernet savignon and malbec, but, again, I don't really know. My trip to Italy taught me that wine is delicious, but I didn't pay much attention to the grapes or where the bottles were from.

From this course, I'd love to learn more about types of grapes and regions of wine. Ultimately, as I am going into the workforce, I don't want to look like a little kid when at the dinner table with a client. I'd like to be able to talk the talk. Of course, I'd like to learn the different flavors of wines as well so that I can enjoy each glass a little bit more.

Here's a photo of myself in Venice