Tasting - Prime's

Tasting: 2/23/2017
Name: Primes Ruby Port
Variety: Old Vines
Region: Port Wine
Country: Portugal
Year: NV

Winery Review: Ruby colour; red fruit aromas; pleasantly sweet and balanced taste. As the wines used to produce Prime's Ruby Port age, they gain smoothness and elegance while retaining their fruitiness, intensity and youthful ruby colour. They are then blended together.
https://www.portugalvineyards.com/en/wines/6387-primes-ruby-port-5601292171888.html?search_query=ruby&results=737

My Review: Gave off the smell of dark chocolate & licorice. Can taste the alcohol and raspberry as well. You can taste the alcohol with every sip which also gave it a little spicy feeling. There was no food during this tasting.

Tasting - Lindeman's Bin 80

Tasting: 2/23/2017
Name: Lindeman's Bin 80
Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot
Region: South Eastern Austsralia
Country: Australia
Year: 2015

Winery Review: Soft and medium bodied with generous plum and berry characters combining with richer, darker Merlot flavors. Maturation in oak adds hints of cedar and spice
https://www.arlingtonwine.net/wines/Lindeman-s-Cabernet-Merlot-Bin-80-2015-w2145762s1

My Review: There was a taste of red velvet cake with a small hint of cranberry. It was also slightly tannic with a medium body. There was no food with this tasting.

Tasting - Domaine de Puojol

Tasting: 2/23/2017
Name: Domaine du Poujol
Variety: Syrah, Grenache, Carignan Noir, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Country: France
Year: 2011

Winery Review: A refreshing, aromatic, and affable red that - much like the style of music for which it is named - carries a tradition of innovation. Medium-bodied with delightful red berry aromas and flavours, a whisper of spice, and a soft tannin structure - Poujol's Jazz is brimming with soul and character.
http://www.barrelselectwines.com/wines/classic/domaine-du-poujol-2012-jazz-aoc-coteaux-du-languedoc-dpjjzl1272.html

My Review: Off the bat there was an instant smell of smoked meat. There was an oakey, woody taste similar to a cigar box. I would imagine this wine would pair very well with barbecued meat or salty cheeses. Overall, I was not a big fan of this wine because of its overwhelming aromas. I did not try food during this tasting.

Tasting - Pazo de Monterrey

Tasting: 2/23/2017
Name: Pazo De Monterrey
Variety: Godello
Region: Monterrei, Galicia
Country: Spain
Year: 2014

Winery Review: Aromas of orange and grapefruit are clean and easy. This feels citrusy but that's about it. Standard orange and lemon-lime flavors finish with juicy snap. Drink this rudimentary Godello as soon as possible. M.S. 4/1/2016 -85
http://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/pazos-del-rey-2014-pazo-de-monterrey-godello-monterrei

My Review: The first aroma I smelled was mango as well as pineapple & apple. The white looked glossy within the glass. It tasted smooth with a medium sweetness. This wine was very good with great balance.

Tasting - Domaine de la Foret

Tasting: 2/23/2017
Name: Domaine de la Foret
Variety: Rose de Mediterranee
Region: Mediterranean
Country: France
Year: 2015

Winery Review: In color, this is almost white. In flavor it is equally light. There is some attractive acidity and the soft wine will slip down easily. The aftertaste is crisp with just a touch of red currant. R.V. 8/1/2016 - 85
http://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/domaine-de-la-foret-2015-rose-mediterranee


My Review:  This rose was very smooth. Has an oakey & cool taste with a hint of dryness. Also there was a slight taste of apple. This wine was tasted without food.

Wine & Cheese Pairing #1

Wine Tasting w/ Cheese #1

The first pairing of wine I did was a white wine with mozzarella, and this specific wine I chose was Sauvignon Blanc. This bottle was Chateau Souverain, 2015 from California (13.3% alc./vol). After my initial sniff & swirl I got an tannic smell and the taste of pears & oak. After having a drink with the mozzarella, the wine tasted sweet because the cheese coated the acidic taste in my mouth.

The second pairing I did was a white zinfandel with Swiss cheese. This rose wine is made by Liberty Creek in California. After doing the initial sniff & swirl the smells I received were strawberry, buttery, vanilla and rosy. The Swiss complimented the wine very well. The cheese is simple in taste and was felt on the base & back of my tongue, while the sweetness of the white zin was felt on the tip. The combination of these flavors illuminated my mouth and has became my favorite pairing so far.

The last pairing I experimented with was Merlot with smoked Gouda. This bottle of Merlot was Buena Vista, Vinicultural Society made in Sonoma, 2012. The smells I obtained from a sniff & swirl was tannic, boysenberry, plum, and dry with also a taste of dry, and tannic. The cheese coated my mouth so it masked the tannic taste of the Merlot.The gouda had a rich and salty taste and complimented the dryness of the Merlot.