Two Shilling Red 2021

Name: Two Shilling Red

Producer: The Williamsburg Winery

Variety: Blend (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon)

Region: Virginia

Country: United States

Vintage: 2021

Price: $16

Wine Review:

The Two Shilling Red 2021 by The Williamsburg Winery is a delightful red wine blend hailing from Virginia. This wine is a combination of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, which gives it a unique flavor profile that is both rich and smooth. The wine has a deep, ruby color and a fragrant nose of black cherry, blackberry, and hints of vanilla and spice. On the palate, it is a full-bodied wine with flavors of dark fruit, chocolate, and a subtle earthy undertone. The tannins are soft and well-integrated, providing a smooth and silky finish.

My Review:

I recently had the pleasure of trying the Two Shilling Red 2021 by The Williamsburg Winery, and I must say it was a great experience. The wine has a unique flavor profile that is well-balanced and easy to drink. The blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon works well together, providing a smooth and full-bodied wine that is not too overpowering. The nose is fragrant and inviting, and the flavors on the palate are complex but not overwhelming. The wine pairs well with grilled meats, stews, and roasted vegetables, making it a versatile option for a variety of meals. Overall, I highly recommend the Two Shilling Red 2021 by The Williamsburg Winery to anyone who enjoys red wine blends that are well-balanced and easy to drink.

 

La Delizia: Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio

 

Name: La Delizia Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio

Producer: La Delizia

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Delle Venezie

Country: Italy

Vintage: N/A

Price: $9.99

Wine Review:

La Delizia Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio is a refreshing and easy-to-drink white wine that comes from the Delle Venezie region of Italy. This wine has a light to medium-bodied structure and a pale, straw-yellow color with greenish tints. On the nose, it offers subtle aromas of green apple, pear, lemon, and a hint of floral notes. On the palate, La Delizia Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio is crisp and well-balanced with flavors of citrus, peach, and apricot. It has a pleasant acidity and a clean finish that leaves you wanting more.

My Review:

I recently tried La Delizia Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio and was impressed by its taste and value. The wine's aromas were subtle but pleasant, and the flavors were clean and refreshing. This Pinot Grigio is an excellent option for those who enjoy light-bodied and crisp wines that are easy to drink on their own or pair with light dishes like seafood, salads, and appetizers. The price point is also a great selling point, making it an affordable option for everyday consumption or entertaining guests. Overall, I would recommend La Delizia Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio to anyone who enjoys white wines that are well-balanced and approachable. I will try it with food the next time.

Paperbark 2020 White Wine Blend Wine Tasting

Name: Paperbark 2020 White Wine Blend

Producer: Paperbark

Variety: 75% Semillon, 25% Sauvignon Blanc 

Region: South Eastern Australia 

Country: Australia

Vintage: 2020 Price: $14.99

Wine Review: This white wine blend is a refreshing and easy-drinking option that offers a balance of citrus and tropical fruit flavors, with a subtle herbal note. The Semillon grapes bring body and texture to the blend, while the Sauvignon Blanc adds brightness and acidity. Overall, it's a versatile wine that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with seafood, salads, and light pasta dishes.

My Review: I recently tried Paperbark 2020 White Wine Blend and was pleasantly surprised by its quality for the price point. It has a unique blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc that creates a nice balance of flavors. I found it to be a great choice for a casual night in or a dinner party with friends. The bottle also has a stylish and eye-catching label that would make it a great gift option. At $14.99, this wine is definitely worth a try. Did not try it with food.

Winking Owl Chardonnay Wine Review!

Name: Winking Owl Chardonnay

Producer: Winking Owl Vineyards Variety: Chardonnay Region: California Country: United States

Vintage: 2020 Price: $2.99

Wine Review: This Chardonnay is a refreshing delight! With notes of crisp apple, bright citrus, and a hint of oak, it's perfect for any occasion. The aroma is simply divine, with a bouquet of white flowers that will make you feel like you're frolicking in a field of wildflowers. The wine has a light body and a smooth finish, making it a great pairing for light seafood dishes or a cheese platter. And the best part? It's a steal at only $2.99 a bottle!

My Review: I stumbled upon Winking Owl Chardonnay at my local grocery store and was intrigued by its quirky label and affordable price. I'm not a wine connoisseur by any means, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this wine. It's light and easy-drinking, perfect for a night in with friends or a solo Netflix binge. And let's be honest, at $2.99 a bottle, you can't go wrong. Cheers to finding hidden gems in unexpected places! I will try it with food the next time!

Wine Dinner Blog #1

My friends and I went out to Wine Lab for our wine dinner. We started by looking over the list of flights that our sever Julia provided us and I chose to go with the "Region of Focus - Bordeaux" flight. This was $16, and included the following wines: Les Hayts de Lagarde Blanc '20, Chevalier du Grand Robert '18, and Ch. Graves de Rabion '18. The wines were from Entre Deux Mers, Haut Medoc, and Saint Emilion respectively.

Here's a pictures of all of them as they were served. Left to right is the order in which the drinks were presented to us.

I chose to drink in the order specified to us by the menu and so started off with the Les Hayts de Largarde Blanc 2020. Since it was a white wine, I made sure to hold it by the bottom of the glass. Overall, it had a sweet taste that set me up well for the red wines to follow. There was a taste of apple juice that lasted all the way to the back of my mouth.

After we had finished our backed brie appetizer, I dug into my main dish which was a Rueben. It was paired with a side of sour cream and onion potato chips. The pairing with our second wine: the Chevalier du Grand Robert 2018 was perfect since it really brought out he depth of the meat. I made sure to swirl the wine in the glass by cupping it.

For dessert, I had a cookie and our last wine. This last red was much drier than the previous one. It had hints of black cherry and an aftertaste of chocolate. The cookies was a great way to end the meal.

Overall, the dinner was a hit. It allowed me to sit down with all of my friends and discuss how all of us felt about the wines we had dug into. All together, I had an appetizer, main, dish, side dish, and a dessert alongside a flight of 3 wines.  Reuben sandwich, sour cream and onion chips, and a baked cookie. I had three wines as part of a flight: Les Hayts de Lagarde Blanc '20, Chevalier du Grand Robert '18, and Ch. Graves de Rabion '18.

My experience with wine thusfar!

You know, as a senior in college, I haven't honestly tried out too many types of wine. I've always stuck to the good 'ol Barefoot and maybe some Franzia. I've always thought of wine as something I'd always want to explore and learn more about as I got older since people always talk about how dinner is so much better with a glass of red. Well, I guess my wish got fast-tracked a bit since I now have the opportunity to learn more about it through this course.

I actually grew up in a strictly sober family where drinking wine (well anything) was frowned upon. I held those ideals for a good three days of my time at university until my buddy Connor passed me a cup of beer at my very first frat party. Boom, I had changed. I stuck with beer and a couple liquors until pretty much the end of freshman year when the girl I liked at the time introduced me to the wonderful world of champagne in the form of the glorious mimosa. 

Since then, I've slowly but surely started to look more into wines and their types and was essentially addicted to documentaries on the History channel about how wine was made. So as a senior in college, I'm a bit knowledgeable about the subject and have had my fair share of cheaper wines, which I've mainly drank to get a little turnt. I'm always looking for ways to deepen my appreciation for this incredible beverage. I'm eager to see where my wine journey will take me next and can't wait to try new and exciting varieties in the future. Let's see where this class takes me!