Nate's Wine Experience

 

I typically drink wine 1-2 times a month, but this class will definitely change that. I enjoy most wines I’ve tried—Cabernets for their boldness, Malbecs for their smooth, buttery feel, Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays for their dry, citrusy flavors. Port is my go-to for something sweet, and Riesling is perfect when I want a light, sweet white. However, Pinot Noir doesn’t do it for me. It’s dry, bitter, and tends to give me a headache.

One of my favorite wine experiences was visiting a vineyard in Oregon and trying a flight of six wines, from dry whites to strong reds. It was a great way to see how different wines can taste based on the grape variety and blend.

In this course, I’m excited to learn more about wine regions and grape varieties, and I hope to develop a better understanding of wine tasting techniques—beyond just knowing how to swirl my glass.

Prosecco Dryer than Mexico

Name: Castello del Poggio - Prosecco

Variety: Glera, mixed vintage

Country/Region: Italy, Asti 

Year/Price: Unlisted, $13.95

Critique Review:

Close to Asti, near Turin comes this fruity Prosecco Very refreshing and plenty of bubbles Nice and easy Big cheers my friends. Giving it a slightly higher rating as it was only a fiver from Sainsburys! Pleasant enough to drink on its own and not too sweet pear lemon.

Reference Flavors: Floral, Apple, Pear, Elderflower

My Review:

To preface, I messed up the order of this wine tasting by having a Moscato prior to the Prosecco where the Moscato's sweetness completely altered (for worse) the flavor of the Prosecco. On the nose, I smelled dry floral notes as well as some chemically/stale scents. 

Moscato Sweeter Than Gelato

 

Name: Villa Alena

Variety: Moscato 

Country, Region: Italy, Piemonte

Year: 2022

Price: $8.50

Critique review: 

"Enjoyed this with dessert on Christmas eve. Pale yellow in the glass, with very light carbonation and an apple/grape nose. On the palate, there is some if that apple fruit, but more prominent is a striking impression of pine sap and elderflower. It's pleasantly sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. Very nice on the whole."

Reference flavors: Peach/Apple/Pear, Honeycomb/Stone, Citrus/Tangerine

My Review: 

On the nose, I could sense a sweet soft aroma that felt pale in a sense. Visually the wine was light golden and smooth/semi-viscous. On the tongue, the wine was very sweet, fruity, and citrussy. I could taste notes of Apple and Pear, as well as citrus/acidic sensations that fell on my tongue. Slightly more hidden, on the aftertaste, I could make out some pistachio and vanilla flavors.