Tasting- Concannon Shiraz

This 2008 Concannon Shiraz is from Central Coast, California, made from Shiraz grape, and priced at $7.95 a bottle. The Vintage Cellar, "This is an extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the palate". I liked this wine a lot because of its strong dark berry flavors. it was a well-balanced wine that I look forward to enjoying again.

Tasting- Ksana Bonarda

This 2008 Ksana Bonarda is from Mendoza, Argentina, made from Bonarda grapes, and priced at $9.95 a bottle. The Vintage Cellar said, "The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid. Very sweet, berry smell with some rooty undertones. Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker". The nose on this wine was thick and full of berry aromas. It was somewhat spicy, very sweet, with splashes of dark berries and a sour finish.

Tasting- Black Ridge White Zinfandel

This Black Ridge White Zinfandel (NV), made in California from Zinfandel grapes, and priced at $3.95 a bottle. The Vintage Cellar said, "The fruit forward White Zinfandel displays fresh aromas and crisp flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. It is incredibly food friendly and will pair well with burgers, sandwiches, fruit salad, and more". The nose on this wine was a little spicy and vegetal with some floral and berry characteristics. The wine tasted of strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and other dark berries.

Tasting- Chandon Sweet Cuvee

This Chandon Sweet Cuvee (NV) is made in California, a rose blend, and priced at $9.95 a bottle. The Vintage Cellar said, "This wine is an innovative sparkling wine style revealing vibrant stone fruit and floral aromas with rich, luscious mouthfeel. This wine enlivens the senses and sparks spontaneous moments, complementing your passion for a good life". The nose on this wine reminded me of a candle you would light in the middle of winter, with some oaky and wood notes. I liked this sparkling wine a lot because it was not extremely sweet, with the flavor of rich fruits.

Tasting- Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc

This 2010 Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc is from Central Coast, California, made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, and priced at $7.95 a bottle. The Vintage Cellar said, "Orange blossom and citrus permeate the aromas. Alluring flavors of orange and grapefruit dominate the palate. Bright acidity balances the plush mouthfeel, resulting in a clean finish". I thought that this was a very refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. The color was so light yellow it was almost clear. It had a citrusy bite of lemons, grapefruits, and oranges.

Winery Visit- Attimo Winery

My boyfriend, Andrew, was visiting Virginia Tech for the week and we took a short trip to Attimo Winery for the afternoon. The owners, Rik and Melissa Obiso went to Virginia Tech and fell in love with this part of Virginia. They opened up Attimo Winery in the spring of 2011, "Attimo Winery is dedicated to celebrating the every day moments in life". Their website explains that "Attimo" means "In the Moment" in Italian, and that each of their wines are named for special moments and events in life. Since 2007, Attimo has been planting many vines each year and now there are 11,000 vines on their property along with thousands of blackberry and raspberry plants. 

                      

                                 

 The first wine we tried in the tasting was a Chardonnay called “Yesterday’s Song”, priced at $19 a bottle and 12.5% alcohol. “Dry white, crisp, lightly oaked, pear notes”. I thought this Chardonnay was light, fruity, with a pear and green apple taste. It smelt of a pastry shop, had light tannins, buttery, and was oaked for 4 weeks.

The second wine we tried was a Vidal Blanc called “Sonnet 98”, priced at $17 a bottle and 13% alcohol. “Dry white, crisp, floral, hints of fresh greens”. This Vidal Blanc had spring time flavors, was named after Shakespeare’s work, and was given the silver medal at the Governor’s Cup. It was oaky, tart, and fresh, with notes of white and pink flowers. This was my favorite white of the day.

The third wine a Riesling/Chardonnay blend called “Off-the-Cuff”, priced at $16 a bottle, and 12.5% alcohol. “Semi-sweet wine, fruity”. I thought this wine started off dry because of the Riesling, and then ended sweet because of the Chardonnay. It tasted fresh and sweet with hints of grapefruit.

The fourth wine we tried was a reserve wine, Chardonnay called “Masquerade”, priced at $19 a bottle, and 12.5% alcohol. “Dry white, smooth and oaked”. This Chardonnay was oaked for 9 months by accident because when they bottled the “Yesterday’s Song”, some of the barrels were hidden and found 8 months afterward. This was full-bodied, buttery, with a light green apple smell, and rich taste.

The fifth wine we tried was a Vidal/Raspberry called “Just Kissed Blush”, priced at $16 a bottle, and 12.5% alcohol. “Off-dry blush, fruity; distinct berry flavors”. This blush was a pretty light pink color, smelt of raspberries and other dark berries. The taste was overwhelmingly overpowered by raspberries, and extremely sweet like raspberries covered in sugar.

The sixth wine we tried was a Merlot/Zinfandel/Blackberry blend called “After Midnight”, priced at $16 and 12.5% alcohol. “Semi sweet red, fruity flavors; velvety texture”. This wine was very sweet because of the blackberry, but then ends dry. It was a lighter red, with hints of raspberries and other dark berries.

The seventh wine we tried was a blend of six different grapes called “Bull Frog Symphony”, priced at $17 a bottle, 12.5% alcohol. “Dry red blend, peppery, Bordeaux style”. The wine was a light plum color, heavier tannins, with dark berries and plum notes.

The eighth wine we tried was a Cabernet Franc called “Deep Silence”, priced at $18 a bottle, 13.5% alcohol. “Dry red, intense berry flavors and light smoky pepper finish”. I thought this wine was dry, with a peppery aftertaste that overpowered the whole wine, this was one of my least favorite wines of the tasting.

The ninth wine we tried was a Chambourcin called “AD 325”, priced at $16 a bottle, and 13.8% alcohol. “Dry red with bold flavors and cherry undertones”. This wine is called “AD 325” because the wine maker of Attimo Winery learned to make this specific wine in Georgia, and is made Old World style. It was a dark plum color, with a deep plum smell, smooth and velvety, and dark berries notes.

The tenth wine we tried was a Raspberry/red blend called “Sweet Berry Sunset”, priced at $15 a bottle, and 12.5% alcohol. “Sweet red, intense berry and fruity flavors”. I thought this wine tasted great with chocolate, because of how sweet the wine was and it also had chocolate notes within the wine. It was extremely sweet with notes of raspberries and other dark berries.

The eleventh wine we tried was a Cabernet Sauvignon called “Vertex”, priced at $20 a bottle, and 13% alcohol. “Dry red, rich with black currant flavors and French oak notes”. I thought this wine was not very acidic, with dark rich berry notes, a bit peppery, not extremely fruity, and a light raspberry color.

The twelfth and final wine we tried in the tasting was a Tinta madera/Touriga nacional/Souzao called “Seduction”, priced at $26 a bottle, and 18% alcohol. The grapes from this wine are from Portugal and once Attimo Winery received the grapes, they aged the wine with brandy. The brandy overpowers the nose of this wine, it is sickingly sweet, and I could not stand the taste, it was my absolute least favorite of the day.

                      

                                   

 Coming to Attimo Winery was a great end to the week and I cannot wait to visit this winery again.

Tasting- Chateau Serres Sainte Lucie Corbieres

This Chateau Serres Sainte Lucie Corbieres if from Corbieres, France, made from Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre, priced at $4.95. The Vintage Cellar said, "Superb dark garnet color with a few reflections of dark orange. Intense nose of ripe fruits, spices, and roasted coffee. The palate is rounded and full, with silky matured tannins and hints of vanilla. This wine is rich and powerful with layers of tannins". This wine is a very dark ruby color with a complex nose. The wine tastes fruity and spices with a dry backbone.