Tasting - Rex Goliath Cabernet Sauvignon

Rex Goliath Cabernet Sauvignon
Chile
No vintage listed
$4.50
"Big fruit-forward flavors sure to please. Our hearty cabernet is dark and intense - it's long on fruit and short on attitude."

My opinion: The nose is dry and smoky, which would make you think it was aged in oak barrels for a little while, but this is certainly not the case with the price. The body is extremely heavy and this is a very bland, dry wine. The bitterness dries the tongue out. This wine was not even worth the small price, and it's proof that awards from critics have nothing to do with individual palettes.

Tasting - Opera Prima Sweet Red

Opera Prima Sweet Red
La Mancha, Spain
2010
$4.95
"This is a robust red wine with a full body and a natural sweetness derived from native Spanish grapes that bask in the Mediterranean sun until a perfect ripeness is achieved. Excellent with birgers and barbecued meats."

My opinion: This wine is very light in color. The nose is pretty tangy, bitter and dry. There are hints of fruit, but definitely not a powerful component, which makes sense for a sweet red. The initial taste definitely isn't that of a red, it's very soft and not very alcoholic. It tastes like a berry compote with hints of rhubarb coming through. It turns very sweet - strong raspberry component - when paired with a salad with vinaigrette.

Tasting - Tisdale Cabernet Sauvignon

Tisdale Cabernet Sauvignon
Modesto, California
No vintage listed
$4.95
"With flavors of ripe blackberry and plum, our experienced winemakers have crafted this cabernet sauvignon to an enticing, full-flavored wine with medium body and an impressive finish."

My opinion: The nose is a little harsh at first, but becomes softer with a few more whirls. The wine is blood red in color, very dark. The body is very thin and the wine is very smooth, with a somewhat sweet aftertaste, which is unusual for a red, and especially a cabernet. After a while, there is a distinct smell of dry wood on the nose. When paired with a habanero cheddar, the wine dulls the pepper at first, but then really accentuates the after bite that the cheese has.

Tasting - Bay Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon

Bay Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon
Livermore and Ripon, California
No vintage listed
$3.95
There is no vineyard description on this bottle.

My opinion: This wine had a very dry nose, and the acid really came through in the forms of some household chemical cleaners. There was also a somewhat metallic element to the nose. Not a pleasant bouquet, but not entirely off putting. The taste was semi-bitter, although the mid-palette came through as slightly sweeter, and the wine was smooth and soft on the tongue. This was what you would expect for the price.

Tasting - Lucky Duck Moscato

Lucky Duck moscato
Chile
No vintage listed
$3.95
"Delightful flavors of sweet peaches and honeydew melon. Enjoy alone or pair with cheeses, a fruity dessert, or spicy Asian cuisine."

My opinion: This wine has an extremely fruity smell, and is surprisingly semi-acidic with the first taste. After the initial perception however, the mid-palette comes in very fruity and very smooth. The after taste is even sweeter, and you certainly don't want to plan on drinking a different wine after this one. A pretty good palette cleanser, especially for the price.

Tasting - Highlander Blush

Highlander Blush

Radford, Virginia

2012(?) - seems to be very recent, but there is no year on the bottle

$3.95

-There is no manufacturer description with this product, either on the bottle or online

My opinion: This wine has a very fruity smell, almost like syrup. It's a very intriguing, welcoming smell. The drink is very smooth and sweet, very soft with no bite. This was by far the best wine of the day, and absolutely a steal at the price. 

Tasting - Finca del Castillo Tempranillo

Finca del Castillo Tempranillo
La Mancha, Spain
2011
$4.95
"Rooty, spicy, and baked on the nose, with aromas that lean towards raisin. The palate is more gritty and acidic, with raisin, cola, and spicy flavors. Darkens up on the finish, which is long and peppery, with adequate juiciness and a final note of tomato."

My opinion: This wine has a much stronger smell, but a very smooth flavor. It goes down easy, with a bit of a bite for an aftertaste. Not overly flavorful, which is too bad since it has a very nice texture.

Tasting - Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Beaujolais, France
2012
$3.95
"Bright and tangy, offering a classic banana note on the nose, with flavors of raspberry, wild strawberry, and light spice. Modest finish."

My opinion: It has a very red smell, but it's a soft taste for a red. Nice and light, but not overly fruity, which makes it mildly appetizing. Still not something too fantastic though, which of course matches the price.

Tasting - Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Mars and Venus Chardonnay
Spain
2011
$5.95
"A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag. No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple. Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping."

My opinion: this wine has the smell of champagne, a very dry smell. There's really not a ton of flavor in it, and the wine itself seems very watery (not in texture, but in flavor). This one was even less desirable than the Soave.

Tasting - La Cappuccina Soave

La Cappuccina Soave
White
Veneto, Italy
2011
$7.95
"Bright straw in color. Delicate on the nose, with notes of flowers and almonds. Dry, well-structured and delicately fruity, with hints of bitter almonds on the finish that is typical of Garganega-based wines."

My opinion: Fruity, slightly acidic smell. Very bitter taste, with a slightly less bitter aftertaste. Not the best white wine I've had, for sure. I did not have it with food.

Wine in life

I have been drinking wine for many years. My parents decided that if I was going to learn to drink responsibly, then I would need to start from an early age and learn what I was dealing with. This was a great idea on their part, as it gave me a long time to learn how to drink, and it gave me some idea of what I was talking about and what I liked as I moved further into the world of alcohol.
I've had wine with many dinners throughout the years, sometimes at home, and very often when over at parents' friends homes. I've experienced many different varieties since I've been exposed to the different tastes of many individuals, some of whom have been wine connoisseurs for decades. I've found out many things about my tastes so far with regards to wine. I definitely prefer red wine to white wine, except in the case of a good moscato. I also enjoy pink wines, or rosés, such as white merlot and to a lesser degree, white zinfandel. The wine I've come to like the best is cabernet sauvignon, since I've had very few that I dislike. I have also enjoyed some of the malbecs that I have had, and often there will be a merlot or other that I enjoy as well.
This class seems to have lots that would really interest me. I'm definitely looking forward to learning about good combinations of wine and food. I used to have a neighbor who knew just what wine went with what food, and would bring over multiple wines to match each course of the meal when we had him over. Getting into some of the pairings would be really cool, and would make meals even better! I'm also looking forward to learning about the process of making wine. I know the basics, but I've never really heard the behind the scenes stuff to know what really goes on, whether or not it's a complicated process, etc. Finally, I'm looking forward to learning about some of the regions that produce the wines I like to drink. I love geography and travel, and getting to know a bit about each of the places that produce certain specialties should be really interesting!