Tasting-Opera Prima Sweet Red

Name: Opera Prima Sweet Red

Variety: 50% Tempranillo, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: $4.95

Winery review: Doesn't try to hide its warm-climate terroir, with a soft texture framing jammy-sweet black raspberry, cherry, red currant, root beer and sweet tea. Drink now.

My review: I thought this wine was a very sweet and fruity wine. The fruits used in the wine were very clear and easy to taste. I tasted both raspberry and cherry in the wine. The wine was very smooth and enjoyable to drink. This was my favorite wine of the night and I'll be getting it again.

I did not try this wine with any food.

Tasting-Montes Alpha Syrah

Name: Montes Alpha Syrah

Variety: 90% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Voignier

Region: Apalta

Country: Chile

Year: 2009

Price: $7.95

Winery review: Blackberry and cola aromas are cool and collected. The palate has weight and texture to accompany berry, mint, herb and peppery flavors. Turns more herbal and roasted as it unwinds. Pepper and spice lead the finish.

My review: I thought this wine was very bitter and rough to go down. I could taste a hint of oak to it while still feeling like I could taste a hint of the barrel with the wine. I didn't pick up on any sweet fruits in the wine. I really did not like this wine.

I did not try this wine with any food.

Tasting-Coreto Tinto

Name: Coreto Tinto

Variety: Caladoc, Alicante Bouschet, Castellan, Pinot Noir, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional

Region: Lisbon

Country: Portugal

Year: 2010

Price: $6.95

Winery review: Despite the light touch, this is fruity and full, with its blackberry fruit dominating the warm spice note and acidity. Soft tannins keep the wine together.

My review: I detected a light hint of fruit that was hard to place at first but is best described as apple. This wine had a very strong after taste that left a flavor in your mouth for a while after. The after taste had a smoked flavor to it. I was not a fan of this wine.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting-Maipe Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Maipe Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2011

Price: $7.95

Winery review: Yellow color with green hints. Expressive wine, fresh, very aromatic. This Sauvignon Blanc displays grapefruit flavors, with hints of melon and honey. It finishes with bracing acidity and fresh mouth feels that make it a terrific aperitif and an excellent accompaniment to virtually all seafood, especially shellfish.

My review: I caught a hint of citrus flavor to this wine. I also tasted and smelled a hint of lemon and melon in the mix. I thought this wine was pretty acidic and more so than the first wine tasted. I enjoyed this wine and would try it again.

I tasted this without food.

Tasting-Encostas do Lima Vinho Verde

Name: Encostas do Lima Vinho Verde

Variety: 80% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura

Region: Minho

Country: Portugal

Year: 2010

Price: $4.95

Winery review: Pale golden silver color. Bright floral aromas of peaches, raspberry and honeysuckle with a soft, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a crisp, tart citrus and talc accented finish. A delightful sipper that is sure to please.

My review: I thought it was a sweet wine. I could taste a hint of fruit in it that I thought was similar to white grapes. I thought there was an acidic taste to it but not too much of one. It was definitely a wine I was a fan of and would have again.

I tasted this without any food

Introduction

I haven't had tons of experience with wine yet. I am pretty new to wine and have only had a year of experience with wine. I really enjoy drinking it and I have seen my tastes grow throughout this year. I am frequent wine drinker because I don't tend to drink every week but probably every other week.

I tend to have a glass of wine with dinner at nicer restaurants. My roommates and I also like to have wine sometimes while we are watching a movie or TV. It is something we like to do when we are just relaxing and hanging out at home for the evening. I tend to stick to drinking wines that I already know but I love trying new wines when I get the chance.

I really like sweet wines. I initially started out just liking sweet white wines that had a nice fruity taste, but I've also started to expand why I like. I've now tried different red wines and have slowly started to like some of those as well. I am often more confident that I'll like a white over a red wine though.

I'm really excited for this class to teach me about what food to pair with what wines. I don't think I'm very good at describing and identifying wines, so I'm looking forward to be better at that. This class will be useful for me in trying new wines and learning new stuff that I like.