Dinner: Jennelle Road

On Monday late afternoon we decided to host another wine dinner. It was around the time the sun was going down so the weather was perfect. We started with the appetizer which included rosemary bread, mozarella, peppers, and roasted garlic cloves. With paired the appetizer with a Sauvignon Blanc. Next we enjoyed the main course of alfredo pasta with an option of chicken or shrimp and mushrooms. We paired the main course with a Chardonnay. Lastly we devoured an apple pie with the option of oreo ice cream. We paired the dessert with moscato. My least favorite wine was the moscato, it was very tart almost like grapefruit. 

Appetizer time.

The main course: Chicken or shrimp pasta with mushrooms and alfredo sauce.

The Chardonnay we paired with the main course.

The location.

The appetizer: Rosemary bread, olives, peppers, and mozzarella.

The Sauvignon Blanc paired with the appetizer.

Dessert: Apple pie and oreo ice-cream.

Table talk.

The bubbly moscato paired with our dessert.

Wine Festival: Blacksburg Fork and Cork

Blacksburg Fork and Cork was a new and exciting experience. My best friend from LA came up to Blacksburg this weekend so we went together. There were multiple wineries represented at the festival. I wasn't expecting restaurants like the Cellar to be there too. It was fun being around people that are all passionate about food and wine. The only bummer about the festival was that the lines were poorly organized so tasting wines was somewhat difficult. I enjoyed a sangria with blueberries and strawberries, it's a perfect summer drink. The experience was definitely worth it.

The $20 Ticket

Enjoying the wine tasting.

Hokie-trons performing.

Boyer's Q&A

The weather was beautiful. 

The lines were unorganized. 

Some of the tasting.

Winery Visit: Attimo Winery

A couple friends and I went to Attimo Winery on April 27th. We tasted nine different wines for only five dollars, three whites, three reds, and three dessert wines. The weather was absolutely perfect so we sat on the porch. I loved the Vidal Blanc named Sonnet 98 and the sweet dessert wine called I Do. The winery is fairly new, they are still undergoing some construction. We learned that they import some of their grapes from Portugal but grew the majority of them there.

Attimo Vineyards

The Menu

Attimo Tasting Room

Waiting for the tasting to begin.

Enjoying some yummy dessert wine.

Tasting: Ramo Bilbao Albarino

Name: Ramo Bilbao
Variety: Albarino
Region: Haro
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $13.95

Winery Review: "86 points, Wine Enthusiast. Fresh and easy to like. Smells clean and open, with peach and other white fruit aromas. You name the white or citrus fruit, and it's here: pineapple, grapefruit, mango and lime. Hits both the sweet and citrusy bases."

My Review: Similiar to the Rosenblum, smelled sweet but tasted dry.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Rosenblum Cote du Bon Roan Blanc

Name: Rosenblum
Variety: Cote du Bone Blanc
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2007
Price: $11.95

Winery Review: "This lovely wine shows refreshing pear, melon and mango in the bouquet, followed by flavors of apple, peach and creamy vanilla. This is an ideal wine paired with seafood, including oysters on the half shell and curried Dungeness crab."

My Review: This white wine was confusing. It smelled extremely sweet when but tasted like a typical dry white wine.

Did not pair it with food.

Dinner: My Apartment

I decided to host a small wine and food pairing dinner, it turned out to be a major success. We enjoyed choosing what kind of food to make and which wine to pair it with. My absolute favorite combination was the merlot and the caprese appetizer. I did not enjoy the moscato with the chocolate cake, the chocolate cake ended up being much sweeter than I expected so it was a sweetness overload. Overall the dinner was definitely a fun time and we hope to do it again next week.

Lex preparing the pasta.

Judith preparing the appetizer.

Appetizer: Caprese, bread, and parmesan cheese.

We paired the appetizer with this 2010 Merlot.

The entree included penne with vodka sauce, chicken, peas, and caramelized onions.

We paired the entree with this Chardonnay from California. 

Enjoying the pasta.

The dessert was paired with the cheap but delicious moscato.

Chocolate cake for the dessert.

My least favorite pairing was the moscato and the chocolate cake, too sweet.

Tasting: Chessman Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Chessman Vineyards
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: ?


Winery Review: This wine is a rich and full style of Cabernet from the heralded hills of Central Coast’s Paso Robles. This wine possesses a burst of pure Black Cassis and fat and luxurious texture with a soft but firm finish. This is an alluring Cabernet Sauvignon for drinking with dinner or on its own.


My Review: Tasted like a normal Cabernet to me, I didn't enjoy this wine very much. There was nothing special about it. 


Did not pair it with food. 

Tasting: Hey Mambo Sultry Red

Name: Hey Mambo Sultry Red
Variety: mostly Sirah
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $11.95

Winery Review: Savor every drop of these eyebrow raising, proprietary blends combining traditional California and Italian varietals. Hey Mambo is a tribute to classic Blue Note Record albums, while giving a glimpse into a bygone era, filled with music and energy.

My Review: This was my favorite wine at the wine tasting, very smooth.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Oxford Landing Estates Viognier

Name: Oxford Landing Estates

Variety: Viognier

Region: Southern Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: A pale straw with lime green and lemon yellow hues, the Oxford Landing Estates Viognier 2010 has a lifted musk and honeysuckle aroma, with a hint of apricot and peach blossom. The wine is richly textural on the palate with classic grainy Voignier minerality complemented perfectly with ripe flavors of late season peaches and apricots. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians. 

My Review: Had a hard time describing the smell but eventually decided that it smelled like diapers. What was odd was that it smelled completely different that it tasted. 

Did not pair with food. 

Winery Visit: Chateau Morrisette

Winery Visit: Chateau Morrisette

On Saturday a friend and I went to visit the much anticipated Chateau Morrisette. We actually missed the turn initially and ended up at Mabry Mill. This was the first time I have ever been to a winery and I loved it. The people were really friendly and seemed genuinely excited to share their knowledge of wine with us.

Mabry Mill

I wish we had spent more time at the winery because there as so much to see but we heard a lot of great things about the restaurant. It was refreshing to talk to the workers because it was obvious that they enjoyed sharing their wine knowledge. One of the workers had actually graduated from Virginia Tech five years ago. 

Chateau Morrisette

We tasted ten different wines. I bought the one I enjoyed the most, the Blackberry wine. 

2008 Petit Verdot, Blushing Dog, Sweet Mountain Laurel, 2010 Frost Dog, Blackberry Wine, 2010 Chardonnay, Independence, 2011 Dry Rose, 2010 Chambourcin, 2010 Cabernet Franc. Below are some examples of the wine we tasted.
Independence: Winery Review: A blend of Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Riesling, and Chardonnay, this refreshing dry white wine is packed with the lively fruit characters of grapefruit and melon. The smooth texture and entrancing aromas of white flowers and roses complete this delicious tribute to Independence. Alcohol 12.2 % My Review: When I smelled the wine it smelled like fuel. I think it would pair best with lighter dishes.
Sweet Mountain Laurel: Winery Review: A unique and refreshingly sweet dessert style wine made from Native American grape varieties. Firm acidity balances the sweetness, producing a crisp finish with aromas of freshly picked grapes. Alcohol 11.3% My Review: This wine literally tasted like Welch's grape juice, it was extremely sweet with a hint of tanginess. 

Tasting Room/Shop

One of the workers recommended this wonderful Italian restaurant in Floyd so we stopped there for lunch on our way back to Blacksburg. The food was fantastic. 

Mickey G's Meal

Tasting: Llai Llai Pinot Noir

Name: Llai Llai Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Bio Bio Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: 13.99

Winery Review: Deep, brillitant red color with a ripe, aromatic explosive nose showing intense red fruit expression An elegant palet with a good balance of alcohol and acidity, black and red cherry flavors, surrounded by sweet earthy notes that has a long, rich and smooth finish due to the very ripe and soft tannins.

My Review: Not a deep dark red color, almost like a transparent red. Dry.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Rias Baixas Albarino

Name: Rias Baxias Albarino
Variety: white wine
Region: Haro
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $14.99

Winery Review:

My Review: Fruity, somewhat sweet.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Barone Fini Valdadige

Name: Barone Fini Valdadige

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Nosio Spa Mezzocorona

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $13.99

Winery Review: Soft, round fruit fills the mouth with ripe, juicy flavors. A long finish glides into flavors of ripe apples and lichee nuts. A wine to be enjoyed alone, as an apéritif, or with shellfish, fowl and light meals that include vegetarian dishes.

My Review: Had a sweet smell but was definitely a dry white wine.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: ?
Country: Germany
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Flint and mineral notes accent pineapple and lime aromas, while on the palate, the wine shows plenty of ripe, citrusy fruit flavors. Tangy acids on the long finish provide balance.

My Review: Immediately smells sweet.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Don Ramon Tinto

Name: Don Ramon Tinto
Variety: 75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo
Region: Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Aged 3 months in American Oak casks. Ruby red in color, with creamy aromas of earth and cherry. Flavor turns toward deeper and darker black cherry and raspberry on a medium framework. A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit adds some depth and complexity.

My Review: Dry.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Resonata Nero D-Avola

Name: Resonata Nero D-Avola
Variety: Red Wine
Region: Sicilia
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Dense ruby red with violet reflections. Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice. Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background.

My Review: This wine tasted like latex gloves to me and it was very dry.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Protocolo Blanc

Name: Protocolo Blanc
Variety: White Wine
Region: ?
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.

My review: I definitely agree that the wine was dry and I detected no sweetness. I don't enjoy dry white wines.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Santola Vinho Verde

Name: Santola Vinho Verde
Variety: White Wine
Region: Mealhada
Country: Portugal
Year: ?
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh.

My Review: Immediately tasted the fruitiness then concluded each taste with some tanginess.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Dona Sol White Zinfandel

Name: Dona Sol White Zinfandel 
Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: Sonoma, California
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $4.95


Winery Review: Voluptuous blush wine that has hints of strawberry and fresh fruit in its wide range of aromas. As the wine flows into the palate, fresh fruit and sweet cherries are evident. Ends with a smooth sweet finish. Pair with seafood (light & heavy), shellfish, pork, cheese, poultry, and desserts.


My Review: Loved it, my favorite white wine of the day. A very sweet wine.


Tasted it without food.

Tasting: Faraway Farm Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Faraway Farm Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95

Winery Review:
Our Cabernet Sauvignon will spoil you with rich flavors of ripe blackberry and plums.

My Review:
Dry, typical red wine, nothing special.

Tasted it without food.