Wine Review - Rickshaw Pinot Noir

 Name: Rickshaw Pinot Noir 2019

Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Sonoma County
Country: USA
Year: 2019
Price: $11.99

Winery review: The 2019 RICKSHAW Pinot Noir is bold yet delicate with rich black cherry notes, cola and a hint of vanilla and baking spices. A persistent core of juicy, ripe fruit is balanced by bright acidity. Endlessley energetic, the pinot is the ultimate versatile wine that works well as an aperitif for pairing with king salmon or skirt steak with chimichurri.

Wine Folly: pg. 502 Pinot Noir - This specific wine is known for its spice flavors and softer tannins and makes it a great food pairing wine. Although I did not pair this wine with any dishes, I would definitely try to pair it with beef or veal next time if I do have this wine again. It is also known for its berry flavors which was definitely present when I had tasted this wine. I did not decant the wine, but I definitely need to purchase a decanter soon as I would like to try it out.
My review: Overall, I did enjoy this wine even though I am not the largest fan of reds as I mentioned before. I think I am starting to like reds more with each time I do taste them. Although I did have this wine the same night I had the San Carlos Cabernet Franc, I gave it about a 30 minute time in-between both wines, there were no issues with the wines clashing. I did not have any food with this wine. The wine itself was definitely very fruity and tasted great. I really enjoyed drinking this wine and look to pair it with a food in the future.

Wine Tasting - San Carlos Cabernet Franc

 Name: San Carlos Cabernet Franc

Variety: 100% Cabernet Franc
Region: Mendoza Argentina
Country: Argentina
Year: 2018
Price: $11.99

Winery review: Family vintners for over 100 years, the Catenas are recognized for their pioneering role in high-altitude viticulture in Argentina. This Cabernet Franc is sourced from the family´s historic vineyards in San Carlos. Here, the sandy-loam soils and mountainous climate yield a wine with concentrated ripe red berries, a touch of eucalyptus and black pepper, robust tannins and smooth lengthy finish.

Wine Folly: pg. 300 Cabernet Franc - The Cabernet Franc had hints of berries within the sips that I had initially had taken, which does fall in line with the flavors that are present in Wine Folly. There are also herbal flavors that are present within the wine, which the wine maker does touch on with the eucalyptus present in the wine.
My review: When I first purchased this wine, I was expecting to not be a large fan of it, but it completely proved me wrong. I am usually one to be very picky with the reds that I do purchase, but this was not the instance. I really tasted the berries flavor that were present in the wine, but I also tastes notes of pepper as well which I did not fully expect for myself to notice as I thought it would be more subtle. I did not manage to decant the wine for 30 minutes, but I did have it at room temperature as dictated in the Wine Folly.

Tasting - Josh Cellars Chardonnay

 Name: Josh Cellars Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2020
Price: $10

Winery review: Our Chardonnay is a great balance of bright citrus and honey with a touch of oak character and hints of juicy peach. Crafted with care so that no single flavor overpowers another, this wine is simply delicious. (Josh Cellars)

Wine Folly: pg. 332. This specific wine tasted pretty similar to the flavors laid out in Wine Folly. I did taste a good amount of citrus within the wine when I was having the wine. I also did taste the vanilla which was spot-on. I did not manage to use the correct wine glass that was recommended, but I did have the wine cold which did make the experience much more enjoyable.
My review: I did enjoy Josh Cellars Chardonnay, as it was definitely a switch up to what I am usually used to drinking. I could definitely taste the citrus aspects within the wine as it was very prominent, but was still balanced throughout. I do love white wines and it was a very crispy wine throughout which made it enjoyable. I did taste a bit of vanilla in the wine as well.

I did not have any food with this wine.

Tasting - Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio

 Name: Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio

Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino
Country: Italy
Year: 2019
Price: $11

Winery review: Notes of meadow flowers, pears, and golden apple. The bouquet is fresh and complex, showing refined notes of sage and mint accompanied by an elegant minerality typical of Pinot Grigio. (Ruffino)

Wine Folly: pg. 499 Pinot Gris - I definitely tasted the lighter taste, but also could taste the peach parts in the wine. I did not taste the raw almond aspect of it, but I did manage to see why it could taste like gravel as mentioned. We did not get the right glass though to drink this wine as it was recommended to drink with a white glass.
My review: I actually really enjoyed this wine and it was a really smooth wine. The taste was peachy but managed to also include a strong lemon taste on the palate. It is definitely not as sweet as other wines I have had in the past, but I would come back to this wine. I had this wine without any food.

Personal Experience with Wine

     Hello and welcome to my blog about wine. This is where I will be documenting my experiences with wine throughout this spring semester of my senior year.  This first blog post will be about my personal experiences with wine thus far in my 22 years of living. My first experience with wine was actually out of a wine bag. I believe it was a Pink Moscato Franzia. So not the best introduction into the world of wine, but nonetheless it was wine and it was my first wine I had ever consumed.

    Recently though, in the past couple of months, I have strayed from drinking regular beer and started dipping my toes into wine, especially white wine. I have found that I really do enjoy white wines over reds and it is my go to type of wine that I would drink if I do choose to drink wine on some nights. Although I do not find myself ordering wine at a bar anytime soon, but I do order wine at some restaurants sometimes especially if I ask the waiter what kind of wine on their menu pairs well with their dishes.

I definitely hope to expand my knowledge about wine in general and get more comfortable with drinking and describing the wines that I have. I also look to try out new wines and get out of my comfort zone with drinking wine in general and not only sticking to white wines.