Progress: 35 out of 55 as of January 2026
I’m currently doing the Wine Folly Challenge.
The goal is to taste an example of each wine listed in the book ‘Wine Folly’ by Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack.
Book Review:
Red
- Barbera
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carménère
- Gamay
- Grenache
- Mencía
- Merlot
- Montepulciano
- Nebbiolo
- Negroamaro
- Nero d’Avola
- Pinot Noir
- Rhône
- Sangiovese
- Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Touriga Nacional
- Valpolicella
- Zinfandel
White and Rosé
- Albariño
- Chardonnay, oaked
- Chardonnay, unoaked
- Chenin Blanc
- Gewürztraminer
- Grüner Veltliner
- Muscadet
- Pinot gris
- Rosé
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Soave
- Torrontés
- Vermentino
- Viognier
Sparkling
Dessert
- IN PROGRESS
Red
Barbera
Barbera d’Alba DOCG by Gianfranco Alessandria of Italy (Piedmont), 2021
From Total Wine
Appearance
Dark ruby, but not 100% opaque
Smell
Aromas of cherry with something a little forest-y at the tail end of a sniff
Taste
Lightish medium body; rather acidic; notes of sour cherry and some sort of herb or spice… caraway or fennel or oregano, I’m not quite sure
Pairing
Served with eggplant-tahini dip and pita chips
Conclusion
At first I thought that perhaps I ought to have bought a more aged bottle, but as it turns out, Barbera is known for being a comparatively light and acidic red wine.
I wish I could have more accurately identified the herby-spicy note(s), but hopefully my ability to pinpoint these flavors will improve with practice.
Cabernet Franc
Cuvée Louis Cabernet Franc by Beaucanon Estate of California (Napa Valley), 2012
From Total Wine
Appearance
Deep, opaque red
Smell
Aromas of dark, juicy fruits and strong black tea
Taste
Full body; mildly sweet with woody tannins; notes of weak, underripe plum when fresh out of the bottle, but given a little time to sit in the glass it also matured to a more subtle muddy-floral kind of flavor
Pairing
Served with mac-and-cheese with chorizo, roast broccoli, and garlic bread
Conclusion
Another lesson in decanting; I’d never have appreciated the more subtle notes if just drinking fresh out of the bottle.
That said, it still smelled a little more interesting than it actually tasted IMHO!
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon by Maria’s Legacy of Chile, 2022
From Total Wine
Appearance
Deep ruby red, barely transparent
Smell
Aromas of dark, juicy fruit and something sort of toasty or reminiscent of pastry
Taste
Medium-full body; not too acidic, with a very velvety mouthfeel; notes of black cherries followed by a barely-there peppery-smoky wood note
Pairing
Served with Irish Cheddar, rosemary crackers, and marinated artichokes
Conclusion
This wine’s description advertised vanilla and chocolate flavors, but I just didn’t pick up on either of those, even after letting it decant for a little bit (unless you count the slightly pastry-ish scent note).
Not complaining, though; I enjoyed this bottle, particularly paired with that sharp cheese, and I’d be happy to revisit it in the future.
Carménère
Carménère Gran Reserva by Carmen of Chile (Apalta, Colchagua Valley), 2020
From Total Wine
Appearance
Very deep, true red
Smell
Aromas of rich dried fruits, like currants or figs; I also detected an interesting herby-smoky note
Taste
Medium body; noticeable but not overly strong acid and tannins, with a nice lush mouthfeel; notes of ripe black plums and some more of that undefined but noticeable herby-smoky thing
Pairing
Served with sausage pizza and buttermilk-broccoli slaw
Conclusion
Quite nice — interesting, with that herby stuff happening, but didn’t compete with the food pairing.
I’ll probably try to find another bottle of this or something similar in the future.
Gamay
Beaujolais “Château des Déduits Fleurie” by Jean-Claude Debeaune of France (Beaujolais, Fleurie), 2021
From Total Wine
Appearance
Clear, warm red
Smell
Aromas of unidentified floral notes and bright fruit
Taste
Light-bodied; Sour cherry at the start, though still slightly floral, followed by a mineral finish
Pairing
Served with sharp cheese, prosciutto, dried apricots, marinated olives, and crackers
Conclusion
An easy drinker, although not particularly complex.
Paired well with a selection of snacks. I expect this one would do well alongside just about any food that is neither too delicate nor too hot.
Grenache
Cannonau by Palmalias of Italy (Sardinia), 2022
From Total Wine
Appearance
Deep, true red
Smell
Strong note of ripe berries, with a hint of minerality or rain
Taste
Notes of super juicy berries followed quickly by strong tannins; strong, slightly bitter
Pairing
Served with pasta e piselli, garlic bread, and garden salad with vinaigrette
Conclusion
An interesting study in scent and taste contrast from start to finish.
Though I wouldn’t classify this one as complex, I was truly impressed by the evolution of its flavor on the palate. It started out juicy but unremarkable and changed over a few seconds to something bold and perhaps a bit too tannin-y; I don’t know if it’s a favorite, but being able to distinctly detect this kind of flavor change was fun.
Mencía
Mencía by Rectoral De Amandi of Spain (Ribeira Sacra, Galicia), 2020
From Spec’s
Appearance
Deep, nearly opaque violet-red
Smell
Aromas of pomegranate with a bit of minerality, rather like threatening rain
Taste
Mid-bodied; noticeably acidic at the start, followed by clear but not overwhelming tannins; notes of juicy fruits and fresh herbs
Pairing
Served with goat cheese, a spread of green olives + sweet peppers, and pita chips
Conclusion
Enjoyable enough, either on its own or paired with food.
I tried to approach this one without any expectations. I’d never tried this varietal before. But it’s been a little while since my last tasting and perhaps my nose and tongue were too out of practice; I have to confess that I couldn’t tell you which specific sort of minerality was smelled, nor which specific fruits and herbs were tasted.
Merlot
Unánime Merlot by Mascota Vineyards of Argentina (Mendoza), 2018
From Total Wine
Appearance
Very deep, opaque cool red, like black cherries
Smell
Aromas of ripe plum, a sort of woody note, and some unidentified slight sharpness
Taste
Medium body; pretty dry and quite tannic but still smooth; notes of assertive oak and something notably creamy — a little reminiscent of salted white chocolate (plus the regular red wine fruity stuff, obviously)
Pairing
Served with pasta with lamb + veal ragù, garlic bread, and garden salad with vinaigrette
Conclusion
Merlot is one of those wines that I know I’ve had plenty of before, but I really couldn’t tell you anything about it. I also have to confess that I didn’t do a whole lot of homework for this choice, either. I just went to a big-box wine shop and asked a salesperson who was wandering around the red wine section for a recommendation, and came home with this one.
Turns out, that might not be such a bad way to go about shopping for Merlot. The tannins were just a tiny bit much for me, but I was quite pleased with the distinct cocoa butteryness.
Montepulciano
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC by Cantina Zaccagnini of Italy (Abruzzo), 2019
From Total Wine
Appearance
Clear, deep red with a slight purplish tinge
Smell
Aromas of dark, juicy fruit with something more deep and complex; puts me in mind of a dark chocolate-covered cherry
Taste
Lighter body than expected, but certainly quite dry; notes of just-barely-ripe plum with oak
Pairing
Served with baked rigatoni with a sausage-tomato sauce, green beans with butter, and garlic bread
Conclusion
This wine was a lesson in decanting. I initially tasted it immediately after opening, and even though it smelled interestingly complex all that hit my tongue was the tannins. I let it air out for about 20 minutes before trying again, and that’s when the fruity-oaky notes came through.
But this one really didn’t impress until paired with the food. I honestly wouldn’t drink this wine on its own again; however, I absolutely would like to keep it on hand for pairing with good meals.
Nebbiolo
Barolo Serra DOCG by Giovanni Rosso of Italy (Serralunga d’Alba, Piedmont), 2018
From Total Wine
Appearance
Very deep yet transparent garnet
Smell
Aromas of cherry compote, something floral, and the faintest hint of rain
Taste
Medium leaning towards full body; smooth, a little acidic, and tannin-y; notes of cherry as expected, followed by something lightly mineral in nature
Pairing
Served with sharp cheese, prosciutto, dried apricots, marinated olives, and crackers
Conclusion
Not horrible, but a little disappointing. I was under the impression that a really good example of this wine should really blow your socks off.
I went with a so-called premium selection from a big box wine shop, which may have been a bad choice; I think it would be better to try this type of wine again with guidance from a professional at my local wine shop instead.
Negroamaro
Negroamaro Puglia by Pazzia Cantine San Marzano of Italy (Puglia), 2022
From Spec’s
Appearance
Opaque, true red
Smell
Aromas of dried fruit, perhaps currants, and a faint scent of a summery herb garden
Taste
Full, rich body; very obvious tannins, a little bit chalky and slightly more bitter than expected, but also enduringly sweet at the finish, almost cloyingly so; notes of mixed tart-fresh + sugary-preserved fruits
Pairing
Served with pepperoni pizza and a garden salad with balsamic vinaigrette
Conclusion
A somewhat more interesting tasting experience than expected, given its price point. Negroamaro isn’t usually described as bitter or chalky, so this may not have been the best representative of the type, but it was interesting nonetheless.
I do think I’ll be looking for more of this varietal to try, just for comparison.
Nero d’Avola
Nero d’Avola by Nero Oro of Italy (Sicily), 2021
From Total Wine
Appearance
Garnet-like deep, warm red
Smell
Aromas of juicy-tart fruit and conspicuous peppercorn
Taste
Medium-bodied; super dry to start and a smooth finish; very cherry with a surprisingly gentle note of pepper, given the strong scent
Pairing
Served with pasta al pomodoro, sausage, and garden salad with vinaigrette
Conclusion
An easy drinker, and quite nice with the paired food.
The strong scent of peppercorn got less harsh after a little time decanting. This actually reminded me of one of my favorite perfumes, which also has a top note of pepper that fades a bit over time.
Pinot Noir
Bourgogne Pinot Noir “Septembre” by Edouard Delaunay of France (Burgundy), 2020
From Total Wine
Appearance
Clear, warm red
Smell
Aroma of cherry pie! I’m sure there had to be other notes, I just couldn’t get past the cherry pie LOL
Taste
Middling body; freshly tart to start, followed by light tannins; notes of tart cherry and earthy oak
Pairing
Served with chicken parm, pasta with marinara sauce, green beans, and garlic bread
Conclusion
I was just so delighted by the cherry pie fragrance that other scent and taste notes didn’t really stand out, to be honest!
I also tried a pinot noir from California, which shall remain nameless, but it fell flat by comparison — even though it was rated higher and was more expensive.
Rhône
Côtes du Rhône by Famille Gassier Halos de Jupiter of France (Côtes du Rhône), 2021
From Total Wine
Appearance
Deep, cool red; barely transparent
Smell
Aromas of dark berries, followed by a little oak-ish note
Taste
Medium body; starts sweet but followed by a punch of acidity, and is subtly dry with noticeable but not in-your-face tannins; notes of ripe cherries with a little bit of pepper, followed by a hint of smokiness at the end
Pairing
Served with mac-and-cheese, petite peas with bacon, and garlic bread
Conclusion
Definitely needed a few minutes to decant; tasted bland and watery right out of the bottle, but developed a little more character after it had time to breathe.
This paired surprisingly well with the low-meat meal, too. The shop recommended red meat, but I think the cheesy pasta and the bacon-y veg stood up to it pretty well.
Sangiovese
Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG by Sant’Andrea in Colle of Italy (Tuscany), 2018
From Total Wine
Appearance
Intense, dark crimson
Smell
Aromas of ripe dark berries or cherries, warm wood, and a faint hint of some kind of floral note
Taste
Mid-bold body; quite smooth and nice on the tongue; notes of fresh juicy cherry, distinct but not overly sweet, followed by lingering velvety-oaky tannins
Pairing
Served with pasta e piselli and salsiccia
Conclusion
Chianti isn’t new for me, but my goal was to taste a version that would hopefully bring out the best of this particular type of grape variety, Sangiovese.
I was quite pleased with the complementariness of the food pairing — pasta and peas in a rich tomato sauce with lots of parm + a mildly spiced sausage.
Syrah
Syrah by The Grower Project; Alta Loma Vineyards of Texas (High Plains), 2019
From Houston Wine Merchant
Appearance
Deep, slightly purplish red
Smell
Aromas of plum and misc. spices
Taste
Medium body; quite smooth to start followed by a dry finish with a punch of acid; notes of a kind of savory berry-plum blend with a little bit of peppery spice, then a smooth, not-too-powerful oak
Pairing
Served with baked rigatoni with a sausage-tomato sauce, green beans with butter, and garlic bread
Conclusion
Super pleased with this food and wine pairing!
I really enjoy trying wines from my home state of Texas, though in my experience they tend to be super inconsistently hit-or-miss. The pros at the wine shop recommended this one as not only a good representation of Syrah, but also a good representation of the best kind of product currently coming out of the Texas High Plains.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo by Becker Vineyards of Texas (Hill Country), 2021
From Total Wine
Appearance
Deep, nearly opaque ruby
Smell
Aromas of some undetermined spice blend — perhaps clove and nutmeg — with blackberries, maybe currants
Taste
Medium, leaning towards full body, a lovely texture really; noticeably tannic, with a hint of acidity at the end; notes of juicy berries followed by a touch of spice and some definite but not overwhelming oakiness
Pairing
Served with grilled steak fajitas
Conclusion
I’ll have to eventually try a version of this wine from its original home of Spain, but I couldn’t pass up this bottle from my home state of Texas.
Though fine on its own, I think this was very well paired with the charred veg and meat of the fajitas.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional by Quinta das Carvalhas of Portugal (Douro), 2022
From Total Wine
Appearance
Deep, almost opaque blueish red
Smell
Aromas of complex mixed spices – I might have assumed this was a lightly mulled wine by the smell alone
Taste
Full body; bold in all ways with mouth-watering acidity in combination with assertive tannins; notes of barely-ripe blackberries and a nice little floral something-or-other that brought to mind a light, feminine perfume
Pairing
Served with pasta e piselli and cheesy garlic toast
Conclusion
Not quite as fruit-forward as expected based on the bottle description, but I’m not complaining much about that; the other fun smell and taste notes and the punchy mouthfeel were interesting enough.
When I try this variety again, I think I’ll pair it with some bolder food, like perhaps a grilled steak or roast beef. The cheesy garlic toast could stand up to the wine, but the pasta was kinda overwhelmed by it.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore DOCG by Michele Castellani of Italy (Marano di Valpolicella, Verona), 2017
From Spec’s
Appearance
Clear, deep warm garnet
Smell
Aromas of cherries and a perfume-like warm woody-floral note, as well a little bit of peppercorn after decanting
Taste
Medium-bodied; light tannins and a punch of acidity at the finish; notes of dark berries or cherries followed by something woody-herbal, perhaps bay leaf or allspice
Pairing
Served with garlic-herb naan topped with goat cheese + sundried tomatoes
Conclusion
I was really looking forward to trying this one because of its interesting grape blend and production process. This one is a blend of Corvina Veronese (75%), Rondinella (20%), and Molinara (5%). The ripasso process involves a second fermentation on the pomace of yet another type of wine, Amarone, before maturation in oak barrels.
In the future, I’d pair this with something a bit more robust, perhaps steak.
Zinfandel
Ancient Vine Zinfandel by Oak Ridge of California (Lodi), 2021
From Total Wine
Appearance
Opaque, deep red
Smell
Aromas of juicy cherry, and some kind of spicy-ish wood
Taste
Medium body; not much acidity, a little sweeter than expected, with noticeable but not overly strong tannins; notes of some juicy summer fruit — perhaps black plums? — followed by a subtle peppery-smoky flavor
Pairing
Served with one of the best grilled cheese + bacon sandwiches I’ve ever had + French fries
Conclusion
I was a little nervous about trying this one, as I’d read that California Zin has a reputation of being overly sweet, grape-juice-like “fruit bombs”; I do have a sweet tooth, but my goal with this project is to try wines that generally represent their type.
I think I picked a decent one, though. It did seem a bit sweet for a red, but not totally unbalanced. I’d buy it again without embarrassment.
To do:
- Aglianico
- Bordeaux Blend
- Carignan
- Malbec
- Mourvèdre
- Petit Verot
- Petite Syrah
- Pinotage
White and Rosé
Albariño
Albariño by Val do Sosego of Spain (Rías Baixas, Galicia), 2022
From Total Wine
Appearance
Pale, transparent lemon yellow
Smell
Aromas of citrus and some sort of fruity-veggie cucurbit, like cucumber or canteloupe
Taste
Light body; Noticeably acidic, but not overwhelmingly so; notes of barely-ripe melon and a little citrus pith
Pairing
Served with anchovy-stuffed olives and pretzels with hummus
Conclusion
Refreshing for a hot, muggy late-summer day.
Honestly, I’d pair it with something even lighter than my choices for this tasting; perhaps a ceviche or melon salad would be ideal.
Chardonnay, oaked
Unánime Chardonnay by Mascota Vineyard of Argentina (Uco Valley, Mendoza), 2022
From Total Wine
Appearance
Pale, transparent yellow
Smell
Aromas of oak, minerals, and perhaps perfume; this put me in mind of a hair salon, for some reason
Taste
Medium-to-full bodied; mildly sweet start followed by a punch of acidity; notes of a lightly flavored fruit pastry, like a lemon curd shortbread cookie — not as creamy or vanilla-y as the label description led me to expect, but still pleasant
Pairing
Served with a Caesar salad with grilled chicken and croutons
Conclusion
I enjoyed this combination of acidity, minerality, and sweetness. I’ll admit to preferring a “buttery” Chardonnay (how embarrassingly, passée, I know!), but I feel that this one had a pretty well-balanced mouthfeel and flavor.
Glad I took the wine shop salesperson’s recommendation to pair it with some grilled white meat or shellfish; this one really was a great accompaniment to the salad served alongside it. I’d like to try it with some pasta or something else more substantial in the future.
Chardonnay, unoaked
Unoaked Chardonnay by River Road Family Vineyards of California (Acampo, Lodi, Central Valley), 2024
From Total Wine
Appearance
Pale, transparent yellow
Smell
Aromas of some tropical fruit (pineapple?) and an herby-citrus sort of something
Taste
Light-medium body; a bit acidic and a bit sweet with no noticeable tannins; notes of tropical fruit again – maybe not pineapple, but mango? – followed by a slightly tart-bitter note, kind of like a honeydew melon rind
Pairing
Served with a three-bean salad with feta and vinaigrette dressing
Conclusion
Fun and refreshing; not too sweet. Having tried, one after the other, a good example of both an oaked and an unoaked Chardonnay, I think my preference leans towards oaked – but this wine is still really, really good and something I’d happily reach for on a hot summer day.
Good paired with my simple little salad. While I think the oaked wine could stand up to something more substantial, I think this version really does need to be served alongside something light.
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc Grande Reserve by Bougrier of France (Vouvray, Loire), 2023
From Total Wine
Appearance
Pale gold
Smell
Aromas of a sweet floral and something vaguely tropical, perhaps pineapple
Taste
Light body; certainly acidic, albeit pleasingly so, but also quite sweet; notes of just-barely-ripe peach and honey followed by a citrusy tartness
Pairing
Served with a snack plate of cherry tomatoes, black olives, garlicky pickles, goat cheese, and pretzel chips
Conclusion
I enjoyed this one very, very much.
That said, it was a bit sweeter than I’d normally expect from a light white wine — almost dessert-ish. I could see it making a good pairing with either a salad or a pastry, but I don’t think I’d try pairing it with any sort of highly savory meal.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer by Lucien Albrecht Tradition of France (Alsace), 2022
From Total Wine
Appearance
Light lemon yellow
Smell
Aromas of a sweet, perfume-y citrus
Taste
Medium body; sweeter than expected and not particularly acidic; notes of honey, delicate florals, and a warm weather fruit… I think peaches, or perhaps something a little more tropical
Pairing
Served with Red Leicester, Spanish chorizo, marinated olives, and crackers
Conclusion
Pretty good; perhaps not the first thing I’d reach for if trying to pair with any particular food, given the distinct floral notes, but certainly enjoyable.
Honestly, I think I might try another producer’s version of this type of wine. While tasting it my opinion swung wildly between “interesting” to “meh” – and I’m not sure if it was this particular vintage or if my own nose + tongue needed a vacation at that point.
Grüner Veltliner
Loibner Grüner Veltliner by F.X. Pichler of Austria (Wachau), 2020
From Houston Wine Merchant
Appearance
Crystal-clear pale yellow
Smell
Aromas of soft florals and mild fruit, almost like a light summertime perfume
Taste
Light body; quite dry and neither as acidic or as sweet as one might expect from the scent; notes of honeydew melon, a light herb — perhaps parsley or thyme — and even a bit of pepper at the finish
Pairing
Served with spätzle, bratwurst, roast potatoes, and mushrooms with garlic butter
Conclusion
This is a very easy drinker. I was at first a little underwhelmed at the mild taste, until that interesting herb-pepper note came through.
I imagine it’d pair well with a wide variety of foods, as it nicely complemented the spicy sausage and mushrooms but also didn’t overwhelm the lightly sauced noodles or plain potatoes.
Muscadet
Muscadet Sèvre & Maine Sur Lie by Famille Bougrier Chateau de Jaunay of France (Muscadet-Sèvre et Maine, Loire Valley), 2022
From Total Wine
Appearance
Very pale yellow
Smell
Aromas of a mild cucumber-melon sort of note, with a tiny bit of floral something-or-other
Taste
Light body; stars smooth followed by a noticeably acidic hit; notes of honeydew and a sharp lime
Pairing
Served with pasta in a creamy sauce with shrimp and garlic bread
Conclusion
Practically unmemorable; I’m writing this review a few days after the tasting and struggling to remember much about the wine; I’m glad I took notes when doing the actual tasting.
I enjoyed the dinner overall and I do remember thinking the wine was a decent pairing, so there’s that I guess!
Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris by Kudos of Oregon (Willamette Valley), 2022
From Total Wine
Appearance
Very pale, clear straw color
Smell
Aromas of grass and a faint floral-ish scent
Taste
Light body; a bit acidic and a bit dry, too; notes of pear and some other mild fruit, such as unripe melon or stone fruit – the description advertises “spice”, but I’m not getting it
Pairing
Served with grillades and grits with buttery radishes
Conclusion
Pretty well balanced, if not super interesting TBH; this was on sale at the big box wine shop, so I was a little skeptical, but I’m glad I gave it a shot.
Decent pairing, too, but I have a feeling this wine would pair well with a pretty wide variety of foods, so long as the dish is a bit south of the assertive end of things.
Rosé
Saint Ferréol Rosé by Gabriel Meffre of France (Tavel, Rhône), 2023
From Total Wine
Appearance
Dark warm pink, almost coral-red
Smell
Aromas of GUMMY BEARS (I’m not even kidding, my goodness)
Taste
Light body; a bit dry, not very acidic, and certainly not as sweet as the scent would suggest; notes of barely-ripe plums and strawberries
Pairing
Served with pasta in pomodoro sauce and a garden salad with ranch dressing
Conclusion
I’ve been trying different types of rosés off and on for a while now, but so far haven’t had anything to write home about – never anything really terrible, just some nice light but otherwise forgettable table wines, basically. When I saw this wine that was so unapologetically PINK, I thought this had to be something a little more interesting.
Apparently, Tavel is known for being a more deeply flavored as well as deeply colored type of rosé; unfortunately, despite its fun color and strong, unexpected-but-fun smell, this particular bottle wasn’t much more impressive than any other random rosé, IMHO.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc Signature Series by Kia Ora of New Zealand (Marlborough), 2022
From Total Wine
Appearance
Clear, pale slightly greenish yellow
Smell
Aromas of honeydew melon and soft summer flowers
Taste
Light body; crisp-sweet to start followed by bold minerality and finishing with a softer but still slightly bitter sweetness; notes of barely-ripe melon and citrus rind followed by something tropical — perhaps passion fruit or pineapple
Pairing
Served with pasta with sausage in a basil-mustard sauce, sweet peas with butter, and garlic knots
Conclusion
Nice choice for a meal out on the patio in the later summer heat, served extra-chilled.
I’m guessing it’ll pair well with a variety of foods, too; it had enough substance on its own to stand up to the pasta with sausage, but it didn’t overpower the delicate sweet peas either.
Soave
Soave by Villa Cavarena of Italy (Soave, Veneto), 2022
From Total Wine
Appearance
Notably greenish lemon-yellow
Smell
Aromas of something mineraly-vegetal, like wet grass or perhaps lettuce
Taste
Medium body; very dry; notes of unripe peach or plum, something subtly but generically floral, and a little bit of bitter citrus pith at the end
Pairing
Served with fried calamari with marinara dip
Conclusion
Refreshing and interestingly-colored + interestingly-scented, but otherwise nothing to write home about.
Good paired with the fried shellfish, though.
Torrontés
Torrontés by Zuccardi of Argentina (Salta), 2021
From Houston Wine Merchant
Appearance
Quite pale, slightly greenish yellow
Smell
Aromas of crisp fruit — apple or pear, perhaps — and something bitter-citrusy, with a hint of soft white floral
Taste
Light, clean body; certainly dry and a bit acidic; notes of delicate citrus and something slightly bitter or minerally, as though someone caught a little bit of the pith while zesting a lemon
Pairing
Served with spicy shrimp and mixed veg stir-fry with white rice and crispy wontons
Conclusion
This is prettily perfumed and highly drinkable but, honestly, just not that highly flavored IMHO; the smell seemed more interesting than the taste.
Still, I was glad to get a chance to taste it, and I’d certainly not turn it down in the future.
Vermentino
Colli di Luni Vermentino by Cantine Lunae Bosoni of Italy (Liguria), 2020
From Spec’s
Appearance
Very pale, barely-there gold
Smell
Aromas of lightly floral, slightly bitter citrus peel and perhaps green apple
Taste
Light body; quite acidic; notes of tart fruit like apple or pear and something vaguely herbal
Pairing
Served with quiche, potato + green pea salad, and garlic bread
Conclusion
A nicely refreshing choice in hot weather with a light lunch. I wonder how it would do if paired with something either spicy or sweet.
I know I’m out of practice with wine tasting at this point; “something vaguely herbal” LOL
Viognier
Texas High Plains Viognier by Becker Vineyards [Diamonte Doble Vineyards; Six Harts Vineyards] of Texas (High Plains), 2023
From H-E-B
Appearance
Pale, transparent buttery-yellow
Smell
Aromas of mineral-ish grass or gravel – almost like petrichor
Taste
Medium body; off-dry and a bit tart; notes of undefinably mixed flower and citrus pith, almost like stale potpourri LOL
Pairing
Served with an artichoke heart + brown rice + green olive salad with creamy dressing
Conclusion
Interesting and overall, I think, good – not necessarily the sort of wine to have on hand for any given occasion, but I’m glad I gave it a try.
I have a soft spot for Becker Vineyards because, well… Texas; but I was particularly pleased to see a carefully-crafted and credited blend from this brand from smaller producers from a different region of the state.
To do:
- Marsanne Blend
- Muscat Blanc
- Riesling
- Sémillon
Sparkling
Cava
Gran Reserva Brut Nature Cava by Juve & Camps of Spain (Penedes), 2019
From Total Wine
Appearance
Pale gold with light bubbles
Smell
Aromas of some mild but unspecified fruit, plus a barely-there floral-sweet note
Taste
Medium-bodied, I think; not too sweet, pleasantly bubbly; notes of a not-very-ripe stone fruit, something floral but not too perfume-ish, and a kind of refreshing minerality that made me think of rain
Pairing
Served with a snack plate of goat cheese, prosciutto, marinated olives, and rosemary crackers
Conclusion
I just picked this up on a whim one day for a little informal, unplanned, just-for-me celebration. Glad I did; this is an option to keep in my back pocket for future occasions like that.
Not a bad pairing, but I think this could stand up to something a little… dare I say… greasier? Cava and pizza sounds divine!
Lambrusco
Lambrusco di Sorbara Secco DOC by Cleto Chiarli of Italy (Emilia-Romagna), 2021
From Houston Wine Merchant
Appearance
Clear, dark pink; good fizz upon pour but bubbles don’t last
Smell
Aromas of tart fruit, something slightly vegetal, and a light floral note of some sort
Taste
Light body with a very light fizz; mouth-wateringly tart at the start, followed by mellow sweetness; notes of juicy but barely-ripe berries
Pairing
Served with cheeseburgers, tater tots, and coleslaw
Conclusion
The cork startled the heck out of me when it popped and hit the ceiling, because the wine shop salesperson said not to expect it to be under a lot of pressure and pop out like most bubblies — wrong!
I’ve heard this described as a good light sipping wine but in my humble opinion it didn’t really shine until paired with food; it was the perfect foil to our fatty, salty meal.
To do:
- Champagne
- Prosecco
Dessert
To do:
- Madeira
- Marsala
- Port
- Sauternais
- Sherry
- Vin Santo