Tasting - Dibon Cava

Name: Dibon Cava

Variety: Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo

Region: Around Barcelona

Country: Spain

Year: Non-Varietal

Price: $9.95

Shop/wine critic/Winery Review: The nose offers regal yeast and richness, while the palate has complexity to prop up apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors. Solid from front to back, with health and freshness

My Review: So this was not actually a wine (unfortunately) it is a nice sparkling wine (aka in 'Merica we call that Champagne).  It has a nice refreshing smell it and of course very good looking bubbles.  As for the taste, it is a very nice brut (so dry) but would go great in a mimosa   I am not a champagne person so it wasn't my favorite but if you are just looking for a light drink, this would be good.

Tasting - Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Name:  Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Variety: Moscato and Tempranillo

Region: N/A

Country: Spain

Year: Non-Varietal

Price: $5.96

Shop/wine critic/Winery Review: This fine sparkling presents and intense aroma of fresh berries and tropical fruits with hints of white flavor petals. Delicate bubbles caress the palate offering a silky and pleasant sweetness well balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish. Ideal on it own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts

My Review: Since I am a huge fan of Tempranillo, I was quite excited for this wine.  It is only about 2% Tempranillo but I was hoping that it would give it a different flavor and not just the different color.  So on the smell, the first thing I picked out was soap.  While this is the first thing that came to mind, I am assuming that I was smelling the floral accents in it and just associating it with soap.  That was definitely a new smell for me.  Then I tasted it, and I really did not like it at all.  The floral smell came through in the taste and I just couldn't get into it.  It wasn't overly sweet and the Tempranillo added some different flavors but it didn't do it for me.  I think if I had it has a dessert wine or aperitif then maybe it would grow on me but overall I was not impressed.

Tasting - Black Opal

Name: Black Opal

Variety: Shiraz

Region: South Eastern Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2011

Price: $5.95

Shop/wine critic/Winery Review: The Black Opal wines are sourced from vineyards found in South Australia along the Limestone Coast, at Langhorne Creek and in the infamous Barossa Valley. Black Opal Shiraz is rich red in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, pepper and spice followed with rich plum flavors round out the palate. Soft tannins give structure to the fruit-driven palate.

My Review: I am not a huge fan of Shiraz so I was interested in this wine but not too excited by it.  It has a Shiraz smell with spices and pepper.  I will say that those smells were not overpowering but lingered on your nose at the end.  The taste was definitely spice with a very strong finish, 45 second to a minute.  You could taste the tannins within the wine but it was not too strong.  It is definitely a full body Shiraz but doesn't quite have the bit of most.  I enjoyed this wine for its full body but it was just not my style.

Tasting - Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Name: Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Variety: Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zin

Region: Oregon

Country: US

Year: Non-Varietal

Price: $7.95

Shop/wine critic/Winery Review: It’s created from the finest Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel. The taste is lush and velvety with expressive notes of raspberry and cherry. It pairs nicely with pasta and anything off the grill.

My Review: First off, look at the label!  Isn't that quite fun?  I would have definitely bought it just for the label but let's get to the important stuff, the taste.  The first thing I notice was the raspberries.  I was very proud of myself for actually being able to pick that out!  But once I smelled that, it was pretty much all I could smell.  When I tasted it, obviously I could taste the raspberries which almost made this taste sweet.  It was a very light red that I think would go well with a light pasta or chicken dish.  It has a short finish, maybe 15 seconds, but it would be a nice starting wine for a nice evening.

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham

 Name: Wine Men of Gotham

Variety: Chardonnay/Semillion

Region: South Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2008

Price: $5.95

Shop/wine critic/Winery Review: Gotham’s 2008 Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish

My Review: The smell of this wine was very light with a fresh but not acidic touch to it.  For some reason, I got some earthy tones when I smelled it but I don't know if that's accurate.  When I tasted this wine, it was VERY light.  Didn't have much flavor too it and it was almost boring.  The finish was probably the best part with the few flavors sitting on your tongue for at least 30 seconds.  I think it would have tasted really good in a wine spritzer but don't hate me for that comment.  Overall it was okay but I wouldn't suggest it, not even for Batman.

Tasting - Beringer Reisling

Name: Beringer Reisling

Variety: Reisling

Region: California

Country: US

Year: 2009

Price: $5.95

Shop/wine critic/Winery Review: This wine is the perfect balance of honeysuckle and bright peach flavors. A perfect complement to light fare, appetizers, or just sharing with friends

My Review: So funny enough, I actually bought this wine before this wine tasting so I was hoping that I made a good buy!  The smell of this wine had a nice fruity bouquet.   It obviously smelled slightly sweet but wasn't overpowering.  When I tasted it, I got small hints of peach and had a nice fullness to it.  It was a nice white with not a strong finish, only lasted about 15 seconds.  Overall, I really enjoyed this wine of the tasting the best.

Food Tasting Link

Running - Sometimes it's not all its cracked up to be (but skiing is)

Ya know, sometimes running isn't all glorious.  Sometime you go out on a beautiful day and realize it is much colder than you thought.  Then your watch that you live by dies a 1/4 way into the run.  Then you make it about half way and realize you are starving.  Oh and then you when you turn the corner to finally head back to start, you are running into the wind and in the shade so you really start to get cold.  So you suffer through it and then when you get back home you are just happy to have not broken anything!  Yup, that was my experience this week so the stats below are going to be a little, well, incorrect.  Sorry about that...
Dist: 1.35 mi
Pace: 10:15
Avg Hr: 155
Calories: 117
Route: Apartment to 460 (what my watch recorded...)

In other news, there are 99 days until graduation!!  Celebrated last night with some roller skating and movies with popcorn.  Also, this past Monday I compete in a ski race in WV that I took second in!  Which meant I got free goggles (much needed), comp lift ticket, and a hat.  I also managed to get myself a free pair of North Face hiking boots out of the deal.  Not a bad deal for $60 spent to enter the competition.  Even though my running was on the weak side, I would crack this up to be a wonderful week :)

Get out there and run (or ski if you would like)!

~R.V.