Tasting - Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Slow Press
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon 
Region: Paso Robles, Central Coast, CA
Country: USA
Year: 2016
Price: $12

Winery review: Generous and flavorful, this is one of the best California AVA wines available. It's concentrated and tannic, with medium-full body, a hint of sweetness and layers of dark cherry and plum fruit. Baking spice nuances linger on the finish. Best after 2019. - 91 points - Winemag.com


My review: The slow press cab is one of my favorite wines I have tried to date. On its own it fruity, with a dark oak flavor the lingers in the mouth, very tasty. This wine came in to it's own with the food pairing. When drank with the cheese and meat on crackers, the flavors bloomed and coated my mouth with a luscious umami richness that enhanced all flavors involved. 5/5 would recommend 

Tasted with Parmesan cheese and sopressata on crackers

Tasting - Once Upon a Dream Merlot

Name - Storyteller Once Upon a Dream

Variety - Merlot 

Region - Sonoma County California

Country -  United States

Year - 2017

Price - $11

WineMag.com reveiw: 88/100

"This is a fine Merlot, that's dry, supple and highly drinkable. It has some complex flavors of cherries, currants and smoky oak, and the alcohol is refreshingly moderate. Ready to drink now."

Personal Review: 4/5  

Tasting Notes: 

I chose once upon a dream because I wanted an affordable introduction to Merlot. I found it to be very pleasant, not my favorite but a well balanced mix of the flavors I hope to find in a red wine. From the swirl and sniff I smelled various fruit, mainly cherry. I tasted it without a food pairing, and the fruit aroma carried through to the palate, but was balanced with a moderate acidity that was not overpowering. The flavors persisted for a while, and transitioned to a light acidic not that dried my mouth, making me want to keep sipping to refresh the fruity notes.  Overall it was very enjoyable and I hope to try out some more Merlot soon.

Introduction Blog

Introduction Blog

Hello! My name is Drew Sigler, I am a senior at Virginia tech majoring in Industrial design. I like industrial design because I love building and creating things, and through industrial design I can go down many different avenues like product design, design consulting, custom fabrication, etc. Another big interest of mine is cars. Last year I was the president of the Car Club at Virginia Tech, I drive a 2012 Mustang and I love modifying it and taking it to racing events.

I chose to take this course because I have been interested in wine for a while, but not had much exposure or chance to learn about it. My dad was a sommelier at a restaurant when he was younger, so I became interested in wine from him, and learned some, but I have not had the opportunity to drink very much wine so far.

So far I know that I generally prefer red wine, and I have had some cabernet sauvignon that I like, as well as malbec. I am not so much a fan of overbearing acidity, like I have experienced in a few zinfandels. This semester I hope to learn more about the different types of wine and what distinguishes them from each other, as well as their common characteristics so that I can make more informed decisions when buying.

I can't wait to learn more about wine this semester!