Sophie's Wine Blog

  Name: SUN POP Variety:  Bubbly Brut (Sparkling white wine) Region : Alicante Country : Spain Price:  $7.99

  Name: Moiselle Variety: Moscato Region : Modesto, California Country : United States Year: 2020 Price: $5.99 Winery Review: I purchased this at Aldi and the description was something I thought I would like. It said that this moscato showcases a refreshing sweetness with mouthwatering notes of juicy peach and apricot. It also said it pairs well with spicy cuisine or fresh berry desserts. It also recommends to serve chilled. Wine Folly:  Moscato is famous for its sweet flavors. These include meyer lemon, mandarin orange, pear, orange blossom, and honeysuckle. Moscato has a unique floral aroma from an aromatic compound called linalool which is also found in mint, citrus flowers, and cinnamon. It is light bodied and sweet with tropical fruit and can have light bubbles. It also normally has low alcohol content. It recommends Asian cuisine for moscato. It handles spicy foods great and is an amazing pairing with any spicy foods. My Wine Review: This wine was sweet but refreshing. I...

Wines Choices Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Sunshine Bay 2022 Tilia Merlot 2021  Cheeses Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese Cheddar and Gruyere Smoked Gouda This was our cheese board that we made for our wine and cheese pairing  The first pairing Chardonnay with Sharp Cheddar Creamy buttery light  This pairing was very interesting it took away the fruit notes that are usually in a chardonnay. It wasn't as sweet with this sharp cheddar Chardonnay with Gruyere Nutty Buttery light Earthy This paring similar  as well very earthy and nutty flavors. It was still light but the sweetness of Chardonnay went away with the cheese pairing  Chardonnay with Gouda Thicker Smokey Fuller in body  This pairing with the gouda since it is a smoky gouda I could taste the smokiness of the gouda and it brought out deeper flavors with the Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc with Sharp Cheddar High acidity  citrus pear peach This paring with sharp cheddar it was very citrusy ...

  Name: Nik Weis  Urban Riesling   Variety:  Riesling Region:  Mosel Valley Country:  Germany Year:  2021 Price: $35/per bottle Winery Review: The restaurant called Magnolias described this wine as fruity but refreshing. It would be a perfect pairing with any seafood, poultry, and pasta. This riesling was said to be sweet and refreshing and not too sweet because some riesling's can be too sweet for heavier foods but this pairs well with most food.  Wine Folly: Riesling is described as an aromatic white variety that can produce wines from bone dry to very sweet. Germany is the world most important producer of riesling. The primary flavors can include lime, green apple, beeswax, jasmine, and even petroleum. Riesling has very high acidity and is light body typically. It needs to be served at 38-45 degrees fahrenheit. Food pairings can include spicy foods if it is an off-dry riesling along with duck, pork, and seafoods such as crab and shrimp....

Name:  Paul D Zweigelt Rose  Variety:  Rose Region:  Wagram Country:  Austria Year:  2020 Price:  $7/per glass and $28/per bottle Winery Review : At Wine Lab the review that they had was that it was dry, light bodied with high acidity. It was said to have notes of fresh strawberries, raspberries, rose petals, herbs, and great minerality. It also was sold chilled which from the lectures is how rose should be served.  Wine Folly: The main components and flavors of rose are strawberry, honeydew melon, rose petal, citrus zest, and rhubarb. Also nearly any red wine grape can be used to make rose. Rose happens when the skins of red grapes touch wine only for a short time. Austrian rose has high acidity and is on the dry side as well.  My Review: It was a full experience I paired the rose with a trio dip of hummus, pimento cheese, and an olive spread with crackers and pita bread. It was at Wine Lab in downtown Blacksburg which was a great experience...

  Name:  Elementalist Pinot Grigio California 2021 Variety:  100% Pinot Grigio Region:  Mendocino County, California  Country:  USA Year:  2021 Price:  $7.99 Winery Review :   Aromas of white peach, key lime and orange blossom combined with crisp acidity, subtle pear notes and a whisper of melon. Pairs well with appetizers or salads. Anything that is light and refreshing. Best served chilled.It i s nicely aromatic in the glass featuring green apple, pear, lemon and a little honeysuckle. It's quite a good start and tasting backs it up.  September, 2021 Wine Folly: It is known for its zesty flavor along with the primary flavors being white peach, lemon zest, cantelope, and raw almond. It does not recommend decanting which I did not do and I did serve it chilled which was recommended at a temperature of 45-55 degrees. It did note that you can leave it for 3-5 years but I did drink it right away and it is a bottle of wine with the year 2021....