Winery- Maison Beliveau

On Saturday, April 14th, 2012, my girl friend and myself went to Maison Beliveau which has recently just bottled its first wine on the day I visited. This was the third winery I had visited and what an experience I had. At this winery I was able to see the beginning stages of what it takes to become a winery and I was able to see the bottling process first hand.

Maison Beliveau entrance

Maison Beliveau is located off of Mt. Tabor road in Blacksburg, Virginia. This will be the first winery home to Blacksburg so this is a pretty monumental step. This winery/bed and breakfast is located in a beautiful 165 acre property. All the grapes being used for the wines are being grown on this land, and the weather poses a problem. Since it is located at a higher elevation, it requires extreme attention to harvest these grapes.

Vines and Hills!!!

I was so fortunate to take a tour of the fields where the vines are. I was told just recently with the cold snap that occurred, many employees had to spend the night with the grapes to water them every hour through the night. This was done so that the grapes could continuously have a new layer of ice, which you wouldn't think would be helpful, but it actually protects the grape. At the moment Maison Beliveau is producing six different wines. 

Bottling Machine!

After the tour of the vines, I was able to go behind the scenes and see how the wines are bottled first hand. The first stop was the bottling machine which takes the bottle that already has wine in it, and compresses a cork into it. Then using a heat gun, which is basically an oversized hairdryer, the seal goes over the top. This prevents most of the oxygen from getting into the wine but at the same time allows just a tiny bit so that the wine oxidizes over a short period of time. 

Wine Containers

Before the wine goes into the bottle, the wine is stored in these large plastic containers. At this point in the process, the main cause for concern to the wine is oxygen. So to prevent the wine being poured in the bottle with oxygen, nitrogen is pumped into the wine. What happens is, a hose that is connected to a nitrogen contained, is placed into the wine container. The nitrogen is then able to push the oxygen out of the container. Since the wine does not react with nitrogen, it is the perfect gas to pair with the storage of wine.

Vine where the grapes grow

At the end of the tour, since Maison Beliveau had just bottled their first batch of wines we were lucky enough to be able to have one wine tasting. The wine we were able to be so fortunate to try was called Destiny. Destiny is a red wine, that on the nose had a very berry, floral aroma. On the palate this wine was pretty tasty. I detected hints of raspberry, cherry, along with a very smooth finish. I really enjoyed this wine and I believe in the future this winery will be very popular. The most interesting thing I found about this winery is that all the wines were labeled with a quote about the name. The owner told me that they did this so as you were sipping and enjoying the wine, these quotes would be thought provoking and hopefully have people start new conversations. I wish the best of luck to Maison Beliveau winery and I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent there learning about the bottling process and touring their vines!

Winery Visit- Attimo

On Friday, April 13th, 2012, five of my friends and myself went to Attimo Winery to take a quick tour of their grape vines, and participate in a wine tasting. This was the second time I have been winery for a  wine tasting, and therefore I was feeling pretty confident about my wine skills! This winery however, was much different from the previous winery I had visited. It was on the smaller side, with the vines visible to the people visiting.

Attimo Winery, Christiansburg VA

Attimo winery is located off of 460 in Christiansburg, Virginia. This winery is located far off the main road, very secluded, and is in a quaint building. Most of the grapes that are used for the wine made by Attimo are actually made at this site. This is different than most other wineries and is one thing I really enjoyed. To know that one can be successful growing their own grapes where they are located seems to give the owners a lot of pride in their work. There are twelve different variations of grapes grown on site, that are used to produce the wineries fifteen wines.

Front of Attimo. Grape Vines

Back of Attimo. Grape Vines

As we went on the tour around Attimo Winery, we were taught exactly what types of grapes were grown here and why they grew certain grapes. It was fascinating to learn that since Attimo was not located up high in the mountains or near water, they were still able to grow the amount and types of grapes. At the end of our tour around the ground we went inside and we were able to participate in a wine tasting! We sampled the following nine different wines:

• 2010 Masquerade: This was the first wine that was given during the wine tasting. We learned that this Chardonnay was aged in oak for seven months prior to being bottled. Masquerade was a beautiful golden color that really seemed to shimmer in the light. On the nose, aromas or oak, vanilla, along with hints of cream really came through. On the palate, this wine was dry but smooth, along with having a very creamy taste with a bit of a buttery complex coming through on the end. I really enjoyed this wine.
• 2010 Sonnet 98: This wine is a Vidal Blanc with 100% Vidal Blanc grapes used. There was 1/2% sugar added to the wine. This wine also had a great golden color to it. On the nose I got aromas of fresh grass, and hints of floral notes. On the palate, The fresh grass seemed to come on too strong which I did not care for. Sonnet 98 however is one of Attimos most popular wines, winning numerous awards!
• 2010 I do: This wine is a mixture of Traminette and Petit Manseng. This wine's color was not as beautiful as the others but still was a nice golden color. On the nose, aromas of floral, citrus, and spices were detected. On the palate, this may have been my favorite wine. The combination of the floral hints, with the spices came together beautifully. This wine I would have loved to taste with spicy food to complement. I do was also another award winning wine from Attimo.
• 2010 Deep Silence: This was the first red wine we were able to taste today. This also happens to be my favorite red wine of the day. This wine is a Cabernet Franc that gave a beautiful ruby red color. On the nose, aromas of berries, smokeyness, peppers were detected. On the palate, the combination of aromas came together wonderfully. This was a dry red wine, that had a very peppery finish but not too much that it hurt the overall taste of the wine. 
• 2010 AD 325: This wine is a Chambourcin. Since I have never tasted Chambourcin before this I did not know what to expect. I have to say though I was not a huge fan of this wine however. On the nose, an earthy aroma was far too powerful and I could barely find the hints of cherry. On the palate, this was a very dry wine, again that tasted of earth. However, the cherry flavors did come out more than it did on the nose, I did not care for this wine that much.
• 2010 Vertex: This is the most decorated of the Attimo wines that are produced. This Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep red/ruby color. This is one wine that was not grown from grapes produced at Attimo. The grapes were bought from the Hampton Roads area and delivered to Attimo. On the nose Vertex was rich with aromas of black currant flavors and French Oak notes. On the palate it was easy to understand why this is such a popular wine. The black currant taste, along with some other darker berries came together amazingly. There was a hint of pepper in the middle which complemented the berries. I really enjoyed this wine.
• Sweet Berry Sunset: This wine is a mixture of raspberry and red blend. I was told that this wine is not sweet enough to be classified as a desert wine but is sweeter than most other wines. The wine was a very light pink color with sediments floating around. On the nose the berry aromas were not as strong as I would have liked. On the palate, the wine lacked a lot of flavor. While being sweet I really wanted to enjoy a berry and fruit flavor experience which I did not. This wine overall was not bad but just disappointing. 
• Sudden Downpour: This wine was an apple and white blend wine. Again much like Sweet Berry Sunset, this wine I found to be decent but I had high hopes for and therefore was disappointed. This wine is made by taking apples and then adding Chennin Blanc and then Bourbon at the end. This wine was a pale color and on the nose aromas of apples and sweetness that I could not find a descriptor for was detected. On the palate, the wine was very bland with a lack of any one taste to stand out. The apple seemed to be almost diluted. 
• 2010 Seduction: This was my least favorite wine of the day. This wine was made from Tinta Madera, Touriga nacional, and Souzao. This wine is the other wine that is not made from grapes grown at Attimo. The grapes come from Portugal and are delivered here. The color of Seduction was a nice ruby port color, and on the nose aromas of raspberry was detected along with raisins. Unfortunately, on the palate, the high alcohol content, 18%, was far too overpowering. I was barely able to even drink the tiny amount that I was given. 

Glass from Attimo!

Overall, Attimo winery was a very interesting experience where I feel I learned a lot about the grapes that are able to grow in the an immediate area where I am located. I was able to taste new wines that I have never had before and it was a very enjoyable experience. For a small winery in Virginia, located only a few miles away, I was very impressed with Attimo Winery. 

My friends and I

Opera Prima Sweet White

Name: Opera Prima
Variety: Sweet White
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Flowery and sweet smelling, then round and fairly smooth in the mouth. The flavor package of tropical fruits galore is pleasant and shouldn’t offend anyone. Finishes clean and easy. A mango boat of flavor.


My Review: For those who like a lot of flowers in your wine, this is the wine to buy! I drank this wine with out the pairing of food and found it to be an okay wine. On the nose, I found the aromas of flowers to be far to over powering. On the palate, for a wine that is supposed to be sweet, I did not find this to be true. Good flavors of fruit did come through on the finish. If you enjoyed drinking the Pink Moscato wine, you will probably like this one too. 

Senda 66 Tempranillo

Name: Senda 66
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: “The 2008 Senda 66 spent 8 months in new French oak. Purple/black in color, it sports a fragrant nose of spice box, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry. Smooth-textured, layered, and remarkably rich on the palate for its humble price, this lengthy effort will drink nicely over the next 5-6 years.”


My Review: This was by far the best wine I was able to taste for the night. I enjoyed drinking this wine without the pairing of food. On the nose, sweet aromas of blackberries and blueberries with hints of spice came forth. On the palate, this wine was very smooth and again the taste of these berries was amazing. For the price of this wine I would definitely recommend it.

Sierra Cruz Carmenere

Name: Sierra Cruz
Variety: Cermenere
Region: Maule Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2009
Price: $6.95


Winery Review: As a member of the cabernet sauvignon family, carmenere (pronounced car-men-yare) originated in Bordeaux as one of the grapes permitted for use in the red blends of that storied region. Chilean winemakers have embraced it and several wineries in that country produce it as a single varietal. The ’09 Sierra Cruz is a very pleasant, soft, medium- bodied wine that has fresh cabernet-like aromas and flavors of spice, dark fruit and black pepper. It is a great value and also would be a nice match with marinated and grilled skirt or flank steak.


My Review: I really enjoyed tasting this wine. I did not drink this wine with the pairing of food but would be a great match. This wine was a very dark color and on the nose I got aromas of plum and spic with a hint of tobacco. On the palate, I found the black peppery taste to compliment the dark fruit taste very well. Overall this wine is a good buy for the price. 

Lost Vineyards Chardonnay

Name: Lost Vineyards
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Northwest Corner
Country: Argentina
Year: N/A
Price: $3.95

Winery Review: Pale golden color. Perfumed peach, pineapple, and nougat aromas. Round and soft with a fruity-yet-dry medium body. Tangy apple skin and lemon zest notes lift the fruit nicely on the finish.

My Review: I did not care for this wine all that much. I drank it without the pairing of food. This wine was very bland on the nose. I did not get any great aromas of peach or pineapple. On the palate, this wine did not have lemony taste, along with a pretty strong acidic aftertaste. I would not recommend this wine.

Sierra Cruz Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Sierra Cruz
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: N/A
Country: Chile
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: This Chilean Sauvignon Blanc just oozes with bright citrus flavors and a nose of herbs and grass. Stylistically, it is a cross between the herbal, grassy wines so prevalent in Sonoma County and the riper, more fruit forward products of New Zealand. Match it with pasta sauced with arugula, pine nuts, mushrooms and parmesan.


My Review: I found this wine to be decent for the price its set at. I drank it with out the pairing of food. I got heavy aromas of grass and herbs on the nose. Almost too much that I did not want to taste the wine. On the palate however, tastes of grass and fruits complemented each other. Overall this wine was decent. 

Winery visit - Chateau Morrisette

On Saturday, April 7th 2012, three of my friends and myself went to Chateau Morrisette to take a tour of the facility and participate in a wine tasting. To date this was my first winery visit and man did it blow my mind! All the information that I have been learning in class finally paid off in a real world application! I was excited to how the wine making process was conducted first hand, up close in person.

Chateau Morrisette Floyd, VA

Chateau Morrisette

Chateau Morrisette is located off the Blue Ridge parkway in Floyd, Virginia. The picture above shows the front of the latest addition of Chateau Morrisette, which was built in 1996. Currently in this location, Chateau Morrisette is unable to grow many different types of grapes because of the altitude and variation in weather. Therefore, Chateau Morrisette contracts out to other grape growers that are all located around the state. From these off site locations, the grapes are then shipped to Chateau Morrisette so that they can be crushed and the fermentation process can begin. The entire process of picking to crushing takes about eight hours. Chateau Morrisette includes the main building where wine tasting is held, a restaurant, and wine making facilities.

Machines used during the crushing, de-steming, and fermentation process.  

This was the first stop on the tour of Chateau Morrisette was to the wine crushing and fermentation machines. Here the wine is processed, fermented for about two weeks before moving onto the next stage. I learned that the white grapes have to go through an extra step in this process to remove stems and skins since they do not add any flavor to the wine.

Wood Barrels used for storing wine.

Stainless steel vats that process grape juices into wines

After the wine is fermented it is brought into this room where the juices then sit in vats. After a certain amount of time the wine is then brought from these vats and put into barrels to enhance the flavors of the wine. Each barrel is labeled depending on the age and usefulness. From this stage the wine is then brought to be bottled. This was the last stop in our winery tour, but this began the beginning of the wine tasting. This specific wine tasting hosted ten different wines from the Chateau Morrisette collection. We began with the white dry wines first and ended with the deep red sweet wines. We sampled the following ten wines:

• 2010 Chardonnay- This was my favorite wine of the day, so the wine tasting started off wine a bang. On the nose I got aromas of green apple, citrus fruits, melons, all infused with vanilla. On the palate the tasting revealed citrus, pear, passion fruit, and toast. This wine was very smooth, silky, and creamy. The color was a gorgeous gold. This wine boasted 13.9% alcohol which I thought was high for a white wine but it did not show in the tasting. 
• Independence- This wine was one of my least favorite of the day. It blends together four different  grape varieties which produces a very confusing aroma on the nose. On the palate I tasted flowers which is something I do not particularly care for in my wines. 
• Liberty- This blended wine was bursting with deep flavors and aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, and plum. This wine was very smooth and crisp. I really enjoyed tasting this wine. This wine is a signature wine of Chateau Morrisette.
• 2008 Merlot- This wine was medium bodied with deep red color. On the nose this wine had a fruity bouquet infused with traces of cranberry and cherry with hints of smoke. On the palate, fruit and black plum flavors were detected. I really enjoyed drinking this wine.
• 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon- This wine was surprisingly tasty. On the nose this wine had rich cherry and blackberry aromas. On the palate, I detected plum and cherry flavors with some spic and cedar from the wood barrels. This wine was aged over fifteen months which helped mature the tannins into a smooth wine. For a wine that boasts 12.5% alcohol, I found this wine to be extremely rich and smooth and would recommend it!
• The Black Dog- The Black Dog named in memory of the owners dog saw sales increase due to this name. This wine was very intriguing on the nose. I got aromas of dark berries, and spices but could not specifically determine what berries. On the palate this wine was medium bodied, very smooth and clean, that I believe would go great with appetizers.
• 2010 Vidal Blanc- This was the best off dry wine of the day. On the nose, the aromas of citrus, and apples, complemented by melons made an extremely aromatic wine. I could have stopped right here with the wine but on the palate, this wine was medium bodied and smooth. I detected melon and apples flavors which I thought paired together wonderfully.
• Our Blue Dog- Another signature wine made from Chateau Morrisette that was named after the famous dog. This wine is a blend that is served at mainly weddings. On the nose, aromas of melons, citrus fruit, apricots were detected and on the palate I got melon flavors. I was not a huge fan of this wine but for the price it would be a good buy. 
• Red Mountain Laurel- This was my least favorite wine of the day. A blend of Native American grapes, I found the nose to be way to overpowering. I hoped that the palate would be better but after a few tough seconds I spit the wine out. There seems to be too much going on with this wine which is something I personally did not like.
• Blackberry Wine- To end the day with a bang, I tried this very sweet and smooth wine. On the nose I got aromas of berries, while on the palate I detected raspberry and blackberry. This wine was very smooth and tasty and for the price I would definitely recommend it. 

Outside of Chateau Morrisette

The tour and wine tasting of Chateau Morrisette was a wonderful experience and a great way to spend a Saturday. The tour gave me insight on how the workings and every day business is run for a winery and I was able to experience first hand what I was learning. I hope that I will be able to go back again soon not only because of the wines but the view was spectacular. Overall my experience at Chateau Morrisette was great and I was thoroughly impressed with the winery. 

Cantina di Casteggio Moscato di Pavia

Name: Cantina di Casteggio
Variety: Moscato
Region: Lombardy
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Bright, light golden color. Very aromatic nose of ripe apricots, sage, honey and a slight minerality. Medium bodied, sweet and fruity with flavors of apricots and tangerine. Well balanced and acidity and medium finish with layers of sweet and citrus fruit.


My Review: This wine was delicious! I drank this wine without the pairing of foods. I really enjoyed the aromas this wine had. On the nose I got, multiple fruits and honey. On the palate I really enjoyed the flavors of melons. The medium body was prevalent and this wine was overall very smooth to drink. It was well bodied and for the price a great buy. I would recommend this wine!

Montebuena Rioja Crianza

Name: Montebuena Rioja
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2007
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: 100% Tempranillo. Dark red. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with hints of cracked pepper and dried rose. Crisp and dry on the palate, with spicy redcurrant and cherry flavors, light tannins and a fresh, energetic finish. An excellent value, and surprisingly elegant for this price point.


My Review: I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this wine. I drank this wine without the pairing of food. The wine had a very nice ruby color which I liked. On the nose aromas of spices and cherries were prevalent. On the palate, I was a little overwhelmed with the spices but really enjoyed the crispness and fruit flavors. For the price I would recommend this wine. 

Varas Vinho Tinto

Name: Varas Vinho Tinto
Variety: 45% Castelao, 25% Tinta Roriz, 20% Tinta Barroca and 10% Pinot Noir
Region: Estremadura
Country: Portugal
Year: N/A
Price: $21.95 for 3 Liter Box or $5.95 / bottle


Winery Review: This smooth Portuguese red is a blend of Castelão (45%), Tinta Roriz (25%), Tinta Barroca (20%) and Pinot Noir (10%). The vineyards are located near Lisbon, planted in sunny gentle slopes of clay and limestone soils. The wine was aged in oak barrels.


My Review: I came into this wine not knowing what to expect since it was in a box. I must say I was very shocked by the color of this wine, a very dark violet/red. On the nose, aromas of chocolate, dark berries, and some oakiness was detectable. On the palate, this wine was medium bodied with some sweetness. The aftertaste was unpleasant but overall a smooth wine. I drank this wine without the pairing of food. 

Oveja Negra Syrah-Cab Rose Reserva

Name: Oveja Negra
Variety: Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Maule Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Oveja Negra Reserva Rosé is bright cherry-red in color and has an attractive nose with aromas of raspberries and strawberries as well as plum and a bit of green apple. Crisp and juicy on the palate with a slight sweetness that accompanies the red

My Review: I drank this wine without the pairing of food. The one thing that really struck me was the color of this wine.  It was a very lush, translucent red colored wine. On the nose I got aromas of strawberries which was amazing. On the palate, this wine was very sweet and heavy with fruits. I really enjoyed this wine and for the price I would recommend it. 

gPG Garganega Pinto Grigio

Name: gPG Garganega
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: N/A
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95


Winery Review: gPG is from the delle Venezie regions of north- eastern Italy. A clean and crisp palate with plenty of texture and weight follows aromas of apples and zesty lemons. It's perfect with grilled white fish or light risotto.


My Review: I really enjoyed drinking this wine without the pairing of food. On the nose I got aromas of ripe citrus and baked apple characters. On the palate, this wine was very fresh, crisp, and smooth to drink. I detected light honeyed fruit. I would recommend this wine. 

Faraway Farms Shiraz

Name: Faraway Farms
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Fresh, modern style, with lots of plum pudding, sweet chocolate, mocha, blackberry and boysenberry flavors supported by round, sweet tannins and toast.


My Review: I found this wine to be decent. I tasted this wine without the pairing of foods. I did enjoy the aromas of chocolate among the berries. On the palate it was not as sweet as I had hoped for a Shiraz to be. I detected some blackberries mostly. For the price this wine is not a bad choice. 

Tres Ojos Old Vines Garnacha

Name: Tres Ojos
Variety: Grenache
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Bright ruby color. Primary dark berry aromas are simple but offer very good purity and focus. Juicy blackberry and bitter cherry flavors are youthfully tangy, with good back-end acidity adding snap. The clean, brisk finish leaves behind notes of sweet dark berry preserves and cracked pepper.


My Review: I really enjoyed the color of this wine. I tasted this wine without the pairing of foods. I did however not like how this wine tasted. The aromas were medium in intensity with very little to offer. I did get aromas of charred wood. On the palate, medium acidity and moderate tannins were detected throughout with a rough texture. The aftertaste I did not enjoy. 

Oak Vineyard Chardonnay

Name: Oak Vineyard
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Quite an interesting Chardonnay, in an era when so many are too sweet and extracted. There’s plenty of orange and apricot fruit flavor, but also a brilliant streak of minerality, like a lick of cold steel, and the overall taste is dry. Really easy to like, with lots of complexity to warrant repeated sipping.


My Review: I tasted this wine without the pairing of foods. I found this wine to not stack up to my expectations and really agreed with the pricing of this wine. On the nose, it just seemed bland, no enticing aromas were noticed. On the palate, I tasted a bit of orange and I believe banana. This wine had too much sediment in my opinion which really hurt the tasting. 

Primo Amore Moscato

Name: Primo Amore
Variety: Moscato
Region: N/A
Country: Italy
Year: N/A
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Straw-yellow with golden reflections and a delicate mousse. Fruity and very inviting, with intense scents of peaches and exotic fruit. Fresh and pleasantly sweet with a taste that reveals its varietal

characteristic.

My Review: I tasted this wine without the pairing of foods. I found it to be very refreshing and tasty. On the nose there were aromas of sweet fruits while on the palate, I found this wine to be sweet and wet. I really enjoyed this wine and would recommend it. 

Obikwa Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Obikwa
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95


Winery Review: OBiKWA Sauvignon Blanc is the ideal summer wine and smacks of crisp tropical fruit with a smattering of gooseberries and fig. If you're planning a night out with mates - don't forget to bring along a bottle of this yummy potion!

My Review: I tasted this wine with out the pairing of foods. I found this wine to be dry with hints of fruit aromas on the nose. It was very clean and smooth on the palate with almost a melon taste. This was an enjoyable wine to drink.