Fork and Cork

Figure 1:  My friends and I at Fork and Cork on Saturday, May 3rd.  I am the second female on the left side.


Ramulose Ridge Vineyards:

Name:  Chardonel
Variety:  Chardonnay & Seyval Blanc
Region:  Moneta, Virginia
Year:  2012
Price:  $14
Winery Review:  a hybrid variety of Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc.
My Review:  This wine was a light yellow color in the wine glass.  It smelled fruity of pears and white grapes.  This was a nice light and crisp wine on the palate.  It had some apple and pear flavors and did not have the oaky and butter flavors of many Chardonnays.

Name:  Sweetwater
Variety:  Traminette
Region:  Moneta, Virginia
Year:  2012
Price:  $12
Winery Review:  our luscious Traminettte perfectly sweetened.
My Review:  This cloudy yellow wine was very interesting.  This wine smelled like ocean water with salt and lemon scents.  It had a more muted bath water flavor.  It had a full-body on the palate.  This wine was not my favorite.  It was very sweet but the flavors seemed off.  It may have been because this wine was served a little warmer than it should have been.

Name:  Cabernet Franc
Variety:  Cabernet Franc
Region:  Moneta, Virginia
Year:  2012
Price:  $18
Winery Review:  blackberry flavors will overwhelm your pallet with a hint of oak.
My Review:  This deep red wine smelled like oak on the nose.  It was a full-bodied, dry Cabernet Franc.  It had distinct pepper and blackberry notes.  This wine seemed very similar to a Cabernet Sauvignon with its rich oak and berry flavors.  This wine was a little too tannic for my tastes.

Fincastle Vineyard and Winery

Name:  Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon
Region:  Fincastle, Virginia
Year:  2012
Price:  $14
Winery Review:  Our Cabernet Sauvignon is a full bodied dry red aged 2 years in American oak, with cherry and black currant notes.
My Review:  In the wine glass this wine was a dark red color.  It smelled of oak and minerals.  On the palate this was a medium-bodied, dry wine.  This Cabernet Sauvignon tasted like oak, blackberries, currant, and a acidic finish.  This was a decent Cabernet Sauvignon.


Name:  Rose
Variety:  Chambourcin & Vidal Blanc
Region:  Fincastle, Virginia
Year:  2012
Price:  $13
Winery Review:  Refreshing, semi-sweet blend of Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc crafted for well-balanced acidity with cherry and strawberry notes.
My Review:  This wine was a deep pink color in the wine glass.  It had distinct strawberry smells.  On the palate this wine was light and mouth-watering.  The main taste I received from this wine was that of strawberries.  This wine was good but a little too sweet to drink more than one glass at a time.

Name:  Hybrid Vigor
Variety:  Chardonnel, Vidal Blanc, and Traminette
Region:  Fincastle, Virginia
Year:  2012
Price:  $13
Winery Review:  A semi-sweet white wine with a citrus finish blended from French-American hybrids Chardonnel, Vidal Blanc & Traminette. You will notice bold tropical fruit flavors of pineapple and mango.
My Review:  This blend was a light yellow in the wine glass.  It had very floral and citrus smells.  On the palate this wine was very light and crisp.  This wine had flavors of peach and mango.  This was an extremely pleasant wine.  It was not too sweet and perfect for the warm afternoon.  My friends and I bought a bottle and sipped on it throughout the day.

My roommate and I drinking our bottle of Fincastle's Hybrid Vigor.  I am on the right.

Notaviva Vineyards

Name:  Gitano Blackberry
Variety:  83% Chambourcin, 17% Blackberry Wine, 5% Residual Sugar
Region:  Loudoun County, Virginia
Year:  2011
Price:  $19
Winery Review:  Exotic and sweet, our "Gitano" Chambourcin after dinner wine pays homage to the music of the nomadic Romani people. Let the distinct sounds of the phrygian dominant mode fill your ears as the scents of wildflowers, spice and black cherries leap from the glass. Best paired with starry nights, bonfires and fast Gypsy music.
My Review:  This wine had a purple tint in the wine glass.  It smelled very sweet of blackberries and cherries.  It was a fuller, sweet wine on the palate.  This wine tasted mostly of blackberries and was very sweet.  This was meant to be more of a dessert wine.


Food and Wine Pairing

Name:  Celtico Chambourcin
Variety:  100% Chambourcin
Region:  Loudoun County, Virginia
Year:  2011
Price:  $17
Winery Review:  The bad boy of the family, our Celtico Chambourcin is looking for a good time at a Gaelic football game. With your sister. Slainte Mhath! Best paired with Celtic rock.  Goes well with anything on the grill, our personal favorite is brats over real mesquite charcoal.
My Review:  This wine was a deep red color in the wine glass.  This wine had a mineral and wood smell.  It tasted of black cherries with a mineral finish.  This was a drier wine with a heavier mouth-feel.

Food:  Bull and Bones BBQ Sandwiches
The Celtico wine was originally very dry with mineral flavors.  However, the Barbecue sauce in the pulled pork sandwiches brought out a sweetness to the wine that was not there before.  The pulled pork had a peppery flavor that brought out some of the pepper and wood notes in the wine. Overall, this wine was meant to be consumed with a red meat but the pulled pork was a cheaper alternative that worked out nicely.

Favorite Wine

Name:  Verano White Wine
Variety:  50% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Traminette - fermented in French Oak barrels - 1% residual sugar 
Region:  Loudoun County, Virginia
Year:  2011
Price:  $22
Winery Review:  Summer - the season of warm lazy days, outdoor evening concerts, midnight cares and stargazing with that special someone. Pour yourself a glass of sunshine, our delicately sweet Vidal Blanc. Fermented in French oak for a silky mouthfeel, the lightly floral bouquet is reminiscent of a secluded Virginia meadow. Best paired with romantic orchestral film scores and beautiful summer sunsets.
My Review:  This wine was perfect for the Fork and Cork event.  It was a light yellow color in the wine glass.  It had floral smells and tasted of citrus and apple.  It was a sweet, light wine on the palate.  It was a great wine to walk around with on a warm spring day.  The weather definitely impacted my preferences for the day.  I much preferred the light, cool white wines of the day because they paired better with the afternoon.

Tasting - Rosemount Moscato

Name:  Rosemount Moscato
Variety:  Muscat
Region:  South Eastern
Country:  Australia
Year:  2012
Price:  $3.95

Winery Review:  Clear, medium-lemon yellow in appearance; lovely citrus and honeysuckle aromas with lemon, honeysuckle, apple and ripe yellow plum flavours.  Serve chilled with angel food cake or fresh fruit and mild cheeses.

My Review:  In the wine glass this wine was bright yellow.  It smelled very floral and citrusy.  On the palate this was a very light and crisp wine.  This Moscato tasted like lemons and honey.  This would be a great beverage in the summer time.

I did not drink this wine with food.

Tasting - Ironstone Old Vine Zinfandel

Name:  Ironstone Old Vine Zinfandel
Variety:  Zinfandel
Region:  Lodi
Country:  USA
Year:  2011
Price:  $7.95

Winery Review:  Grown in vineyards that are over 45 years old, this medium-bodied Zin has exceptional varietal character with lovely aromas of dark fruit and blackberry. Subtle pepper spice mingles with richly concentrated fruit flavors of blackberry, ripe plums and fresh red raspberries. Barrel aging created its smooth, silky finish and unprecedented depth.  A wonderful wine pairing for variety of dishes. Any type of meat - whether its pork, beef or game - is ideal with this wine. Cioppino is another amazing complement or try it with tomato-based pastas, hearty stews or a plate of strong, aged cheeses.

My Review:  In the wine glass this wine was a red and purple color.  It hit me with very dark fruity smells.  On the palate this wine had a heavier mouth-feel. It had fruity flavors of blackberries and grapes.  This was a decent wine.

I did not drink this wine with food.

Tasting - Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico

Name:  Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico
Variety:  Gaglioppo
Region:  Calabria
Country:  Italy
Price:  $3.95

Winery Review:  Don’t let the pale garnet color fool you:  this is a substantial wine.  Aromas of red fruits and spice complement undertones of cranberries, wild berries, and plums.  On the palate, ripe tannins and good body make for an incredibly rich, yet easygoing red wine.  Pair this wine with sausage, spicy curry sauces, hot soppressata, and tandoori chicken.

My Review:  This wine was a deep red color in the wine glass.  It smells like raspberries and spices. On the palate this wine was mouth-filling and medium-bodied. This wine had definite spice flavors and the tannins were highly noticeable.  This wine was a little too acidic for my tastes.

I did not drink this wine with food.

Tasting - Angove Viognier

Name:  Angove Nine Vines
Variety:  Viognier
Region:  South
Country:  Australia
Price:  $5.95

Winery Review:  Bright light straw in colour with some green hues, this wine has a lush ripe tropical fruit aroma. This is a fuller bodied white which fills the mouth with heady flavours of apricot, peach and citrus.  Angove Nine Vines Viognier is perfect for today's relaxed life-style and is the ideal accompaniment to grilled prawns with chilli and garlic or roast pork.

My Review:  In the wine glass this wine was a dull yellow color.  This wine smells like sweet honeysuckle.  On the palate this wine was light with good texture.  It had distinct flavors of peach and honey.  This was a decent wine that might pair well with grilled or roasted chicken.

I did not drink this wine with food.

Tasting - Yealands Sauvignon Blanc

Name:  Yealands Seaview Vineyard
Variety:  100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region:  Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Year:  2008
Price:  $7.95

Winery Review:  This aromatic wine shows lifted flavours of blackcurrant with underlying notes of wet stone and thyme. The palate is elegant yet full with sufficient weight and texture, balanced by a flinty minerality. This wine is a fantastic match with foods such as cheese salad, poultry dishes and a wide range of seafood dishes including freshly shucked natural oysters, prawns, green lip mussels and creamy scallops.

My Review:  In the glass this wine was a yellow color.  It smelled of grass and citrus.  On the palate this wine was very light and crisp with a good texture.  This Sauvignon Blanc had tastes of pear and grapefruit, with mineral flavors on the finish.  I thought this was a very light enjoyable wine.

I did not drink this wine with food.

Tasting - Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Name:  Heinz Eifel Shine
Variety:  Riesling
Region:  Rhine
Country:  Germany
Year:  2012
Price:  $9.95

Winery Review:  This drier-styled Riesling is bright,
fruity and floral with crisp acidity and
clean flavors of apple, pear and peach
that compliment its stony minerality
and earthy complexity. It serves well as
an aperitif and matches a wide variety
of foods, like lighter salad dishes,
shellfish, cream sauces and also
anything with a touch of spice.

My Review:  In the wine glass this Riesling was yellow.  It had a strong smell of lemon and grass.  On the palate it was very light and refreshing.  It tasted of lemons and pears. I enjoyed this Riesling, especially because it wasn't extremely sweet.

I did not drink this wine with food.