My final thought

As I look back over this course and the way it was taught, I give a special thanks to our Professor, Peluso. For many students, myself included, this was our first introduction to a different style of writing. Everyone in class had the opportunity to maintain their own personal journal, ranging in a variety of subjects including immigration to current events. Through blog writing students wrote about first hand experiences. They had the opportunity to research and incorporate a message into their writing that allowed everyone else in class to read and respond to. This new style of writing not only developed our writing in every aspect, but was an interactive way for students to communicate.

The topic I chose to write about was wine in general while focusing on wine tasting. Writing about wine gave me the opportunity to educate myself and others. Throughout these past weeks I learned a tremendous amount of knowledge in regards to wine. Things that I have learned and enjoyed thus far were attending wine festivals, wine tasting at wineries, vineyards, experiencing different wines, and also purchasing wines with more knowledge in the kinds I will enjoy.

I have realized subject-specific online blogging is a small community. Online blogging is new to me, however I have enjoyed the time and effort reading other students blogs and writing my very own. I hope everyone in class has learned more on their subject and enjoyed learning about mine as well. As I learn more about blogging I think of continuing doing this as a new hobby. I hope you all enjoyed this class as much as I did. Best of luck to everyone.

A toast to health

Recently drinking wine has not only been known for just enjoying wine, but now it has been a positive for many health reasons. This has given many wine drinkers something to smile about when drinking a glass a wine. Research has shown that it has help prevent heart attacks, help cholesterol, and decrease heart disease. With research from universities including Harvard University, have said drinking wine regularly and in moderation has extended the life span of people that drink wine. When having a glass of wine remember that everything is good only in moderation, cheers.

Jim LaMar. (August 28, 2006). Harvard studies.

Retrieved December 4, 2007, from Professional Friends of Wine site:

http://www.winepros.org/wine101/wine-health.htm

A google for wine?

It’s getting even easier for wine drinkers. I have come across this website vinquire which is a wine search engine. Remember that wine you enjoyed and can’t remember the name of it, just type part of the name in Vinquire and it will do the thinking for you. This website has features like reviews, recommendations, and even tells you which store retailer to buy them at the cheapest price. The best news is that it’s free and one can also create an account to become part of a network forum to discuss wine. This site is a great for people that are new into wines and wine lovers in general. Try it yourself and see how this search engine has made it even more feasible to find wine and see what others think about it as well.

I have tried this site a few times myself, to see what recommendations for food pairing and where to buy a wine at a good price. For example, I typed Beringer White Zinfandel which it automatically listed others and the one I was looking for in particular. This helped me get pricing from other retailers at a cheaper price and gave me ideas on which variety of foods to include with my meal.

With more people promoting this site, and user’s helpful recommendations with reviews, this new search engine will definitely take off in a positive note.

A continued tasting

As I have previously posted, I mentioned that I went to a tasting at the Potomac Point Winery in Stafford. Many people seem interested therefore I would like to further share my experience and reviews of the wines I tasted.

This newly built location already feels like its one of the top wineries in Virginia. The word has spread around about this winery and its accommodations. When I was visiting, there was a steady flow of people; not too crowded and not just a few people here and there. At the tasting there was a wide selection of wines, ranging from mild white wines to strong red wines. I had about 10 different wines total. All the wines I tasted were appealing to me. There was a flavor for everyone, no matter what type of personal preference one has.

Let’s start off with the three of the wines I really enjoyed. I tried the Pocahontas Reserve Norton which has a nice blend of Cabernet Franc. When you see the actual bottle itself, it has a commemorative top and brown shaped canteen body. The picture I took here shows the bottle before the label is put on the bottle itself. The owner had told me that $3.00 is donated from every bottle sold and is given to the Pocahontas tribe. This is to thank the tribe for allowing the winery to use its patent name on everything for the brand. I thought this was a nice gesture in giving acknowledgements to their tribe's history. The woman giving the tasting told me appetizers like bologna, cheese and crackers were a great pairing with Pocahontas Reserve Norton.

Another great wine I had and recommend is the Cabernet Franc, which had a fruit taste with a light cherry background and a little spicy kick. I tried a sip and did a pairing with a chocolate morsel that enhanced the wine, making it taste and feel very smooth.

Lastly, I tasted La Bella Vie a wine that is made to pair with dessert. It was so sweet, I feel it could be a dessert by itself. If anyone enjoys drinking sangria wine you will enjoy this one as well. It has a nice sweet, citrus fruit taste. With enough patience to take the time to try different wines, everyone can definitely discover a wine that they enjoy. Right after the tasting I did just that and picked a bottle of Pocahontas Reserve and grabbed a turkey cheese sandwich and relaxed by the fire in one of the D’vine rooms. These rooms are provided to sit and chat with otherswhom are also enjoying drinking the wine. This winery has given me a place I look forward to visiting again soon. I know I will enjoy a night out at the winery again; and having a glass of any of their amazing wines.

A local tasting to enjoy

I am so excited about making it to the wine tasting after the Marine Corps Ball; it was a wonderful experience. Those who went, I know they were not disappointed, I know I wasn’t! I never knew there was wonderful treasure right next to Marine Corps Base Quantico. The tasting was amazing and I even had an opportunity to get a tour with the owner! I went with my girlfriend and also invited another couple. We all enjoyed the experience, talking with other people there and also gaining knowledge from the people that worked there. One of the things that caught my attention was that this winery has only been open since this past summer!

I can only imagine how this winery is going to continue to flourish over the next few years. I’m out of town right now and unfortunately forgot my notes and pictures, at home. However, over the next few postings I will mention the great variety of tastings they have there. During my visit I learned that there are many volunteering opportunities and activities to be apart of. One can learn how wine is made, starting from the early stages of the different combinations of grapes to the last stages of bottling the bottles. This is something for people who are definitely interested not only learning about drinking wine, but just learning a different side of wine entirely.

I truly thank everyone for recommending great wines, some of which I personally have never tried. I will definitely have a glass during Thanksgiving dinner! I wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Take care.

The wine scene

One of the bloggers that I have seen in the wine community is blogger “Sonadora”. She is a local in the metro area and she just celebrated one year with her blogging website ,wannabewino. She caught my attention and other bloggers as well, not only for her current up to date tasting, but her way to freely write what she is thinking and feeling. Her writing is authentic in a way that people know she is writing for pleasure purposes and not writing for a job just to receive the paycheck. People like this write for entertainment and to just educate themselves and others.

Seeing is believing

As I plan on taking many more wine endeavors, I also challenge others to do the same and come out to explore. Many places in Virginia have some secret getaways that are readily available. One place that I plan on visiting is the Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery located in Stafford, Virginia. Looking at reviews and photos, this winery seems like a great to stop enjoy a glass while relaxing. This Saturday, on the 10^th of November, they are having a free tasting for all Marines and on Sunday they are offering, 10% off on any purchase for all veterans. Come out on Saturday to have a drink with me and celebrate, for I will be driving by to experience this free tasting.

If this will be your first time tasting wine, I have a few tips in learning to appreciate the subtle beauty of wine. Here are just a few simple tips…and a video of what not to do.

Swirl the wine in your glass to see the quality and put your nose deep in the glass to take a good smell.

When taking a drink of wine, don’t swallow right away. Swig the wine around your mouth to have all you taste buds feel the different flavors and textures

Here are some commonly found tastes for these known wines.

• Merlot - black fruits like plums, green spices
• Zinfandel - black fruits like raspberries, black spices
• Shiraz - black fruits like sweet blackberries, black spices
• Pinot Noir - red fruits, floral, herbs
• Chardonnay – Fruits like apple, pear, and peach
• Sauvignon Blanc- Fruits like grapefruit, melon, and lime

Remember just to have a good time and enjoy yourself with the people around you and ask questions to the people who work there, they would be happy to share their knowledge regarding wine or they just might tell you great wine stories. Most importantly, always have a designated driver, although a few swirls don’t seem much, it’s still driving and driving.

An experience

For anyone who has not had any wine tasting experience, please try to go with friend or better idea, with a loved one. Your partner and you would enjoy something special that both will remember forever.

After finding out Virginia has many great wines and wineries I had to try it out for myself. I began scouting online and seeing many helpful websites like www.virginiawines.org and www.virginia.org. They suggested wineries that seemed like gataways of a lifetime. My first experience was a few weeks back with my significant other, when both her and I took a trip to Leesburg. We both attended our first wine festival together. I couldn't have picked another perfect day; the temperature was just right, sunny, not to hot, just comfortable with a slight wind. The atmosphere was unbelieveably pleasant, with huge gathering of people, some who come every year to this outdoor event. When people attend an event like this, they know they are going to have an enjoyable time relaxing.

At wines festivals like this, they have many different arrays of things to try. They have top cuisines and different arts and crafts (like exotic paintings and wine racks to buy). The thing that I remember most is tasting port wine cheese with clubs crackers and paring with nice blush wine. Having both together enhance the taste making it seem like one couldn’t be made without the other. Also at this festival they offered educational wine seminars and food demonstration; for people who were first starting to experience wine tasting. It was an amazing day filled with many new things to try and experience. The thing I enjoyed best was the live music entertainment that included different varieties of music for everyone.

My girlfriend, who isn’t a significant big fan of wine, did however find her taste with other wines she never tried. With vast selections of wines they had, she was bound to find one that would suit her taste. Many of the wines there were award winning wines from all over the world. After speaking with people there, they would direct me and tell me specifically which ones I needed to go to and had to try before I left.

I not only found this experience to open my mind to wine, but also to an atmosphere of it own. The people there were welcoming and courteous with everyone. There was no sense of stress or aggression toward anyone. People just came to get away from everyday life. Everyone was drinking wine, listening to music, and walking around enjoying this beautiful day with others.