Wine Notes & Wine Blending

Today was an exciting day in the University winery. In my Wine Production and Analysis class, we usually have several projects we simultaneously work on and monitor each day. We are currently focusing on the effects of SO2 additions at different concentrations, ML additions, and various temperature treatments for fermentation.  

But today was a change of pace: we were given the opportunity to create our own blends of wine. (So cool, right??)

{Blending our groups' white wine}

A lot of our decision-making for blending choices relied on 

our sense of smell and what we picked up in the aromas of the available wines.
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 {Casey proudly holding our final product}

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{Red Blend}  

Did I mention that this is a contest, too? Ohh yeah. :)

 This is an in-class competition to see who can make the best wine while following all guidelines:

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Five things--All Things Bubbly

This week was filled with lab reports, quizzes, long hours of winery work on campus:  punch-downs and pump-overs, yeast inoculations, grape-pressings, Brix readings, wine showers (I literally sprayed my TA all-over with Grenache...haha oops!), a trip to the doctor (cold season came early this year)... I definitely experienced some highs and lows this week. But I’m ready for a carefree weekend, which I hope can include lots of catching-up on rest and chillaxing. :) 

I thought a post with five things to feel bubbly about would be a good way to celebrate the weekend. These images are ones I found on Pinterest that have served as inspiration. 

Happy weekend!

1.  Bubble Parties:

2. Nice additions to an office:

3. Popsicle cocktails:

4. Champagne towers:

5. Great Quotes:

 {...I second that}

Cheers!

-B

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TASTING NOTES—2006 Yountville Vintage Brut-Domaine Chandon

This week, I want to feature a wine from Domaine Chandon. Chandon was my first-ever winery experience in Napa. Team Chandon and all of its players taught me so much valuable information (more than I ever imagined) this summer during the 2011 Sparkling Summer Harvest. I already miss it! ♥

{TASTING NOTES TUESDAY}

This '06 Yountville Vintage Brut is my absolute favorite wine from Domaine Chandon—hands down. (AND I have been to the winery's tasting room several times to taste their entire wine selection!) I have only bottle for myself in my personal collection and I'm definitely saving it for a special occasion. :)

This is the wine I referred to in one of my previous posts here. It actually reminds me of a particular type of Veuve Clicquot I have tasted before. Aromas of peach, granny apples and cinnamon on the nose play with my senses and finish on the tongue with flavors of delicate amaretto and crisp nectarine. Its mouth feel is described as "extremely rich and creamy, combined with bright acidity [which] make this interesting, well-balanced sparkling wine an appealing choice" (via Chandon)—couldn't have described it any better. 

Have you ever tried this wine or have any favorite Chandon wines of your own? I'd like to know! 

Cheers,

B

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