Wine Tasting 2 - Villa Alena Moscato D’Asti

 

Name: Villa Alena Moscato D’Asti

Variety: Moscato

Region: Piemonte

Country: Italy

Year: 2022

Price: $14.99

Shop Review: This wine is on the lighter side, a softer Moscato that is very gentle. Flavors include peach, apple, and pear, as well as honey, stone, and honeycomb, with some mentioning citrus, lemon, and tangerine. Wine experts suggest it would pair well with fruity desserts and aperitifs.

Other Noted Pairings: The light, slightly sweet wines have found their footing in the past few years. The fragrant aromas of white blossoms and ripe peaches are intoxicating. This lovely wine will always be lower in alcohol and sweeter than the more famous champagne, but those are the reasons why it is so graceful. [Note: Wine Folly text has been ordered and will be referenced in the future]

My Review: 🍷🍷🍷🍷 (out of 5)

Strong flavors of sweet apple could easily be smelt from the glass. From appearance alone, the wine had a light yellow color and was sparkling. This low-alcohol wine tasted very sweet, with strong fruity flavors. I specifically tasted peach and apple, but after reading the shop's description, I could also taste the pear and citrus notes. I enjoyed this wine, although it tasted more like apple juice than anything else. I tasted this wine on its own with no food.

Wine Tasting 1 - Castello Del Poggio

Name: Castello Del Poggio Prosecco (extra dry sparkling wine)

Variety: Glera

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Year: Not listed (so it is most likely a blend of a variety of wines?)

Price: $13.95

Shop Review: The lively fruit expression of this distinctive Prosecco DOC, cherished for its fine bubbles, notes of Jasmine flower, sweet golden apple and honey, leads to a crisp, elegant finish. Enjoy chilled as an aperitivo or with light bites, fresh seafood, chicken, and fruit-forward desserts.

Other Noted Pairings: Enjoy chilled with spicy fare, sushi, cheeses and fruit-forward desserts. [Note: Wine Folly text has been ordered and will be referenced in the future]

My Review: 🍷🍷🍷 (out of 5)

From scent alone, I assumed this wine would have a subtle dry apple taste, guessing it would not be sweet as it had a stronger alcohol smell. Visually, the wine had an off-white color, and when poured, it was very bubbly. From taste, the drink had a slight honey and floral flavor, while it was bitter and acidic, similar to tonic water. I tasted this on its own with no food.

My Personal Experience with Wine

Hello, my name is Selah Wangler and I am a senior studying biomedical engineering. My experience with wine has been somewhat limited, but I have enjoyed what I like so far. Growing up, I would normally drink whatever my mom was having. Since she prefers sweet wines, I have had more exposure to white wines and rose rather than red wines. Over the past couple of years, I have had the opportunity to travel to Italy, where I went on a few wine tours in Tuscany. I have discovered my preference for white wines that aren't overly sweet. While I enjoy red wines with charcuterie snacks, I have yet to find a red wine I enjoy sipping on its own.

Through this wine course, I hope to broaden my understanding of wine, from learning about different varieties to discovering proper tasting techniques and ideal food pairings. Having a gluten allergy means beer isn't an option for me, so wine often becomes my drink of choice at social events. Expanding my wine knowledge will not only enhance my appreciation for what I am drinking but also allow me to make more informed selections. Additionally, I'd love to learn about the winemaking process to gain insight into what makes certain wines so unique.

I'm looking forward to expanding my wine knowledge while enjoying wine with friends and family. Below, I have attached a photo of myself drinking wine at my cousin's wedding. Cheers to many more wine memories ahead!