Blacksburg Fork and Cork

My first Blacksburg Fork and Cork experience began with a 40 minute wait in line for Trump Winery from Charlottesville. After tasting five excellent wines, I figured I would need to buy a bottle to make the time pass in between tastings and line waiting. I ended up getting a $10 rose from Trump, the cheapest wine I saw all day. It was not stellar, but the price and my sobriety were the main reasons I made the purchase. Here are the wines I tasted from Trump:

Blanc de Blanc

Chardonnay

2008

$25

Winery Review:  Brut sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay, using the traditional French methode Champenoise. Nose of green apple, brioche and slight pear. On the mouth there is crisp acidity with citrus notes. Aged 22 months on the lees. Pair with mild cheeses, sushi, or serve as an aperitif. 

Personal Review:  Very fizzy and crisp. Definitely smelled the apple and pear notes, and the aromas were especially sour. The flavors weren't as much sour as they were crisp, tart, and acidic. It was a very good sparkling wine, but needed to be paired with food for sure.

Chardonnay

2012

$17

Winery Review:  90% in stainless steel and 10% in French oak barrels. Vibrant grapefruit, pear and citrus aromas that are lush and crispy on the palate, finishing with a subtle creaminess. Refreshing, crisp and clean, this wine is easy to drink by itself and stands up well to food. Pair with gazpacho, caprese salad, and quiche.

Personal Review:  Again, very crisp and tangy. Did not go down as smooth as most chardonnays, but still was very refreshing. Would be great on a hot day to drink on your porch. Citrus was very present in aromas and flavors. Wasn't buttery or oaky like most chardonnays, but that was due in part to it being stored mainly in stainless steel.

Rose

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

2011

$10

*Paired with cheeses and apple slices

Winery Review:  Dry rose blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Nose of strawberry and flowers. Raspberry and grapefruit on the palate. Excellent balance between acidity and volume. Pair with anything off the grill, pizza, charcuterie, and cheese.

Personal Review:  Though I did buy a bottle, it was very light and watery. Grapefruit was the most dominant flavor, but the rest was like white grape juice. The aromas were also very light and flowery, maybe a bit of honeysuckle. Got much better as I tried it with sample slices of cheese. The apple watered it down even more, but the cheese was a nice complement and made it seem more full-bodied.

Simply Red

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc

2008

$17

Winery Review:  Lightly toasted aromas of black currant, blueberries cherries. Smooth, medium bodied with flavors of black cherry and cocoa with a long finish. Pair with chicken, pork tenderloin, and soft cheeses.

Personal Review:  This wine had an exceptional amount of pepper, which ended up being overpowering. Despite its lack of smoothness, it was still very flavorful. I enjoyed it alot, but it would have paired great with a heavy meat such as steak.

CRU

Chardonnay

2012

$28

Winery Review:  100% Chardonnay juice fortified with brandy, then aged in bourbon barrels. Try it on the rocks or mixed for a sweet treat with a kick. 

Personal Review:  The best wine of the day by far. The winery said that it had been stored in the same barrels that Jack Daniels whiskey is aged in. The alcohol was very strong, almost 20%, but it was very refreshing and flavorful. The color was a light golden brown, and the aroma smelled of bourbon. Fantastic to drink without food.

After I left the Trump tasting table, I waited a mere 20 minutes for the Attimo Winery. I tasted a very good rose and an excellent Reisling there.

Just Kissed

Vidal Blanc Rose

$17

Personal Review:  A very sweet rose. Tasted almost as if there were actual cubes of sugar sprinkled in the wine. Still tasted very much like a red, with hints of pepper and raspberry apparent all the way through the finish. Was good by itself, would have been even better as a dessert wine.

Off the Cuff

Riesling, Chardonnay

$17

Personal Review:  Another very sweet wine, but the sugar and fruitiness went well with the lightness of a white. There was a mixture of spices with fruit, along with a tinge of a high alcohol content. I personally would not spend over $10 on this wine.

My favorite wine of the day by far was the CRU from Trump Winery. If I could afford to spend $28 on 750 mL of wine, I would have done it in a heartbeat. But alas, I do not have such assets. The CRU was fortified, brought strong flavors of brandy and whiskey, and was one of the smoothest wines of the day. It tasted exactly like it looked: like golden excellence. 

All of us at Fork and Cork had a wonderful time, drank plenty of wine, and will most likely come back again in the future to enjoy more wine.

Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone

Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone
Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
2010
$14.95
Rhone Valley, France

Winery Review:  Displays loads of ripe flavors. It is very concentrated for a Cotes du Rhone, and is actually an amazing wine. Classic garrigue, black cherry liqueur, lavender, licorice and spice box are all present in this full- bodied, intense, and rich Cotes du Rhone. This is a sensational effort to drink over the next 4-5 years, although it might last even longer.

Personal Review:  Very dark, like cherry juice. Smells very sugary like a sweet red. Very dark hints in the aroma, almost like the inside of a cabinet with a strong wooden smell. More spice and pepper in the flavor, but still fairly smooth.

Lobetia Tempranillo

Lobetia
Tempranillo
2011
$10.95
La Mancha, Spain

Winery Review:  Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. It shows a nice cherry color with a violet shade because of its youth. Red berries and cherries on the nose. On the palate it is fresh, slightly astringent, and harmonious with a long finish.

Personal Review:  Raspberry, blackberry, and slight cranberry smell. Especially fruity for a dark red. A little smokey, but not overpowering. Not a strong alcoholic bite at all--very smooth and easy. Full bodied enough to pair with pork or beef.

Lobetia Chardonnay

Lobetia
Chardonnay
2011
$10.95
La Mancha, Spain

Winery Review:  Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. Clean, bright color with a greenish-yellow tone. On the nose, exotic fruits like pineapple. Full flavored, fresh, with good acidity in the mouth, it finishes with tropical fruits.

Personal Review:  Very much a pear, buttery smell. Distinctly a chardonnay by its aroma. Unaged, and stored in stainless steel, so therefore no oak or vanilla flavors, but still a very pure chardonnay taste. Very good to drink alone or with an entree.

Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele

Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele
Pinot Grigio
NV
$7.95
Veneto, Italy

Winery Review:  Coppery color from extended skin contact, round and rich texture with juicy melon aromas and flavors with a sweet fennel note on the ultra smooth finish. Great value Grigio! Drink now.

Personal Review:  Smells like potential, but maybe too watered down. Actually a hint of red fruits mixed with lots of honey in the aroma. Taste is not watered down, however. A very good body with the perfect alcohol content to balance the flavors.

Ksana Bonarda

Ksana
Bonarda
2008
$9.95
Mendoza, Argentina

Winery Review:  The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid. Very sweet, berry smell with some rooty undertones. Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker.

Personal Review:  Looks like grape jelly. Smells smokey. Main aroma is acai berry. Smoke and pepper are both in the flavors, with a little jam flavor apparent at the end. Finishes with a nice bite in the back of the throat.

Concannon Shiraz

Concannon
Shiraz
2008
$7.95
Central Coast, California

Winery Review:  This is an extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the

palate.

Personal Review:  Real strong smell, like berries dipped in chocolate and then put in the oven. Blackberries, blueberries present in the aroma. A little grassy and herbal as well. Lots of peppers in the flavors as soon as it hits your tongue, but with much less berry flavor than was in the aromas. Could pair with a main course or dessert.

Chandon Sweet Cuvee

Chandon
Sweet Cuvee
NV
$9.95
California

Winery Review:  This wine is an innovative sparkling wine style revealing vibrant stone fruit and floral aromas with rich, luscious mouthfeel. This wine enlivens the senses and sparks spontaneous moments,

complementing your passion for a good life.

Personal Review:  Sparking, sweet and flavorful. Light fruit accents, with no dark flavors apparent. Almost too watered down in its consistency, but would be good for a beginner wine drinker. Could also be dangerous for beginning wine drinkers because of its lightness.

Black Ridge White Zinfandel

Black Ridge
White Zinfandel
NV
$3.95
California

Winery Review:  This fruit forward White Zinfandel displays fresh aromas and crisp flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. It is incredibly food friendly and will pair well with burgers, sandwiches, fruit salad, and more.

Personal Review:  Bite can be sensed in the aroma, which is not surprising because of it's rose color. Very light and smooth, to the point that it could be dangerous since it goes down so easily. Light juicy flavor, like a blend of light fruits. Or Capri Sun.

Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc

Wilson Daniels
Sauvignon Blanc
2010
$7.95
Central Coast, California


Winery Review:  Orange blossom and citrus permeate the aromas. Alluring flavors of orange and grapefruit dominate the palate. Bright acidity balances the plush mouthfeel, resulting in a clean finish.

Personal Review:  Smells like apple juice, pears and melons. Reminds me of Del Monte fruit cocktail juice. Very light and smooth. Not too syrupy or sweet. Very good overall.

Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne

Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne
Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
2004
$7.95
Sauternes, France

Winery Review:  Very clean, with lemon, mineral and honey aromas that follow through to a medium body. Shows vanilla, apple and melon flavors, with a medium finish. Lightly sweet.

Personal Review:  Fruity smell, very sugary, like lemons. Taste is very lemony and filled with sugars as well. Excellent dessert wine, as it would be a fantastic complement to lemon meringue pie.

Torre Castillo Alegre

Torre Castillo Alegre
Monastrell
2010
$9.95
Jumilla, Spain

Winery Review:  Bright ruby-red. Dried cherry, pipe tobacco and rose aromas, with a hint of woodsmoke. Sweet and fleshy on the palate, with blackberry and cherry flavors complimented by licorice and a suggestion of dried herbs. The cherry and smoke notes repeat on the finish.

Personal Review:  Looks especially dark. Smells awful. Overpowering earthy smell with a bit of dark red fruit mixed in. Very dry, as tobacco is more apparent in the taste than the smell. A little smokey, but a lot of earthy and tobacco flavors.

Wilson Daniels Merlot

Wilson Daniels
Merlot
2010
$7.95
Central Coast, California

Winery Review:  Made predominantly from Paso Robles grapes, the wine is full- bodied and silky yet robust, with aromas of black cherry and plum and a palate of blackberry, raspberry and blueberry jam laced with vanilla and toast.

Personal Review:  Cherries and oaken smell. Lots of cherries. Doesn't smell acidic at all. Peppers surprisingly are very apparent in the taste, as the weren't detected in the aroma. A very smooth red, with just a little bite at the end. Blackberries are the dominant fruit in the taste as opposed to cherries in the smell, but peppers and spices are also very strong flavors.

Bricco Dei Tati Rose

Bricco Dei Tati Rose
Barbera
2012
$6.95
Piedmont, Italy

Winery Review:  Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and rose petals, this an ideal wine with shellfish, salads, chicken, and appetizers.

Personal Review:  Possibly strawberry syrup smell, like the dessert ice cream topping. High acidity, but combined with fruitiness. Not real smooth due to the acidity.

Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc

Smoking Loon
Sauvignon Blanc
2009
$7.95
California

Winery Review:  This bleached blonde beauty is reminiscent of fresh green apples, pineapple and has hints of hibiscus blossoms. The concentration of zesty lemon and gooseberry fills your mouth leaving notes of thyme and melon behind. The bright acid in this wine gives you a zing while the fruit keeps your mouth watering for more. This wine pairs beautifully with a grilled prawn salad with a grapefruit vinaigrette, veggie spring rolls or grilled tilapia with mango salsa.

Personal Review:  Pear juice is present all over the aroma. High acidity, not extremely smooth for a light white. Very flavorful, with accents of pears, oak, butter, and more pears. Alcoholic pear juice in a bottle is an accurate description.

Ruta 22 Malbec

Ruta 22
Malbec
2011
$7.95
Patagonia, Argentina

Winery Review:  Stout and dense from the beginning, with blackberry and violet aromas. Despite being a bold and dark Malbec, this is fresh and composed, with sweet blackberry and cassis flavors. Good on the finish, with candied fruit and caramel sweetness.

Personal Review:  Smells dark, but fruits are present. Fruity but not a sugary or sweet scent. Definitely tastes like a 14.5% alcohol content wine. The dryness is strong but it is still flavorful. Heat and a tinge in the aftertaste contrasts the fruity aspects, especially the blackberry taste. Would make a good dessert wine if served with pie or a dry dessert.

Chateau Serres Sainte Lucie Corbieres

Chateau Serres Sainte Lucie Corbieres
Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre
2010
$4.95
Corbieres, France

Winery Review:  Superb dark garnet color with a few reflections of dark orange. Intense nose of ripe fruits, spices, and roasted coffee. The palate is rounded and full, with silky matured tannins and hints of vanilla. This wine is rich and powerful with layers of tannins.

Personal Review:  Resembles cherries mixed with dirt, or something stale and old. Perhaps a leathery scent. Tastes wooden, but not burned. Has been aged and stored in barrels for awhile, as it tastes roasted, toasted, oaky, even like pine or spruce. Bottom line: a very natural-smelling and tasting wine.

Cresta Azul

Cresta Azul
Moscatel, Macebo, Parellada, Xarel-lo
Non-vintage
$5.95
Catalunya, Spain

Winery Review:  Peach, orange cream and vanilla flavors mingle in this softly bubbly white. Off-dry, but with crisp acidity and a clean finish.

Personal Review:  Very clear color. Smells extremely sweet with a melon and honeydew scent. Very sweet but not sugary or overpowering. Not much bite at the end, which makes it resemble a moscato wine. Overall very awesome, especially for six dollars.

Veleta Tempranillo Rosado

Veleta
Tempranillo Rosado
2010
$3.95
Granada, Spain

Winery Review:  Fresh in flavor and crisp in texture, this dry rosé offers berry, tart cherry and light herbal flavors, with firm acidity and a clean finish. Focused and juicy.

Personal Review:  Smells similar to the Veleta Brut but with cherries. Very sweet mixed flavors mixed with high alcohol content. Not bad overall, but 13.5% mixed with the syrupy, sugary flavors makes it very different and interesting.

Veleta Brut Vino

Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado
Sparkling Brut
Non-vintage
$3.95
Grenada, Spain

Winery Review:  Rosé salmon with copper reflections. Slow rising fine bubble that forms “lace” and “rosary”. In the nose is complex and elegant with red fruit, citric, exotic, fresh flowers, and notes of dry fruits and dry flowers. Fresh, gentle, and alive. Perfectly integrated “perlage” with serious and subtle flavors of dry fruits, pomegranate and lemonade. Long lasting scent of flowers and herbs.

Personal Review:  Very strong melon/citrus scent, maybe with a slight pineapple aroma, or some type of lighter fruit. More aspects present in aroma than flavor. Tastes a little dry, but pineapple is definitely apparent along with a few other fruits. Not much carbonation for a sparkling wine.