The 9th Wine Tasting (2012-06-29) - New Zealand - (whites & red)

New Zealand considered as one of the New World Wine producing countries. It started growing vines in the mid 1800s. The oldest vine was planted by French Roman Catholic missionaries in Hawkes Bay. Even though the wine making history is short, New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough has earned its recognition internationally; "arguably the best in the world" (Rachman, British wine critic, 1990s ).

Tasting Note: Chinon AOC (2013-03-28)

I just finished another 3 days tasting this week. This week, I picked wines from the Chinon, where is part of the Loire Valley (France). My decision happened when I wrote the review of Loire whites. It is unusual for the Loire Valley (known as whites) that the Chinon produces mostly red wine, 2 to 5% rosé, and a little white wines. Plus, I had a good Chinon dinning with a friend. Therefore, the Chinon reds were served.

The 8th Wine Tasting (2012-05-18) - France (Burgundy) - (White)

Burgundy (Bourgogne), one of my favorite wine region in the world. There is no fancy aroma, but its backbone, which stands. For whites, my favorite is Chablis; For reds, I'm still looking forward to meet her.

我覺得我很幸運，從開始學習品酒的時候只是一張白紙，由一個熱愛義大利酒、活在自己世界的怪老頭幫我帶路。這wine club可算是我的品酒學習之旅。從開始看著酒標都像是blind tasting到現在，這都要感謝一路支持各位。

The 7th Wine Tasting (2012-05-04) - Spain (Rioja) - (Red)

I still can remember my first red wine; I didn't like it, but I don't remember why? Either my dad added water to my wine, or it's not possible that an elementary school kid would like wines. However, I do remember when and where I started to enjoy wines again. CORRAL DE LA MORERÍA in 2005, the restaurant in Madrid where I discovered the joy of wines; a Spanish Wine. 2008, my friend bought me a bottle of US Tempranillo, and I knew I'm close. 2011, a gift from Rioja guided me to the endless journey.

每個旅途都有起點，不時想起出發的原因，就算置身茫茫大海也不會迷路。現在和我一起辦品酒的人，雖然我們的起點不一樣，但結果都是在這條偉大的航路上相逢了。他因為葡萄酒愛上美食；我因為美食愛上葡萄酒。2005西班牙馬德里，我喝下了這條不歸路的起點，我當時並不知道，只是第一次覺得葡萄酒這麼好喝，這是一道料理時間非常長的一道菜。我並沒有馬上就開始品酒，但已經不時將葡萄酒加到生活當中。不知不覺就蓋起了這扇以葡萄酒為記憶鑰匙的門。中間曾經很接近過，在我找到這鑰匙之前最常喝的是葡萄牙的酒，終於，2011開始了謙虛的學習之旅。

The 6th Wine Tasting (2012-04-13) - USA (California) - Cabernet Sauvignon (Red)

Tonight, I met some people from west coast. They asked me to pair wines for food. We went to a French restaurant, so I picked 4 bottles of European wines (including French wine). I didn't pick wines from California, so I was joking: "I know a French Chief's pride because I'm a chief." Anyway, we talked about the NAPA Valley tour, and and some west coast wines; as well this, the tasting note for California Cabernet Sauvignon.

 加州的Cabernet Sauvignon在新世界裡已經闖出了一片天空。有些人喝時候會說這果然是加州CS的味道，有些人會說加州的CS喝起來都差不多。雖然說CS的味道一部分取決於葡萄的成熟度，但還有很大一部分決定在釀造技術，還有釀造者的心。在這八瓶酒裡面，就有兩瓶，儘管過了一年我看到酒標，就可以想起來喝的時候的感動，是獨特的。我不需要完美的酒，而獨特的酒值得反覆品嘗。

The 5th Wine Tasting (2012-03-02) - France (Loire Valley)- (White)

The Loire Valley, follows the Loire River, is an important wine region in west France. Loire river flows from east to west about 1000 kilometers long. From west to east, the climate progressively changes from maritime climate to continental climate. Various soil and climate have added vivid element to wines from Loire Valley.

Tasting Note: Meritage (2013-03-20)

After I mentioned the Bordeaux blend, it just remained me an American blend that I have never tried, Meritage. Therefore, I went to the store nearby and found these two bottles.

The 4th Wine Tasting (2012-02-03) - Argentina - Malbec (Red)

Argentina is one of the biggest wine-producing country. Most vineyards are located around dry mountain area, and Mendoza is the most important wine region. Lujan de Cuyo in Mendoza became the first officially recognized controlled appellation in 1993. The most famous and widely grown grape variety is Malbec; Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Torrontés follow closely.

The 3rd Wine Tasting (2012-01-13) - Germany - Riesling (White)

German wine has a long history. The Romans established vineyards around Trier on the Mosel River. Riesling is the greatest variety in Germany, and it is originated in the Rhine region. The earliest documentation we can find is in Rheingau in 1435, and then in Mosel lately. This tasting is an introduction of German Riesling. Wines that we selected were from Pfalz, Rheinhessen, and Mosel.

Sub-region of German wines (online resource: Google Images)

The 2nd Wine Tasting (2011-12-09) - France (Southern Rhône Valley)- (Red)

The Rhône Valley is one of the key wine region in France, locates at southeastern France. The Rhône is divided into two sub-regions, the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône. They are separated by a 25-mile (40-km) gap, where almost no vines are grown. This gap not only separate the geography, but also grape varieties. All the affect the quality and quantity of wines produced. This wine tasting was only focus on Southern Rhône red wines.

The 1st Wine Tasting (2011-11-18) - Chile - (White)

This was my first wine tasting of my wine club back in 2011. Unfortunately, I lost my original tasting sheet, so I lost my notes. Look on the bright side, I can taste Chilean white wines again to make up my lost notes.

A little bit story of Chilean wines.