So Saturday 4/23/16, my boyfriend Rees and I decided to go to White Barrel Winery. I didn't realize we were supposed to take lots of pictures while we were there, but I took some of the wine we bought and of my tasting sheet. I learned that the winery used to be called Attimo Winery. It was a very nice, brand new looking building that we went up to, it was blue in color. It was very nice and spacious inside, and the food did smell delicious even though we did not eat anything while we were there. Also so we are clear, all the stuff in "" is straight from White Barrel Winery tasting sheet.
When we arrived we were greeted at the door, and were told to go up to the bar. We asked for a wine tasting. We first got to try Chardonnay "(similar to Masquerade/Yesterday Song). mellow with soft bouquet of honey, vanilla, and green apple. Dry and crisp with pear on the palate. Aged with VSOP oak to give it a slight tannin finish. Great with fruit, cheese, light appetizers 12.5% alcohol, 0% residual sugar. $6 a glass/ $19btl."
This wine was a pale yellow in color, it smelled of apple and honey. It was served cold. It was very crisp and dry and the aftertaste was not that great in my opinion. I thought this wine was OK.
Second up we got to taste Vidal Blanc "(similar to Sonnet 98). This has floral bouquet and vanilla undertones and fresh greens and herbs. This wine has a delicate flavor with a clean finish. Perfect for holiday dinners, chicken, and crisp salads or fish dishes. 12.5% alcohol, 0.25% residual sugar. $6 a glass /$18 btl."
This wine was darker in yellow color than the last, it was served cold. I thought it smelled lovely and had a good taste to it.
The third wine we got to taste was BIN #704 "(similar to Off the Cuff): This is a blend of white wines, which is mellow, slightly sweet, and bright. This wine has a sweet, mineral and citrus characteristics. 12.5% alcohol. 1.75% residual sugar. $6 a glass/ $18 btl."
This wine had a lovely bouquet of some sort of fruit that just smelled delicious. When I tasted it, it was crisp and light and fruity. It was very pleasant, something I think of drinking on a hot summers day. It was sweet, but not overly sweet. I have a picture of this wine because I liked it so much I bought one bottle. Here are two picture of this bottle of wine:
The Fourth Wine we got to taste was BIN #997 "(similar to Just Kissed blush): This wine has a raspberry undertones and a sweet fruity flavor. 12.5% alcohol. 3.0% residual sugar. $6 glass /$17 btl."
This wine was served cold. It was a darker yellow in color. Almost orangish. The smell was delicious, it was hard to pick out all the delicious notes of different fruits. This wine tasted really good, it was a little dry, and crisp, but was fruity and delicious. It was really good. I didn't get a bottle only because I couldn't afford to pay for another one.
The fifth wine I got to taste was BIN #127 "(similar to Tropical getaway): This is a white wine and then blended with mangos. It is sweet, soft, and amazing tropical. 12.5% alcohol. 15.0% residual sugar. $6 glass/$18 btl."
This wine was delicious. It smelled of mangos, and tropical paradise, with pineapple and other delicious flavors. It was so delightful in taste that I bought two bottles. here some pictures of this wine:
This wine was served cold. It was a darker yellow in color. Almost orangish. The smell was delicious, it was hard to pick out all the delicious notes of different fruits. This wine tasted really good, it was a little dry, and crisp, but was fruity and delicious. It was really good. I didn't get a bottle only because I couldn't afford to pay for another one.
The fifth wine I got to taste was BIN #127 "(similar to Tropical getaway): This is a white wine and then blended with mangos. It is sweet, soft, and amazing tropical. 12.5% alcohol. 15.0% residual sugar. $6 glass/$18 btl."
This wine was delicious. It smelled of mangos, and tropical paradise, with pineapple and other delicious flavors. It was so delightful in taste that I bought two bottles. here some pictures of this wine:
We then got to change it up, rinse our glasses and taste the reds. Which by the way have been the best reds I have ever tasted. Apart of me thinks you should get some for the class to taste next year so they know what reds should taste like. Or at least in my opinion, these are just wonderful. And this is coming from someone who does not like reds, so that is really saying something.
SO the sixth wine we got to taste was BIN #260 "(similar to After Midnight): This deep, mellow red blend has a sweet start, with a dry finish and velvety texture. 12.5% alcohol. 2.25% residual sugar. $6 glass/$18 btl."
This wine was served warm, but can be served cold. It was pretty good. It was refreshing to taste sweet and end dry. It was different, but really good.
The seventh wine we got to taste was BIN #214"(similar to Bull Frog Symphony): This is a blend of red wines and offers smooth, fruity, dark jam flavors with smoky, peppery flavors on the finish. 12.5% alcohol. 0% residual sugar. $6 glass/ $20 btl."
This wine was served warm. It was a very pretty dark red. It smelled like blackberry, or grape jam, it was so pleasant to smell. And the taste was good. It had some smoky flavors, and jammy, and just so delicious. It was really good, and had a really nice finish.
The eighth wine we got to try was Cabernet Franc "(similar to Deep Silence): This is a smooth and smoky Cabernet franc, which provides pepper, smoke, blackberry, and currant. 12.5% alcohol. 0% residual. $6 glass/ $20 btl."
SO the sixth wine we got to taste was BIN #260 "(similar to After Midnight): This deep, mellow red blend has a sweet start, with a dry finish and velvety texture. 12.5% alcohol. 2.25% residual sugar. $6 glass/$18 btl."
This wine was served warm, but can be served cold. It was pretty good. It was refreshing to taste sweet and end dry. It was different, but really good.
The seventh wine we got to taste was BIN #214"(similar to Bull Frog Symphony): This is a blend of red wines and offers smooth, fruity, dark jam flavors with smoky, peppery flavors on the finish. 12.5% alcohol. 0% residual sugar. $6 glass/ $20 btl."
This wine was served warm. It was a very pretty dark red. It smelled like blackberry, or grape jam, it was so pleasant to smell. And the taste was good. It had some smoky flavors, and jammy, and just so delicious. It was really good, and had a really nice finish.
The eighth wine we got to try was Cabernet Franc "(similar to Deep Silence): This is a smooth and smoky Cabernet franc, which provides pepper, smoke, blackberry, and currant. 12.5% alcohol. 0% residual. $6 glass/ $20 btl."
This wine was served warm, and was a nice red color. It smelled very nice, had many different notes. You could smell the pepper, like green bell pepper. The taste was slightly dry but smooth, and you got hints of the bell pepper on your tongue. It was very nice and pleasant. The aftertaste was nice, slightly dry, but smooth. It was really good. I enjoyed this wine quite a bit more than I ever thought I would.
The nineth wine we got to taste was Carbernet Franc Reserve "(Similar to Aviator): Dry, rich mocha flavors, smoky, leather, and tobacco come together in this wine. 12.5% alcohol. 0% residual sugar. $7 glass /$25 btl."
This wine was red in color, it was served warm. The smell was of chocolate, leather. You could taste the hints of leather and tobacco, but it wasn't overwhelming. It had a dry aftertaste but was velvety.
The final wine we had the pleasure of tasting was Chambourcin. "(Similar to AD 325): THis Chambourcin is brilliantly colored with vibrant cherry undertones, this wine is made in an old world style, with soft tannins. Perfect with steak, hearty meals, and chocolate. 12.5% alcohol. 0% residual sugar. $6 glass/ $19 btl."
This wine was served warm. It was red with purple notes in its color. It had a nice smell of nuts and fruits. It was delicious, and possibly my favorite out of their red wines. Although honestly, their red wines have been the best I have tasted so far.
After we finished our tasting we decided to get some bottles, and then we left. It was a very pleasant visit. The staff was very kind and willing to share their knowledge about the winery. I wish I would have written down more of what they said. Here are some more pictures:
Here is a picture of the back of the tasting sheet:
Here is me with the wine we bought:
My dog Roxy was even intrigued by the wine I bought, however do not worry, I don't share my wine with my dog, and the legs in the photo are my boyfriends, not mine (hah).
Regardless if you are looking for some great wine to drink, I suggest you go to White Barrel Winery. Their hours are Monday-Thursday 12pm-7pm; Friday- Saturday 11am-8pm; Sunday 12pm-6pm.
Their address is 4025 Childress Road
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Phone: (540)382-7619
email: wine@whitebarrel.com
I hope you all have enjoyed reading another one of my blogs.
Hope you all have a wonderful week!
Cheers!
~Michelle
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Phone: (540)382-7619
email: wine@whitebarrel.com
I hope you all have enjoyed reading another one of my blogs.
Hope you all have a wonderful week!
Cheers!
~Michelle