Tasting - Chateau Morrisette Frosty Dog

Name: Chateau Morrisette Frosty Dog
Variety: Eiswein
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: N/A
Price: $19.99

Winery's Review:
Freezing resulted in a concentrated, aromatic juice, which when fermented became this sumptuous, complex dessert wine.  Aromas of apples, citrus, and orange blossoms are accentuated by lively acidity.   The lingering finish drips with honey, pear, and subtle mango flavors.  This delightful wine is a great dessert by itself, and can also be served as an aperitif. 


My Review:
This was my first Eiswein, and much like my first Sherry, it may be my last. This was definitely a wine that is made to be drank as an aperitif. On the nose, this wine smelt like that of a very very sweet Riesling or Gerwurztraminer. On the palate, it tated just as that. It was almost like drinking fruit syrup mixed with pounds of sugar. This was a very very sweet wine, and although it was a good experience, I do not forsee myself drinking another Eiswein anytime soon.


I did not drink this wine with food.

Tasting - Chateau Morrisette Our Dog Blue

Name: Chateau Morrisette Our Dog Blue
Variety: Reisling - Traminette blend
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: N/A
Price: $10.99

Winery's Review:
This popular white wine is a semi-sweet Riesling-Traminette blend, using Vidal Blanc for added depth. Aromas of melons, citrus fruits, apricots, and delicate flowers highlight the soft finish of this soothing wine. Serve chilled with fruits and cheeses, fish, or spicy foods.


My Review:
Our Dog Blue was very good for a white wine. It smelled like I was pressing my face into the middle of a bouquet of roses. It was a very sweet smelling wine, but not so sweet that it was sickening. On the palate, it tasted like candied baked apples mixed with apricots. It was very fruity and very good.


I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Chateau Morrisette 2010 Vidal Blanc

Name: Chateau Morrisette 2010 Vidal Blanc
Variety: 100% Vidal Blanc
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $10.99

Winery's Review:
  Refreshing flavors of citrus and apples are augmented by grapefruit, melon and floral aromas.  Medium-bodied and smooth, this vintage features a lengthy, aromatic finish.  Very food-friendly; pairs well with a wide variety of grilled or roasted poultry and seafood.


My Review:
I am not a huge white wine fan, but this one was pretty good. On the nose it was very light, floral, and fruity. It smelled like the average white wine, but on the palate was very good. It was very light and fruity, but not did not taste of berries. It had major flavors of both apple and grapefruit, and was almost refreshing.


I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Chateau Morrisette The Black Dog

Name: Chateau Morrisette The Black Dog
Variety: Blend of Chambourcin, Cabernet, Merlot, and Petit Verdot
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: N/A
Price: $12.99

Winery's Review:
A unique blend of Cabernet, Chambourcin and Merlot produces this exceptionally smooth semi-dry red wine. Its appealing spicy character and medium body enhance many dishes as well as light hors d'oeuvres. It's obviously well bred!


My Review:

This was a pretty good wine, although not my favorite. On the nose I found notes of Strawberry and some black pepper. The palate paralleled my nose by showing tastes of Red berries, with mild earthyness. Overall this was a respectable wine, and was very smooth, probably due to being a light bodied red.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Chateau Morrisette Petit Verdot

Name: Chateau Morrisette 2008 Petit Verdot
Variety: 100% Petit Verdot
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $19.99

Winery's Review:
Our 2008 Petit Verdot invited with traces of vanilla emerging from rich, dark fruit aromas. Wild berries and raisin flavors mingle with savory nuances of black pepper and toast, all wrapped in robust, velvety tannins. Mocha joins the berry character through the long finish.

My Review:
This was the first Petit Verdot I have ever had, and I thought it was very good. It was very bold, yet very smooth and silky on the palate. It had very strong tastes of raspberry and blackberry jams, with light hints of vanilla in taste. On the nose however, this wine showed much of its dark berry character mixed with a tiny bit of sweetness.

I did not try this wine with food.

Winery Visit - Chateau Morrisette, Floyd VA

Name: Chateau Morrisette
Location: Floyd, Va

          Chateau Morrisette is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd, Virginia. I toured the facility with a group of roommates and friends on Saturday, March 24th. Upon leaving Blacksburg, the weather was nice - warm and sunny. About halfway through the 45 minute drive to Floyd, we found ourselves in the midst of a thunderstorm producing hail and a few inches of rain. 

          We arrived to the winery just as there was the announcement of a cancelled tour due to the weather. We did, however, have a tasting of 12 different wines made at Chateau Morrisette, and were accompanied by a very knowledgeable sommelier who was able to detail to us the history of Chateau Morrisette, and what should be expected of each wine.

         The winery produces a variety of about ten dry, four off-dry, three sweet, and one fruit wine. Our sommelier explained the differences to us in detail as we proceeded with the tastings. As learned in class, dry wine indicates the lack of residual sugar causing them to be 'dry' or not sweet (Sweet wines are the opposite - those with residual sugars). Off-dry was a new type of wine to me. It means that the residual sugar is present but not very noticeable to the average palate. This makes it seem more sweet than a dry wine, but not nearly as sweet as a sweet rose wine.

         We also learned some about the history of the winery while there, and I found it very interesting. Chateau Morrisette was officially founded in 1978 and began with just a few cuttings. Since then, the winery has expanded to the point of being able to house about 180-190,000 gallons of wine (about 130,000 gallons of which is held in stainless steel). The following posts will be tastings of the different wines experienced on the trip.