Fare Thee Well... For Now

As I write this, it is March 19th, and I have basically finished the Geography of Wine class. All my weekly wine blogs for the rest of the semester are in the can, and while still have half of the lectures to watch, I have done enough to secure an A, and will continue on merely because I enjoy the content. To celebrate, I am having a Korbel Brut Rosé California Champagne, a thing that doesn't actually exist given that it was not made in the Champagne region. A blend of many grapes, it brings about aromas of strawberry and other light fruits, and coalesces into a rich sparkle jamboree en la boca.

I have no need to publish this post, but I want to in order to discuss how much this class has impacted me. As I said in the beginning, my parents have always been big wine nuts, but I never really got into it. After just a couple months of blogging and learning, I'm obsessed. The wide variety of tastes, from the sugary sweet delights, to the tannic bombs I used to hate so much, all have garnered great appreciation in my heart. I have liked almost all the wine I have blogged about, with the exceptions of 19 Crimes and the Moscato. Though outside of those I did also have some orange wine that was not great to me, and do NOT get me started on the monstrosity known simply as JOSH! Thankfully, this "champagne" continues to hit the spot, with a crisp cherry flavor coming on to add more depth to it.

I have made so many memories in such a short time. Bonding with roommates and friends over glasses. Discovering the luxury that is sweet Riesling (probably still my favorite white wine, though the Torrontés might have something to say about that). Leaving a glass sitting out mid-tasting to informally decant it. Buying the wrong varietal not once, but TWICE. Drunkenly downing a $75 bottle of Cab Sauv during horror movie night. Reviewing Barefoot for the meme (Josh Cellars really did dodge a bullet). Having a transcendent experience when pairing Italian Wine with Italian Food (Sangiovese or Zinfandel is probably my favorite red right now). Reading the Zraly book over a couple of nights because I was just so enthralled. And of course who could forget the disastrous Wine & Cheese pairing night, saved only by the glory that is smoked Gouda! In fact, I bought some more, and it's just as delicious and tangy as ever. The "champagne" also adds a fruity creaminess to it that sends things over the top!

Yes, I didn't do every assignment for this class. I didn't have time to watch the films. I never submitted blogs for wine dinners or a winery visit, though I absolutely still plan to attend those with others in the class. I never even went to office hours or met Professor Boyer himself as of now! But the things I did do left an impact, and I am very grateful that this class exists. I also want to give a special shoutout to Vintage Cellar and the wonderful staff there! I attended a bunch of tasting and bought many bottle there, with everyone being super excited and helpful throughout. For my de facto first wine community, I could not have asked for a better group of people. With that said, I think it's high time I finish this "champagne" before it gets cold. Cheers!