Disclaimer: Don’t drink if you’re under 21, don’t buy alcohol for minors and always drink responsibly.
This week’s wine was voted number one amongst Total Wine & More “Top 20 Wines of 2023!”
California is known for its Pinot Noir wines and for good reason. Pinot Noir wines have slightly different characteristics depending on the country they were grown in; in California, it traditionally has a more aromatic flavor, with a lower alcohol percentage, but it can also range to richer in taste with a heavier oak character and dark fruits.
Caliveda is more on the softer and sweeter side, without feeling overly sweet. Its flavor is light with hints of vanilla, subtle notes of black cherry for a small kick and dark berries. The aroma has a more refined sense of oak without it becoming overpowering, but also notes of blackberry and dark cherries.
This wine can be bought at Total Wine & More in Sand City for just $14.99, which is a good price given the quality.
Caliveda wine isn’t very sweet and pairs well with rich deep-flavored chocolate. Because of this, it might be a good wine to start with if you have not liked the wine you have tried in the past. There is a bit of science behind this which I will try to explain in simple terms.
Young adults who are just starting to drink often choose sweet and fruity drinks or cocktails. If they do choose liquor it is often with a mix of soda that totally overpowers any and all tastes of liquor. It doesn’t have to be this way.
A taste that is easy to like, sweet and fruity, does not equal a wine with a high sugar content. Instead, you should opt for a wine created on ripe and quality grapes. It is a common misconception amongst older generations that the lack of sugar in a wine equals a bitter and almost sluggish taste or feel. This is why it’s so important to look for wines made from quality grapes, (like a good Pinot Noir) because it has allowed the grape to become just ripe enough to give that soft, yet fuller, taste of a wine.
Experts say that people who are new to wine struggle to put a name on what they taste and smell of a wine. Commonly it is vanilla, but since we are surrounded by it daily, we become almost numb to the smell of it. If a wine has been stored in an oak barrel it gives notes of vanilla, toast and spices.
Another trick to make you better at finding something suited for your taste is to look for the acidity, or tannins, of a wine. In your early to mid-20s, high tannins might feel like an attack on your mouth because of its dryness. Don’t fear – this tolerance increases with age.
Therefore, dear 21-year-olds, Caliveda might be the wine for you to start easing your way into the adult drinks world. Now it might require a bit of trial and error, but with these few tips and tricks, you will make it!