Ironstone Vineyards 11/10/23 Ironstone Vineyards 11/10/23

A Beginner's Guide to Wine Tasting: Unveiling the Secrets of the Grape

Welcome to the enchanting world of wine tasting, where every swirl, sniff, and sip opens up a universe of flavors and aromas. Whether you're a novice or just looking to enhance your appreciation for the nectar of the vine, this beginner's guide is your passport to the art of savoring every drop. Join us as we demystify the process, empowering you to embark on a sensory journey through the vast landscape of wines.

Understanding the Basics: Setting the Stage

The Right Glass: The journey begins with the vessel - your wine glass. Believe it or not, the shape and size of the glass can significantly influence your tasting experience. Opt for a glass with a tulip-shaped bowl for red wines and a narrower, more upright glass for whites. This simple choice enhances the aromas and allows you to fully appreciate the character of the wine.

Decoding Tasting Notes: The Language of Wine

Swirling: Before you dive into the first sip, give your wine a gentle swirl. This isn't just for show—it helps release the aromas. Observe the way the wine coats the glass ("legs")—an indicator of alcohol content.

Sniffing: Bring your nose to the glass and take in the bouquet. What scents do you detect? Fruits, flowers, or perhaps a hint of spice? Trust your senses and let your imagination roam.

Sipping: Now, the moment of truth. Take a small sip and let the wine linger on your palate. Note the initial flavors, any complexities that emerge, and the texture of the wine. Is it smooth, crisp, or bold?

Pairing Wine with Complementary Foods: A Culinary Symphony

Wine and food are dance partners, and the right pairing can elevate both. Experiment with contrasting or complementary flavors. For example, a buttery Chardonnay complements creamy cheeses, while a robust Cabernet Sauvignon can stand up to a juicy steak.

Developing a Refined Palate: Cultivating Your Tasting Skills

Experimentation: Try wines from different regions and varietals. Note the differences and find what resonates with your palate. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

Take Notes: Keep a wine journal. Document the wines you try, your observations, and what you enjoyed. Over time, you'll create a personalized guide to your preferences.

Toasting to Your Wine Journey

Congratulations! You've just embarked on your wine-tasting adventure. Whether you're sipping a velvety Merlot or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, remember that wine is an art to be savored. Embrace the nuances, enjoy the discoveries, and let each glass be a celebration of your evolving palate. Cheers to the world of wine, where every bottle tells a story waiting to be explored!

Ironstone Vineyards 5/1/23 Ironstone Vineyards 5/1/23

How to host a blind tasting

Are you looking for a fun way to spice up your next wine tasting party? Why not try hosting a blind tasting? Blind tastings are a great way to challenge your palate and test your wine knowledge, while also adding an element of mystery and surprise to your event.

Here's how to host a blind tasting:

Step 1: Choose your wines

Select a variety of wines from different regions and grape varieties. Make sure to keep the bottles hidden from your guests, so they can't see the labels.

Step 2: Cover the bottles

Use brown paper bags or aluminum foil to cover the bottles and label them with numbers. This will ensure that your guests don't know which wine they are tasting until the end of the night.

Step 3: Set up the tasting station

Set up a table with glasses and water for rinsing between tastings. You can also provide some crackers or bread to help cleanse the palate.

Step 4: Begin the tasting

Have your guests taste each wine and write down their notes on a sheet of paper. Encourage them to describe the wine's appearance, aroma, and taste. After everyone has tasted all the wines, reveal the labels and discuss the differences between each wine.

Step 5: Declare a winner

After discussing the wines, you can declare a winner based on which wine received the most votes or had the most positive comments.

Blind tastings are a fun and interactive way to explore different wines and challenge your palate. So gather your friends, uncork some bottles, and see who can guess the wines correctly.

Happy tasting!

Ironstone Vineyards 4/6/23 Ironstone Vineyards 4/6/23

Spring Wine Guide

Spring has sprung and it's time to celebrate with Obsession Wines! Our bold and expressive blends are the perfect way to welcome the new season, and we've got some exciting wines that you won't want to miss.

First up, our Obsession Rosé is the ultimate springtime sipper. This dry and refreshing wine is bursting with notes of strawberry, watermelon, and citrus, making it the perfect pairing for a sunny afternoon picnic or a rooftop brunch with friends. And with its beautiful pale pink color, it's sure to impress on any Instagram feed.

If you're in the mood for something a little more exotic, our Obsession Symphony wine is the perfect choice. This unique blend of Muscat of Alexandria and Grenache Gris is bursting with flavors of white peach, honeydew, lychee and a hint of ginger and almond on the finish. It's the perfect wine to pair with spicy Thai food or as an aperitif.

For those who prefer red wines, our Obsession Red Blend is the way to go. This rich and complex wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, and Petite Sirah, with flavors of black cherry, chocolate, and plum. It's a wine that pairs perfectly with grilled meats and hearty pasta dishes, but is also smooth enough to be enjoyed on its own.

No matter what your springtime plans entail, Obsession Wines has the perfect wine for any occasion. So go ahead, grab a bottle (or two!) of our Rosé, Symphony, or Red Blend and raise a glass to the new season. Cheers!

Ironstone Vineyards 11/21/22 Ironstone Vineyards 11/21/22

A minimalists guide to Friendsgiving with Obsession Wines

How to throw a memorable Friendsgiving without breaking the bank—

When hosting a Friendsgiving keep it simple! There is no need to do a whole Thanksgiving feast twice. Usually, there is more than enough leftovers from the big day that your guests will appreciate switching things up, so we recommend skipping the traditional Thanksgiving dishes and opting for simplicity. Keep the snacks, fun and wine flowing and your guests will be happy! You can still keep on theme with your fall forward appetizer choices. Think cranberry and baked brie, bacon wrapped dates, and a hearty charcuterie meat and cheese platter. These appetizers are simple to make, look stunning, and are all delicious, ESPECIALLY when paired with Obsession Wines! Grab a few cute neutral colored plates and napkins, pull out your wine glasses and set your table. A simple homemade garland with eucalyptus from your local grocery store is a great way to have a beautiful centerpiece that won’t break the bank and also is easy to place your food around. Add some mini white pumpkins and you’re done! Grab the board games and eat, drink and most importantly enjoy the company of your chosen family! Cheers!

Ironstone Vineyards 10/3/22 Ironstone Vineyards 10/3/22

Versatility and Sustainability— Find Both with Obsession Wines

Are you fancying sustainably produced, moderate alcohol wines that are seriously fun, and won’t break the bank? What about wines that are perfect for at home sipping with your crew or pairing with take-out?

Obsession Wines from Ironstone Vineyards checks all the boxes and more!

Ironstone is a multi-generational farming family with deep roots in the Lodi and Sierra Foothills wine regions that date back to 1948.

After decades of farming and selling premium-fruit to others, the Kautz family decided to make wine themselves in 1988. Because they are a fourth-generation family-owned and operated business they’ve always farmed with long-term sustainability in mind. They are Certified California Sustainable Winegrower. That includes practices such as reducing water use, building healthy soil and improving neighboring wildlife habitat.

There are three classic wines in the Obsession Wines range:

The Obsession Symphony is 100% from the Symphony grape variety, which is a crossing of Grenache Gris and Muscat of Alexandria developed at UC Davis. Very Exuberant aromas of white flower, honeysuckle, peach, just ripe pineapple, melon and citrus aromas leap from the glass, with bountiful and juicy fresh fruit flavors of peach, pineapple, lychee, melon, pink grapefruit with hints of pickled ginger and honey with a satisfying finish.

The Obsession Rosé is an alluring blend of Pinot Grigio, Zinfandel Rosé, and Viognier. It is a pretty, pale pink color with inviting strawberry, raspberry, white peach, citrus zest and floral aromas with refreshing fresh, ripe wild strawberry, raspberry, just ripe watermelon, white peach, and Mandarin orange zest flavors

The Obsession Red Blend is a charming blend of Merlot, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah from estate vineyards in Lodi and Sierra Foothills offers bold and refreshing blueberry, plum, black cherry, chocolate, vanilla, baking spice and a hint of white pepper aromas and flavors with a spicy finish. Pair with your next order of In-N-Out!

The wines are all priced at $14 And if you’re looking for a great alternative for on-the-going sipping for your next outdoor adventure, party or concert all three wines are available in eco-friendly and portable aluminum cans that are the equivalent of one-half a bottle of wine.