One New Year’s Wine Resolution is complete! Perhaps not that interesting to blog about though, so this will be kept short. I was able to install a new control board on my wine fridge successfully today. Thanks to my dad for the quick lesson in soldering. We’re on our way back to 55 degrees.

Ever had that grape before? It was new to me as well. A Christmas gift from Kelli, it was given in a pair of bottles that contained more obscure grape varietals (more on the second wine another day). We gave this one a test run last week. Before I get to the tasting, let me say how fun it was to try something new. Go do this! Now. Well, finish reading first.

Along with the wines, we also had simple tasting forms, written to be more relaxed than serious, which brought about a much better tasting atmosphere. This form had seven categories to rank - label, color, clarity, nose, body, flavor and finish - each to be ranked 1 through 5. A perfect wine could then achieve a score of 35. Remember that New Year’s resolution I have to hold a wine tasting? I think these forms will help bring that together.

To cut to the chase, Kelli ranked the wine a 26/35 and I gave it a 24/35 (a little too bitter on the finish for me). Giving this a 100 point scale rank, I’m calling it an 83. Pretty good for a new wine with nothing else to compare to! I felt it was a little grapey, but this made for some easy drinking. Think dark wine here. And I mean DARK. Ink black. Your teeth will prove it to you after a few sips. For this reason, I’d say match it with any red meat, lamb, or anything with a heavy sauce. Along with an easily manageable price ($15), it’s most certainly a wine to try.

So now, go! Try out a Bonarda. The full details on the bottle I had are below. And if you can’t find one, hunt down any new varietal that you’ve never heard of before. Make a store owner’s day. If you ask them for a recommendation, I promise you’ll put a smile on their face and get a great story to go with it.

2007 Proviva S.R.L. Cueva de Las Manos, Bonarda $15. 83 points.

I’ve recently been following Gary Vaynerchuk’s writings (see previous post) and video blogs, which have inspired me to “expand my palate” in the same fashion as he once did. That is to say, when wines are described as tasting like minerals, grass, leather or even tobacco, I will not only smell but taste these items, all to expand my palate. Come on, who really know what cassis tastes or smells like? I for one do not. There will, of course, be more appealing items such as berries that will make this more enjoyable. I hope that this will not only help to expand my palate, but to provide you all an entertaining read from time to time. As I periodically taste these items, I will post my experiences- hopefully with photos or videos - intermixed with regular posts for you all to enjoy. It’s going to be an adventure! Mr. Vaynerchuk would be proud.