Tasting
There’s something I find particularly delightful about running tastings. Either blind taste tests, in which the goal is to identify the differences between foods and perhaps a personally preferred form of something, and also more general tastings where we’re exploring the realm of taste.
This page is a record of the tastings I’ve been doing.
head-to-head: Jalapeno Potato Chips
The only thing I remember from this tasting is that Tim’s Jalapeno chips was the best by far.
head-to-head: Vegan Cream Cheese
This one was conducted months ago, but the conclusions were, in broad strokes:
- Violife (tasted extremely cheesy, it’s wild. I’m not even vegan and I’m not sure I could tell the difference.)
- Nuurish (contains non-animal whey, so not suitable for folks with dairy allergies.)
- Kite Hill (potentially a lower-than-typical rating, as the samples had been in my fridge for a bit before the others.)
- Tofutti (a powerfully beany undertone that is surprisingly difficult to hide with other flavors.)
- Miyoko’s (a weirdly strong vinegar taste, and an odd color and texture places this solidly in last place.)
general records of wine
red
- 2020 La Quercia Montepulciano D’Abruzzo
- really tasty, a great wine to pair with food. Relatively mild, lots of fruit notes, medium body, not too tannic.
- I think a great beginner wine, but still satisfying.
- West Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Bushwood Estates
- fruit forward, somewhat spicy, also good with food.
- not sure which year.
- started me on my Cabernet Sauvignon kick.
- 2022 Caves Vidigal Vinho Regional Lisboa Porta 6
- really excellent. Don’t remember too many notes, but certainly some spice and fruit.
- this is a pretty affordable bottle at Trader Joe’s, which is awesome.
- Post House Road 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
- mild, approachable, jammy. Lots of stone fruit. Not a ton else, but a very serviceable wine for general audiences.
- Clos de Mendoza 2020 Malbec
- delicious! Maybe my favorite yet?
- fruity, spicy, pleasant and approachable. A great table wine.
white