Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Pu-erh
Where to Buy: Vintage TeaWorks
Tea Description:
Inspired by Cabernet Sauvignon, we blended natural ingredients to create a Pu-erh tea blend that is full-bodied, dark and decadent with hints of black cherry, clove, vanilla and spice. Like Cabernet, Pu-erh is one of the few teas in the world that ages well.
Learn more about this Wine Inspired Tea here.
Taster’s Review:
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m just a little hesitant when it comes to Pu-erh. I’m getting better, certainly, but, the hesitation is still there. Even after I’ve brewed the tea, and it’s in my cup sitting in front of me, there’s hesitation to lift the cup to my lips and sip.
But, I’m hoping that this experience will change all that, because this is WONDERFUL! It is deliciously full-flavored, with notes of warm cinnamon and clove, soft vanilla, sweet cherry and even a hint of cocoa in the background. It’s so incredible!
Yes, that earthiness from the Pu-erh is there, but it exists mostly in the aroma and not so much in the flavor. I think that with the flavor, it sort of melds with the earthiness of the spices and cocoa notes, so, it is not at all peat-y tasting. Instead … it tastes smooth and well-rounded and oh-so-pleasant. I’m betting even someone who has sworn themselves off of Pu-erh would enjoy this one!
It has a mellowness to it, and it’s remarkably smooth … much smoother than most wines I’ve tasted (I’ll admit that I’ve not tasted any recently though!) It is free of bitterness, and there is very little astringency. It is smooth from beginning to end, and it is nicely round.
Pink Sonoma from Element Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Element Tea
Company Description:
Enjoy this wine-inspired tea anytime of day! With rose petals and jasmine flowers, this delicate White tea brews a silky, smooth, and very pleasant cup.
Ingredients: White Tea, Rose Petals, Jasmine Flowers, Cabernet Flavoring
Taster’s Review:
Ah! This is nice! The flavor is so light and crisp. Each ingredient is quite soft in this blend, but each has its place and no one ingredient overpowers the others. Together the soft flavors of the ingredients deliver a very flavorful sip without becoming overbearing.
The white tea base is delicate but manages to make its presence known upon the palate amid these other flavors. It tastes fresh and sweet.
The floral additions to this blend are quite nice. I like how they compliment the Cabernet flavor. They impart their distinctive flavor in the blend and enhance the overall flavor of the cup.
The wine flavor offers a fruity flavor – I taste grapes and black currants – and a slight tannic effect. That is not to say that this cup is overly astringent, because it isn’t. However, there is a drying sensation in the finish that is very similar to a fine dry wine.
I really enjoyed this cup. It is very light (and brews to a beautiful pale yellow color that is very similar to a white wine) and refreshing. It is delicious served hot or iced, and really doesn’t require any sweetening unless you like your tea on the sweet side. I found it to be pleasantly sweet without anything added.
Assam Jungle Cabernet from Red Leaf Tea
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Product Description:
Wine Infused Tea***
The Assam region of India is well known for its strong, malty black teas and pungent green teas. To the powerful briskness of these teas we have added the sweet and vivid flavor of a bright cabernet wine. Heavily infused prior to drying, the full-bodied cabernet pervades the deep and dark Assam herbs, brightening a black tea that famously stimulates your afternoons!
Ingredients: Assam black tea, licorice root with cinnamon and cabernet flavoring
Tasters Review:
My mother and I used to sell candles in addition to our full-time “day” jobs. One of our best sellers was CABERNET. Yes, Cabernet – the wine! When I saw this wine infused tea from Red Leaf Tea I was very eager to try it!
If you are a Cabernet fan I don’t think there would be any guessing that this is EXACTLY what this tea smells like prior to infusion! The Grape-Cabernet sweetness really comes thru in the bold aroma of this Assam Jungle Cabernet!
Once the infusion is complete I could smell more of the black tea AND the Cabernet smell with undertones of cinnamon…but not a fireball-candy type cinnamon…more like an Indian Spice – the type like in a traditional Indian Meal/Side Dish. I think the licorice tones down the fruitiness of the Cabernet…but not all that much. It’s dark brown in color and the taste is MUCH different that I expected based on the outstanding aroma. The black tea – Assam – pulls thru and is flavorful BUT bold and the Cabernet taste seems to be too.
I have found I really like wine infused teas. I have mostly tasted white teas that have been infused with wine. I think this is my first black tea that has been infused with wine, tho…and I like it very much!
