Tasting - Gabriella Chianti

Name - Gabriella Chianti
Variety - San Giovese
Region - Tuscany - Florence
Country - Italy
Year - 2008
Price - $7.95

Shop review - This beautiful wine has the very deep red, almost purple, color that you would expect in a Chianti. The first thing you notice is the fruit is balanced by a bit of spice. It's a good dry wine with a bold flavor. Even with it's boldness this Chianti is velvety smooth.

My Review - This Chianti did not a very strong scent to it and smelled colorful. The taste of the wine was very light, it did not pack as much flavor as I would have anticipated for a Chianti. The wine was a bit underwhelming but perhaps that was due to tasting the Lavarini Valpolicella Classico right beforehand. The texture of this wine seemed a bit think, definitely more density than water. I did not really enjoy this wine because it tasted a bit green, like it was plucked off the vine before the grapes were ready.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

Name - Lavarini Valpolicella Clasico
Variety - 65% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella and 10% Molinara.
Region - Verona
Country - Italy
Year - 2010
Price - $6.95

Shop review - 65% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella and 10% Molinara. The red ruby color and the dry taste give this wine joviality and cordiality. It is fresh and fruity, with lovely strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors, with nice spice and a silky texture.

My Review - This wine has a fruity berry scent with some spice to it as well. The taste of the wine was very roasted and smokey. Not an overwhelming red wine, almost muted in its flavor.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Dom de Mirail Cabernet / Merlot Rose

Name - Dom de Mirail Cabernet / Merlot Rose
Variety - Cabernet Sauvignon + Merlot
Region - Cotes de Gascogne
Country - France
Year - 2011
Price - $5.95

Shop review - There is a fresh, crisp character to this light rose. It is eye-watering in its refreshing character, with balancing acidity, smoothing out the edges with a touch of caramel.

My Review - The wine had a fruity scent and also acidic. The wine tasted very tangy and acidic. The wine had a sweet and buttery finish.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Norton Torrontes

Name - Norton Torrontes
Variety - Torrontes
Region - Mendoz
Country - Argentina
Year - 2011
Price - $5.95

Shop review - Greenish yellow with hints of gold, this Torrontes has intense aromas of white peach, rose petal, and jasmine. Norton Torrontes 2011 is pleasant and well balanced on the palate.

My Review - The Torrontes wine smelled a bit of cheese. It had a white/yellow coloring to it. The wine has a tingly and floral taste to it. It was very light but delightful at the same time. I purchased this wine to have on hand for my next dinner party.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Dibon Cava

Name - Dibon Cava
Variety - Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo
Region - Barcelona
Country - Spain
Year - NV
Price - $9.95

Shop review - The nose offers regal yeast and richness, while the palate has complexity to prop up apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors. Solid from front to back, with health and freshness.

My Review - The Dibon Cava was bubbly and effervescent. The sparkling wine smelled almost like Chardonnay. The wine has dry and crisp. It reminded me of Champagne and had light almost fruity taste.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Name - Opera Prima Pink Moscato
Variety - 97% Moscat, 3% Tupernic
Region - La Mancha
Country - Spain
Year - NV
Price - $5.95

Shop review - This fine sparkling presents and intense aroma of fresh berries and tropical fruits with hints of white flavor petals. Delicate bubbles caress the palate offering a silky and pleasant sweetness well balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish. Ideal on its own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts.

My Review - The Moscato was bubbly, almost effervescent with a pink color. The wine smells like perfume, almost flowery. It even tasted like flowers. It was very light with a quick, sweet flavor. There was a slight tingle in the back of the mouth.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Black Opal Shiraz

Name - Black Opal Shiraz
Variety - 100% Shiraz
Region - South Eastern Australia
Country - Australia
Year - 2011
Price - $5.95

Shop review - Black Opal wines are sourced from vineyards found in South Australia along the Limestone Coast, at Langhorne Creek and in the infamous Barossa Valley. Black Opal Shiraz is rich red in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, pepper and spice followed with rich plum flavors round out the palate. Soft tannins give structure to the fruit-driven palate.

My Review - The Shiraz smelled oddly of pepper and also had spice. The Shiraz had a great finish, the red taste was not overwhelming. The wine tasted fruity with pepper and berry. I thought it had a great level of sweetness but also some spice. I enjoyed it so much that I purchased a bottle for myself. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Taste - Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Name - Sokol Blosser Meditrina
Variety - 28% Pinot Noir, 50% Syrah, 22% Zinfadel
Region - Oregon
Country - United States of America
Year - NV
Price - $7.95

Shop review - It created from the finest Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel. The taste is lush and velvety with expressive notes of raspberry and cherry. It pairs nicely with pasta and anything off the grill.

My Review - The Sokol had a strong scent of berry with some nutty flavors and almost smelled a but musty or aged. The taste was fairly light, with tastes of cranberry. There was not much body, almost like drinking water with a coating of the tongue. There is a slight spice in the back of the throat.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Beringer Riesling

Name - Beringer Riesling
Variety - 100% Riesling
Region - California
Country - United States of America
Year - 2009
Price - $5.95

Shop review - This wine is the perfect balance of honeysuckle and bright peach flavors. A perfect compliment to light fare, appetizers, or just sharing with friends.

My Review - The scent of the wine was very light with hints of fruity and sweet. I thought this wine was very delicious. It had a quick sweet taste, it was fairly faded almost like it was watered down. But I still thought it tasted good.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon

Name - Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay / Semillon
Variety - 80% Chardonnay + 20% Semillon
Region - South Australia
Country - Australia
Year - 2008
Price - $5.95

Shop review - Gotham's 2008 Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish.

My Review - The wine men was hard to tell what the scent was, it mainly tasted like "Chardonnay" which to me is a distinct flavor. IT was a bit acidic. The wine has a bit of a buttery taste with fruit tones. Very smooth sip. While I thought the wine was decent the aftertaste definitely lingered and was good. Overall it was a very sweet wine but not overbearing.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Bartenura Moscato

Name - Bartenura Moscato
Variety - Muscat Blanc
Region - Piedmont
Country - Italy
Year - 2010
Price - $4.95

Shop review - The inviting apricot preserves, honey, butter, and roasted almond aromas of this semi-sparkler pull you right in. It's on the sweet side, with stone-fruit flavors kept alive by decent acidity. The palate bubbles and tingles and maintains its balance. Fine as an apertif or with dessert.

My Review - This wine was slightly effervescent upon inspection in the glass. The wine had a very sweet scent. However, the Moscato smelled sweeter than it tasted on the tongue. Overall it was a very sweet wine but not overbearing. There was also no kick or aftertaste, no lingering of alcohol flavor.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Finca del Castillo Tempranillo

Name - Finca del Castillo Tempranillo
Variety - 100% Tempranillo
Region - La Mancha
Country - Spain
Year - 2011
Price - $4.95

Shop review - Rooty, spicy and baked on the nose, with aromas that lean towards raisin. The palate is more gritty and acidic, with raisin, cola, and spicy flavors. Darkens up on the finish, which is long and peppery, with adequate juiciness and final note of tomato.

My Review - The color of this wine is deep red, classic red wine color, darker than the Gamay last tasted. The wine had an awkward fruity scent, not typical berry but more tomato like. The tasting was hard to pin down at first I thought it was rusty, or charred but settled on smokey with a light lingering flavor.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name - Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Variety - Gamay
Region - Burgandy
Country - France
Year - 2012
Price - $3.95

Shop review - Bright and tangy, offering a classic banana note on the nose, with flavors of raspberry, wild strawberry and light spice. Modest finish.

My Review - The color of this wine is berry red. The wine had a sweet scent, definitely fruity perhaps some hint of banana. This wine had a great mid-pallet and a light taste for a red. It was not very strong. (Perhaps that relates to how young it is?)

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Name - Mars and Venus Chardonnay
Variety - Chardonnay
Region - Central Valley
Country - Chile (says Spain on the Vintage Cellar's tasting notes)
Year - 2011
Price - $5.95

Shop review - A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag. No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple. Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping.

My Review - The color of this wine was almost white. The wine had a fairly strong scent, smelled like a "Chardonnay" to me. The taste was a bit acidic as well as buttery. I am not generally a huge fan of Chardonnays so this wine did not particularly appeal to me.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - La Cappuccina Soave

Name - La Cappuccina Soave
Variety - 100%Garganega
Region - Veneto
Country - Italy
Year - 2011
Price - $7.95

Shop review - Bright straw yellow in color. Delicate on the nose, with notes of flowers and almonds. Dry, well-structured and delicately fruity, with hints of bitter almonds on the finish that is typical of Garganega-based wines

My Review - The color of this wine was extremely pale, almost white. The wine was sweet smelling, but very light. The scent was not very strong at all. The flavors of the wine were delicate, not a very full bodied wine.

I tasted this on its own with no food.