Friday, February 22, 2013

Tasting - "Morada Sangria"


  • Morada Sangria
  • Sangria
  • Spain
  • NV
  • $4.95
  • Wine critics say Morada Sangria is a traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts. This is a very refreshing Sangria with approximately 85 grams of sugar. Should be served well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit.
  • I found the aroma of this Sangria to be quite sweet and fruity. Once I tasted it, I was not pleased. The taste of fruit wasn't as strong as I thought it would be and it was overly sugary.
  • I did not taste with food.

Tasting - "Lost Vineyards"


  • Lost Vineyards
  • 60% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Argentina
  • NV
  • $3.95
  • Wine critics say Lost Vineyards is dry and contains subtle tobacco undertones with a black licorice, cherry, aroma and the oak is in the background. This would pair well with a hamburger or a steak, rather than by itself.
  • I didn't particularly care for this red wine. It was quite dry, and had a medium body with a little pepper.
  • I did not taste with food.

Tasting - " Villa Pozzi Nero d'Avola"


  • Villa Pozzi Nero d'Avola
  • Nero d'Avola
  • Sicily
  • Italy
  • 2010
  • $8.95
  • Wine critics say this Villa Pozzi Nero d'Avola is a very dark purple with a reddish-violet edge, which is common of this grape. Aromas of black plums, a hint of licorice and subtle spice, are appealing. A full taste of juicy black fruit is well structured by tart acidity and soft, yet distinct tannins.
  • I found this red wine to have a blackberry and plum nose, with a little spice on the taste.
  • I did not taste with food.

Tasting - "Tres Ojos Rose"


  • Tres Ojos Rose
  • 50 % Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha
  • Calatayud
  • Spain
  • 2009
  • $3.95
  • Wine critics say this medium rose-colored Tres Ojos Rose boasts a spicy red cherry/plum nose with a soft attack of red berry fruit flavors and a crisp, dry finish.
  • I found this rose to be quite tart, with strong flavors and aromas of cherry with hints of berry.
  • I did not taste with food.

Tasting - "Les Perles Piquepoul"


  • Les Perles Piquepoul
  • Piquepoul
  • Cotes de Thau
  • France
  • 2011
  • $7.95
  • Wine critics say this Les Perles Piquepoul is light and young, pairing well with grilled chicken and salads. Apple flesh, nectarine, and sweet citrus oil aromas and flavors appear on the nose and palate, with a short finish infused with a hint of green melon rind.
  • I found this wine to have a strong acidic nose with citrus and light fruit flavors on the palate.
  • I did not taste with food.


Saturday, February 16, 2013

Tasting - "Gabriella Chianti"


  • Gabriella Chianti
  • Sangiovese
  • Central Tuscany
  • Italy
  • 2008
  • $7.95
  • Wine critics found this Gabriella Chianti to have a deep red, almost purple color that you would classically find in a Chianti. The first thing you notice is the fruit, balanced by a little spice. It's a good dry wine with a bold flavor and the texture is velvety smooth.
  • I found this Chianti to be dramatic on the nose. The taste was dry with fruit notes, and it had a little bit of spice.
  • I did not taste with food.


Tasting - "Lavarini Valpolicella Classico"


  • Lavarini Valpolicella Classico
  • 65% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, 10% Molinara
  • Valpolicella (Northeastern Italy)
  • Italy
  • 2010
  • $6.95
  • Wine critics say this Lavarini Valpolicella Classico is ruby red and the dry taste gives this wine joviality and cordiality. The taste is fresh and fruity, with strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors. There is a nice spice and the texture is silky.
  • My palate found this wine to be dry, with fruit notes and a little spice.
  • I did not taste with food.


Tasting - "Domaine de Mirail"


  • Domaine de Mirail
  • 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot
  • Cotes de Gascogne
  • France
  • 2011
  • $5.95
  • Wine critics say Domaine de Mirail is a light rose with a fresh and crisp character. The acidity is balanced and it smoothes out the edges with a touch of caramel. This light rose blend goes best with hamburgers or pizza.
  • My nose and palate didn't find much going on with this light rose blend, besides a hint of strawberry and a little acidic.
  • I did not taste with food.


Tasting - "Norton Torrontes"


  • Norton Torrontes
  • Torrontes
  • Mendoz
  • Argentina
  • 2011
  • $5.95
  • Wine critics say this Norton Torrontes has strong aromas of white peach, rose petal, and jasmine and is well balanced on the palate. It goes best with Thai food or BBQ.
  • The nose on this Torrontes smelled of flowers and the taste was very subtle and mild.
  • I did not taste with food.


Tasting - "Dibon Cava"


  • Dibon Cava
  • 45% Macabeo, 30% Parellada, and 25% Xarel-lo
  • Cava
  • Spain
  • NV
  • $9.95
  • Wine critics say this Dibon Cava offers a regal yeast and richness on the nose, while the palate has the flavors of apple, citrus and grapefruit.
  • The aroma was very similar to champagne. During tasting, my palate noticed it had a sweet, acidic bite with citrus and apple flavors.
  • I did not try with food.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Tasting - "Opera Prima Pink Moscato"


  • Opera Prima Pink Moscato
  • Moscato
  • Vinos de la Tierra
  • Spain
  • NV
  • $5.95
  • Wine critics say this Opera Prima Pink Moscato has an intense aroma of fresh berries and tropical fruits with a hint of white flavor petals. The delicate bubbles caress the palate which offers a silky and pleasant sweetness well balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish.
  • My palate didn't care for this Moscato. It was too bubbly, with a very light flavor of fruit and a hint of berries. Also, it was not as sweet as I expected. 
  • I did not taste with food.

Tasting - "Black Opal Shiraz"


  • Black Opal Shiraz
  • Shiraz
  • South Eastern Australia
  • 2011
  • $5.95
  • Wine critics say this Black Opal Shiraz is rich red and lightly oaked with aromas of blackberry, pepper and spice followed by rich plum flavors rounding out the palate.
  • My palate found this Shiraz to be quite peppery with a main fruit flavor of blackberry.
  • I did not taste with food.

Tasting - "Sokol Blosser Meditrina"


  • Sokol Blosser Meditrina
  • 23% Pinot Noir, 52% Syrah, and 25% Zinfandel
  • Oregon
  • United States
  • NV
  • $7.95
  • Wine critics say this Sokol Blosser Meditrina is lush and velvety with some expressive notes of raspberry and cherry.
  • I found this wine to be very mild and a little earthy, with a delicious cherry aroma.
  • I did not taste with food.

Tasting - "Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon"


  • Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon
  • 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon
  • South Australia
  • Australia
  • 2008
  • $5.95
  • Wine critics say this Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon gives off a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas. Its medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity with lots of tropical fruit flavors and a medium to long finish.
  • My palate enjoyed the various fruit flavors this wine offered. It was hard to pinpoint every fruit but I could definitely taste melon.
  • I did not taste with food.

Tasting - "Beringer Riesling"


  • Beringer Riesling
  • Riesling
  • California
  • United States
  • 2009
  • $5.95
  • Wine critics say this Beringer Riesling is a great balance of honeysuckle and bright peach flavors.
  • My palate found this Riesling to be average, although the sweet taste of honeysuckle was enjoyable and very distinct. 
  • I did not taste with food.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Tasting - "Bartenura Moscato"


  • Bartenura Moscato
  • Moscato
  • Veneto
  • Italy
  • 2010
  • $4.95
  • Wine critics say Bartenura Moscato has inviting apricot, honey, butter, and roasted almond aromas. It's quite sweet, with stone fruit flavors and a little acidity.
  • My palate found this Moscato deliciously sweet. I immediately tasted the apricot and melon fruit notes with a hint of creamy butter.
  • I did not taste with food.

Tasting - "Finca del Castillo"


  • Finca del Castillo
  • Tempranillo
  • La Mancha
  • Spain
  • 2011
  • $4.95
  • Wine critics say Finca del Castillo has aromas that lean towards raisin. The palate is gritty and acidic, with raisin, cola, and spicy flavors. The finish is darker and peppery, with moderate juiciness and a final note of tomato.
  • I found this red to be quite acidic, but smooth, with strong notes of pepper and spices.
  • I did not taste with food. 

Tasting - "Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau"


  • Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 
  • Gamay
  • Beaujolais
  • France
  • 2012
  • $3.95
  • Wine critics say this Georges Duboeuf is bright and tangy, offering a banana note with flavors of raspberry, wild strawberry, and a little spice.
  • My palate found this wine confusing. I tasted banana as well as other fruit accents I could not specifically identify.
  • I did not taste with food.


Tasting - "Mars and Venus"


  • Mars and Venus
  • Chardonnay
  • Chile
  • Spain
  • 2011
  • $5.95
  • Wine critics say Mars and Venus is full of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple. Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white wine.
  • I found this to be a creamy, mild Chardonnay, with light fruit notes and a slight acidic finish.
  • I did not taste with food.

Tasting - "La Cappuccina Soave"


  • La Cappuccina Soave
  • Garganega
  • Veneto
  • Italy
  • 2011
  • $7.95
  • Wine critics say this La Cappuccina Soave is light on the nose, with notes of flowers and almonds. It is dry, well-structured and delicately fruity, with hints of bitter almonds on the finish.
  • My palate found this wine to be acidic and dry, with a citrus bite and the taste of almonds. 
  • I did not taste with food.