Name: Morada Sangria
Variety: Red wine (with citrus extracts!)
Region: Did not Specify
Country: Spain
Year: Did not specify
Price: $5/Liter
Winery review: A traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts. Garnet color and fresh on the palate. Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana or apple.
My review: I had never heard of Sangria prior to this tasting and was excited to see what this had to offer. Big time orange nose that reminded me of the Hi-C I would drink as a small kid. This followed with orange and peach, and other citrus flavors on my palate that I enjoyed. I would not have guessed that this was an alcoholic beverage; it was sweet and delicious.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Cortenova Primitivo
Variety: Primitivo
Region: Did not Specify
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $8
Winery review: Dark, ruby-red color with violet highlights. Intense and fragrant bouquet with a rich array of red and black fruit aromas and flavors. Harmonious and velvety on the palate. Great balance and structure. Excellent with grilled or roasted meats, game and cheeses.
My review: This wine had a dark red hue and a spicy nose with hints of dark berry. Big smoke and tannins hit my palate as I tasted, but I enjoyed them along with the slight blackberry and cherry flavors encountered. This wine did seem to dry my mouth out though and definitively needs food to be paired with it.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Canyon Road Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $7
Winery review: This Pinot Noir expresses tantalizing flavors of ripe cherry and wild raspberry, and finishes with brown, vanilla spices and a smooth finish.
My review: This is a lighter red wine with aromas of red berry. There are hints of blackberry and cherry in this wine, with soft tannins and a smooth finish. Nothing painful about this pinot but I was not going crazy over it.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Oak Vineyards Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $6
Winery review: This light straw-colored Oak Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay expresses smokey aromatics with nuances of apple and lemon zest that continue onto the palate where they flourish into citrus, orange blossom, and smoked oak flavors until meeting a crisp, medium finish.
My review: I picked up on a pineapple and apple nose that was followed with fruity, apple flavors with a slight oak background. There was no "oak monster" here; this was a well balanced wine that I really enjoyed. I did not pick up any of the orange, citrus notes as I tasted like the review said, but everyone's palate is different I guess.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Poysdorfer Saurussel Gruner Veltliner
Variety: Gruner Veltliner
Region: Did not specify
Country: Austria
Year: 2010
Price: $8
Winery review: Crisp lime flavors, white pepper and lentils, followed by a mouthful of mineral notes and gooseberry. A long lingering finish. A great accompaniment to any Asian or fresh seafood dishes.
My review: Citrus nose with citrus flavors of melon more than lime. This was a crisp, dry wine that was smooth with hints of minerality on the finish.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Opera Prima Sweet White
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Did not specify
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $6
Winery review: Flowery and sweet smelling, then round and fairly smooth in the mouth. The flavor package of tropical fruits galore is pleasant and shouldn’t offend anyone. Finishes clean and easy. A mango boat of flavor.
My review: Sweet tones of citrus and apple on the nose. I am convinced all of these sweet wines I taste are the same, but they are all damn good. I really liked the sweetness of this wine as the citrusy, appley flavors consumed me. However, I was not blown out of the water by this.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Senda 66 Tempranillo
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Did not specify
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $9
Winery review: 90 Points, Robert Parker. “The 2008 Senda 66 spent 8 months in new French oak. Purple/black in color, it sports a fragrant nose of spice box, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry. Smooth-textured, layered, and remarkably rich on the palate for its humble price, this lengthy effort will drink nicely over the next 5-6 years.”
My review: Earlier, I had my first Carmenere. Now, I have my first Tempranillo. I picked up aromas of the dark berry I always get when tasting red wines, and was eager to taste. I was surprised at how much lighter the tannin structure and flavors were when I tasted this dark red wine. I got cherry with hints of oak in the background. I enjoyed this wine, and I'll look out for this varietal as I continue to expand my palate.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Sierra Cruz Carmenere
Variety: Carmenere
Region: Did not specify
Country: Chile
Year: 2009
Price: $7
Winery review: As a member of the cabernet sauvignon family, carmenere (pronounced car-men-yare) originated in Bordeaux as one of the grapes permitted for use in the red blends of that storied region. Chilean winemakers have embraced it and several wineries in that country produce it as a single varietal. The ’09 Sierra Cruz is a very pleasant, soft, mediumbodied wine that has fresh cabernet-like aromas and flavors of spice, dark fruit and black pepper. It is a great value and also would be a nice match with marinated and grilled skirt or flank steak.
My review: This was my first Carmenere tasting ever, and it was quite similar to Cab Sauv. Lost of earth on the nose; reminded me of walking through the woods. The spice comes through in the tasting, which I enjoyed, and the tannins are subtle. I was pleasantly surprised. This was the first wine I somewhat enjoyed at the tasting this week.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Lost Vineyards Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Did not specify
Country: Argentina
Year: Did not specify
Price: $4
Winery review: Pale golden color. Perfumed peach, pineapple, and nougat aromas. Round and soft with a fruity-yet-dry medium body. Tangy apple skin and lemon zest notes lift the fruit nicely on the finish.
My review: This Argentinian wine did not do it for me at all. Faint nose of apple, but something seemed off about it... like there was a faint hint of cleaner added during bottling. I really did not enjoy the heat that came through with this wine, which overpowered the "apple skin" flavors that I was looking for. Not worth 4 dollars. Maybe not worth 2.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Sierra Cruz Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Did not specify
Country: Chile
Year: 2011
Price: $7
Winery review: This Chilean Sauvignon Blanc just oozes with bright citrus flavors and a nose of herbs and grass. Stylistically, it is a cross between the herbal, grassy wines so prevalent in Sonoma County and the riper, more fruit forward products of New Zealand. Match it with pasta sauced with arugula, pine nuts, mushrooms and parmesan.
My review: Aromas of apple and vegetation, reminding me of my grandparent's apple tree, which was cool. Also citrus hints as well. Tasting revealed the citrus and apple flavors, which I expected from this somewhat acidic wine. Not my favorite thing I have tasted, but that happens sometimes.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Cantina di Casteggio Moscato di Pavia
Variety: Moscato
Region: Lombardy
Country: Italy
Year: Did not specify
Price: $8
Winery review: Bright, light golden color. Very aromatic nose of ripe apricots, sage, honey and a slight minerality. Medium bodied, sweet and fruity with flavors of apricots and tangerine. Well balanced acidity and medium finish with layers of sweet and citrus fruit.
My review: Very light pink color in this wine with a nose of mango and apricot. Typically these sweet wines hit you with a great rush of citrus as you taste. This was no exception; delicious citrus flavor was present during the tasting with good sweet apple and mango flavors present. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet dessert wine.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Montebuena Rioja Crianza
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Did not Specify (La Rioja?)
Country: Spain
Year: 2007
Price: $7
Winery review: 100% Tempranillo. Dark red. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with hints of cracked pepper and dried rose. Crisp and dry on the palate, with spicy redcurrant and cherry flavors, light tannins and a fresh, energetic finish. An excellent value, and surprisingly elegant for this price point.
My review: I really enjoyed the deep purple/red colors of the wine. It presented lots of spice on the nose with cherry background. Also present were some earth tones, something along the lines of soil or dirt. Powerful spice was presented on the palate during the tasting with strong tannins, which I did not mind all that much. Definitively a food wine, though.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Varas Vinho Tinto
Variety: Castelão (45%), Tinta Roriz (25%), Tinta Barroca (20%) and Pinot Noir (10%)
Region: Did not Specify
Country: Portugal
Year: Did not specify.
Price: Box wine; $22/box ($5.50/bottle)
Winery review: This smooth Portuguese red is a blend of Castelão (45%), Tinta Roriz (25%), Tinta Barroca (20%) and Pinot Noir (10%). The vineyards are located near Lisbon, planted in sunny gentle slopes of clay and limestone soils. The wine was aged in oak barrels.
My review: The nose of this wine presented typical dark berry/cherry tones along with spice. What surprised me was the flavors of this wine; I truly did not expect much before tasting, if only because my previous box wine experience was not great. Lots of cherry and blackberry flavors and the oak revealed itself (not to my dismay as it sometimes does). The tannin structure was not overbearing and I truly enjoyed this smooth blend. The box I picked up before leaving should satiate my red wine craving for quite a while.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Oveja Negra Syrah-Cab Rosé Reserva
Variety: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Did not Specify
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: $7
Winery review: Oveja Negra Reserva Rosé is bright cherry-red in color and has an attractive nose with aromas of raspberries and strawberries as well as plum and a bit of green apple. Crisp and juicy on the palate with a slight sweetness that accompanies the red fruit flavors. Pleasing natural acidity with medium-high intensity, nice persistence, and a fresh finish.
My review: Really picked up on the advertised strawberry nose, along with a floral background. This followed with flavors of a tart green apple and strawberry. I was surprised at the sweetness in this wine, if only because most rose wines I have had were generally dryer and more tart. I really appreciated the flavors introduced in this wine.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: gPG Garganega Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Delle Venezie
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $9
Winery review: gPG is from the delle Venezie regions of northeastern Italy. A clean and crisp palate with plenty of texture and weight follows aromas of apples and zesty lemons. It's perfect with grilled white fish or light risotto.
My review: Nose reminded me of watered down apple juice, which I appreciated. Tasting resulted in a rush of pear flavors to pair with that apple, resulting in a wine I really enjoyed. This wine was fruity, smooth, and delicious, a combination I always appreciate.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Primo Amore Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: Did not specify
Country: Italy
Year: Did not specify
Price: $9
Winery review: Straw-yellow with golden reflections and a delicate mousse. Fruity and very inviting, with intense scents of peaches and exotic fruit. Fresh and pleasantly sweet with a taste that reveals its varietal characteristic.
My review: In a nutshell: good, but not 9 dollars good for my cheap self. This is a very sweet wine that I really enjoyed, with a floral and "grapey" nose. The thing is that I could not distinguish much else that was different compared to cheaper dessert wines I've tasted in the past. It is probably worth the money, but I just couldn't bring myself to purchase this over the wines I had previously tasted.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Faraway Farms Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Did not specify
Country: South Africa
Year: 2008
Price: $6
Winery review: Fresh, modern style, with lots of plum pudding, sweet chocolate, mocha, blackberry and boysenberry flavors supported by round, sweet tannins and toast.
My review: If you can imagine the smell of smoke from a campfire and smashed berries combined then you can imagine the nose of this wine. I thought the smokiness overpowered the other elements of the wine. Maybe some berry flavors (what the hell does a boysenberry taste like, anyway?), but the smoke really took me out of this wine's mood. This might be the wine I'd get if I was gonna smoke some ribs, but otherwise, I cannot see it pairing with much.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
