Tasting - Morada Sangria

•Name: Morada Sangria

•Variety: Sangria

•Region: La Mancha

•Country: Spain

•Year: Nonvintage

•Price: $4.95

•Critic Review: Morada Sangria is a traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts. Garnet color and fresh on the palate.
Pasteurization preserves the color, aromas and flavors. 7% Alc. It is a very refreshing Sangria with around 85 grams of sugar. Sangria is now one of the hottest items in the beverage industry and it's growing exponentially year to year. Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana or apple.

My Review:This wine was extremely sweet smelling and had an overpowering amount of orange smells. After tasting, I couldn't help but think it tasted just like orange juice. It was just as sweet as orange juice and that was all I smelled. I like this wine for juice, but not for drinking wine.
No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon

•Name: Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon

•Variety: 60% Shiraz,  40% Cabernet Sauvignon

•Region: unknown

•Country:Argentina

•Year: Nonvintage

•Price: $3.95

•Critic Review: It is dry and contains subtle tobacco undertones with a black licorice, cherry, scent. The oak is in the background. Would pair well hamburger or a steak rather than stand alone.

My Review:This wine had a very dark color also but had a lighter, strawberry smell. The taste is very oaky but not too dry. I felt like this wine was good but would have been better if it was a little more dry.
No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola

•Name: Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola

•Variety:  Nero D'Avola

•Region: Sicily

•Country:Italy

•Year: 2010

•Price: $8.95

•Critic Review: Very dark purple, with a reddish-violet edge, typical of this grape. Black plums, a hint of licorice and subtle spice, not overly complex but appealing. A big mouth full of juicy black fruit is well structured by tart acidity and soft but distinct tannins.

My Review:This wine had a very dark color and a cherry smell. It went down very smooth, it was spicy and smoky but at the same time dry. Overall I liked this wine a lot.

No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Tres Ojos Rose

•Name: Tres Ojos Rose

•Variety: 50%Tempranillo 50% Garnacha

•Region: Calatayud

•Country:Spain

•Year: 2009

•Price: $1.95

•Critic Review: This medium rose-colored rosado boasts a spicy red cherry/plum nose with a soft lush attack of red berry fruit flavors and a crisp dry finish. Simple and refreshing and a natural for tapas.

My Review:I thought this wine smelled a lot like raspberries. It tasted spicy and dry and was unexpected from the smell. Overall was not a huge fan of this wine.

No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Les Perles Piquepoul

•Name: Les Perles Piquepoul

•Variety: Piquepoul

•Region: Cotes de Thau

•Country:France

•Year: 2011

•Price: $7.95

•Critic Review: Light and young, this is a straightforward but enjoyable selection
that would be an ideal match for light fare such as grilled chicken salads or fluke. Apple flesh, nectarine, and sweet citrus oil aromas and flavors appear on the nose and palate, while the short finish is infused with a flavor of green melon rind.

My Review:I thought this wine smelled very citrusy with a hint of honey. It tasted fresh with a little bit of tartness and had a strong acidic finish. Overall I liked this wine but the little bit of tartness threw me off.

No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Gabriella Chianti

•Name: Gabriella Chianti

•Variety: Chianti Blend

•Region: Tuscany

•Country: Italy

•Year: 2008

•Price: $7.95

•Critic 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, 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:I thought this wine smelled and tasted like plum. It was also dry tasting and had an acidic after taste. Overall I liked this wine.

No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

•Name: Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

•Variety: 65% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella and
10% Molinara

•Region: Valpolicella

•Country: Italy

•Year: 2010

•Price: $6.95

•Critic Review: 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:I thought this wine smelled  and tasted very peppery. It was also very acidic and dry. I feel like this red would taste a lot better with food.

No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose

•Name: Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose

•Variety: Cabernet and Merlot

•Region: Cotes de Gascogne

•Country: France

•Year: 2011

•Price: $5.95

•Critic Review: There is a fresh, crisp character to this light rosé. It is eye-watering in its refreshing character, with balancing acidity, smoothing out the edges with a touch of caramel.

My Review:I thought this wine smelled sweet with a hint of peaches. It did not tasted nearly as sweet as it smelled, but it definitely wasn't bitter. It wasn't that acidic either. I couldn't pinpoint what the taste was but it wasn't something I was expecting since I do normally enjoy cabernets and  merlots. 

No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Norton Torrontes

•Name: Norton Torrontes

•Variety: Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo

•Region: Cuyo

•Country:  Argentina

•Year: 2011

•Price: $5.95

•Critic Review: Greenish yellow with hints of gold, this Torrontés has intense aromas of white peach, rose petal, and jasmine. Norton Torrontés2011 is pleasant and well balanced on the palate.

My Review:I thought this wine also smelled sweet and also tasted a little tart. At the same time this wine was significantly less dry. It was interesting in how it had very similar tastes to the first wine but since it was not dry it tasted extremely different.

No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Dibon Cava

•Name: Dibon Cava

•Variety: Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo

•Region: Sant Sadurni

•Country:  Spain

•Year: Nonvintage

•Price: $9.95

•Critic 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:I thought this wine smelled very sweet  and buttery. It had a slight fizz to it and was tangy tasting. It also ended a little dry tasting.

No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Opera Prima Pink Moscato

•Name: Opera Prima Pink Moscato

•Variety: Muscat

•Region: La Mancha

•Country:  Spain

•Year: Nonvintage

•Price: $5.95

•Critic 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 it own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts.

My Review:I thought this wine smelled very sweet  and floral but when I tasted it I noticed more of the floral flavors.I actually enjoyed this wine more than I thought I would. The bubbles balanced the floral flavors and I didn't think the sweetness was to much when I usually don't prefer the sweet wines.

No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Black Opal Syrah

•Name: Black Opal Shiraz

•Variety: 100% Shiraz

•Region: South Eastern Australia

•Country:  Australia

•Year: 2011

•Price: $5.95

•Critic Review: The 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:I thought this wine smelled peppery and tasted smokey. Although this tasted smokey, it also seemed to taste very clean to me. This wine also was not that acidic which was surprising with the heavier flavors. I really enjoyed this wine and would definitely buy this.

No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Sokol Blosser Meditrina

•Name: Sokol Blosser Meditrina

•Variety: 50% Syrah, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel

•Region: Oregon

•Country:  United States

•Year: Nonvintage

•Price: $7.95

•Critic Review: It’s 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:I thought this wine had a sweet smell and picked out cherries before even reading the review. I did not smell or taste the raspberry, but I did also definitely taste cherry. This wine was also acidic, but not overwhelmingly.

No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Beringer Reisling

•Name: Beringer Reisling

•Variety: 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon

•Region:Reisling

•Country:  California

•Year: 2009

•Price: $5.95

•Critic 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: I thought this wine had a very light smell. I couldn't pull out any distinct flavors but it tasted sweet like peach as the critics reviewed. There also seemed to be an acidic aftertaste that I did not expect at first.

No food was eaten with this tasting.

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon

•Name: Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon

•Variety: 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon

•Region: South Austrailia

•Country:  Austrailia

•Year: 2008

•Price: $5.95

•Critic 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: I thought this wine smelled clean and dry. It also seemed to taste this way plus it seemed to have an acidic taste to it. There was a slight fruitiness too it, but it was not overwhelming. I enjoyed this wine and thought it would be easy to drink with food.

No food was eaten with this tasting.