Tasting - Morada Sangria

Tasting - Morada Sangria

Name: Morada Sangria

Variety: Sangria

Region: N/A

Country: Spain

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $4.95

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: I thoroughly enjoyed this wine. I had never tried sangria before but have to say this is one I would buy. The sweetness in the wine was apparent. I like the fact that they paired citrus with red wine because that is exactly what red wine needed in order to appeal to me. I also like the fact that it would pair well with fruit.

Tasting - Lost Vineyards

Tasting - Lost Vineyards

Name: Lost Vineyards 

Variety: 60% Shiraz 40% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: N/A

Country: Argentina

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $3.95

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 was just okay. The smells were not very strong and the taste was somewhat earthy. This could be a nice option for someone who wishes to cook with wine though. I would not buy simply to drink.

Tasting - Villa Pozzi

Tasting - Villa Pozzi

Name: Villa Pozzi

Variety: Nero D'Avola

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

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 beautiful purple color. The wine was more appealing to me than other red wines I have had. The taste was something akin to plums and blackberries. The acidity of the wine was a little over the top. I would prefer if this wine were a little less tart.

Tasting - Tres Ojos Rose

Tasting - Tres Ojos Rose

Name: Tres Ojos Rose

Variety: 50%Tempranillo 50% Garnacha

Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Price: $3.95

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: Starting off I must say that the color of this wine really appealed to me. The smells reminded me of strawberry and raspberry flavors as well as flowers. The berry flavor dominated in the taste. However the reason this wine was so low priced was apparent. It was dry and very spicy-two combos I don't appreciate.

Tasting - Les Perles Piquepoul

Tasting - Les Perles Piquepoul

Name: Les Perles Piquepoul

Variety: Piquepoul

Region: Langudoc-Roussillon

Country: France

Year: 2011

Price: $7.95

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: This was a nice wine. The wine did not have very much strength which would make it good to drink during lunch. The citrus flavor dominated for me whereas the apple flavor was noticeable only in the aroma.

Tasting - Gabriella Chianti

Tasting - Gabriella Chianti

Name: Gabriella Chianti

Variety: 100% Sangiovese

Region: Tuscany

Country: Italy

Year: 2008

Price: $7.95

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: Thought this wine smelled fantastic. The wine tasted like a raspberry with a strong spice mixed in. It was another dry wine which I do not enjoy.

Tasting - Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

Tasting - Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

Name: Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

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

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $6.95

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: The color of this wine was superb. The taste was lacking. The dry taste turned me away from the wine. I am not a fan of the spice in the flavor of this wine. The texture of the wine was smooth.

Tasting - Dom de Mirail

Tasting - Dom de Mirail

Name: Dom de Mirail

Variety: Cabernet/Merlot Rose

Region: Cotes de Gascogne

Country: France

Year: 2011

Price: $5.95

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: This was one of the better red wines I have tried thus far. The freshness of the wine reminded me of a white wine which I generally prefer. If I was to purchase a red wine as someone who prefers whites this would be something I'd buy.

Tasting - Norton Torrontes

Tasting - Norton Torrontes

Name: Norton Torrontes

Variety: 100% Torrontes

Region: Mendoz

Country: Argentina

Year: 2011

Price: $5.95

Review: Greenish yellow with hints of gold, this Torrontés has intense aromas of white peach, rose petal, and jasmine. Norton Torrontés 2011 is pleasant and well balanced on the palate.

My Review: This wine had a very pleasant aroma. The appearance of the label doesn't convey a wine that I would want to purchase. It simply is unappealing. The wine's taste was lack luster in my opinion. It truly was nothing special. This is not a wine I would purchase.

Tasting - Dibon Cava

Tasting - Dibon Cava

Name: Dibon Cava

Variety: 45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada

Region: Penedes

Country: Spain

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $9.95

Review: Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo
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: This wine tasted somewhat strong and bitter. This detracted from the taste of apple which was noticeable in the flavor. I liked that the wine taste resembled apples. It is a fruit that I enjoy a gave a nice taste to the wine which I had yet to experience.

Tasting - Primo Amore Puglia Moscato

Tasting - Primo Amore Puglia Moscato

Name: Primo Amore Puglia Moscato 

Variety: Moscato 

Region: Puglia

Country: Italy

Year: 2008

Price: $10.95

Review: COLOR is straw-yellow with golden reflections and a delicate mousse. BOUQUET Fruity and very inviting, with intense scents of peaches and exotic fruit. FLAVOR Fresh and pleasantly sweet with a taste that reveals its varietal characteristic.

My Review:  A carbonated wine with a lemon lime flavor. The wine was very sweet which appealed to my taste. The aromas of the wine were fruity and not overpowering. The wine was fresh, crisp, and inviting. I bought this wine and suggest others do the same.

Tasting - Finca del Castillo

Tasting - Finca del Castillo

Name: Finca del Castillo

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $4.95

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 spic flavors. Darkens up on the finish, which is long and peppery, with adequate juiciness and a final note of tomato.

My Review:  This wine most definitely resembled the taste of raisins  The finishing palate was strong and peppery. This was undesirable and unpleasant. The peppery taste was overwhelming. Don't buy this wine.

Tasting - Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Tasting - Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Variety: Gamay

Region: Beaujolais

Country: France

Year: 2012

Price: $3.95

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:  I noticed the banana aroma in the wine. This was nice to smell in a red wine and something I was not expecting. The strawberry was slightly noticeable but the raspberry flavor seemed to dominate. Overall I did not enjoy the wine.

Tasting - Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Tasting - Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Name: Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Central Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2011

Price: $5.95

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: This wine had a very pleasant taste and aroma. The pineapple flavor was noticeable and something I had not experienced before. The wine conveyed a fruitiness which was more to my liking. I would highly recommend pairing this wine with lunch meals.

Tasting - La Cappuccina Soave

Tasting - La Cappuccina Soave

Name: La Cappuccina Soave

Variety: Garganega

Region: Soave

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: $7.95

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 acidity was prevalent in this white wine. I have to say that this white wine was much better than the two I tasted last week. The bitter finishing taste was noticeable and not something I particularly enjoyed. The color added to the appeal of the wine. Overall this is a wine I would buy.