Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Pfalz
Country: Germany
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Winery review: Flint and mineral notes accent pineapple and lime aromas, while on the palate, the wine shows plenty of ripe, citrusy fruit flavors. Tangy acids on the long finish provide balance.

My review: Mild aroma, sweet and fruity. I liked this one.

I tasted it without food.

Don Ramon Tinto

Name: Don Ramon Tinto
Variety: 75% Grenache and 25% Tempranillo
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95

Winery review: 75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo. Aged 3 months in American Oak casks. Ruby red in color with creamy aromas of earth and cherry. Flavor turns towards deeper and darker black cherry and raspberry on a medium framework. A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit adds some depth and complexity.

My review: Little stood out to me, I just thought it was semi dry.

I tasted it without food.

Resonata Nero D'Avola

Name: Resonata Nero D'Avola
Variety: Nero D'Avola
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Winery review: Dense ruby red with violet reflections. Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice. Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background.

My review: I got fruity flavors and a hint of vanilla when I smelled this. It was dry, it had a bitter aftertaste and it felt like it was full bodied.

I tasted it without food.

Protocolo Blanc

Name: Protocolo Blanc
Variety: White Blend
Region: Castilla-La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Winery review: Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finished dry and brisk,with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.

My review: It smelled perfumy and was a little bitter.

I tasted it without food.

Santola Vinho Verde

Name: Santola Vinho Verde
Variety: Vinho Verde (white)
Region: Mihno
Country: Portugal
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winery review: Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh.

My review: I thought this was kind of sweet with a light, yet fruity flavor.

I tasted it without food.

Wine Dinner at a Friend's

A couple of friends and I decided to have a wine and food pairing dinner at one of our homes. We had three wines. A 2010 Merlot for the appetizer, a 2010 Chardonnay for the entree and a Moscato for dessert.

Leopard's Leap Merlot

Sundial Chardonnay

Barefoot Moscato

For the appetizer, we had a caprese salad with bread and Parmesan cubes. This was probably my favorite paring. The merlot was semi sweet and with the food, especially the parmesan, I could get more of the sweetness and softer flavors from the wine.

The appetizer

The entree was penne al vodka with chicken and peas. The Chardonnay had some fruity flavors and the food brought out more fruity flavors making the wine more refreshing.

The entree

Finally, for dessert we had chocolate cake with the Moscato. This wine to me was a little too sweet. Its bouquet reminded me a little of roses and I am not fond of the smell of roses yet I got a good whiff of that each time I reached for a sip. Unfortunately, I am not able to eat desserts at the moment so as far as pairing it with the dessert, I had to rely on the opinions of the others. Some really liked it because it was sweet while others said the sweetness of the cake and the wine together was overwhelming.

Dessert

Lex and William waiting to try the first course

Jermaine and Lynda waiting to start eating as well

Lynda caught using the butterfly wine opener!

Me trying the Chardonnay with my pasta

Judith loving the Moscato and chocolate cake pairing

Vina Robles Petite Sirah

Name: Vina Robles Petite Sirah
Variety: Petite Sirah
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $22.95

Winery review: Intense garnet. Spicy, black fruit with notes of nutmeg and fig. A full-bodied, balance wine with dark ripe fruit and silky tannins.

My review: It had a sweet aroma and was semi sweet with some spiciness to it. One of my favorite from the tasting.

I tasted it without food.