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.

Beringer Merlot

Name: Beringer Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Napa Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $30 to $19.95

Winery review: A merlot with layers flavors, aromas and complexity. The majority of the grapes come from Beringers Big Ranch Road Vineyard, which is found just North of the town of Napa and has consistently shown itself to have great Merlot growing conditions. Merlot from the DeCarle Vineyard in Oakville, as well as some Carbernet Franc were added to the final blend to create a rich flavorful Merlot.

My review: Could definitely get some oak here. It was not too heavy, semi dry, flavorful though I couldnt really pick out the different flavors. I really liked it, would buy it if I had the money.

I tasted it without food.

Seven Daughters Red Blend

Name: Seven Daughters Red Blend
Variety: Red Blend
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: Nonvintage
Price: $18 - $11.95

Winery review: Ripe blackberries with a touch of lavender and vanilla. Bursts of red fruit, from blackberries to dried cherries, with a hint of peppery spice for a memorable finish.

My review: I had a hard time getting flavors out of this. It had dark flavors, it was dry and I could feel some heat.

I tasted it without food.

Stags Leap Viogner

Name: Stags Leap Viogner
Variety: Viogner
Region: Napa Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $35 to $23.95

Winery review: The 2010 Stags Leap Viogner is an elegant wine featuring aromas of orange blossom and peach. Refreshing flavors of grapefruit, fresh apricot and white peach and a hint of flint are accentuated by a juicy fruit core and lengthy finish. The wine is highlighted by a bright acidity that accentuates its sun-kissed flavors and aromas.

My review: It had a very summery, familiar smell and tasted semi sweet.

I tasted it without food.

Ramon Bilboa Albarino

Name: Ramon Bilboa Albarino
Variety: Albarino
Region: Haro
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $13.95

Winery review: Fresh and easy to like. Smells clean and open, with peach and other white fruit aromas. You name the white or citrus fruit and it is here: pineapple, grapefruit, mango and lime. Hits both the sweet and citrusy bases.

My review: It had a fruity aroma but it was pretty dry. I kind of liked it.

I tasted it without food.

Hacienda del Plata Zagal Malbec

Name: Hacienda del Plata Zagal Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2004
Price: $14.95

Winery review: Organic. Our favorite wine, the 2004 Zagal from Hacienda del Plata was also our best value, dense and fruity yet well balanced and structured, avoiding the too common pitfalls of sweetness and flabbiness. Hacienda del Plata is a fairly new winery, one we were unfamiliar with but the rest of our top five compromised fairly well-known Argentine names. Screams out for grilled beef.

My review: This was dry and strong. I could also get a lot of tannins. I kinda liked it.

I tasted it without food.

La Croix Peyrassol

Name: La Croix Peyrassol
Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
Region: Provence, Portes de Mediterranee
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $15.95

Winery review: Organic. This is an interesting wine from Provence that is a perfect segue from white and rose wine to red wine in the cooler months of late September and early October. The blend is vinified without any oak. It is pure, fresh and lively with lavender aromas, black currant and raspberry fruit that bears a meaty peppery quality reminiscent of fine Syrah. It is medium bodied with lovely quality that goes nicely with roasted chicken and meaty fish.

My review: This was strong, tangy, dry and a little spicy.

I tasted it without food.

Villa da Filicaja Chianti

Name: Villa da Filicaja Chianti
Variety: Chianti
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $12.95

Winery review: Sustainable. Black cherry, earth, tar and licorice aromas and flavors mark this gutsy red, whose tannins mesh well. The finish lingers nicely, with tobacco and spice notes. Drink now through 2022.

My review: Huge smokey smell, lots of tannins and kind of earthy.

I tasted it without food.

Fondo Antico Bianco

Name: Fondo Antico Bianco
Variety: 50-50 Inzolia and Grecanico, White
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95

Winery review: Dry and light-bodied, with a bright crisp finish. Tropical aromas and flavors of orange citrus and peach. Unoaked. A great aperitif wine or paired with appetizers or seafood dishes.

My review: I liked this one, it was light and refreshing and almost had a disappearing aftertaste.

I tasted it without food.

Tochuelo Malvar White

Name: Tochuelo Malvar White
Variety: Malvar White
Region: Madrid
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $12 - $3.95

Winery review: Delightfully dry, refreshing, slightly earthy but not heavy or rustic with attractive citrus and orchard fruit flavors. Excellent value.

My review: It had a sweet, fruity smell and it tasted dry and fresh.

I tasted it without food.

Shoofly Shiraz

Name: Shoofly Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $11.95

Winery review: Nose has earthy gravel, spicy licorice and dense dark mulberries, while the sweet upfront berry fruit presented on tasting gives way to complex cedar, earth and spice notes, wrapping up with ample structure and grip. The vibrant juicy fruit runs the length of the palate and lingers with a have another glass finish.

My review: It had a sweet smell but it was dry I felt a lot of tannins. It was ok.

I tasted it without food.

Plungerhead Old Vine Zinfandel

Name: Plungerhead Old Vine Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $13.95

Winery review: Dark Ruby in color with flecks of orange, our 2009 Zinfandel might be the best yet. The old vine Zinfandel vineyards ripened evenly in the Lodi heat of 2009. This allowed the old vine character to explode in this blend with aromas of jammy raspberry, hints of orange rind, cloves and rich caramel oak. In the mouth, this Zinfandel has flavors of dried strawberry, dark raspberry, plum sauce, cedar and pomegranate with hints of white pepper and cherry liquor. The finish is sweet fruit, toasty oak and lingering warm spices.

My review: I liked this one. It smelled fruity and I could get a little of the berry smell when I tried harder. It was semi dry, a little spicy and I could feel the tannins at the end.

I tasted it without food.

Hey Mambo Sultry Red

Name: Hey Mambo Sultry Red
Variety: Blends of California and Italian
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: Not Vintage (2008)
Price: $12 to $5.95

Winery review: Savor every drop of this eyebrow raising, proprietary blends combining traditional California and Italian varietals. Hey Mambo is a tribute to classic Blue Note Record albums, while giving a glimpse into bygone era, filled with music and energy.

My review: This one was probably my favorite. I tried it at least 3 times at the store, bought it then had some more that night with food. It was semi dry, leaving behind a slightly sweet and mild flavor.

I had some later on with rotini in an alfredo and marinara meat sauce. This time it tasted even a little sweeter and brought out the ripeness of the tomatoes in my food.

Oxford Landing Estates Viognier

Name: Oxford Landing Estates Viognier
Variety: Viognier
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2009
Price: $7.95

Winery review: A pale straw with lime green and lemon yellow hues, the Oxford Landing Estates Viognier 2009 has a lifted musk and honeysuckle aroma, with a hint of apricot and peach blossom. The wine is richly textural on the palate with classic grainy Viognier minerality complemented perfectly with ripe flavors of the late season peaches and apricots. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

My review: I got a little of the fruitiness when I smelled this wine but not much when I tasted it. It was dry, a little tangy and it had a slightly bitter taste. Was not crazy about it.

I tasted it without food.

Clara Benegas Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Clara Benegas Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Province of Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2009
Price: $10.95

Winery review: Elaborated with grapes from vineyards located in the province of Mendoza. This delicious, natural, young and fresh wine is a result of the careful control of the vineyard and the morning harvest of the over ripened chardonnay grapes.

My review: I sort of liked it. It was dry and felt a little strong.

I tasted it without food.