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Tasting- Gabriella Chianti

Name: Gabriella Chianti
Variety: 100% Sangiovese
Region: Tuscany 
Country: Italy
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95

Winery 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: Again, me and the reds are having an issue.  I definitely liked the texture better than lavarini Valpolicella Classico, however I just still would not go to the store and pick up a bottle just to enjoy the wine.  It was very bold and I could just not pick up the strong fruit flavor it was just red wine, I hate to say just red wine, hopefully my taste buds will start to recognize more characteristics of the reds after this class! 

Food: I did not have this wine with food. 

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

Winery 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 am still not a fan of red wines, and this was not bringing me any closer to enjoying them.  I did not get a strawberry taste at all, maybe a woody cherry but nothing in a fruity sense.  When review says the word "spice" I usually end up not being a huge fan of the wine, and the same holds true here. 

Food:  I did not have this wine with food. 

Tasting-Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose

Name: Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose
Variety: Blend of Cabernet and Merlot
Region: Cotes de Gascogne
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Winery 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 wine was my favorite.  It was slightly dry but not necessarily in a bad way.  I would not want to drink this wine alone, however I feel like if I was a nice restaurant eating maybe chicken I would enjoy it much more ( I could be completely wrong about chicken being the right food, but definitely some sort of "classy" dinner.) 

Food: I did not have this wine with food.  

Tasting-Norton Torrontes

Name: Norton Torrontes
Variety: 100% Torrontes
Region: Mendoz
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Winery 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: For the price I was sold.  Great smell and pleasing taste.  Not sure If I would like this wine with food but I would recommend it someone just for casual drinking. 

Food:  I did not have this wine with food

Tasting- Dibon Cava 

Name: Dibon Cava
Variety: Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo
Region: Penedes
Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $9.95

Winery 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:  This wine was definitely not the best but not the worst.  The bubbles and carbonation I very much enjoyed, however the smell was not very pleasing maybe too rich.  The taste, while better than the smell was ok.  Very fruity but to much citrus for my taste.  I would like to try this wine again with food however, I feel like the acidity taste could do well with some sort of food!  

Food: I did not have food with this wine.  

Tasting- Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Name: Opera Prima Pink Moscato
Variety: 97% Muscat, 3% Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $5.95

Winery 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:  This wine was my favorite of the tasting.  I actually bought a bottle!  I have never had a sparking wine before and this was a great first try.  I enjoyed the bubbly pink texture, and sweet smell.  It tasted like I was drinking flowers.  I left the bottle uncapped over night and I swear the wine tasted better!

Food: I did not have this wine with food.  

Tasting-Black Opal Shiraz

Name: Black Opal Shiraz
Variety: 100% Shiraz 
Region: South Eastern Australia 
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Winery 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: This wine was my least favorite of the tasting.  I did not enjoy the strong pepper smell.  I also got a taste/after taste of woodsmoke, I am assuming from the combination of the fruit with the pepper.  I would not recommend this wine.  

Food: I did not have this wine with food.  

Tasting-Sokol Blosser Meditrina 

Name: Sokol Blosser Meditrina
Variety: 28% Pinot Noir, 50% Syrah, 22% Zinfandel
Region: Oregon 
Country: United States
Year: NV
Price: $7.95

Winery 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:  This wine had a very noticeable raspberry smell.  It was much drier than the the white wines but it still had a nice array of mild sweety fruity flavor.  I am still not a huge red wine fan but the meditrinia surprised by taste buds in a good way.  I would like to try this wine with food for sure to see if I enjoy the taste better.  

Food: I did not have this wine with food.  

Tasting- Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon

Name: Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon
Variety: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Semillon
Region: South Australia 
Country: Australia 
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95

Winery 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:  The chardonnay was my second favorite of this tasting.  I enjoyed the fruity smell, I again smelled pear and a fruit mixture.  The taste was very sweet and acidic, the acidity was more of an after-taste.   

Food:  I did not have this wine with food.  

Tasting-Beringer Riesling

Name: Beringer Riesling
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: California
Country: United States
Year:2009
Price: $5.99

Winery 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: The Riesling was pretty sweet, not as intense in sweetness as the pink moscato of course.  The fruity flavor was definitely very prominent.   I tasted a pear-like fruit when I tired the wine, maybe the combination of the peach and the honey reminder of a a pear smell/taste.  All in all this wine was good.  

Food: I did not have this wine with food. 

Tasting- Mars and Venus Chardonnay 

Name: Mars and Venus Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay 
Region: Chile 
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Winery 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:  I personally do not like Chardonnay, so I did not enoy this one.  It did have a clean taste however, not the worst to drink.  The smell was also pleasant with more of a hint of the pineapple.  

 I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- La Cappuccinia Soave 

Name: La Cappuccina Soave
Variety: 100% Garganega
Region: Soave
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winery review: Bright straw yloow 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: I enjoyed this wine more than the almost as much as the Highlander Blush.  I was a fan of the hint of fruitiness.  I did not enjoy the almond addition though.  However, this wine definitely have the most appealing smell.  

I did not have food with this wine. 

Tasting- Highlander Blush 

Name: Highlander Blush

Variety: 3 grapes- reslin, chambourcin, and cadal blanc
Region: Virginia 
Country: United States
Year:2010

Price: $7.99

Winery review: A refreshing semi-sweet blush wine made from a distinctive blend of Vidal Blanc and riesling,with a touch of Chambourcin for depth as well as the inviting blush color. Lush aromas of flowers and fruit are balanced by crisp acidity. Excellent on its own or with a summer picnic.

My Review: This wine was much better than the first two we tried.  It had no spice taste or disappointing after-taste.  While I would have preferred to have tried the moscato I was pleased with the sweet and smooth taste.

I did not have this wine with food. 

Tasting- Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau   

Name: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 
Variety: 100% Beaujolais 
Region: Beaujolais
Country: France 
Year: 2012
Price: 3.95 

Winery Review:Bright and tangy, offering a classic banana note on the nose, withflavors of raspberry, wild strawberry and light spice. Modest finish.

My Review:  This wine was not terrible.  I am still warming up to darker wines but I enjoyed the slight berry taste.  However I am not a fan of the spicy addition in wines so far.  

I did not have food with this wine.  

Tasting- Finca del Castillo Tempranillo 

Name: Finca del Castillo Tempranillo
Variety: 100% Rioja
Region: Tempranillo
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $4.95

Wine Reviews: 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:  The wine had a slightly spicy taste.  I did not enjoy the taste at all.  I did not experience the raisin or cola taste but there was definitely a pepper and tomato taste with a left unpleasant after-taste.

I did not have this wine with food.