Tasting - Morada Sangria

Name: Morada Sangria
Variety: Sangria
Region:  N/A
Country: Spain.
Year: N/A
Price: $4.95

Winery 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:  Had a very red color. Didn't have a great smell. Can't really determine what it smelled like, but just not very appealing.  This tasted like lots of oranges.  Tasted alot like a juice rather than a wine.  

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 60% Shiraz 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: Argentina
Year: NV
Price: $3.95

Winery Review: 60% Shiraz 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. 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:  Not a very bad wine, especially for only being $3.95.  Just like the winery review says, definitely a bit of a black licorice taste, and I can definitely see myself drinking this wine with a cheeseburger.  

Tasting - Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola

Name: Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Winery 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:  Very dark wine with a very strong, interesting taste to it.  It tasted very dark and strong.  Not very sweet, but had a bit of a taste of different spices. I would love to have this wine when eating a steak.  

Tasting -- Tres Ojos Rose

Name: Tres Ojos Rose
Variety: 50% Garnacha, 50% Tempranillo
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $3.95

Winery 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:  Not a very bad wine, especially for only being $3.95!  Not very sweet, but has a lot of berry-like flavors.  Also a very strong cherry taste.  This is definitely a wine that I would look into buying being that it's good for being less than 4 dollars.

Tasting -- Les Perles Piquepoul

Name: Les Perles Piquepoul
Variety: Piquepoul
Region: Cotes de Thau
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winery 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 was great!  It was very light and smooth. Had a bit of an apple taste to it, but wasn't overpowering and taking away from the overall flavor.  

Tasting - Gabriella Chianti

Name: Gabriella Chianti

Variety: 100% Sangiovese

Region: Tuscany

Country: Italy

Price: $7.95

Year: 2008

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: This was a very good wine.  There was a very strong and bold taste to it, somewhat fruity and a bit of a spice as well.  

Tasting-Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

Name: Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

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

Region: Valpolicella

Country: Italy

Price: $6.95

Year: 2010

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: This wine smelled like cherry.  It had an interesting spice taste to it.  I didn't think this was that great of a wine, but was not horrible.

Tasting - Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose

Name: Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose

Variety: Cabernet and MerlotRegion: Cotes de GascogneCountry: FranceYear: 2011Price: $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: There was not much of a strong smell to this wine.  This was not a great wine in my opinion.  I could not really determine what it tasted like, but it had a very strong aftertaste.

Tasting - Norton Torrontes

Name: Norton Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes Riojano
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: I really liked this wine. It was very sweet and fruity. This wine had a very peachy taste to it.  

Tasting - Dibon Cava

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

Winery 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: I thought this was a very good wine.  It did not have a very strong smell. Tasted a lot of fruit flavors including grapefruit, apple, and a little bit of orange

Tasting - Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Name: Opera Prima Pink Moscato
Variety: Pansa Blanca, Macabeu and Parellada.
Region: Castilla La Mancha
Country: Spain
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: Lots of fruits tasted in this wine.  Extremely flavorful with a berry taste.  Just like in the winery review, there are a ton of tropical fruits tasted in this wine.  

Tasting - Black Opal Shiraz

Name: Black Opal Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

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 terrible.  Lots and lots of spice flavors that were not very appealing.  Lots of taste of peppers and different types of spices.  Overall not a very good wine.  

Tasting - Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Name: Sokol Blosser Meditrina
Variety: Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel
Region: Oregon 
Country: USA
Year: 2009
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 was a sweeter red wine with a lot of berry flavors.  Definitely taste raspberry along with other berry flavors.  Also a bit of a cherry flavor.  

Tasting - Beringer Riesling

Name: Beringer Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: This wine is the perfect balance of honeysuckle and bright peach flavors.  A perfect compliment to a light fare, appetizers, or just sharing with friends.  

My Review: Very fruity and melonish to the nose.  Definitely taste a lot of peach and melon.  Very sweet white wine with a very sharp taste.  

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham

Name: Wine Men of Gotham
Variety: Chardonnay and Semillon
Region: South East Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Gotham's 2008 Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semllion 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 clavors and a medium-long finish.  

My Review:  This wine had a very fruity flavor to it.  I tasted a lot of apricot and peach.  It was very sweet and tart.  

Tasting -- Arrow Creek Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Arrow Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Graton, California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $7.99 [on sale from $15.99]

Winery Review: A tribute to coastal California's distinguished reputation for fine wines, this Cabernet Sauvignon embraces ripe, fruit-forward aromas of blackberries, dark raspberries and a hint of earthy terroir. The tannins are soft and the mature berry flavors are evident throughout the lingering finish. In true California style, enjoy this wine with a peppercorn sirloin or a grilled blue cheese burger

My Review: I really liked this wine.  It was a classic red wine that had a good amount of berry flavor taste to it.  Not sure if it is worth the 16 dollars that it is priced at, but getting it on sale for only 8 dollars is a great deal.

Tasting -- Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Variety: Gamay
Region: Burgundy
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $3.95

Winery 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:  This wine had a very interesting smell.  Lots of fruits in the smell and taste.  Very strong taste of banana.  Also taste of strawberry.  

Tasting -- Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Name: Mars and Venus Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
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, pineapple. Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping.

My Review:  Thought this wine was was very sweet and tarty.  Also had a very strong scent and taste of an apple flavor.  

Tasting -- La Cappuccina Soave

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

Winery 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:  This was a very interesting flavor.  It was very flavorful and very sweet.  A lot of fruity flavors and somewhat buttery.  

Tasting -- Pezzalunga Oltrepo Pavese Rosso

Name: Pezzalunga Oltrepo Pavese Rosso
Variety: Blended [Barbera, Bonarda, Uva Rara, Pinot Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon]
Region: Lombardy
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $17.95

Winery Review: Here's an utterly awesome pizza red from the southern part of Lombardy.  It's a distinctive blend of Barbera, Bonarda (Croatina), Uva Rara, Pinot Nero, and Cabernet Sauvignon that delivers a big mouthful of black raspberry and tart cherry fruit.  Super juicy and fresh, there's a touch of herb to go with the cherry/berry fruit and a mouthwatering finish.  Pizza with spec and rocket comes immediately to mind!

My Review: I thought that this was a great wine, like really great.  I thought that it was not too strong or too sweet.  I have never been a big fan of red wines, but this one was great.