Tasting - Rosemount Estate Moscato

Name: Rosemount Estate Moscato

Variety: Moscato

Region: South Eastern Australia 

Continent: Australia

Year: 2012

Price: $3.95 

Vintage Cellar review: Clear, medium-lemon yellow in appearance; lovely citrus and honey suckle aromas with lemon, honeysuckle, apple and ripe yellow plum flavours. Serve chilled with angel food cake or fresh fruit and mild cheeses.

My review: This Moscato smells exactly like Potpourri on the nose; very fruity and fresh with themes of candy and ice cream.  On the taste, it was very sweet, candy-like, and fruity with strong hints of watermelon, mango, and pineapple. I think this Moscato is good, but it is a bit sweet for me. I think it would pair well with desserts including whipped cream and sweet strawberries.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Garnacha de Fuego Old Vine Grenache

Name: Garnacha de Fuego Old Vine Grenache

Variety: Grenache 

Region: Aragon

Country: Spain

Year: 2013

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar review: The Garnacha de Fuego, a 100% Grenache cuvee, was aged in both stainless steel and neutral French oak. There are 10,000 cases for the United States. This amazing wine boasts a dark ruby/purple color along with a sweet kiss of jammy black cherries intertwined with crushed rock notes that give the wine an undeniable minerality. As it hits the palate a full-bodied, voluptuous texture takes hold and the flavor profile moves towards blacker fruits (ripe raspberries and black currants) intermixed with camphor and forest floor. This full-bodied, rich, glycerin-filled effort should drink well for 4-5 years, perhaps longer.

My review: This Grenache has strong themes of cherries, blackberries, and licorice (like Twizzlers) on the nose.  However, some of the deeper flavor complexities of the nose seem a bit hidden to me.  On the taste, this wine was very dry and tannic, earthy, dirty, muddy, and darkfruits, such as blackcherries and blackberries.  I think this Grenache would pair ideally with the dish Beef Stroganoff, or other beef dishes with a cream sauce, and heavy tomato pasta dishes.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico

Name: Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico

Variety: Gaglioppo

Region: Calabria

Country: Italy

Year: 2009

Price: $7.95



Vintage Cellar review: Don't let the pale garnet color fool you: this is a substantial wine. Aromas of red fruits and spice complement undertones of cranberries, wild berries, and plums. On the palate, ripe tannins and good body make for an incredibly rich, yet easygoing red wine. Pair this wine with sausage, spicy curry sauces, hot soppressata, and tandoori chicken.

My review: This wine is very old world in its style as is evident from where it comes from: Europe! Very heavy and aromatic on the nose. Also, earthy, with hints of blackberries, fungus, and mushrooms coming through. This wine tasted very dry, tannic, earthy, and dirty with strong themes of minerals, rocks, and fungus. This wine would pair well with an Italian dish incorporating sausage, like Italian sausage meatball spaghetti, or other dishes with heavy tomato, such as chicken parmesan or even pizza. 

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Angove Viognier

Name: Angove Family Winemakers Nine Vines Viognier

Variety: Viognier

Region: South Australia

Continent: Australia

Year: 2009

Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellar review: Bright light straw in colour with some green hues, this wine has a lush ripe tropical fruit aroma. This is a fuller bodied white which fills the mouth with heady flavours of apricot, peach and citrus. Angove Nine Vines Viognier is perfect for today's relaxed life-style and is the ideal accompaniment to grilled prawns with chilli and garlic or roast pork.

My review: On the nose, this Viognier smelled mostly of chalk dust, lemon peel, and tropical fruits. It tasted dry with light acid, light tannins, and a smooth, chalky finish.  I was sort of disappointed because I really didn't taste much fruit at all; it just seemed to be a bit of lemon peel, grass, and chalk dust. I wouldn't drink this wine by itself, but I think it would pair nicely with seafood and buttery cream sauces that might go with chicken or pork chops.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc - Seaview Vineyard

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Seaview Vineyard

Country: New Zealand

Year: 2008

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar review: This aromatic wine shows lifted flavours of blackcurrant with underlying notes of wet stone and thyme. The palate is elegant yet full with sufficient weight and texture, balanced by a flinty minerality. This wine is a fantastic match with foods such as cheese salad, poultry dishes and a wide range of seafood dishes including freshly shucked natural oysters, prawns, green lip mussels and creamy scallops.

My review: This Sauvignon Blanc is extremely heavy on the nose.  Very big, pungent, weighty, grassy, leafy, and green.  The nose really reminds me of the aroma of split pea soup.  The taste is very salty and dry at first, then the acidity and green garden vegetables come through: bell pepper, carrots, maybe even Brussels sprouts.  It has a very long finish.  I really did not enjoy this wine; it was like drinking liquid salt and vinegar.  Even though I only had a tasting of it, I wouldn't want an entire class of it much less.  I think this Sauvignon Blanc would go best with a dish that masks it's salty, vinegar taste, like cheese, a seafood dish with a light creamy and buttery sauce. 

I had this wine without food.

Wine Dinner 1 - Dinner With My Parents (and brother)!

April 19, 2014 - Wine Dinner at the Brooks' Residence

Me with my parents, Michael and Bev!

Me with my brother, Graham!

I decided to go home over Easter weekend because I hadn't seen my family in a while and I wanted to visit for Easter, but mostly because I wanted to have a wine dinner with my parents and brother! I came home on Friday evening and went out to shop for wine and ingredients with my brother and sister on Saturday. On Saturday evening we all worked together to prepare the ingredients for a Balsamic Vinaigrette salad and Asian Teriyaki Chicken Stir-fry!

  

Teriyaki Chicken Stir-fry

The Teriyaki Chicken Stir-fry was cooked with sliced, boneless chicken breasts, olive oil, broccoli, shredded carrots, water chestnuts, baby corn, snow peas, sugar snap peas, sliced mushrooms, cracked peppercorn, dry ginger powder, Soy sauce, and Teriyaki sauce....mmm..mmm! The chicken was cooked first in the wok, then all the vegetables (except for the broccoli and carrots) were sauteed by themselves with Teriyaki sauce over low heat for about 25 minutes. The broccoli, carrots and chicken were then added and cooked with the vegetables for an additional 10 minutes.  We added the rest of the Teriyaki sauce, along with some Soy sauce and dry ginger at the end. The stir-fry tasted amazing, light, healthy and had a great balance of flavor; not too much Teriyaki, Soy, or ginger and not too little either! 

  

Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad

The Balsamic Vinaigrette salad included Romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese, real bacon bits, sliced onion, shredded carrots, cracked peppercorn, and, of course, Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing all tossed together! It was very tasty, especially with the bacon bits, and it was a great appetizer for the chicken stir-fry.

Arbor Mist Pinot Grigio

To start off our meal with the first course, I decided to pair the Balsamic Vinaigrette salad with an Arbor Mist white pear flavored Pinot Grigio that my mom had purchased earlier in the week. It's a non-vintage bottle from Canandaiuga, New York. This Pinot Grigio is only a $5 bottle from the grocery store and even though it is alcoholic (6%) it doesn't seem like it's wine because it basically tastes like sweet white grape juice, maybe even a sparkling, non-alcoholic cider. It was pretty fruity and fresh on the nose and a little acidic on the palate, but no other flavors, except for the artificially flavored white pear, were present. I also served this Pinot Grigio chilled. 

My mom, dad, and brother all liked how it paired with the salad; I thought it paired decently with the salad, but not nearly as much as a higher alcohol, higher quality white wine with more complex flavors might have. As I kept tasting the salad and wine together, I realized that a sweeter raspberry vinaigrette dressing might have been better for the salad. Even though the alcohol content and quality of this wine were not what I'm used to, I was happy to see that my family members all enjoyed the experience of how it paired with the salad.      

Josef Weinberg Riesling

I had a difficult time deciding which wine varietal and style would pair nicely with the Asian Teriyaki and Soy flavors in the chicken stir-fry, but I eventually settled on a 2013 Josef Weinberg sweet Riesling from Rheinhessen, Germany. German Rieslings usually pair well with spicy Asian food because their sweetness and crispness helps to take some of the edge and heat off the spicy dish and provides a contrasting variety of flavors between the wine and Asian dish. Our stir-fry, however, was not spicy at all: no Asian hot sauce, no peppers, no spicy seasonings; just the Teriyaki and Soy sauces.  

I noticed this particular Riesling to be primarily soapy, but also a bit fruity and crisp on the nose. I smelled a bit of honeysuckle, too. It tasted light in acid, full bodied in weight, very pleasantly sweet, and nicely balanced between its alcohol (9%) and acid content. Because I served this wine chilled, some of the aromas and flavors were probably masked. My mom, dad, and brother all thought this Riesling tasted awesome and that it really brought out the complex flavors of the stir-fry, as did I!

      

Belmondo Moscato

I really wanted my parents and brother to have the amazing experience of tasting a sparkling Moscato with a sweet dessert, like I had had at another wine dinner, but I could only find a non-sparkling Moscato at the grocery store. I decided to pair this 2011 Belmondo Moscato, from Sicily, Italy, with a Sara Lee New York style cheesecake for our dessert! This Moscato has a pleasant fruity, honey, and floral nose. However, it didn't seem to be as aromatic as I had hoped because I served this wine chilled, which probably hid some of the deeper aromas and flavors. I noticed that this Moscato provided a great contrast of light acidity to the sweet cheesecake.  It also tasted sweet and fruity, but, interestingly enough, this Moscato also tasted carbonated even though it clearly is not. I'm not sure if I was projecting my own experiences with sparkling Moscato on to this Moscato or if I was just longing for the texture of carbonation, but it just felt carbonated to me. 

Even though my mom, dad, and brother enjoyed how this Moscato tasted with the cheesecake, I have to say that I didn't. I would take a bite of cheesecake and then take a sip of the wine and the whole experience just seemed to go down hill. This Moscato took too much of the sweetness away from the cheescake; it didn't build up, reinforce, or contrast the cheesecake very much. Maybe cheesecake and Moscato aren't good to pair with each other. I was glad that my parents and brother enjoyed the pairing, though.

Overall, I felt that the wine dinner with my mom, dad, and brother went very well! My parents and brother aren't really much into wine (and don't have much experience with it), but I think they really enjoyed intentionally pairing wine with food instead of just drinking it by itself. As for myself, I think I did an acceptable job of pairing the correct wine with the different courses of dinner, but I could have done better. This is why I depend on my experiences with different wines and different foods so that I can learn and pair wine with food even better at another wine dinner in the future!

Tasting - Toso Moscato

Name: Toso Moscato

Variety: Moscato

Region: Piemonte

Country: Italy

Year: NV

Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar review: This Moscato is reminiscent of honeysuckle and rose petal. The quality is equivalent to a top level Asti Spumante DOCG. Sweet sparkling wine obtained from a careful selection of the Moscato grapes. It has a pale straw yellow color with fine foam and bubbles. Tropical fruit flavors, refreshing. Excellent to match with desserts, fruit and dried pastries.

My review: I thought this was a great quality Moscato. Refreshing, fruity, fresh air, crisp, and a slight hint of Fruit Loops on the nose.  Carbonation, residual sugar, low alcohol, and fruit all come through on the palette. It didn't have as much carbonation as I usually expect from a Moscato, but it is mostly likely a stylistic difference. This wine would go very well with a sweet Italian dessert, such as Cannoli or Lemon Cello.   

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - El Sierro Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: El Sierro Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Variety: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon 

Region: Valencia

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar review: Dark ruby in color with rich aromas of red fruit and light spices. It is a real knock-out with delicious flavors of dark cherries, blackberries and vanilla all perfectly integrated. The Tempranillo provides wonderful spice and fruit, while the Cabernet Sauvignon gives structure and depth with the beautiful use of oak.

My review: I think this wine is a respectable blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's fairly musty and earthy, but also has rich themes of dark red fruit on the nose. I also got a nice balance of oak along with the dirt and earth themes. I could really taste the Cabernet Sauvignon on the palette: very chewy, full-bodied, weighty, dry, very tannic, lightly acidic, and, of course, blackberry, cherries, and a variety of other, somewhat bitter, dark fruits.  This is definitely a wine that would pair with an acidic tomato dish: Chicken Parmesan, stuffed shells and meat sauce, pizza, etc.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Omo Ze Bel Merlot

Name: Omo Ze Bel Merlot

Variety: Merlot

Region: Sicilia

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: $6.95 (sale)

Vintage Cellar review: This bright, soft Merlot comes from a hilly vineyard on the Alcesti family estate in beautiful Sicily. It has hints of red cherries and freshly cut hay. Exceptional value.



My review: The first (and most noticeable) theme I got from the nose of this Merlot was a musty, earthy smell. It has slight hints of mildew and a woody aroma as well.  This Merlot tasted very dry, fairly tannic, lightly acidic, and earthy, but the scent of mustiness and mildew I noticed in the nose appeared to stay away from the tasting experience. I would say that this Merlot also has a mid-body weight and very strong hints of blackberry.  This wine would probably go well with a creamy chicken and pasta dish using Italian style seasonings.   

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Lagarde Atlas Cumbres Torrontes

Name: Lagarde Altas Cumbres Torrontes

Variety: Torrontes

Region: Salta (extreme northern Argentina)

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: $5.95 (sale)



Vintage Cellar review: Yellow colour with greenish nuances. Very intense aroma of fresh grapes, flower perfume and mature peaches. Fresh in the mouth. Light and easy to drink. Ideal with seafood, Thai and Chinese food.

My review: On the nose, this Torrontes is an explosion of fruit, candy, Fruitloops, Applejacks, and green apple aromas. Extreme themes of fruit and sweetness. However, it is pretty dry and mid-body weight. It tastes of fresh fruit and fruity cereal, similar to the nose. I would pair this Torrontes with a spicy Asian or seafood dish to help accentuate the aromas of the nose. 

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Avery Quinn Chardonnay

Name: Avery Quinn Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Napa, California

Country: USA

Year: 2011

Price: $6.95 (sale)


Vintage Cellar review: The 2011 vintage marks a return to form for this great value Chardonnay. The aromas feature creamy, mellow, golden apple, pineapple, fresh butter and a touch of vanilla. Then rich, ripe, flavors of yellow pear, pineapple, fresh apple, cream and buttered toast swell up and fill your mouth before a juicy, apple and caramel inflected finish makes your mouth water (and smile!).

My review: I'm willing to say that this is one of the best Chardonnays I've ever tasted. The reason being: it actually tasted like something. It has hints of fruit and semi-sweetness, but it's mostly the aromas of cream, butter, and oak that really give this wine an excellent bouquet. Similar to the nose, this Chardonnay tastes very creamy and buttery with just the right balance of oak in the mix. It's not very acidic, but I did taste a bit of lemon peel and maybe a few hints of citrus fruits. This Chardonnay also has a very desirable full-bodied, weighty mouthfeel because of the cream and butter flavors; heavy malolactic fermentation. I would pair this wine with a spicy chicken or seafood dish because its heavy butter and cream flavors would help to add complexity to the spiciness of the dish. 

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Diano d'Alba "Fosco" Salvano

Name: Salvano Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba "Fosco" D.O.C.G.

Variety: Dolcetto

Region: Piedmont

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: $16.20 (sale)


Gando Italian Foods review: An intense ruby-red coloured wine with violet hues. It's aroma is sharp and persistent, with hints of violets and ripe blackberry. It has an intense, round flavour, warm and very soft with a hint of almond.

My review: This is a very gentle, smooth, and mild wine. Mostly dark fruit aromas on the nose, such as cherry, blackberry, plum, etc. While I could smell several dark fruits, this isn't a wine that is aromatically "in your face" even when it's thoroughly swirled and coated on the inside of the glass, which can be an advantage. I tasted mostly a cherry and plum component on the palette. It was pretty dry, lightly tannic, and while it is a bit higher in alcohol (13.5%), it was very smooth, balanced, and pleasant to drink. I almost think it might go well with a moderately spicy Mexican dish.   

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier

Name: Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 

Variety: 80% Chenin Blanc, 20% Viognier

Region: Oakville, California

Country: USA 

Year: 2012

Price: $13.99 (sale)

Winery review: Our distinctive blend marries the crisp, honeyed citrus fruit of Chenin Blanc with the plush body soft floral and juicy peach notes of Viognier for a lush, versatile and delicious wine. Enjoy a glass on its own or try it alongside your favorite seafood or spicy dish.



My review: I really enjoyed this Chenin Blanc and Viognier combination! I got a lot of floral and fruity notes along with a theme of light weight, fresh, warm air.  On the taste, I got some great citrus fruits, not like an orange, but maybe more of kiwi or mango. I also taste a bit of honeysuckle. There is a very nice balance between the dryness and acidity of this wine. I think this wine it great by itself, but would also go well with some seafood.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Delea Bianco Di Merlot

Name: Delea Bianco Di Merlot (white Merlot)

Variety: Merlot

Region: Ticino

Country: Switzerland

Year: 2009

Price: $10 - 30$ (retail)


Chain Bridge Cellars review: Delea (the producer) makes a nice line of red wines, but has also been making a white wine from Merlot for years. This isn't a rose -- the grapes are pressed right after picking, so the color is similar to a rich Pinot Gris. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied and rich, with loads of red currant, strawberry, and bright green grape fruit. It finishes dry and complex and very long. Use this like you would a Pinot Gris for sipping or pairing with rich foods with mushrooms or other earthy notes. Be bold - give it a try!

My review: At first I found it difficult to pick up the nose on this wine, but after a bit I found aromas of honey, flowers, and nearly burnt caramel. On the palate, I got a dry, lightly acidic, fruit and floral flavors. It's not a complex new world fruit bomb, but I could definitely taste several bitter fruits, such as the strawberry and green grape fruit like in the Chain Bridge Cellars review. I would also add red grape fruit. It was recommended that this wine be aged for two years before drinking; it's now five years since it's been bottled, so this wine's nose and taste are most likely not as great as had the wine been opened sooner. I would drink this wine by itself or pair it with creamy pasta dishes with earthy, Greek olives and mushrooms.    

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Villa Pozzi Pinot Grigio

Name: Villa Pozzi

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: NV

Price: $11.99 (retail)



Winery review: Clear to light straw colored, this Pinot Grigio exhibits soft aromatic flavors of perfumed rose and soft honeysuckle that are attractive and indicative of the refreshing and rounded fruit style. The structure of a this wine is well balanced and clean. Wonderfully complemented by a firm and crisp acidic finish. This wine is perfect for sipping on its own, or as an accompaniment to fish, salads and seafood dishes.

My review: This wine reminds me a bit of Sauvignon Blanc with notes of tropical fruit and grass along with some floral hints on the nose. I get a dry, lightly acidic, and light bodied theme on the taste. I also get some fruit on the taste, but nothing really strong; maybe a little lemon peel and kiwi.  I think this wine would go well with a light salad or seafood dishes.  

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Yali Wetland Cabernet Carmenere

Name: Yali Wetland Cabernet Carmenere

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Carmenere blend

Region: Punta de Cortes, Rancagua

Country: Chile

Year: 2012

Price: $10.99 (retail)

Winery review: This Winemaker's Selection red is a blend of hand selected Cabernet Sauvignon and Chile's signature grape, Carmenere. The result is a full bodied smooth wine, with flavours of ripe blackcurrant, and cassis coming from the Cabernet underpinned by a hint of spice from the Carmenere. 

My review: I think the blend of Cabernet and Carmenere works very well for this wine.  It has a very full-bodied mouthfeel and a great balance of acidity and dryness.  I get mostly vegetal and spice aromas from the nose.  I also smell only a bit of oak which is good because over-oaking would have ruined this wine.  On the taste I get a very dry, moderately tannic, vegetal theme along with hints of dirt and earthiness.  This red goes very well with applewood smoked Gouda cheese! I also think this red would pair well with beef dishes or tomato based pasta dishes. 

I had this wine with applewood smoked Gouda cheese!

Tasting - Annalisa Moscato Dolce

Name: Annalisa Moscato Dolce

Variety: Moscato

Region: Northern Italy

Country: Italy

Year: NV

Price: $11.99 (retail)

Winery review: Produced from selected Moscato grapes grown in northern Italy. Soft and delicate with pleasantly sweet ripe flavors of apricot and peach.

My review: I think this is an excellent sparkling Moscato! While it's fairly simple in terms of taste and aromatics, I really like the effect that carbonation adds to the experience of this wine; I don't think I've had a sparkling Moscato before this one.  On the nose I get strong themes of fruit and sweetness. On the palette I get, of course, a strong carbonation effect along with themes of sweet fruit such as peach and apple.  I think this wine would go well by itself or with a light salad and Italian bread. 

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - El Cortijillo Blanco Verdejo

Name: El Cortijillo Blanco Verdejo

Variety: 100% Verdejo

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2012

Price: $10 (retail)


Chain Bridge Cellars review: Here's a screaming value white wine from the Spanish land of La Mancha. It's 100% Verdejo - a grape that, at it's best, is kind of a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. Bright, fresh, aromas of ripe peach, fresh grass, and mineral notes lead to a juicy mouthful of fresh apricot, peach, and citrus fruit with a touch of fruit blossom and mint for complexity. Round and zesty in the middle and clean and bright on the finish where the apricot and papaya flavors linger nicely. A mouthwatering, refreshing, white to drink on any warm day and a great match for summer salads and grilled white meats or fish.

My review: This is definitely a refreshing white wine to drink! When I first sniffed it I noticed that it seemed very similar to Sauvignon Blanc because of its intense grassy, tropical fruit, and fresh air aromas.  On the taste, however, I didn't get the peach and ammonia themes of Sauvignon Blanc , but more of a Pinot Grigio. It is a pretty dry white; not residual sugars left from fermentation. This Verdejo also seems to be heavier in mouthfeel than either the Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that it seems to be a cross between. 

I had this wine with lemon cake and vanilla ice cream.

Tasting - Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Name: Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: South Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2010

Price: $10 (sale)



Vintage Cellar review: The 2010 Chardonnay presents subtle notes of spiced apple slices and ripe peaches with hints of freshly baked bread and melon. Light bodied , clean and refreshingly crisp in the mouth, it offers just enough apple and pear flavor concentration, finishing with medium-long persistence. Drink it now to 2014.

My review: This is supposed to be an un-oaked Chardonnay, however, the nose comes across with very strong themes of oak, wood, smoke, vanilla, and even a freshly opened can of tuna.  On the palette, it is dry, very simple, and lightly acidic. No complex flavors of anything jump out. It's just a wine that tastes somewhat like lightly acidic and alcoholic tap water. The nose on this Chardonnay was much more interesting than the taste, in my opinion.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Tarima Hill Monastrell

Name: Tarima Hill Monastrell 

Variety: Monastrell

Region: Sierra de la Sima, Alicante

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $20 (retail)



Winery review: Monastrell grapes are hand harvested from small plots of low yielding old vines scattered across the hills of the Sierra de la Sima in the heart of Alicante. The wine exhibits deep garnet color with flashes of violet and a bouquet of dark red cherries and leather. On the palate the wine achieves its full potential, offering notes of black berries, plums and licorice with an elegant but persistent finish.

My review: I had never heard of the Monastrell variety of grapes before drinking this wine, but I really enjoyed it. I didn't really pay much attention to "old vines" statement on the label because how the grapes turn out from year to year is dependent on the Terroir, climate changes, rainfall, etc.; old vines may produce less than younger vines, but I think it's just a way to market the perceived "rarity" of the grapes that are in the wine. I got a little bit of oak on the nose, but mostly themes of dark cherry and old, worn leather. The taste was very pleasant with hints of black berries and other bitter berries, some vanilla and oak, but mainly a theme of chewy leather. It was surprisingly tannic with a strong acid component and very earthy and old world tasting. I think this Monastrell would go well with beef or pork and maybe even a tomato-based pasta dish, such as Chicken Parmesan.    

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Jam Jar Sweet White

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White Blend

Variety: 100% Muscat

Region: Western Cape

Country: South Africa

Year: 2011

Price: $9 (sale)

Vintage Cellar review: 100% Muscat. Soft floral hints add depth to the otherwise straightforward ripe peach and nectarine aromas. There's a good balance in the mouth, with a nice acidic lift and slightly lime edge to cut the sweetness on the finish and close with the faintest hint of honeydew melons.

My review: If you want something sweet, this wine's got you covered!  Immediate and intense themes of flowers and fresh air almost overpower the nose. It smelled like I smashed my face into a bouquet of flowers. Very aromatic! On the taste, it is very sweet, crisp, fruity, and it has a great balance of its sweetness and fruit. I would have this wine by itself or with a pasta dish with a light cream sauce. 

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Butternut Chardonnay

Name: Butternut Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2011

Price: $18 (retail)



Winery review: The 2011 Butternut Chardonnay grapes were sourced from a number of different California vineyards to broaden the flavor profile and enhance your drinking experience. The growing regions include Napa, Sonoma, Sierra Foothills and Monterey. Aromas of peach, hazelnut and spiced candied apple leap from the glass. On the palette, Butternut exhibits round, creamy notes of fig, butterscotch and sweet oak. Butternut is like your mother's Chardonnay, only better.

My review: I really enjoyed this buttery Chardonnay; very light hints of fruit, but mostly strong themes of oak, nuttiness, and, of course, butter on the nose. The oak, especially, is very powerful and that's a result of this being a creamy, buttery, and American oaked Chardonnay; it's just the style of the wine.  It tastes very dry, oaky, and woody on the palette with themes of light acid, cream, butter, and vanilla. I would probably pair this Chardonnay with a light dish of chicken and pasta served with a simple white creamy and cheesy sauce and sauteed vegetables.  

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Alamos Torrontes

Name: Alamos Torrontes - The Wines of Catena

Variety: Torrontes

Region: Origin Salta

Country: Argentina

Year: 2013

Price: $13 (retail)

Winery review: The intense mountain sunlight and pure snowmelt water of the Andes gives the Alamos Torrontes its explosive floral aromatic character and bright citrus flavors.  This crisp, refreshing wine is excellent with spicy empanadas and grilled fish. 



My review: This Torrontes really reminded of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with hints of grass and ammonia on the nose and a light theme of fruitiness throughout; it is very pleasant in an aromatic sense.  I would say that it is fairly dry with a lightly acidic, floral taste on the palette. It's just a light South American and I like it because it has character and the South America is very proud of the grape varietal Torrontes!   

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Rioja D.O.C Antano Reserva

Name: Rioja D.O.C. Antano Reserva

Variety: 80% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo, 5% Gamacha

Region: Labastida, Basque Country (northeastern Spain) 

Country: Spain

Year: 2008

Price: $14 (retail)

Winery review: Blending Rioja's four traditional varietals, Tempranilllo, Graciano, Mazuelo and Gamacha, our Reserva starts with a rigorous grape selection followed by gentle pressing and patient aging. It is ruby red in color and shows wonderful layers of cassis, cherry and vanilla flavors with just a hint of spice in the mid-palate through the finish which is long and elegant. This well-aged wine is perfect with steak, roasted pork, lamb and even heart seafood steaks such as swordfish. It will also age beautifully for years in the bottle. 

My review: I think this is the first Rioja I've ever had and I liked it a lot! I had strong themes of oak, dark fruits such as cherry and even some blackberry, and vanilla on the nose. It opens up very nicely with its bouquet when swirled in the glass.  The taste was very dry, lightly tannic, lightly acidic with a medium body, in my opinion. I also could taste the age on this wine; it's usually expected that red wines pack a punch when they're young because the tannic and acidic components haven't had time to settle and soften.  Because it's a 2008 vintage, this wine has had some time to settle down and I could really sense a complexity to this wine because of the aging. I would definitely pair this wine with steak and other heavy meat dishes.   

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - OneHope California Sparkling Brut Wine

Name: OneHope California Sparkling Brut Wine

Variety: Unspecified (tastes like Sauvignon Blanc and maybe Chardonnay) 

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: Non-vintage

Price: $13 (retail)



Winery review: Our Premium Brut Sparkling is light in color and displays aromas of fresh green apple and nectarine with a hint of fresh baked bread. Crisp, intriguing fresh fruit reminiscent of succulent peach, sweet berries and pear linger on the palate, finishing with creamy and refreshing bubbles. This Sparkling can be paired with appetizers, seafood, sushi, as well as a wide range of desserts and cheeses.

My review: I thought this was a good sparkling wine. It reminded me a lot of a New Zealand style Sauvignon Blanc on the nose with themes of ammonia and fruits, like grape fruit, maybe some hints pear and peach, etc.  It has a nice balance of carbonation and dryness in comparison to themes of some acidic fruits, grapefruit coming through the most. I think of this as more of a celebration wine meant to be drunk by itself and not necessarily with any food at all. I think some pungent cheeses and soft crackers (maybe even Italian bread) would probably go best with this sparkling wine. 

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - R Wines Eco.Love Riesling

Name: R Wines Eco.Love Riesling

Variety: Riesling

Region: South Island

Country: New Zealand

Year: 2009

Price: $18 (retail)

Winery review: Our South Island Riesling has a range and combination of flavors unlike any other. These flavors span citrus, root ginger, white peach, spices and florals. Eco.Love Riesling is made in balance to an off-dry style. Food Pairing: Asian Fusion, Seafood, Curry, and anything spicy.

My review: This definitely wasn't one of the excellent Rieslings that I hear about from others.  I was expecting it to be very sweet; on the nose, I sensed a hint of light sweetness along with some floral themes.  Tasting the Riesling, I discovered strong semi-sweetness (on the dry side of semi-sweet), a light creamy mouth feel, and surprisingly low alcohol. I usually expect a Riesling to be mostly sweet with some floral hints, but also with hints of petroleum.  I would pair this wine spicy Asian dishes.  

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Canyon Road Pinot Noir

Name: Canyon Road Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $7 (sale)

Vintage Cellar review: Rich, fruit forward cherry flavors, soft tannins, a medium body and a smooth velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes.



My review: I actually liked this Pinot Noir a little bit. Not as full bodied as some that I've had, but a nice Pinot Noir if your looking for a light red wine to go with food. I noticed strong aromas of blackcherry, blackberry, and other dark fruits and a bit of oak on the nose. On the taste, I took away themes of light acidity, light body, oak, pepper, and dryness. It's a decent Pinot Noir for the price and I think it would go well with skillet-cooked pork chops in a light cream sauce and maybe sauteed vegetables in a light buttery sauce. 

I had this wine without food.