Name: Isiri Dolcetto d'Alba
Variety: Dolcetto
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $7.95
Winery Review: Cherry and plum aromas fill the nose with jammy overtones. It is firm with almond flavors on the finish. Dolcetto is the everyday wine of the Piemontese, it pairs well with a wide variety of dishes from tomato-based pasta dishes and white meats, to minestrone and antipasto platters. - Vintage Wine Cellar 02/23/2013
My Review: Very dark wine that come in strong with aromas of dark berries. I was able to pick out hints of cherry and plum in the in it as well. Unexpectedly the wine was not sweet on the tongue, but its strong, dark aromas made it so. Unfortunately I was not a fan of this wine.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Joseph Carr Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Sonoma Coast, California
Country: Unites States
Year: 2007
Price: $9.95
Winery Review:
Ever-elusive, our Central Coast Pinot Noir offers cherry, and dark wild raspberry in both the bouquet and taste, I also find aromatic violets, tea, strawberry seed, and hints of mushroom, The wine shows good structure with balances, yet approachable tannin. - Vintage Wine Cellar 02/23/2013
My Review: I consider this wine very strange; it smelled like vegetable baby food. It had an odd, earthy aspect to it in combination with a slightly floral berry aspect. I was not a fan of this wine at all, it was disgusting to me to the point I didn't spend time analyzing it. Yuck!
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: J.P. Chenet Dry Rose Sparkling
Variety: Bobal
Region: Le Pays d'Oc and Gascogne
Country: France
Year: 2009
Price: $6.95
Winery Review: Intense and fine, dominated by notes of red berries. The combination of fine bubbles and delicate aromas make this a delightfully light and silky rose. Aromas in the mouth evoke re berries, cherries, strawberries: mellow and well-balanced. - Vintage Wine Cellar 02/23/2013
My Review: I enjoyed drinking this sparkling wine; it was light but not overly sweet. There was a sweet berry flavor that could be detected on the nose and tongue. This rose had the right combination of a light sweetness supported by a dry, bubbly edge.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Fortediga VermentionoVariety: Arinto/ Azal
Region: Tuscany Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $9.95Winery Review: Clear yellow in color. The aromas are lifted with pleasant hints of pear and green apple. The fresh, smooth flavors on the entry persist, the structure in fine and balances well with the fruit. - Vintage Wine Cellar 02/23/2013My Review: Very fresh wine with a strong green apple bite to it. Though fresh and dry, this pale yellow wine did not have a strong acidic edge to it making it enjoyable.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Nopa Vinho VerdeVariety: Arinto/ Azal
Region: Vinho Verde Country: Portugal
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95Winery Review: The result is elegant, silky, fresh and well balanced, with a fine citrus brightness. Ideal as an aperitif or as a perfect accompaniment to seafood, poultry, pasta, salads, spicy oriental food, and grilled white meat. Enjoy in moderation and in good company. - Vintage Wine Cellar 02/23/2013My Review: A light refreshing wine with a golden color. Nopa has hints of apply and citrus on the nose with an earthy, grassy edge. The wine itself was mildly dry and lacked the sweetness you'd expect in whites. Overall is a decent white wine I'd like to try with seafood.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Gabriella ChiantiVariety: Chanti
Region: Tuscany Country: Italy
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95Winery Review: This beautiful wine had the very deep red, almost purple, color that you would expect in a Chianti. The first thing you would 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. - Vintage Wine Cellar 02/14/2013My Review: This is definitely a bold wine with an acidic kick to it. The aromas of this wine were warm and spicy with a fruity, almost cranberry-apply edge. This wine was a little too bold for me, the acid overpowered the taste. I am curious as to how decanting may change it.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Lavarini Valpolicella ClassicoVariety: 65% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, 10% Molinara
Region: Valpolicella Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95Winery 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. - Vintage Wine Cellar 02/14/2013My Review: Very fruity wine with strawberry and cherry easily detectable. Though dry and not very sweet, Valpolicella has a smooth and silky texture. I would have preferred a little more sweetness to make this wine a tad more enjoyable.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Dom de MirailVariety: Cabernet/ Merlot Rose
Region: Cotes de Gascogne Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95Winery Review: There is a fresh, crisp character to this light rose. It is eye-watering in its refreshing character, with balancing acidity, smoothing out the edges with a touch of caramel. - Vintage Wine Cellar 02/14/2013My Review: This wine contains a warm, caramel edged added to its tangy freshness. On the tongue, this wine is creamy and smooth with an acidic side adding more dimension. I did not mind this wine.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Norton Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Mendoz
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95
Winery Review: Greenish yellow with hints of gold, this Torrontes has intense aromas of white peach, rose petal, and jasmine. Norton Torrontes 2011 is pleasant and well balanced on the palate - Vintage Wine Cellar 02/14/2013
My Review: Norton Torrontes has a subtle golden green color with hints of peach and slightly floral aromas. The wine itself is light and smooth on the tongue, with a mildly sweet taste. It was not one of my favorite wines.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Dibon CavaVariety: Xarel-lo, Parellada, and Macabeo
Region: Penedes Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $9.95Winery 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. - Vintage Wine Cellar 02/14/2013My Review: Extremely bubbly and dry, almost eye-watering. Dibon Cava had a nice light golden color with a layer of bubbles the quickly popped after being poured. Hints of citrus and apple were detectable in the aroma. This wine was too dry and carbonated for my liking, I wasn't a big fan but do believe it had a lot to it.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Opera Prima Pink Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: Castilla La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: N/A
Price: $5.95
Winery Review: This fine sparkling presents an 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 its own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts. -
Vintage Wine Cellar 02/07/2013
My Review: Though not normally a fan of Moscato, I am definitely a fan of the Opera Prima Pink. The wine tasted extremely smooth, sweet, non-acidic, and a had hint of carbonation. It was light and fresh with a floral essence to it. The wine itself reminded me of drinking tea with aromas of an expensive, floral perfume. Opera Prima was an extremely feminine wine; it is a treat on it's own.
Food: I did not try this wine with food, but think it is too sweet to pair with certain desserts.
Name: Black Opal Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: South Eastern
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. -
Vintage Wine Cellar 02/07/2013
My Review: My favorite wine this week; I even purchased a bottle. Black Opal Shiraz reminded me of the holidays with its fruity, yet spicy aromas and tastes. It had an extremely fruity, appealing scent that was nice enough to be made into an air freshener. The wine itself was mildly sweet, with a soft tannic edge. I really enjoyed this wine and highly recommend it!
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Sokol Blosser Meditrina
Variety: Pinot Noir/ Syrah/ Zinfandel
Region: Oregon
Country: United States
Year: N/A
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 or raspberry and cherry. It pairs nicely with pasta and anything off the grill. -
Vintage Wine Cellar 02/07/2013
My Review: I really enjoyed tasting this wine, it has a sweet, velvety scent that was very appealing. The wine tasted sweet, tart, it wasn't acidic and it reminded me of cake. The best way I can describe this wine is it smells and has the smoothness of a dessert, but lacks the overwhelming sweetness.
Food: I did not try this wine with food, but am eager to.
Name: Beringer Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Nappa Valley, California
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95
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. -
Vintage Wine Cellar 02/07/2013
My Review: This wine was very sweet, more so than I remember with other reislings. I wasn't able to detect any other flavors within the taste and scent aside from a hint of peach. The wine was very light on the tongue, but do to its overall sweetness I was not a fan. I would have preferred it with a bit more or a tart edge.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon
Variety: Chardonnay/Semillon
Region: Southern 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 butterscgotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish. -
Vintage Wine Cellar 02/07/2013
My Review: Yum, what a fruity but not overly sweet wine. I could detect aromas of tropical fruits like guava and melon, with even a faint, warm scent of butterscotch. This wine tasted slightly sweet, but tart with a slightly acidic edge. I would definitely like to try this wine again!
Food: I did not try this wine with food but am eager to.
