Tasting- Delaroche Torrontes

Name: Delaroche 

Variety:  Torrontes

Region: Rhone Valley

Country: France

Year: 2011

Price: $ 8.95

Winery Review: This semi-opaque ruby, custom cuvée of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre is made specifically for Fran Kysela. It exhibits very fresh, ripe dark red fruit with very good palate weight and depth and ends with rich fruit notes. Made from organically grown grapes. Incredible value!

Personal Review: I could really smell the oak. It was dry and tart. I could taste the oak and smokey flavor upon first taste. However, I could not identify what else was in the wine. The oak overpowered the other flavors. The finish was not smooth. Which ruined the wine for me. I did not pair it with food. 

Tasting- Montebuena Rioja

 

Name: Montebuena 

Variety:  Rioja

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: $ 8.95

Winery Review: (100% Tempranillo, raised entirely in American oak): Vivid ruby. Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja.

Personal Review:I faintly smelled black current in the wine upon first swirl. I tasted it, the wine was sweet. It had a distinct taste at the beginning, that I did not enjoy. The finish was better. The wine was a dry. I enjoyed the taste, however, I do not think that I would purchase this wine. I did not pair it with food. 

Tasting - Weinkeller Erbach Flonheimer Adelberg Sylvaner

Name: Weinkeller Erbach

Variety:  Flonheimer Adelberg Sylvaner

Region: Rheinhessen

Country: Germany

Year: 2010

Price: $ 4.95

Winery Review: The fruity, mouthwatering wine has a nice acidity-sugar balance and comes from the so called 'Rheinhessen-Switzerland', the heartland of Rheinhessen. It has a floral bouquet and is full of lemon zest, hint of passion fruit, and smells like yellow fruit, lemon-grass and green tea, all wrapped around a pleasant creaminess and a semi-dry profile. The finish is zippy and refreshing. Perfect for party on the deck as it comes in a liter bottle!

Personal Review:  Overall my favorite wine that I have tasted thus far.  Upon first swirl, I could really smell the passion fruit and the lemon. Could definitely taste the tartness of the lemon. The wine had a zing to it. It was sweet, fruity, and light and had a very smooth finish. I did not pair it with food. 

Tasting- Maipe Torrontes

Name: Maipe

Variety:  Torrontes

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2013

Price: $ 7.95

Winery Review: Spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body.  Well balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish. Best enjoyed in its youth either by itself, or as a wonderful partner with smoked meats, mild to medium-strong cheeses, seafood and a great partner for spicy food as well.

Personal Review: I could really smell the roses and the apple. The smell really delighted me, it smelled a little like a rose perfume. Which is one of my favorite scents. Upon tasting I really got the green apple flavor. It was very fruity and light. However, I did not enjoy the finish. It was too bitter for me. The after taste ruined the wine for me. I did not pair it with food. 

Tasting- Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Name: Cortenova

Variety:  Pinot Grigio

Region: Venezie

Country: Italy

Year: 2012

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the finish. Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi, spaghetti with clams, sole in white wine. Perfect also as an aperitif.

Personal Review: The color was golden. Upon first swirl I could really smell the pears. Overall, the flavor was sweet but not too sweet. The wine was fruity dry and it had a nice smooth finish. I would be curious to see how it would taste with food.