Tasting - Sonnenband Moscato Magnum

Name: Sonnenband

Variety:  Moscato Magnum   

Region: -

Country: Spain

Year: 2011   

Price: $9.95

 Winery Review: This wine is intricate with the delicate perfumes of white flower blossoms, profound tropical fruit sweetness, and energized by citrus nectars.

Personal Review:  This wine was a golden color. It was delicious. I could really smell the fruit and flowers. It was delicious and sweet. The lemony and citrus notes really came through.  It was sweet and tasted like honey. One of my favorites! 

Tasting - Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Neu Direction  

Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon  

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: This Cabernet Sauvignon shows very good purity of fruit and skillful winemaking. This wine is full of blackfruit aromas, depth and style. The palate pushes ripe plum and berry fruit along with chocolate, and the finish is chewy and correct in terms of tannins and structure.

Personal Review: This wine was a deep ruby red. I could really smell the blackberry and cherry. The wine smelled light and airy. However, it was the opposite if what I expected. It had a complex mid palate. It was overwhelming. I did not pair it with food.  

Tasting- Champteloup Pinot Noir

Name: Champteloup

Variety:  Pinot Noir

Region: Loire  

Country: France  

Year: 2011

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: In the heart of France’s Loire River Valley lies the Touraine wine region. Although it produces vast amounts of well-priced, fresh, mostly white wines, lovely reds like this are broadening Touraine’s appeal. This wine may seem familiar to you. It is a sibling of the Touraine Sauvignon Blanc we’ve offered for years. Serge de Bucy employs a light touch in his winemaking, using no wood and doing as little as possible to preserve freshness. Bright cherry and strawberry fruits are followed by a soft, smooth palate.

Personal Review: This wine is a light red color. I thought that it would be light. However, it was the exact opposite. It has a very peppery nose. It was not fruity. I got a really smoky flavor on my palate at the end. It tasted like tobacco.  I did not like this wine on its own. However, if I had this wine with dinner, it may have complimented it more. 

Tasting- Baumann Gentil Classiq

Name: Baumann

Variety:  Gentil Classiq  

Region: Alsace

Country: France  

Year: 2012

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: A delicious and fresh blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. Light aromas of fresh fruit and delicate white flowers start your journey, followed by crisp flavors of stone and citrus fruit. A well balanced acidity on the dry finish ends this French blend beautifully.

Personal Review:  The wine smells delicious, the fruity and citrus notes shine through perfectly. The wine is light and flowery. It is complex and has many layers to it. It has a weird after taste. The alcohol shows through at the end instead of blending in with the wine. I did not pair the wine with food. 

Tasting- Fattori Runcaris Soave

Name: Fattori

Variety:  Runcaris Soave  

Region: Soave

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: From the local Italian word for “to work the soil,” Runcaris represents an easy, fresh expression of Soave Classico with lingering aromas of citrus, yellow rose, honey, jasmine and dried herbs.

Personal Review:  This wine was fruity and flowery. It was light and smooth. It has a nice finish. It was a light yellowish color. It did not have a lot of body. It was light and airy. I did not try this wine with any food.   

Tasting- Liberty Creek Merlot

Name:  Liberty Creek

Variety: Merlot

Region: Modesto

Country: California

Year: 2013

Price: $ 8.99  

Winery Review: Merlot is one of America's fastest growing red wines. Not as full-bodied as Cabernet, not quite as fruity as Chianti, our Merlot delivers rich flavors of ripe raspberry and cherry, with a smooth finish that is especially pleasing. Our Merlot's bold flavors and smooth style make it a great match for meat, pasta, or a hearty vegetarian dish. This wine is a great alternative to Burgundy! With its characteristic softness, Liberty Creek Merlot can be admirably used to contrast dishes with big, bold flavors like pasta arrabiata, or to complement more subtly flavored recipes like eggplant parmesan.

Personal Review: I could not smell the fruit. Upon first taste I found the wine to be very strong and bold. The alcohol was sharp and cut through my palate. The finish was bitter and dry. I did not enjoy this wine. I think that if I tried it again, I may like it more. Not a bad wine, I just do not enjoy the taste of Merlot. I did not pair it with food. However, if I did it would have cut the alcohol more and may have been enjoyable.    

Tasting- Yellow Tail Shiraz

Name: Yellow Tail 

Variety:  Shiraz 

Region: South Eastern 

Country: Australia 

Year: 2013 

Price: $ 6.49

Winery Review: While some Shiraz can be over the top, this wine offers some seriously easy drinking, even when the wine is young. Red fruits dominate the nose and mouth, but subtle spice and a hint of dusty tannins join in for good measure. A perfect winter warmer and yet surprisingly drinkable all year around.Deep and dark in the palate, this Shiraz offers classic red berry fruit, Christmas cake spices, dried figs and a long, juicy finish. Serve with herb crusted leg of lamb, medium rare, and a handful of oven baked potato wedges.

Personal Review:  The wine was a dark red almost purple color. I got hints of vanilla upon first smell. I could taste the cherry and blackberry. However, I could not get any of the other flavors. The first taste was smooth. However, once I tasted it a second time it had a longer harsher finish. I think that I am currently starting to become accustomed to the taste of red wine.  I enjoyed the wine and would try it again. I did not pair it with food, but I think the earthy notes of the wine would taste good with grilled meat. 

Tasting- Taylor Port Premier

Name: Taylor 
Variety:  Port Premier
Region: Porto
Country: Portugal 

Year: 2013
Price: $ 6.49 

Winery Review: Rich, fruity taste and smooth finish make Taylor Port the perfect choice to pair with your favorite dessert. It is a moderately sweet, ruby red port and is delicious for evening sipping. Serve over ice or at room temperature, with a twist, or with soda.

Personal Review: I love this wine! It has to be my top wine out of anyone that I have tasted thus far. The wine is a very light red. It looks thin and watery even if it has a high alcohol content (18%). However, you cannot tell when drinking the wine. It was not acidic nor had a lot of bite to it. It was sweet, almost like dessert. It has a very smooth finish. I swirled and smelled to see what fruit flavors I could get. I could not pick up any of the smells. The wine just smelled sweet. I did not pair it with food. I imagine that it would taste good with fruit or maybe something less sweet to balance the sweetness of the wine.   

Tasting- Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Cupcake Vineyards
Variety:  Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand

Year: 2012
Price: $9

Winery Review: Sourced from the South Island of New Zealand, this Sauvignon Blanc exhibits complexity and a vibrant zing. Flavors of Meyer lemons and Key limes integrate with hints of grapefruit, gooseberry and citrus, culminating in a long, creamy finish.Long, cool seasons in New Zealand’s Marlborough region allow our grapes to mature slowly and gain character and complexity. The grapes are harvested at night and gently crushed before undergoing cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks. An extended fermentation sur lie adds richness and softness, complementing the fruit’s natural zest and acidity.

Personal Review:  Upon first swirl I could really pick up the smell of the lemon. They fruity smell is complex and delicious. Personally, I love the smell of lemons so I really enjoyed this wine. It was a light golden color. I did not try it with food. I think that a pasta paring with this wine would be delicious. I would love to have it again.