Tasting-Valpolicella Ripasso Antica Corte

Name:  Valpolicella Ripasso
Variety: Antica Corte
Region: Valpolicella
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $19.99

Winery Review:  Wine & Spirits - Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy- "This tight black wine is structured by its flavors of blueberry skins and blackberry seeds, the fruit and tannins reading as one. It's tense with freshness that lengthens and deepens its flavors, a gracious appetite-inducing red to decant for braised lamb.

Personal Review:  It was a deep red color. From the first smell you could tell that it was a big wine. I got lots of earthy tones. It reminded me of leather mixed with the smoky flavor of tobacco. I could tell that there were dark fruits in it, but I could not pick up an particular scents. I think that the smoky flavor was overwhelming.  This wine overwhelmed my palate. It is spicy and zingy and very dry. It was  too much for me. I was glad to be exposed to all of these complex and deep flavors. However, I do not appreciate them. I think in a couple of years I will enjoy this wine more.

Tasting- Castello Paneretta Chianti Classic

Name:  Castello Paneretta
Variety: Chianti Classico
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $24.99

Winery Review:  Elegant, Raspberry, Cherry, Medium-bodied Int'l Wine Cellar - Tuscany, Italy"...aromas of dried red berries, cherry-cola, crushed stone, violet and rose, with a subtle note of vanilla in the background. Palate-staining red cherry and redcurrant flavors are complemented by licorice and aromatic herbs...finishes with strong grip..."

Personal Review: Unmistakable wine! Honestly, probably would not try it again. It reminded me of the taste of a bitter melon. Very earthy. I did not get any of the flavors described above. All I got was the bitter and very dry after taste. Could not move past the after taste. The finish is the only thing that I could focus on.  

Tasting- Tempo Riserva Sangiovese

Name:  Terre di Talamo Morellino di Scansano Riserva
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Scansano
Country: Italy
Year: 2006
Price: $ 16.99

Winery Review: Intense, Cherry, Spice, Full-bodied Wine Advocate - Scansano, Tuscany, Italy- "A darker wine laced with smoke, earthiness grilled herbs, black cherries and an array of darker aromas and flavors... Make no mistake about it, this is a serious wine."

Personal Review:  The best way to describe this wine is earthy! It almost reminds me of the smell of wet mud. Others flavors that I got were oregano and olives. This wine would be good with a hearty meal of spaghetti. It was very dry for my liking. However, it was not as dry compared to the others. Overall, it would probably be better with a meal. I may want to try it again when my palate becomes more refined.

Tasting- Vasco Sassetti Sangiovese Ginepro Sangiovese

Name: Vasco Sassetti Sangiovese Ginepro
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Montalcino
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $ 9.99

Winery Review: Fresh, Fruity, Plum, Medium-bodied Montalcino, Italy- All the flavor and style you can ask for, with plenty of plummy, smoky, anise flavors, impressively put together with a good but not overwhelming dose of tannin. This is really a fun little wine to drink. Ginepro is the Italian word for Juniper tree.

Personal Review: This week my local total wine store was having a tasting of wines from Tuscany! This was the second best wine that I tried. (As the tasting went on the wine got progressively drier. ) This wine was the perfect blend of smoke and okay flavor. It was a bit dry for my liking. However, it was the least dry of the bunch. Overall, this wine probably would have tasted a lot better with food. I do not think my palate is refined enough for dry red wines. I prefer sweet wines with less complex flavors.

Tasting- KupelWieser Pinot Grigio

Name: Kupelwieser
Variety: Pinot Grigio  
Region: Alto Adige
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $ 15.99

Winery Review: Crisp, Citrusy, Pear, Medium-bodiedAlto Adige, Italy- Crisp, and refreshing Pinot Grigio handcrafted by award winning winemaker Peter Zemmer. This complex white reveals flavors of citrus and tree fruits with nuances of mineral, all showcased by a lengthy finish. Try with Catfish, Cod or Snapper.

Personal Review: This week my local total wine store was having a tasting of wines from Tuscany! The color of this Pinot really surprised me! It was light, almost like water. This had to be my favorite of the five wines that I tried. It was crisp and reminded me of citrus. the finish was smooth and light. This wine was perfect in that it was not to light and not to dry. It was the perfect balance of sweet and acidic.

Tasting- F.J Serra Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Name: F.J. Serra
Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: ?
Country: California
Year: 2012
Price: $17.99

Winery Review: Deep garnet color. Aromas of spiced cherries and vanilla-banana cake with a silky, fruity medium body and a snappy apple sauce, cassis jam, and cedar finish. A tasty sipper or gourmet burger wine.

Personal Review: This wine had been open for a couple of days when I first drank it. I am not sure how that affected the taste of the wine. The color was a ruby red, typical of most red wine. Upon, first swirl I got the smell of cherry. However, that was it. When I tasted it all I got on my palate was the acidity of the wine. I could not taste any of the fruity notes that I expected. This wine had a very acidic finish. It was not fruity and light as I expected. This wine was to acidic on its own. Which is why I think it would be perfect for a food pairing.

Tasting- Terrazas Malbec

Name: Terrazas
Variety:  Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $6.99

Winery Review: Its deep red garnet colour with intense and bright hues is perfectly in tune with his complexe and intense aromas given by bursts red fruits like cherry, and rose hip, followed by elegant notes of lavender. Toasted & tobacco aromas hints at the end reflect its ageing in barrels. A sttrong introduction in mouth with all the smoothness of juicy fruits is combined with structuring and mature tannins. A dominant acidity develops a remarkably long persistency.

Personal Review: This wine is a ruby red color. Its is a mid body wine.  Upon sniffy sniff I get the smell of Cherry. I can smell other fruits in it however, I do not know the other smells. When I swirl the wine around in my mouth I get a smooth taste at first. However, when I swallow the wine it burns the back of my throat. There is a smoky component to this wine that I do not enjoy. This wine has a horrible after taste. I wonder if it would taste better with food, however, I doubt it.

Tasting - Loredona Riesling

Name: Loredona
Variety: Riesling
Region:  Monterey
Country: California
Year: 2011
Price: 7.95

Winery Review: If you like your Rieslings on the sweet side, this pretty wine is for you. It’s brisk in Central Coast acidity, with citrus, peach, honeysuckle and spice flavors that finish clean and long

Personal Review: This was a great wine to close out the tasting this week! It reminded me of Spring! This wine was light in color.  It was airy and light. I got the taste of peaches, citrus and honey in the mid palate. It was just the right amount of acid and sweetness! Great wine on its own!

Tasting- Maipe Malbec

Name: Maipe
Variety: Malbec
Region:  Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 201
Price: 8.95

Winery Review:  Deep purple color with violet tints, complex plum,
fig, strawberry, spices and floral aromas; rounded and velvety tannins, excellent
length with a distinguished character. Excellent when paired with game, roasted red meats, pasta or pizza.

Personal Review: The nose was very oaky and dry. The taste could be described as spicy and zingy. I got hints of dark fruit. The spices really overpowered the other flavors in the wine. It was okay, but not my favorite. I did not pair it with food.  

Tasting- Villa d' Rosso Toscano

Name: Villa d'
Variety: Rosso Toscano
Region:  Montepulciano
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: 6.95

Winery Review: 100% sangiovese grapes and is a wonderful rendition of a velvety Tuscan red.

Personal Review: A light ruby color. This wine was very earthy, on the nose smell of black peppers, green vegetables and mud. It was very acidic and the on the mid pallate the taste of craisins came through. The finish was long and dry. I did not pair this wine with food. I do not know if it would have enhanced the flavor of it though.

Tasting- Arnold Palmer Chardonnay

Name: Arnold Palmer

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: ?
Country: California 

Year: 2011
Price: 7.95 

Winery Review: A vibrant Chardonnay from vineyards in cooler climates of California. Chardonnay is well known for its characteristic fresh apple fruit aromas and rounded, rich flavors. Weather during the 2011 harvest provided ideal growing conditions for lush, yet perfectly balanced fruit.

Personal Review: Who knew that Arnold Palmer made wine too? I was expecting it to taste a lot like the non-alcoholic beverage. However, I was pleasantly surprised! On the nose I got hints of green apple. It was sweet, and I got lots of buttery and oaky flavors.  The oak did not over power the other fruit flavors, it was just the right amount. The finish was light and fresh feeling at the top of your palate. I enjoyed this wine and this finish very much! I did not pair this wine with food.   

Tasting- El Sierro Macabeo/Chardonnay

Name: El Sierro

Variety: Macabeo/Chardonnay 
Region:  ?
Country: Spain

Year: 2012 
Price: 6.95 

Winery Review: In the glass, there is a bright and shiny white wine with an incredibly welcoming, fresh appetizing aroma reminiscent of ripe tropical fruits. The flavor is rich, balanced and extremely comfortable. The near-perfect all-purpose white wine. As an additional benefit, and good evidence that El Sierro reflect the new Spain, the bottle is sealed with the technical viewed perfect screw cap that at once eliminates any risk of cork flavor and keeps the fruit and the wine fresher for longer time.

Personal Review: This wine was a light straw color. I got the smell of ripe apples, mango and lemons. The fruit flavor really showed in the nose, which was very acidic and tart. The alcohol cut through the flavors and it was very sharp. This wine reminded me of Spring and the near approaching warm weather. The flavors were strong. I did not try this wine with food. I think a pasta and white sauce would go great with this wine!