Tasting- Bellafina Pink Moscato

Name: Bellafina
Variety:Pink Moscato
Region: ?
Country: Italy
Year: ?
Price: 9.95

Winery Review: A blend of Moscato and Rabosos grapes it has a pale rose color, notes of red berries (strawberry and raspberry), with the characteristic and fragrant bouquet and palate that is typical of the Moscato grape.

Personal Review:  This wine was delicious! One the nose I got strawberry, raspberry and rose. The bubbles made the wine airy, and light. It was just the perfect amount of sweet and citrus. The finish was of strawberries. Overall a solid wine that I really enjoyed! I did not pair it with food.

Tasting- Weinert Carascal

Name: Weinert
Variety: Carascal
Region: ?
Country: Argentina
Year: 2008
Price: 13.95

Winery Review: Aged for two years in cask, the 2008 Carrascal is a blend of 40% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. It has a rustic blackberry, scorched earth and leather-scented bouquet with touches of pressed flowers. The palate is well-balanced with crisp tannins, expressive black tarry fruit and a Bordeaux-like finish. Drink now-2016.

Personal Review:  This wine was a ruby red. On the nose I got a leathery, musty and old smell. This wine was overpowering and unmistakable. It tasted burned. It was tart and edgy. The finish was rough. It was unmistakable. It was very distinct. I think that it would taste better with food. Maybe?

Tasting- Santa Julia Malbec

Name: Santa Julia
Variety: Malbec
Region:?
Country:Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: 8.95

Winery Review: The nose is full of mellow raspberry and cherry, while the palate is fleshy and round, with blackberry and a touch of raisin. Plump, not edgy, and ready to drink, with coffee and mocha notes on the finish.

Personal Review: On the nose I got cherry and raspberry flavors. On the mid palate I got blackberry undertones. The wine had a semi-bitter finish. This wine was okay on its own. However, I think paired with food it is amazing.

Tasting- Gougenheim Torrontes

Name: Gougenheim
Variety: Torrontes
Region: ?
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: 9.95

Winery Review: The 2012 Torrontes comes from Chilecito in La Rioja. It has a light floral nose with touches of lemon peel and nectarine. The palate is crisp and taut, showing far more vivacity and fruit that the nose implied, finishing with a flourish of apricot and white peach. Drink now.

Personal Review: This wine was okay. On the nose I got peach, lemon and other citrus flavors. It had a similar flavor profile to the Pinot Grigio we tasted this week. However, it was very acidic, sharp and crisp. I think that this wine would pair well with food because of how acidic it is.

Tasting- Santa Julia Pinot Grigio

Name: Santa Julia
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: ?
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price: 8.95

Winery Review: Light and clean, which compared to other Argentine Pinot Grigios is not something to dismiss. Feels solid and punchy, with orange and mango flavors. Has nice overall clarity and balance, with a citrusy finish.

Personal Review:   This wine was very good. On the nose I got nectarine, mango and citrus notes. I really enjoyed the citrus and orange finish. This wine was the perfect blend of acidic and sweet. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting- Jam Jar Sweet White

Name: Jam Jar
Variety: Sweet White
Region: ?
Country: South  Africa
Year: 2011
Price: 8.95

Winery 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.

Personal Review:  This wine was my favorite of the five! It is a golden yellow color. On the nose I get hints of peach, honeydew, nectarine. This wine is a good  balance of sweet and tart. It was complex and I really enjoyed it!

Tasting- Entrada Malbec

Name: Entrada
Variety: Malbec
Region: Noncagua
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: 5.95

Winery Review: Firm and structured, this is a solid wine, laced with mineral acidity and tight tannins. It has a juicy, blackberry fruit component cutting through the texture.

Personal Review: The wine has a peppery nose. I get hints of blackcherry and other dark fruit. The mid-palate is  light. The finish is acidic but not as bad as the others. Overall, this wine was okay. Not my favorite but I would like to try it again with food.      

Tasting- Vina Borga Borsao

Name: Vina Borga
Variety: Borsao
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: 6.95

Winery Review: 86 Points – Robert Parker
Also made from 100% Grenache, the 2012 Vina Borgia was fermented and aged in stainless steel. Its medium dark ruby color is followed by abundant notes of strawberries and black cherries offered in a straightforward, medium-bodied, soft, hedonistic, round style. It is hard to believe a wine this good can sell for $7 a bottle. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years.

Personal Review:  This wine is a dark ruby color. On the nose I get cherries and strawberries. The middle and the finish are tart. I did not think this wine was as acidic as the white wine. However, it did have a complex finish to it. This wine was okay. I did not pair it with food.  

Tasting- Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Name: Peter Lehamnn
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: ?
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: 9.95

Winery 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.   

Personal Review: The wine was smoky, dry and dusty. On the nose I got peaches and lemon. It was sharp and acidic. I got pear in the finish of the wine. Overall, it was a great chardonnay. I would really enjoy it with food.

Tasting- Protocolo Vino de la tierra de Castilla

Name: Protocolo
Variety: Vino de la tierra de Castilla
Region: ?
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: 6.95

Winery Review: Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.

Personal Review: The color is golden yellow. Upon sniffy sniff I got hints of green apple and lemon. The wine is really acidic. It makes my mouth pucker. The finish is lemony. I really enjoyed it because the scent and taste of lemon is one of my favorites. I did not pair this wine with food. However, It was really enjoyable.