Tasting - Morada Sangria

Name: Morada Sangria
Varietal: N/A
Region: Unknown
Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $4.95

Winery Review: Morada sangria is a traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts. Garnet color and fresh on the palate. Pasteurization preserves the color, aromas and flavors. 7% Alcohol. It is a very refreshing Sangria with around 85 grams of sugar. Sangria is now one of the hottest items in the beverage industry and it's growing exponentially year to year. Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana or apple.

My Review: This Spanish drink had a very sweet smell to it. The aroma was filled with the smell of citrus and was pleasant on the palate. Due to the fact that it is mixed, the Sangria is not dry on the palate nor acidic but rather smooth and sweet. Simply put the Sangria does not taste like most other wines because it is wine mixed with many other things and has more sugar in it than most. Although I enjoyed the Sangria at the tasting I do not think I could drink a full glass without getting a headache. I would enjoy making my own Sangria, knowing that I did not add sugar to it and simply got the sugar from the fruit that I put in the drink.

Food: N/A

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Lost Vineyards Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon
Varietal: 60% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: N/A
Country: Argentina
Year: NV
Price: $4.95

Winery Review: It is dry and contains subtle tobacco undertones with a black licorice, cherry, scent. The oak is in the background. Would pair well with a hamburger or steak rather than stand alone.

My Review: The cherry, and black licorice scents were very strong on the nose giving it a delicious aroma. On the palate this wine was smooth, with little acidity and was not quite as dry as 100% Cabernet Sauvignon's. However, it had a bit of dryness at the end while leaving a taste of berry on the tongue. I would definitely try this wine again.

Food: N/A

Tasting - Villa Pozzi Nero D' Avola

Name: Villa Pozzi Nero  D'Avola
Varietal: Nero D'Avola
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Very dark purple, with a reddish-violet edge, typical of this grape. Black plums, a hint of licorice and subtle spice, not overly complex but appealing. A big mouth full of juicy black fruit is well structured by tart acidity and soft but distinct tannins. 

My Review: I enjoyed this wine. It had a soft, jammy aroma on the nose and was prominently filled with the scent of berries. It was dry on the palate but not too dry. It was not as smooth as other wines that I have had but was not as dry as the Rose, earlier in the tasting. It had a bitter end to it that remained on the palate which was surprisingly enjoyable. If I were to buy this wine in the future I feel that it is a wine that can stand on it's own and does not need to be paired with a food.

Food: N/A

Tasting - Tres Ojos Rose

Name: Tres Ojos Rose
Varietal: 50% Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $1.95

Winery Review: This medium rose-colored rosado boasts a spicy red cherry/plum nose with a soft lush attack of red berry fruit flavors and a crisp, dry finish. Simple and refreshing and a natural for tapas.

My Review: I personally did not care for this wine. Although it had a pleasant scent on the nose of sweet berries, it had a tart taste on the palate. I felt that the tannins in the wine were very strong and overly expressed in this wine. Essentially, it made my eye cringe from being too tart and acidic tasting.

Food: N/A

Tasting - Les Perles Piquepoui

Name: Les Perles Piquepoui
Varietal: Piquepoui
Region: Cortes de Thau
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Light and young, this is a straightforward but enjoyable selection that would be an ideal match for light fare such as grilled chicken salads or fluke. Apple flesh, nectarine, and sweet citrus oil aromas and flavors appear on the nose and palate, while the short finish is infused with a flavor of green melon rind.

My Review: I loved this wine before I even tried it simply because of the grape. I love the name. This wine had a sweet, soft smell on the nose. The fruits in the wine were the most prominent in the aroma. It had a tart, acidic taste on the palate. It almost seemed like it had a lemon/lime taste to it. This wine would be delicious on a warm sunny day with a light cheese such as Brie.

Food: N/A

Tasting - Acronym: GR8RW

Name: Acronym GR8RW
Varietal: Blend, Mainly Syrah & Pinot Noir
Region: Central Valley, CA
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $10.00

Winery Review: Acronym is a dark ruby red blend of several varietals dominated by Pinot Noir and Syrah. Dense aromas of red berry fruit combine nicely with hints of roasted coffee, soft vanilla, and milk chocolate. The fruit follows through to the palate with dark berry jam flavors and a touch of cedar spice. The delightfully lush mid-palate segues beautifully into a long, lingering finish.

My Review: Love this wine! The swirl brings out a pleasant aroma of berries and the sweetness of vanilla and chocolate. This wine was super smooth and light. If it didn't have tannins in it, it would almost taste like water. However, the tannins help to bring out a blast in the beginning sip that flows down the throat, leaving a fruity, non acidic/dry taste on the tongue. Absolutely delicious.

Food: N/A

Tasting - Mazzocco Zinfandel Briar

Name: Mazzocco Zinfandel Briar
Varietal: Zinfandel
Region: Dry Creek Valley, CA
Country: United States
Year: 2008
Price: $30.00

Winery Review:  Briarlicious! Fragrances of ripe blackberry, Boysenberry and raspberry opens to a mouth-watering pool of lush tannins infused with elderberry jam, hazelnut and cacao. This wine is symbolic of Dry Creek Zinfandels possessing jammy fruit-forward notes that linger endlessly on the long, fleshy finish.

My Review: This wine was brought to us by my roomate's dad, and simply because it was from the winery and not bought from a grocery store, and because of the price of it, I thought I would enjoy it. However, I wouldn't feel the need to drink this wine again. Although the aroma was very fragrant and fruity, I found the taste to be relatively dry. I did however, enjoy the initial taste of the berries in the wine but was not a fan of the hazelnut and cacao that lingered on my tongue.

Food: N/A

Tasting - Truett Hurst GPS

Name: Truett Hurst GPS
Varietal: 40% PS, $30%Syrah, $30% Grenache
Region: Mendocino, CA
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: $35.00

Review: Concentrated, Berry, Spice, Full-bodied

My Review: I did not enjoy this wine all that much. The spicy aroma it gave off with the initial swirl turned me off right away. When it comes to red wines I do not enjoy the spicy or acidic tasting wines. Although I did not enjoy the scent I tasted it with an open mind. It had a strong, spicy palate and left the same aftertaste on my tongue. I was also surprised when it tasted spicy because I was expecting it to have more of a berry taste.

Food: N/A

Tasting - Cupcake Red Velvet

Name: Red Velvet
Varietal: 47% Zinfandel, 29% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $8.99

Winemaker's Review: “Our first blended red wine for Cupcake Vineyards has over the top aromas of chocolate, deep rich blackberries, red fruits that follow through the palate to a creamy mocha finish that is unmistakable in its intensity and length, with a hint of coconut. It’s reminiscent of a blackberry chocolate cupcake with a mocha coulis.”

My Review: I absolutely love this wine and will definitely buy it again. I am "new" when it comes to drinking red wines but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The initial smell of the wine brings about a berry and almost chocolaty scent. The initial taste is similar in the sense that it tastes sweet, almost as if it could be a dessert wine, but with the aftertaste being a bit dry and full of berries it makes it seem less sweet. I think I enjoy the wine because it is light. I think pairing it with food may help bring out the different berries, or maybe even decanting it might be worth a try.

Food: N/A

Tasting - Fetzer Gewürztraminer

Name: Fetzer Gewürztraminer
Varietal: 81% Gewürztraminer, 19% Muscat
Region: Mendocino, CA
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $9.00


Winery Review: Our Gewürztraminer is rich and complex. It is made with a traditional taste profile, so it is just a bit sweet with crisp acidity. There are aromas of tangerine, mango and orange spice, joined by pineapple baked pear and a bit of cinnamon. The wine is zesty with flavors of clove, orange and caramelized apples.

My Review: Initial smell was light and smelled of citrus. This initially made me concerned because I don't enjoy acidic wines. I was pleasantly surprised however that this wine was on the light side. It had a blast of melon and almost peach taste which I enjoyed. I would definitely drink this wine again.

Food: N/A

Tasting - Opera Prime Pink Moscato

Name: Opera Prime Pink Moscato
Variety: 97% Muscat, 3% Tempranillo
Region: Castilla La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $5.95

Shop 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 it's own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweet and desserts.

My Review: This wine did not have a specific or strong scent. Typically I have never been that big of a fan of Moscato. So, it was no surprise to me that I did not care for this wine. It seemed to me that I was drinking a soda instead of a wine. I think I would have liked it better if it was just a regular moscato instead of sparkling. This would be a good alternative to drink on New Year's eve if one wanted to.

Food: N/A

Tasting - Black Opal Shiraz

Name: Black Opal Shiraz
Varietal: 100% Shiraz
Region: South Eastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Shop's 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 Shirazis rich red in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, pepper, and spice followed with rich plum flavors round the palate. Soft tannins give structure to the fruit-driven palate.

My Review: The Black Opal wine had a "spicy" scent to it. When I think of "spicy" wines I think of a peppery scent which is exactly what this was. One of the people I was with was expecting to smell similar to cinnamon but was pleasantly surprised when it smelled of peppers. It had peppery tones to it which was definitely easy to taste. When it comes to red wines I don't really enjoy peppery ones so I don't think I would ever buy this but I did not think that it tasted bad.

Food: N/A

Tasting - Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Name: Sokol Blosser Meditrina
Variety: 28% Pinot Noir, 50% Syrah, 22% Zinfandel
Region: Oregon
Country: United States
Year: NV
Price: $5.95

Shop's Review: The taste is lush and velvety with expressive notes of raspberry and cherry. It pairs nicely with pasta and anything off the grill.

My Review: This wine had a very interesting scent. I couldn't really pin it but it almost smelled like cake. It was also a very pretty velvety color. When I tasted it I could definitely taste the cherries more than the raspberry. It was a very smooth wine that was the perfect level of sweetness. It wasn't extremely sweet like a moscato, but it did have a slight sweetness to it. I would like to drink this wine again.

Not tried with food.

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham

Name: Wine Men of Gotham
Variety: 80% Chardonnay/ 20% Semillon
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95

Shop's Review: It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot, and butterscotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish.

My Review: As soon as I swirled the wine I could smell the melon scent. It was interesting to me that the wine also tasted predominately of the melon. Although the scent was strong I thought that I would be able to taste some of the other flavors as well. I was expected the wine to be sweet but was pleasantly surprised when it wasn't. It also did not have a strong "alcohol" taste. Even though I like the smell and it was refreshing I don't think I would want to taste it again.

Food: N/A

Tasting - Beringer Riesling

Name: Beringer Riesling
Varietal: 100% Reisling
Region: Napa Valley, CA
Country: U.S.
Year: 2009
Price $5.95

Shop 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. 

My Review: I would definitely drink this wine again. Although it did not have a prominent scent, it had a lovely taste. It didn't smell fruity but I could definitely taste the peach in the wine. If I were to drink it again I think I would enjoy it more with a delicious bread of something of the sort.

Food: N/A

Fish Eye Tasting

Name: Fish Eye Chardonnay
Varietal: Chardonnay
Region: South Eastern
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Cost: ~7



Winery Review: Mild sandalwood incense and waxy fruit aromas with a soft, tangy light body and honeyed apple and lemon and nutshell finish.



My Review: Thoroughly enjoyed the taste for it being a cheap wine. Smell is fruity, with a strong apple aroma. Taste is sweet and smooth. Has a tang to it but not too strong of an acidic bite. Would be perfect to casually drink on a week night when you sit down with a book and have a glass of wine.



Did not try with food.

Finca del Castillo Tasting

Name: Finca del Castillo

Varietal: Tempranillo

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: ~$5.00

Winery Review: Rooty, spicy and baked on the nose, with aromas that lean towards raisin. The palate is more gritty and acidic, with raisin, cola and spic flavors. Darkens up on the finish, which long and peppery, with adequate juiciness and a final note of tomato. 

My Review: I don't think I would ever purchase this wine. It has a little too much "punch" for my palate. It has an acidic end to it that stays on your palate after swallowing which I do not care for. However, it did have a very pleasant aroma. I thought it smelled like pears although it was not a fruity tasting wine. 

I did not try this with food. Recommended to pair with a soft cheese. 

Georges Duboeuf Tasting

Name: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Varietal: Gamay

Region: Beaujolais

Country: France

Year: 2012

Price: ~ $4

Winery Review: Bright and tangy, offering a classic banana note on the nose, with flavors of raspberry, wild strawberry and light spice. Modest finish. 

My Review: All it took was one swirl for the delicious smell of the wine to hit my nose. Smelled almost like a candy. It was dry and fruity but did not have a citrus taste. Would pair with a meal. 

Did not try with food. 

La Cappuccina Soave Tasting

Name: La Cappuccina Soave
Varietal: Other
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: ~8


Winery Review: Delicate on the nose,
with notes of flowers and almonds.
Dry, well-structured and delicately
fruity, with hints of bitter almonds
 on the finish that is typical of
Garganega-based wines.


My Review: I liked this one the best
out of the wines that were tasted on
the same day. It lacked a citrus, acidic
bite which I don't care for in a white
wine. It was dry but not oaky, and had
a soft, fruity taste to it. Would definitely
buy this wine to have as a casual wine to
pour throughout a movie night.

Did not try this with food.

Mars and Venus Chardonnay Tasting

Name: Mars and Venus Chardonnay 2011
Varietal:Chardonnay
Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2011
Price: Average $6


Winery Review: A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag. No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple.  Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping.

My Review: From the initial smell, I could not

tell if it was going to taste fruity or not. It did not

have a citrus taste, was more or less kind of bland.

It 's a light wine that tasted almost buttery in the sense

that it was smooth. To be honest I did not feel 

that it had much life to it. Pretty hollow and I feel 

it would be best served alone to casually sip 

 instead of paired with a meal. 

Tasted wine without food.