Hahn Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling

Name: Hahn Piesporter Michelsbery Riesling

Variety: Riesling

Region: Piesport

Country: Germany

Price: $9.95

Year: N/A.

Shop Review: This wine's light, airy mouthfeel belies its sweetness and intensity of flavor. Honeyed pineapple aromas; similar flavors on the palate, adding gentle citrus notes toward the long, sweet finish.

My Review: The nose on this was really strange to me. I picked up a strong pineapple smell but then I smelt burnt matches. It almost smelled like the gross smell of burning hair. The taste was better and it was definitely sweet, a quality I enjoy in wine. It tasted more like tangerines and white grape Motts juice.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting Tres Ojos Garnacha Calatayud

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha Calatayud

Variety: 85% Garnacha, 15% Tempranillo

Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Price: $6.95

Year: 2012

Shop Review: 88 points- Robert Parker. "The 2012 Tres Ojos Garnacha contains 15% tempranillo (I wonder why) and unoaked cuvee of 200, 000 bottles that matures in vat for at least sevent months before bottling. What I tasted was a very honest, fresh and fruit driven red with aromas of cherries, garrigue and thyme with a medium-bodied palate, some weight and tannins that would do better with food. This is a red that sells for a song."

My Review: This wine was a bit funky to me but maybe my nose was just off. To me it smelled a bit skunky, but not in a way where I thought it had gone bad. To me it also was a bit muddy with some black currant smell. To me it tasted a lot better then it smelled! It was dry on the mid palate with a taste of rock and maybe a super sour blackberry.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting Torre Castillo Cosecha Monastrell

Name: Torre Castillo Cosecha Monastrell

Variety: Monastrell

Region: Jumilla

Country: Spain

Price: $7.95

Year: 2011

Shop Review: 89 points- Stephen Tanzer. 100% Monastrell, aged in American oak for four months. Bright ruby. Powerful, spicy aromas of dark berry preserves and lavender. Fleshy and round on the palate, offering spicy blackberry and blueberry flavors and gaining sweetness with air. Finishes smooth, long and slightly warm.

My Review: This wine's nose reminded me of a Merlot. It had a bit of a leathery smell along with dark chocolate and cherries. On the taste, it was very dry and intense on my palate, which was a nit of a turn off. I could really feel the alcohol in it and it overwhelmed me, making me think it would be a lot better with food. The only fruit flavors I could taste was a bit of blackberry and plum.

I did not try this with food but definitely would try it with a nice steak!

Tasting Chateau Suau Bordeaux Rose

Name: Chateau Suau Bordeaux Rose

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Bordeaux

Country: France

Price: $18

Year: 2013

Shop Review: 88 points- Stephen Tanzer. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Light, lurid pink. Tangerine, raspberry and white pepper on the fragrant nose. Juicy and focused in the mouth, offering zesty red berry flavors with a refreshingly bitter edge. Closes clean and tight, with lingering spiciness and a touch of organ zest.

My Review: This wine had an initially floral smell, like dried roses or dried lilies. On a second smell I could pick up more of a raspberry smell. The taste was more watered down than I thought and it tasted a bit like sour cherry. It wasn't very fruity but the one fruit I could pick up other than cherry was a bit of guava, or just a generally sour fruit.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting Terre di Poggio Laude Percorino

Name: Terre di Poggio Laude Percorino

Variety: Pecorino

Region: Terre di Chieti

Country: Italy

Price: $8.95

Year: 2013

Shop Review: Bright and savory, this floral scented Pecorino offers juicy tropical fruit and lemon drop sensations accented by notes of mint and thyme. The ripe fruit is balanced by brisk acidity that leaves the palate feeling cleansed and refreshed.

My Review: This wine had small hints of chocolate to me and smelled a bit like a light liquor, like vodka. On second smell, it was a bit like an overripe kiwi fruit. The taste was a bit dry on my palate and it tasted a bit like apples, maybe like a Macintosh apple.

I did not pair this with food and probably wouldn't.

Tasting Peter Mertes Riesling Platinum

Name: Peter Mertes Riesling Platinum

Variety: Riesling

Region: Rheinhessen

Country: Germany

Price: $8.95

Year: 2013

Shop Review: This quality Riesling is crisp, clean and easy drinking. Floral and fruity aromas suggest sweet melon and honey with enough acidity to ensure a beautifully balanced and versatile wine.

My Review: On the initial whiff, this wine had a floral bouquet, almost a bit like dried fruit or dried roses. There was a bit of apricot smell, but the dried typed that my grandma loves to eat, and there was also a peach undertone. When I tasted it I was instantly hit with how dry it was but it I didn't overwhelm my palate like a lot of dry wines do. I think the taste was less like peaches and more like pears, along with a bit of a semi-bitter apple taste. I really enjoyed this wine.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone

Name: Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone

Variety: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre.

Region: Rhone

Country: France

Price: $8.95

Year: 2013

Shop Review: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre. 56 Ha grown organically since March 2009 (in conversion). Part of the vineyard is plowed with horses. Average age of the vines : 30 years old. Clear ruby wine with overtones of red berry fruits. Round and supple with smooth aftertaste. A good all round red wine for meat courses, poultry and light cheeses. Best drunk now while fresh with good keeping up to 4 years.

My Review: This wine was a bit confusing but interesting. The smell was of dark cherries and maybe some black currant or black raspberry's. It also had a bit of green leaf smell as well. The taste reminded me a bit of a dry Spanish wine and the tannins were also a bit harsh. I think the wine tasted like sour cherries and a bit like red warhead candy. I could taste a bit of a green pepper or general pepper taste in the finish.

I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting Terre di Poggio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Laude

Name: Terre di Poggio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Laude

Variety: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Laude

Region: Abruzzo

Country: Italy

Price: $8.95

Year: 2012

Shop Review: This opens with dark aromas of leather, tobacco, cured meat, plum and prune. It shows soft tannins and loads of dark fruit on the finish.

My Review: This wine to me would be 100% better with food. When trying it without food, it was not something I would ever drink alone. It smelled heavily of tobacco and cured meat, kind of smelling like a hang out between a big group of guys in their "man cave". The only semi sweet smell I could get would be a bit of blackberry, which isn't even that sweet of a smell. On the taste, it was quite tannic and bold and I could taste more of a leathery/tobacco taste than any type of grape or fruit. While it wasn't a horrible wine, I think that for a newbie like me it was too bold and harsh.

I would like to drink this wine with a steak!

Tasting Sean Minor Pinot Noir Rose Vin Gris

Name: Sean Minor Pinot Noir Rose Vin Gris

Variety: Pinot Gris

Region: Carneros, Cali

Country: USA

Price: $20

Year: 2013

Shop Review:

The Vin Gris is a bright and vibrant salmon color with cherry, strawberry, cranberry and ripe watermelon aromas on the nose.  On entry, the wine displays bright strawberry flavors. Throughout the mid-palate and finish, raspberry and cherry fruit characters are balanced with spicy and crisp acidity that linger creating a refreshing and lengthy finish.  My Review:  This wine was right up my alley, since I am a lover of sweets! I liked the light rose color and could really feel the summer ripe strawberrys and a tinge of watermelon and a sour cranberry smell. The taste was the perfect mix between an acidic white grape juice with strawberry and raspberry flavors. It wasn't Moscato like but it was crisp. I did not try this with food but would like to offset it with something salty, like a salmon or spicy mexican food perhaps.

Tasting Grande Resereve des Bastides Gaillac

Name: Grande Resereve des Bastides Gaillac

Variety: 50% Loin de i'Oeil, 30% Mauzac, and 20% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Gaillac

Country: France

Price: $9.95

Year: 2013

Shop Review: A crisp and fruity blend featuring 20% of the herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc, 50% creamy Loin de l’Oeil and notes of fresh apple and crisp pear, plus a touch of herb from the 30% Mauzac. It has a bright feel, with a hint of mineral on the finish.

My Review: This white almost reminded me more of a sparkling wine or a champagne. It smelled like granny smith apples and a bit like sour guava fruit. The taste was more like crisp pears, and kind of reminded me of that sparkling pear juice you could get from the store around New Year's. I couldn't taste mineral per say but the finish tasted a bit like wet rock.

I did not pair this with food but would like to try it with some light cheese and cured meat appetizers!

Tasting Villa Jolanda Brut

Name: Villa Jolanda Brut

Variety: Prosecco

Region: N/A

Country: Italy

Price: $8.95

Year: N/A.

Shop 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 aftertaste.

My Review: I loved this sparkling wine and was loving the light pear smell but it was definitely not as strongly smelling as many other sparkling champagnes I have tried. It had a crisp taste with pear and apricots throughout the mid palette and ended with an apple finish, like a macintosh taste! I would have this sparkling wine again!

I did not have this with food but would serve it with light appetizers!

Tasting Alvarez de Toledo Godello

Name: Alvarez de Toledo Godello

Variety: Godello

Region: Bierzo

Country: Spain

Price: $7.95

Year: 2013

Shop Review: Clean pale yellow color. Nose fruity, persistent and elegant aromas. Good backbone on the palate.

My Review: This wine was extremely pale and almost looked like water. I could smell a tiny bit of a fruity aroma, like citrus but to me the vegetable smell was overwhelming. It was almost like a tomato or perhaps a leafy green veggie. The taste was lemon like and sour but not in a bad way.

I did not try this with food but would like to do so in the future, perhaps with a chicken dish.

Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region:Veneto

Country: Italy

Price: $7.95

Year: N/A

Shop Review: Named after the famous restaurant in Italy! This is their house white wine! Coppery color from extended skin contact, round and rich texture with juicy melon aromas and flavors with a sweet fennel note on the ultra smooth finish. Great value Grigio! Drink now.

My Review: This wine was interesting and I enjoyed the tangerine like smell with a mix of cantaloupe scent. I expected it to be more acidic and while it was tart, I was happy about it's balance and undertone of sweetness. I felt like there was a bit of a crisp, granny smith apple finish as well!

I drank this wine with a light pasta dish with shrimp and really enjoyed the combo!

Tasting Monte Degli Angeli Sangiovese

Name: Monte Degli Angeli Sangiovese

Variety: Sangiovese

Region: Puglia

Country: Italy

Price: $7.95

Year: 2013

Shop Review: The aromas are rich and dark, with lots of black cherry and a hint of balsamic. In the mouth the wine is round and energetic, with cherry and black raspberry fruit complemented by hints of damp earth. If you like Sangiovese-based wines like Chianti or our best-selling Colsanto from Umbria, you'll love this! The wine is ripe, fresh, and fruit-driven with a wonderful dash of earthy complexity at the end. Buy it by the case and drink with pizza, grilled poultry, and pasta.

My Review: The initial smell I got from this wine was a bit of vegetables, like broccoli and peppers in a  salad. When I read about the label mentioning it had balsamic, it did remind me of what I tasted, almost like a dressing with a purely vegetable salad. I could also feel a bit of an earthy smell, like dirt. The taste itself was black currant with a hint of black pepper. The after taste hit me with wet rock and I wasn't quite sure how to feel about it. Overall,  I think I might prefer this wine with food.

I did not try this with food but I would like to try it with some pasta or pizza!

Tasting Bolla Moscato

Name: Bolla Moscato

Variety: Moscato

Region: Pavia

Country: Italy

Price: $9.95

Year: N/A

Shop Review: Loaded with juicy exotic fruit, mature apricot, yellow peach and tangerine flavors, this sweet and delightful wine is perfect for Sunday brunch or picnics.

My Review: As a huge Moscato drinker I was excited about what this wine had to offer and was very disappointed by it. It smelled like a mixture of freshly mowed lawn and gasoline from the lawn mower itself. I tried to keep an open mind, since the taste doesn't often match the smell but was still upset by the flavor. It hit me like bad grape juice, the type that was made with bad grapes. It also had a bit of grapefruit undertone and leeche taste. I would not drink this wine again.

I did not eat anything with this wine and probably wouldn't want to ruin food with it.

Tasting Villa Pozzi Moscato

Name: Villa Pozzi Moscato

Variety: Moscato

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Price: $8.95

Year:

Shop Review: Loaded with juicy exotic fruit, mature apricot, yellow peach and tangerine flavors, this sweet and delightful wine is perfect for Sunday brunch or picnics.

My Review: I love Moscato and this was right up my alley! It smelled very floral with an accent of sweet fruits. I couldn't exactly put my finger on it but it smelled a bit like sweet plums or some crisp pineapple. I could taste a sweet papaya and tangerine touch, along with a Motts White Grape juice feel.

I did not try this with food but it would be interesting to pair it with a spicy food to offset all the sweetness!

Tasting Bodegas Atalaya Laya

Name: Bodegas Atalaya Laya

Variety: 70% Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) and 30% Monastrell

Region: Almansa

Country: Spain

Price: $8.95

Year: 2013

Shop Review: 88 Points – Stephen Tanzer. A blend of 70% Garnacha Tintorera, a.k.a. Alicante Bouschet, and 30% Monastrell; fermented in stainless steel, followed by four months in French oak.  Bright purple.  Cassis, blueberry, pungent herbs and mocha on the nose.  Smooth and open-knit on the palate, displaying fresh cherry and dark berry qualities and a hint of black pepper.  Finishes with gripping tannins and good length, leaving a subtle floral note behind.

My Review: I could tell it was going to be an intense wine by it's deep purple hue and on the nose, the mocha and earthy, herb like nature really overwhelmed me. I could kind of smell a blackberry smell, maybe cassis but I can't really tell the difference, and almost smelled a bit like espresso, burning my nose. The taste was really weird, but I could pick up on some dark fruits, like a black raspberry or unripe blueberry. The black pepper finish at the end was off putting since the smell was like coffee and at the end I felt like I ate something doused in pepper. I would definitely prefer this wine with food.

I would definitely prefer to match this wine with some food, as it was very strong and not a type of wine I would just sip on. I might try it with a steak or some other type of meat to offset it.

Tasting Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Name: Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Price: $5.95

Year: 2013

Shop 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: This wine was a bit too dry for my taste and I expected that from it's crisp, like color since many other whites I have tried with this color gave this impression. It wasn't extremely dry but I felt like it's apple like taste made it seem a bit too bitter. The pineapple aftertaste was more sour than sweet and as a sweet wine lover, I was disappointed that I couldn't really sense a tad of sugar. I think if I paired this wine with food, it would improve.

I did not pair this with food but it seems like something that could go well with a bunch of different platters!

Tasting Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Price: $6.95

Year: 2013

Shop 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 aftertaste.

My Review: The first thing that caught my eye about this wine was it's green-ish tint, which I haven't seen in to many other white wines. On the nose, it smelt very crisp and fresh but I still got more of rose, or dried flower smell. It did have a bit of a dried apricot smell as well. The taste was more fruit like, which was pleasant because I was worried it would taste like dried flowers as well. To me it tasted a bit like dried bananas and I did pick up a bit on the almond as well.

I did not try this wine with food but would like to pair it with a light dish, like fish or chicken!