Tasting - Coastal Vines White Zinfandel

Name: Coastal Vines White Zinfandel

Variety: White Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $6.95

Shop/wine critic/winery review: This White Zinfandel has a beautiful pink salmon color and crisp acidity. The wine shows juicy fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry, with a tangy sweet finish. Pairs well with mild cheeses, crab cakes, and spicy Asian cuisine.

My review:  This wine was super sweet.  I prefer this wine of the 5 we tasted at the tasting.  I could taste a slight cherry flavor on the second sip.  I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - Ilurce Tempranillo

Name: Ilurce Tempranillo

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Year: 2008

Price: Regular $14 Sale $5.95

Shop/wine critic/winery review: 88 points – Stephen Tanzer. Dark purple. Zesty, youthfully medicinal aromas of dark berries, licorice and cracked pepper. Juicy and fresh, with smooth texture and sweet cherry and spice flavors framed by dusty tannins. Finishes with a suggestion of slightly roasted fruits and good clinging persistence. Delivers a lot of power and richness for the money.

My review:  This wine was very dark and very acidic.  It has a fruity/berry flavor that was stronger than the other wines I tasted that day.  I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - San Elias Carmenere

Name: San Elias Carmenere

Variety: Carmenere

Region: Valle Central

Country: Chile

Year: 2014

Price: Regular $9 Sale $5.95

Shop/wine critic/winery review: This medium-bodied red offers roasted plum, kirsch, sage and game notes, with light tannins supporting the spicy finish.

My review: When drinking this wine at the tasting, I could taste a burnt flavor. This wine had a slight acidic taste .  The wine was too harsh of a taste for my liking.  I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - Riebeek Chenin Blanc

Name: Riebeek Chenin Blanc

Variety: Chenin Blanc

Region: Swartland

Country: South Africa

Year: 2014

Price: Regular $10 Sale $6.95

Shop/wine critic/winery review: Fresh kiwifruit, green apple and almond notes bounce along, showing a flash of plantain on the friendly finish. Drink now. 

My review:  This wine was very sour. I could definitely taste a green apple flavor which is probably why I thought it was sour.  I was also surprised to find out this wine came from South Africa.  I did not have this wine with any food..

Tasting- Santa Luz Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Santa Luz Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Valle Central

Country: Chile

Year: 2013

Price: Regular $11 Sale $6.95

       

Shop/wine critic/winery review: Like any good Sauvignon Blanc, this opens with oceanic aromas of citrus fruits, sea foam and minerality. In the mouth, it is juicy and stony, with washing acidity. Flavors of honeydew, lime and a nice grassiness finish firm, with good backbone. Drink this with salads, shellfish and ceviche.

My review: This wine was the first one we tasted at the tasting and it was very tart, somewhat sour.  This is probably from the citrus flavors that could be tasted but I was unsure which fruits.  I did not have any food paired with this wine.

Tasting - Canyon Road Moscato

•Name- Canyon Road Moscato

•Variety- Moscato

•Region- California

•Country- USA

•Year- 2013

•Price- Regular $12, Sale $6.95

•Shop review- Floral, with tea rose and cherry blossom notes, this balanced Moscato shows flavors of ripe white cherry, candied plum and almond on the smooth finish.

•Your review- This white wine was extremely sweet compared to the other wines in the tasting, which is expected since it is a Moscato.  Unfortunately I did not taste any of the floral or cherry blossom notes as being an inexperienced taster I was hung up on how sweet the wine was.  I did not try this wine with any foods.

Tasting - Resonata Nero D’Avola

•Name- Resonata Nero D’Avola

•Variety- Nero D’Avola

•Region- Sicily

•Country- Italy

•Year- 2013

•Price- Regular $14, Sale $6.95

•Shop review- The grapes are soft pressed and the juice is placed in stainless steel along with the skins for a maceration of 8 to 10 days with daily pumping over of the juice to extract more color and sweet tannins. Dense ruby red with violet reflections. Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice. Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background. Excellent with lamb, grilled and barbecued meats, dishes with olives or capers and seasoned cheeses.

•Your review- This red wine was sweeter than I expected it to be after hearing the pourers description.  I tasted a hint of berries although I was unsure which kind they may be. This wine was a darker red than the previous wine in the tasting.  I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - Canyon Road Pinot Noir

•Name- Canyon Road Pinot Noir

•Variety- Pinot Noir

•Region- California

•Country- USA

•Year- 2013

•Price- Regular $12, Sale $6.95

•Shop review- Rich, fruit forward cherry flavors, soft tannins, a medium body and a smooth velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes.

•Your review-  This red wine tasted tannic to me.  I did not taste anything distinct in this wine and it tasted like a very simple red wine to me.  It was smoother to drink than the previous wines but not something I would drink regularly.  I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting- Maipe Chakana Wines Torrontes

•Name- Maipe Chakana Wines Torrontes

•Variety- Torrontes

•Region- Mendoza

•Country- Argentina

•Year- 2013

•Price- $7.95

•Shop review- Spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish.

•Your review- This wine tasted sour to me.  It had fruit qualities to it but in the end it was sour.  This may be because I dislike green apples so it was an off putting taste.  I did not accompany food with this wine tasting.

Tasting - Hugl Gruner Veltliner

•Name- Hugl Gruner Veltliner

•Variety- Gruner Veltliner

•Region- Niederosterreich

•Country- Austria

•Year- 2013

•Price- $7.95

•Shop review- "A fresh scent of green pears greets the nose. What follows comes in a light,
crisp citrus vein, supported by a rounded mouthfeel. A refreshing wine for immediate drinking. - Anne Krebiehl, MW." Wine Enthusiast gave it 89 points

•Your review- This wine was a fairly sweet wine that tasted like a fruit that I realized was pear after hearing the description from the pourer.  This wine did not taste super fruity as I has a pear wine the week previous that distinctly tasted only of pear.  I did not have this wine with any food.