Blacksburg Fork and Cork

My first Blacksburg Fork and Cork experience began with a 40 minute wait in line for Trump Winery from Charlottesville. After tasting five excellent wines, I figured I would need to buy a bottle to make the time pass in between tastings and line waiting. I ended up getting a $10 rose from Trump, the cheapest wine I saw all day. It was not stellar, but the price and my sobriety were the main reasons I made the purchase. Here are the wines I tasted from Trump:

Blanc de Blanc

Chardonnay

2008

$25

Winery Review:  Brut sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay, using the traditional French methode Champenoise. Nose of green apple, brioche and slight pear. On the mouth there is crisp acidity with citrus notes. Aged 22 months on the lees. Pair with mild cheeses, sushi, or serve as an aperitif. 

Personal Review:  Very fizzy and crisp. Definitely smelled the apple and pear notes, and the aromas were especially sour. The flavors weren't as much sour as they were crisp, tart, and acidic. It was a very good sparkling wine, but needed to be paired with food for sure.

Chardonnay

2012

$17

Winery Review:  90% in stainless steel and 10% in French oak barrels. Vibrant grapefruit, pear and citrus aromas that are lush and crispy on the palate, finishing with a subtle creaminess. Refreshing, crisp and clean, this wine is easy to drink by itself and stands up well to food. Pair with gazpacho, caprese salad, and quiche.

Personal Review:  Again, very crisp and tangy. Did not go down as smooth as most chardonnays, but still was very refreshing. Would be great on a hot day to drink on your porch. Citrus was very present in aromas and flavors. Wasn't buttery or oaky like most chardonnays, but that was due in part to it being stored mainly in stainless steel.

Rose

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

2011

$10

*Paired with cheeses and apple slices

Winery Review:  Dry rose blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Nose of strawberry and flowers. Raspberry and grapefruit on the palate. Excellent balance between acidity and volume. Pair with anything off the grill, pizza, charcuterie, and cheese.

Personal Review:  Though I did buy a bottle, it was very light and watery. Grapefruit was the most dominant flavor, but the rest was like white grape juice. The aromas were also very light and flowery, maybe a bit of honeysuckle. Got much better as I tried it with sample slices of cheese. The apple watered it down even more, but the cheese was a nice complement and made it seem more full-bodied.

Simply Red

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc

2008

$17

Winery Review:  Lightly toasted aromas of black currant, blueberries cherries. Smooth, medium bodied with flavors of black cherry and cocoa with a long finish. Pair with chicken, pork tenderloin, and soft cheeses.

Personal Review:  This wine had an exceptional amount of pepper, which ended up being overpowering. Despite its lack of smoothness, it was still very flavorful. I enjoyed it alot, but it would have paired great with a heavy meat such as steak.

CRU

Chardonnay

2012

$28

Winery Review:  100% Chardonnay juice fortified with brandy, then aged in bourbon barrels. Try it on the rocks or mixed for a sweet treat with a kick. 

Personal Review:  The best wine of the day by far. The winery said that it had been stored in the same barrels that Jack Daniels whiskey is aged in. The alcohol was very strong, almost 20%, but it was very refreshing and flavorful. The color was a light golden brown, and the aroma smelled of bourbon. Fantastic to drink without food.

After I left the Trump tasting table, I waited a mere 20 minutes for the Attimo Winery. I tasted a very good rose and an excellent Reisling there.

Just Kissed

Vidal Blanc Rose

$17

Personal Review:  A very sweet rose. Tasted almost as if there were actual cubes of sugar sprinkled in the wine. Still tasted very much like a red, with hints of pepper and raspberry apparent all the way through the finish. Was good by itself, would have been even better as a dessert wine.

Off the Cuff

Riesling, Chardonnay

$17

Personal Review:  Another very sweet wine, but the sugar and fruitiness went well with the lightness of a white. There was a mixture of spices with fruit, along with a tinge of a high alcohol content. I personally would not spend over $10 on this wine.

My favorite wine of the day by far was the CRU from Trump Winery. If I could afford to spend $28 on 750 mL of wine, I would have done it in a heartbeat. But alas, I do not have such assets. The CRU was fortified, brought strong flavors of brandy and whiskey, and was one of the smoothest wines of the day. It tasted exactly like it looked: like golden excellence. 

All of us at Fork and Cork had a wonderful time, drank plenty of wine, and will most likely come back again in the future to enjoy more wine.

Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone

Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone
Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
2010
$14.95
Rhone Valley, France

Winery Review:  Displays loads of ripe flavors. It is very concentrated for a Cotes du Rhone, and is actually an amazing wine. Classic garrigue, black cherry liqueur, lavender, licorice and spice box are all present in this full- bodied, intense, and rich Cotes du Rhone. This is a sensational effort to drink over the next 4-5 years, although it might last even longer.

Personal Review:  Very dark, like cherry juice. Smells very sugary like a sweet red. Very dark hints in the aroma, almost like the inside of a cabinet with a strong wooden smell. More spice and pepper in the flavor, but still fairly smooth.

Lobetia Tempranillo

Lobetia
Tempranillo
2011
$10.95
La Mancha, Spain

Winery Review:  Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. It shows a nice cherry color with a violet shade because of its youth. Red berries and cherries on the nose. On the palate it is fresh, slightly astringent, and harmonious with a long finish.

Personal Review:  Raspberry, blackberry, and slight cranberry smell. Especially fruity for a dark red. A little smokey, but not overpowering. Not a strong alcoholic bite at all--very smooth and easy. Full bodied enough to pair with pork or beef.

Lobetia Chardonnay

Lobetia
Chardonnay
2011
$10.95
La Mancha, Spain

Winery Review:  Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. Clean, bright color with a greenish-yellow tone. On the nose, exotic fruits like pineapple. Full flavored, fresh, with good acidity in the mouth, it finishes with tropical fruits.

Personal Review:  Very much a pear, buttery smell. Distinctly a chardonnay by its aroma. Unaged, and stored in stainless steel, so therefore no oak or vanilla flavors, but still a very pure chardonnay taste. Very good to drink alone or with an entree.

Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele

Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele
Pinot Grigio
NV
$7.95
Veneto, Italy

Winery Review:  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.

Personal Review:  Smells like potential, but maybe too watered down. Actually a hint of red fruits mixed with lots of honey in the aroma. Taste is not watered down, however. A very good body with the perfect alcohol content to balance the flavors.

Ksana Bonarda

Ksana
Bonarda
2008
$9.95
Mendoza, Argentina

Winery Review:  The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid. Very sweet, berry smell with some rooty undertones. Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker.

Personal Review:  Looks like grape jelly. Smells smokey. Main aroma is acai berry. Smoke and pepper are both in the flavors, with a little jam flavor apparent at the end. Finishes with a nice bite in the back of the throat.

Concannon Shiraz

Concannon
Shiraz
2008
$7.95
Central Coast, California

Winery Review:  This is an extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the

palate.

Personal Review:  Real strong smell, like berries dipped in chocolate and then put in the oven. Blackberries, blueberries present in the aroma. A little grassy and herbal as well. Lots of peppers in the flavors as soon as it hits your tongue, but with much less berry flavor than was in the aromas. Could pair with a main course or dessert.

Chandon Sweet Cuvee

Chandon
Sweet Cuvee
NV
$9.95
California

Winery Review:  This wine is an innovative sparkling wine style revealing vibrant stone fruit and floral aromas with rich, luscious mouthfeel. This wine enlivens the senses and sparks spontaneous moments,

complementing your passion for a good life.

Personal Review:  Sparking, sweet and flavorful. Light fruit accents, with no dark flavors apparent. Almost too watered down in its consistency, but would be good for a beginner wine drinker. Could also be dangerous for beginning wine drinkers because of its lightness.

Black Ridge White Zinfandel

Black Ridge
White Zinfandel
NV
$3.95
California

Winery Review:  This fruit forward White Zinfandel displays fresh aromas and crisp flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. It is incredibly food friendly and will pair well with burgers, sandwiches, fruit salad, and more.

Personal Review:  Bite can be sensed in the aroma, which is not surprising because of it's rose color. Very light and smooth, to the point that it could be dangerous since it goes down so easily. Light juicy flavor, like a blend of light fruits. Or Capri Sun.

Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc

Wilson Daniels
Sauvignon Blanc
2010
$7.95
Central Coast, California


Winery Review:  Orange blossom and citrus permeate the aromas. Alluring flavors of orange and grapefruit dominate the palate. Bright acidity balances the plush mouthfeel, resulting in a clean finish.

Personal Review:  Smells like apple juice, pears and melons. Reminds me of Del Monte fruit cocktail juice. Very light and smooth. Not too syrupy or sweet. Very good overall.

Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne

Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne
Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
2004
$7.95
Sauternes, France

Winery Review:  Very clean, with lemon, mineral and honey aromas that follow through to a medium body. Shows vanilla, apple and melon flavors, with a medium finish. Lightly sweet.

Personal Review:  Fruity smell, very sugary, like lemons. Taste is very lemony and filled with sugars as well. Excellent dessert wine, as it would be a fantastic complement to lemon meringue pie.

Torre Castillo Alegre

Torre Castillo Alegre
Monastrell
2010
$9.95
Jumilla, Spain

Winery Review:  Bright ruby-red. Dried cherry, pipe tobacco and rose aromas, with a hint of woodsmoke. Sweet and fleshy on the palate, with blackberry and cherry flavors complimented by licorice and a suggestion of dried herbs. The cherry and smoke notes repeat on the finish.

Personal Review:  Looks especially dark. Smells awful. Overpowering earthy smell with a bit of dark red fruit mixed in. Very dry, as tobacco is more apparent in the taste than the smell. A little smokey, but a lot of earthy and tobacco flavors.

Wilson Daniels Merlot

Wilson Daniels
Merlot
2010
$7.95
Central Coast, California

Winery Review:  Made predominantly from Paso Robles grapes, the wine is full- bodied and silky yet robust, with aromas of black cherry and plum and a palate of blackberry, raspberry and blueberry jam laced with vanilla and toast.

Personal Review:  Cherries and oaken smell. Lots of cherries. Doesn't smell acidic at all. Peppers surprisingly are very apparent in the taste, as the weren't detected in the aroma. A very smooth red, with just a little bite at the end. Blackberries are the dominant fruit in the taste as opposed to cherries in the smell, but peppers and spices are also very strong flavors.

Bricco Dei Tati Rose

Bricco Dei Tati Rose
Barbera
2012
$6.95
Piedmont, Italy

Winery Review:  Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and rose petals, this an ideal wine with shellfish, salads, chicken, and appetizers.

Personal Review:  Possibly strawberry syrup smell, like the dessert ice cream topping. High acidity, but combined with fruitiness. Not real smooth due to the acidity.

Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc

Smoking Loon
Sauvignon Blanc
2009
$7.95
California

Winery Review:  This bleached blonde beauty is reminiscent of fresh green apples, pineapple and has hints of hibiscus blossoms. The concentration of zesty lemon and gooseberry fills your mouth leaving notes of thyme and melon behind. The bright acid in this wine gives you a zing while the fruit keeps your mouth watering for more. This wine pairs beautifully with a grilled prawn salad with a grapefruit vinaigrette, veggie spring rolls or grilled tilapia with mango salsa.

Personal Review:  Pear juice is present all over the aroma. High acidity, not extremely smooth for a light white. Very flavorful, with accents of pears, oak, butter, and more pears. Alcoholic pear juice in a bottle is an accurate description.

Ruta 22 Malbec

Ruta 22
Malbec
2011
$7.95
Patagonia, Argentina

Winery Review:  Stout and dense from the beginning, with blackberry and violet aromas. Despite being a bold and dark Malbec, this is fresh and composed, with sweet blackberry and cassis flavors. Good on the finish, with candied fruit and caramel sweetness.

Personal Review:  Smells dark, but fruits are present. Fruity but not a sugary or sweet scent. Definitely tastes like a 14.5% alcohol content wine. The dryness is strong but it is still flavorful. Heat and a tinge in the aftertaste contrasts the fruity aspects, especially the blackberry taste. Would make a good dessert wine if served with pie or a dry dessert.

Chateau Serres Sainte Lucie Corbieres

Chateau Serres Sainte Lucie Corbieres
Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre
2010
$4.95
Corbieres, France

Winery Review:  Superb dark garnet color with a few reflections of dark orange. Intense nose of ripe fruits, spices, and roasted coffee. The palate is rounded and full, with silky matured tannins and hints of vanilla. This wine is rich and powerful with layers of tannins.

Personal Review:  Resembles cherries mixed with dirt, or something stale and old. Perhaps a leathery scent. Tastes wooden, but not burned. Has been aged and stored in barrels for awhile, as it tastes roasted, toasted, oaky, even like pine or spruce. Bottom line: a very natural-smelling and tasting wine.

Cresta Azul

Cresta Azul
Moscatel, Macebo, Parellada, Xarel-lo
Non-vintage
$5.95
Catalunya, Spain

Winery Review:  Peach, orange cream and vanilla flavors mingle in this softly bubbly white. Off-dry, but with crisp acidity and a clean finish.

Personal Review:  Very clear color. Smells extremely sweet with a melon and honeydew scent. Very sweet but not sugary or overpowering. Not much bite at the end, which makes it resemble a moscato wine. Overall very awesome, especially for six dollars.

Veleta Tempranillo Rosado

Veleta
Tempranillo Rosado
2010
$3.95
Granada, Spain

Winery Review:  Fresh in flavor and crisp in texture, this dry rosé offers berry, tart cherry and light herbal flavors, with firm acidity and a clean finish. Focused and juicy.

Personal Review:  Smells similar to the Veleta Brut but with cherries. Very sweet mixed flavors mixed with high alcohol content. Not bad overall, but 13.5% mixed with the syrupy, sugary flavors makes it very different and interesting.

Veleta Brut Vino

Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado
Sparkling Brut
Non-vintage
$3.95
Grenada, Spain

Winery Review:  Rosé salmon with copper reflections. Slow rising fine bubble that forms “lace” and “rosary”. In the nose is complex and elegant with red fruit, citric, exotic, fresh flowers, and notes of dry fruits and dry flowers. Fresh, gentle, and alive. Perfectly integrated “perlage” with serious and subtle flavors of dry fruits, pomegranate and lemonade. Long lasting scent of flowers and herbs.

Personal Review:  Very strong melon/citrus scent, maybe with a slight pineapple aroma, or some type of lighter fruit. More aspects present in aroma than flavor. Tastes a little dry, but pineapple is definitely apparent along with a few other fruits. Not much carbonation for a sparkling wine.

Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz

Emeri de Bortoli
Sparkling Shiraz
$9.95
Non-vintage
Southeastern Australia

Winery Review:  A relatively light, fresh style of sparkling Shiraz, with berries and hints of chocolate picking up just a touch of sweet vanilla on the finish.

Personal Review:  Blackberries overwhelm the aroma, with cherries being apparent as well. Chocolate can also be detected in the nose, but only faintly. The carbonation is good and refreshing, but contrasts with the smokey flavors. Overall a good sparkling wine, but tastes as if it would be better just as a sweet red without the carbonation.

Tres Ojos Garnacha

Tres Ojos
Garnacha
2011
$6.95
Calatayud, Spain

Winery Review:  This wine has a brick red color with a bouquet of red raspberries, spice and white pepper. The palate is incredibly concentrated and rich. The modern styles of Garnacha in Spain are continuously being perceived worldwide as wines of extraordinarily good quality. This wine is fruity, juicy and shows a great depth, ripe tannins, length but yet with wonderful elegance and lightness. Enjoy with sausages, roasted meats, aged cheeses, etc.

Personal Review:  Very strong, distinct smell, with a slight smokiness and obvious dryness. Tastes very dry with no apparently dominant flavors. Pepper can be detected at the finish, but overall was not one of my personal favorite reds.

Montebuena Tempranillo

Montebuena
Tempranillo
2010
$8.95
Rioja, Spain

Winery Review:  Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja.

Personal Review:  Dark cherry, like Cheerwine with a licorice smell. Has been stored in burned barrels, as a smokiness is present. Swisher Sweet cigar taste, with a light smoke and a fruity hint at the finish, definitely of dark fruits like the cherry apparent in the aroma.

Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence

Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence
Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
2011
$8.95
Provence, France

Winery Review:  Bright salmon pink; typical of the fresh but warm Provence style. Refined and complex on the nose, with summer fruit and floral notes. Dry and crisp, with a delicate flavor and full texture.

Personal Review:  Very herbal smell, like leaves and persimmon. Tastes a lot like the smell, but with added sugar. Reminded me of fresh leaves with a syrupy texture from beginning to end.

Canyon Road Chardonnay

Canyon Road
Chardonnay
2011
$6.95
California

Winery Review:  Medium-bodied wine with notes of crisp apple and ripe citrus fruit with a hint of cinnamon spice. Delicious complement to grilled chicken, lighter pasta dishes or mild cheeses.

Personal Review:  Obviously a chardonnay with its butter smell. A hint of pear can be detected, as well as a little bit of antiseptic, which could be due in part to the alcoholic aroma. A very, very good sweetness, like a light nectar. Excellent smoothness, not excessively fruity and no tartness or bite in the finish. Prime stuff.

Potluck Sweet Malbec

Potluck
Sweet Malbec
2010
$7.95
Mendoza, Argentina

Winery Review:  Deep red brilliant with violet hints. Complex, fruity, and predominant red fruits. Easy to drink, round with persistent sweetness, very well balanced with sweet tannins.

Personal Review:  Smells like Kool Aid. Hints of cherries, blackberries, and strawberries all are present in the aromas. Tastes similar, but with a slight spice. No tartness or bitterness can be detected but the higher alcoholic content of the wine is a little much for such a sweet red, especially one served as a dessert or finishing wine. Would be best served with food rather than alone.

Domaine de Grange de Payan Grenache

Domaine de Grange de Payan
Grenache
2011
$8.95
Cotes du Rhone, France

Winery Review:  Intensely spicy and precise, with lively red berry flavors and a hint of black pepper. The Grenache, which makes up the majority of the wine, is deeper and more powerful, offering cherry and black raspberry qualities lifted by zesty minerality.

Personal Review:  Smells like a wine with high alcohol content, and tastes like it as well with a kick in the finish. A tart smokiness is the dominant impression, with little fruits present throughout. The 15% alcohol content hits the back of the throat with a tinge as it goes down. Not an overly impressive wine, as it is quite dry.

Tinto Figaro Garnacha

Tinto Figaro
Garnacha
2009
$6.95
Catalayud, Spain

Winery Review:  Figaro is 100% Garnacha, made from a selection of the best grapes grown in the oldest vineyards. While not truly an "oaked wine", a short stay in oak barrels provides a nice spicy flavor boost. Bright violet. Dark berry and cherry aromas show a jammy aspect. Supple and gently sweet, with good lift to its black raspberry and boysenberry flavors. Smooth and broad on the finish, leaving behind a hint of spiciness. Extremely easy to drink and an excellent value.

Personal Review:  Smells and tastes like cherries jubilee with ice cream and extra sugar, mainly in the scents. Tasted a little smokey, as if it had been stored in burned barrels. The smokiness wasn't enough to throw off the sweet flavors, but added a nice touch to make it more of a dinner wine than a dessert wine.

Maipe Malbec Rose

Maipe
Malbec Rose
2011
$7.95
Mendoza, Argentina

Winery Review:  Intense pink color with violet hints. Fresh red fruit bouquet, strawberry and cherry flavors, balanced acidity, dry and lingering finish. Excellent with tuna or green salad, pasta, spicy Asian dishes.

Personal Review:  Smells like a reddish candy, maybe a cherries with cinnamon aroma. A little spice in the finish, due to its 14% alcohol content. Still a nice sweet rose despite the kick at the finish. Reminded me of a fireball candy without the heat.

Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Cortenova
Pinot Grigio
2012
$7.95
Veneto, Italy

Winery 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. Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi, spaghetti with clams, sole in white wine Perfect also as an aperitif.

Personal Review:  Melon and pear scented white wine, like a less-sweet moscato. A litter bitter at the first taste, but is a very distinct nutty flavor. Reminded me of a buttery pecan or perhaps almond. Sweet and buttery, almost syrupy. 

Wine Dinner: Alta Vista Malbec

Dinner- Chantilly, VA with the in-laws

Over spring break, I made a visit to northern Virginia to visit my brother and his wife for a weekend. We ended up making a surprise trip to Chantilly to my sister-in-law's parents house for dinner. It just so happened that Mr. Manley (her father) was pouring a new bottle of Alta Vista Malbec out of his decanter back into the bottle to serve with dinner that evening.
The Malbec was a 2011 vintage from Mendoza, Argentina. At first glance I wondered why a red was being sold so soon after being fermented, but within the first few sips I found out why. It was not an overly sweet red, but the overwhelming flavor and texture was of butter and vanilla. It was a very creamy sensation, and I could tell that the wine was aged for a short period of time in new American oak to give it those distinct flavors. Sure enough, I looked at the bottle and it explained that the wine had been aged 6 months in American oak and then 6 months in French oak.
Our dinner consisted of beef, mashed potatoes, applesauce and green beans. Not by coincidence, the Mrs. Manley had soaked the beans and potatoes in butter while cooking, bringing out the flavors in the wine even more. I realized that even though I enjoyed the Malbec from first taste, it become more and more flavorful as the meal progressed, especially as I ate four to five slices of the beef. The beef would have been very good soaked in the Malbec as well, but it served as an excellent pairing for the meal. My second glass seemed even smoother and less tart than the first, and I realized that the foods were affecting my palette and really bringing out the smoothness and creaminess of the Malbec.
We finished off the meal with cheesecake with an assorted berry topping of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Although there was no separate dessert wine, I tried what Alta Vista I had left with the cheesecake. It did not pair as well, since the sweetness and sugar levels did not compare to the food I had been eating before. A moscato or light, sweet red would have paired excellently with that dessert, and not a creamy or tart wine.
This was the first experience I had where a wine got progressively better as I drank it, and it was due in part to the food I was eating with it. My review of the Alta Vista Malbec would be a positive one, but it is much better paired with food than sipped on by itself, and it does not pair with anything sweet. While it is not tart or bitter, it is a very smooth red with a satisfying finish.

Monte Aman Tempranillo

Monte Aman
Tempranillo
2009
$5.95
Arlanza
Spain

Winery Review:  Fermentation of selected grapes in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Aging in American oak casks for 5 months followed by 3 months in the bottle before being released in the market. Inky ruby. Ripe cherry and plum on the nose. Smooth and fleshy, with deep dark fruit flavors complicated by bitter chocolate and anise. A spicy quality adds lift and focus to the weighty fruit. Offers an appealing mix of power and energy and drinks very well right now.

Personal Review:  Smells of cherries and spices, and the flavors are similar. Hasn't been aged long but still retains an oaken flavor. Not a smooth red, but there are many flavors present, from pepper and vanilla to cherries and strong spices.

Cortenova Montepulciano

Cortenova
Montepulciano
2010
$6.95
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Italy

Winery Review:  Deep ruby red color with violet highlights and a pleasant and fruity bouquet. Full bodied, soft tannins and good acidity. Excellent with pasta dishes and red meats.

Personal Review:  Lots of fruit in the aromas, especially cherries and plums. Obviously was stored and aged in a burned barrel, with strong spices and smokiness in the flavors from start to finish. A little too dark for my liking.

Maipe Chardonnay

Maipe
Chardonnay
2012
$7.95
Mendoza
Argentina

Winery Review:  Made from 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier. 30% malolactic fermentation, 30% was aged in French oak barrels. Brilliant yellow golden color with green hints. The wine is crisp and filled with white peach, pear, green apples flavors, toasty vanilla. Elegant and luscious wine, well balanced. Crisp and long finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, pork, veal, vegetables.

Personal Review:  I had bought this wine a few weeks before it was offered at the tastings, and loved it. It has the smell of a darker white, but is very full. In flavor, it is very smooth and tastes similar to lighter fruits such as pears. The finish is excellent and smooth. I enjoyed drinking this chardonnay after a meal.

Villa d'Orvieto

Villa d'Orvieto
Grechelo, Procanico, Malvasia
2011
$6.95
Umbria
Italy

Winery Review:  It’s a blend of Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), and Malvasia. Fresh and crisp, it has a beautiful, floral bouquet. It is wonderful with appetizers, fish, chicken, and salads.

Personal Review:  A pleasing aroma, reminding me of melon and citrus with a kick to it. Tasted sweet but not sugary. The aftertaste was good with a hint of spice mixed together with fruits.

Morada Sangria

Morada
Sangria
Non-vintage
$4.95
Spain

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% Alc. 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.

Personal Review:  Smells like Hawaiian Punch and Sprite, super sweet and delicious. Reminds me of jungle juice, which sounds bad but actually is fantastic. Strong citrus and lemon-lime flavor, like a thick juicy beverage. One could even mix with Sprite and it could still be great. As a matter of fact I did that after I bought a bottle. It was great indeed.

Lost Vineyards Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon

Lost Vineyards
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
Non-vintage
$4.95
Argentina

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 hamburger or a steak rather than stand alone.

Personal Review:  The smell of this wine immediately reminded me of pure cherries jubilee. The flavors did not disappoint, as it tasted like mildly alcoholic Juicy Juice. It was very sweet, with a little kick at the finish, but it was a good finishing characteristic. I would drink this wine at any time of the day or year.

Villa Pozzi Nero

Villa Pozzi
Nero D'Avola
2010
$8.95
Sicily
Italy

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.

Personal Review:  This wine is a campfire from the start, piercing the nostrils with a smokey smell that came off as too strong. It was also present in the taste, with a slight pepper accent and an after taste of dark cherries. Overall, it was too smokey and tart.

Tres Ojos Rose

Tres Ojos
Tempranillo, Garnacha
2009
$1.95
Calatayud
Spain

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.

Personal Review:  Although this wine is a rose, it smells and appears more like a typical red wine. It surprisingly is very watery and thin, with a bitter, tart finish. Taste resembled cherries and darker berries.

Les Perles Piquepoul

Les Perles Piquepoul
Picpoul
2011
$7.95
Cotes de Thau
France

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.

Personal Review:  Many melon scents and flavors are embedded within this white. Smells sweeter than it tastes, as the taste is slightly milder and lower in acidity. No berry flavor, just strong sense of melon and honeydew.

Gabriella Chianti

Gabriella
Sangiovese, Colorino, Canaiolo, Mammolo, Ciliegiolo
2008
$7.95
Chianti
Italy

Winery Review:  This beautiful wine has the very deep red, almost purple, color that you would expect in a Chianti. The first thing you notice is the fruit, balanced by a bit of spice. It’s a good dry wine with a bold flavor. Even with it’s boldness, this Chianti is velvety smooth.

Personal Review:  Smells like the Valpolicella tasted, with smokey tones and maybe some dark fruits. Tastes similar but much milder, with spices and ground pepper apparent in the flavor. Smooth but fair in taste.

Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

Lavarini
Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara
2010
$6.95
Valpolicella
Italy

Winery Review:  The red ruby color and the dry taste give this wine joviality and cordiality. It is fresh and fruity, with lovely strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors, with nice spice and a silky texture.

Personal Review:  First smell reminds me of Opera Prima Sweet Red, with scents of cherries and very sweet accents. After tasting, however, I realized how different the smell was from the flavors. It was tart and smokey, like a campfire. Could be paired with a steak, but that might be all. Very little fruit flavors present.

Dom de Mirail Cabernet

Dom de Mirail
Cabernet, Merlot Rose
2011
$5.95
Cotes de Gascogne
France

Winery Review:  There is a fresh, crisp character to this light rosé. It is eye-watering in its refreshing character, with balancing acidity, smoothing out the edges with a touch of caramel.

Personal Review:  Tart aroma gives an impression of a darker tasting rose, but the body was actually very light and thin. Flavorful but watery. Goes down smoothly and therefore could pair well with any food.

Norton Torrontes

Norton
Torrontes
2011
$5.95
Mendoz
Argentina

Winery Review:  Greenish yellow with hints of gold, this Torrontés has intense aromas of white peach, rose petal, and jasmine. Norton Torrontés 2011 is pleasant and well balanced on the palate.

Personal Review:  Lots of fruits in the aroma, perhaps a trace of plum. Tastes like plums and peaches, and not tart or bitter at all. Tastes like a white wine should, with little bite and is sweet but not too much sugar in it. Finish is very smooth. One of the better whites I've tasted this month.

Dibon Cava

Dibon Cava
Xarel-lo, Parellada, Macabeo
Non-Vintage
$4.95
Penedes
Spain

Winery Review:  The nose offers regal yeast and richness, while the palate has complexity to prop up apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors. Solid from front to back, with health and freshness.

Personal Review:  Smells and looks like champagne, although it cannot be characterized as such since it is not from the Champagne region of France. Tastes more like a bubbly red wine, which is surprising since champagne is normally very light and smooth. There are hints of darker fruits and citrus, but not anything light like a white. Would be good after eating a red meat for a meal.

Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Opera Prima
Pink Moscato
Non-vintage
$5.95
La Mancha
Spain

Winery Review: This fine sparkling presents and 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 own, as an aperitif

or with all types of sweets and desserts.

Personal Review: Very bubbly, with carbonation. Smells like herbs and leaves, maybe mint. In my initial description at the time of tasting, I wrote "leaves on leaves." It tasted and smelled a lot like leaves. But even though that flavor doesn't sound appealing, it reminded me of a holiday drink that would make for either a very good appetizer or dessert wine.

Black Opal Shiraz

Black Opal
Shiraz
2011
$5.95
Southeastern Australia

Winery 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 Shiraz is rich red in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, pepper and spice followed with rich plum flavors round out the palate. Soft tannins give structure to the

fruit-driven palate.

Personal Review: Not a distinct or strong smell. A hint of spice is in the aroma. Very smokey and spicy in flavor. Cinnamon and pepper grounds make for a very strong accent. The taste is surprisingly different from the smell. Though I'm not much for pepper, this wine was very perplexing and pleasing.

Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Sokol Blosser Meditrina
Non-vintage
Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel
$7.95
Oregon

Winery Review: It's created from the finest Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel. The taste is lush and velvety with expressive notes of raspberry and cherry. It pairs nicely with pasta and anything off the grill.

Personal Review: High fruit smell, with a strong scent of raspberries. Very light body. No spices in the flavor, mostly watered down fruits. The raspberry scent carried over to the flavors and was very pleasing.

Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon

Wine Men of Gotham
Chardonnay/Semillon
2008
$5.95
South Australia

Winery Review: Gotham’s 2008 Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. 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.

Personal Review: Smells stale and terrible. Tastes like bitter nectar or soap. Perhaps an apricot aftertaste. Not overly impressive in aroma or flavor.

Beringer Riesling

Beringer
Riesling
2009
$5.95
Napa Valley
California

Winery 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.

Personal Review: Smells heavy for a white, but tastes lighter. Tastes a little like peaches, especially in the aftertaste. A little sweet, but not too much that it is overpowering. Good dinner wine.