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.

Primo Amore Moscato

Primo Amore
Moscato
2010
$10.95
Puglia
Italy

Winery Review: Straw-yellow with golden reflections and a delicate mousse.  Fruity and very inviting, with intense scents of peaches and exotic fruit.  Fresh and pleasantly sweet with a taste that reveals its varietal characteristic.

Personal Review: One can quickly tell that this Moscato has half the alcohol content as most other wines. It was pure fruit juice, mixed with sugar and honey. Pear and peach were frontrunners for most dominant flavor. This white could be drank at any time of the day, but with a meal it is best with a dessert because of its super sweet palate.

Finca del Castillo Tempranillo

Finca del Castillo
Tempranillo
2011
$4.95
La Mancha
Spain

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 is long and peppery, with adequate juiciness and a final note of tomato.

Personal Review: This red smelled like pure grapes. I know that isn't really going out on a limb, but it really did. The taste was very sweet and pleasing, reminding me of blackberry pie and raisins. This was my favorite of the day, and it seemed like almost more of a dessert wine than a Moscato. Very good for its five dollar tag.

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Gamay
2012
$3.95
Beaujolais Region
France

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

Personal Review: Bad from the start. The bitter and very light taste was not pleasing. It reminded me of biting into a persimmon. There was some spice and tang to the flavor, but the bitterness was overpowering. It was such a light wine that I could not detect any prominent scent.

Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Mars and Venus
Chardonnay
2011
$5.95
Central Valley
Chile

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.

Personal Review: Once again, this white had a flower nectar taste. It actually smelled a little more like chlorine, which did not help itself. It was a very clear wine, almost like water. Once I read the wine description, I could definitely make out a caramel-dipped apple taste, but it was so subtle that it did not overpower the chlorine smell. A fair wine that is probably worth it's six dollar price.

La Cappuccina Soave

La Cappuccina
Garganega
2011
$7.95
Soave
Italy

Winery Review: Bright straw yloow in color. 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.

Personal Review: Floral scents floated up from this wine, and those aromas could also be tasted on the tip of the tongue. Lemons and perhaps honeysuckle were dominant flavors, and the wine was quite heavy-bodied for a white, which was unexpected. Overall it was a little bitter and not as good as the smells suggested it would be.