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.