Wine Tasting: Crane Lake Riesling 2013

Name: Crane Lake Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Country: US
Year: 2013
Price $5.95

Winery Review: The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine. Great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled.

My Review: Subtle fruit scents on the nose, mostly berries. Smooth and soft with almost no acidity. Resembled grape juice more than wine. 

I did not have this wine with food. 

Wine Tasting: Crane Lake Shiraz 2013

Name: Crane Lake Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: California
Country: US
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Beautiful ruby appearance, with blackberry and pepper notes. Tannins and fruit marry well for a soft finish. This wine pairs well with sharp cheddar cheese and hazelnuts. Also try it along with roast lamb at Easter time, veal marsala, or grilled salmon.

My Review: A good amount of tannins but not overpowering. Aromas of cherry, peppers, and spices on the nose. Nice body with a smooth finish. Not the best red I've ever had, but not too bad either.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Tasting: Georges Duboeuf Nouveau 2015

Name: Georges Duboeuf Nouveau 2015
Variety: N/A
Region: Beaujolais
Country: France
Year: 2015
Price: Regular $12, on sale $5.95

Winery Review: George Duboeuf is THE king of Beaujolais.  His wines are full of pop, charm and great flavor and his Beaujolais Nouveau is no exception.  A cornucopia of expressive fruit wrapped in an almost-bubblegum-like frame; it is the flagship Nouveau.

My Review: Very tannic and oaky which masked any good flavors. Maybe a hint of candy in there but overall it was a very dry wine that made my mouth pucker. I would not drink this wine again.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Tasting: Maipe Torrontes 2014

Name: Maipe Torrontes

Variety: Torrontes

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2014

Price: Regular $14, on sale $7.95

Winery Review: The wine has a 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.

My Review: Very floral wine, citrus fruits came to mind as well as melon and apples. Medium acidity with a healthy body and a smooth, long finish. Overall a very nice wine,

I did not have this wine with food. 

Wine Tasting: Tonnino Pinot Grigio 2014

Name: Tonnino Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: Regular $14, on sale $7.95

Winery Review: Tonnino’s exotic example of Pinot Grigio has a straw to pale gold color. It is fresh and clean on the nose with fruity notes of pear, green apple and white peaches. The palate is true to the nose with a fresh acidity, coriander and lime notes followed by a crisp finish. This wine pairs well with youthful aperitifs, clams or mussels, pastas and risotto dishes.

My Review: Light gold in color, fruity on the nose with scents of green apples, peaches, pears, pineapple, and banana. Nice and crisp, medium acidity. A nice wine to drink on a warm spring day.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Review: Peter Mertes Sweet Red Dornfelder 2014

Name: Peter Mertes Sweet Red Dornfelder
Variety: Dornfelder
Region: California
Country: Germany
Year: 2014
Price: Regular $12, on sale $6.95

Winery Review: The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine. Great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled.

My Review: A very smooth wine, subtle hints of fruit, possibly cherry or raspberry.
Very soft on the palate and easy to drink. Would definitely drink this with a heavy meat meal such as steak or ribs.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Review: Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli 2010

Name: Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli
Variety: Blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malyasia
Region: Chianti
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: Regular $15, on sale $8.95

Winery Review: A blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti. Rich and modern, with a dark, saturated color and aromas of graham cracker and lemon rind. A juicy palate packed with plum and raspberry is carried by a creamy texture that’s rather toasty in terms of flavor. The finish is round, full and chocolaty.

My Review: A dark, choclaty wine that's very rich and sweet. Think of a chocolate mousse or maybe a thick creamy chocolate cake. Also tasted fruity with notions of raspberry and maybe even a hint of lemon cookie. Very interesting wine to drink as a little kick in the pants to satisfy that sweet tooth.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Review: Bolla Bardolino Magnum 2013

Name: Bolla Bardolino Magnum 2013
Variety: Blend of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara
Region: Bardolino
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price:  Regular $18, on sale $9.95

Winery Review: A blend of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara this bright ruby red wine has hints of black cherry on the nose.  It is soft and fruit-forward, with black-fruit flavors followed by a bright and fresh finish. Serve it as the Italians do – young and lightly chilled. Pairs perfectly with fleshy fish, beef, lamb, red-sauced pastas and pizza.

My Review: A gorgeous red wine with a lovely cherry scent on the nose. Pleasant on the palate, light body without much tannin. Maybe a hint of raspberry and blackberry. If someone were to tell me what a red wine was made of and I had never had it before, this is what I think it would taste like. 

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Tasting: Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico 2011

Name: Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico 2011

Variety: Blend of 30% Trebbiano, 30% Grechetto, 20% Malyasia, 15% Verdello, 5% Drupeggio

Region: Orvieto

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: Regular $18, Sale $6.95

Winery Review: The Berganorio Orvieto is a subtle wine with a bright palate. It shows white flowers on the nose and light citrus notes in the mouth. Its neutral character means it can accompany a wide range of foods. A blend of 30% Trebbiano, 30% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia, 15% Verdello, and 5% Drupeggio. The estate has 103 hectares on the hill opposite the hill town of Orvieto.

My Review: Strong floral sensation on the nose leaning more towards light/more sharp floral smells like citrus and maybe a hint of lily. Very balanced with no noticeable acidity but slightly mouth puckering. Not a huge fan of it as it lacks character. 

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Tasting: Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde 2013

Name: Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde 2013
Variety: Blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura, 10% Azal
Region: Vinho Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: Regular $10, Sale $8.95

Winery Review: A blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura and 10% Azal.

Full of fruit, a lasting peach flavor targeted with laserlike acidity through the finish. It has the bite of salty ocean air and a lot of zing. For langoustines.

My review: A wonderfully fruity aroma on the nose with a sharp acidity on the palate. Reminds me of warmer weather and tropical fruit. Slightly tangy but delicious. Would definitely recommend this wine for a warm summer afternoon by the pool.

I did not have this wine with food.