Wine Tasting: Manoir du Carra

Name: Manoir du Carra Beaujolais Nouveau Gamay

Variety: Gamay

Region: Beaujolais

Country: France

Year: 2014

Price: Regular $12 on sale $4.95

Winery Review: A pretty, floral wine, with a rose petal notes underscoring the rich pomegranate and sweet plum flavors. The fresh acidity is balanced, and a light spice note lingers on the finish.

My Review: A hint of oak on the nose but none on the taste. Also smelled peppery and spicy and maybe a little like licorice. Smooth on the palate, tasted like darker berries like plum or blackberries. 

I did not have this wine with food. 

Wine Tasting: Mapreco Vinho Verde Rose

Name: Mapreco
Variety: Vinho Verde
Region: Vinho Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: 2015
Price: Regular $10 on sale $7.95

Winery Review: The cherry color reveals a slightly fizzy wine that is a very fruitful rosé made from the traditional vinho verde white grapes. Adding a splash of red to offer flavors with notes of strawberry, cherry and berries. A delightful twist on the original.

My Review: Had some fizz to it with fruits on the nose as well as berries and cherries. Nice and lively on the palate and smooth on the finish.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Tasting: Mars & Venus Chardonnay

Name: Mars & Venus
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $5.95

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.

My Review: Very fruity on the nose with hints of pineapple, pear, and citrus. Also smelled like fresh, crisp, deciduous vegetation. The taste was very similar to the smell. Smooth on the palate with a nice finish.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Tasting: Beringer Chenin Blanc 2014

Name: Beringer
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: A fresh green-apple aroma and vivid citrus and crisp apple flavors are supported by vibrant acidity in this medium-bodied wine. The texture is smooth but crisp, making lots of good food pairings come to mind, from pre-meal cheese, to salads, seafood and veggie pastas.

My Review: Apple, citrus fruits, peach, and maybe a hint of pineapple on the nose. Nice, sweet, and smooth on the palate with low acidity. Definitely a wine I would drink if my sugar tooth was bothering me or if I wanted something to cool off with on a hot summer day.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Tasting: Carraia Aglianico

Name: Carraia
Variety: Aglianico
Region: Campagna
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: Regular $15 on sale $9.95

Winery Review: Produced in the Campania region of Italy, this Aglianico has delicious black fruit flavors with hints of licorice, volcanic soil and tar notes. Classic in nature, yet in a lighter, more crowd-pleasing style, the Carraia is made of the ancient Aglianico grape. This black grape originated in Greece and today is widely grown in Basilicata and Campania.

My Review: Strong nose with odors reminding me of a linen closet. Also some darker cherries and fruits on the nose. On the palate it was spicy and tasted like cherries and blackberries and it had a hot finish.

I did not try this wine with food.

Wine Tasting: Siema Vino Rosso

Name; Siemma Vino Rosso
Variety: Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo
Region: Piemonte
Country: Italy
Year: NA
Price: Regular $10 on sale $6.95

Winery Review: Intense ruby red with soft garnet nuances in the glass, the Rosso is intriguingly fresh, fruity and spicy on the nose. Perfectly round and balanced, the wine is particularly soft and dry. Pair with simple dishes like fresh cheese, ham, salami, or pizza for a divine culinary experience.

My Review: Bold aromas of cherry and darker berries with some lingering scents of licorice. Nice solid body, a little warm on the palate, but not overbearing. Slightly spicy as well. Overall a pretty good wine.

I did not have this wine with food. 

Wine Tasting: Dom de la Foret Grenache Cinsault Rose de Mediterranee

Name: Dom de la Foret Grenache Cinsault Rose de Mediterranee
Variety: Grenache
Region: Provence
Country: France
Year: NA
Price: Regular $13 on sale $8.95

Winery Review: A stony, pure style, with a warm paving stone note framing the dried cherry and rose water notes. The long, watermelon rind—inflected finish is finely tuned. Shows length and cut, staying lacy in feel. 50% Cinsault and 50% Grenache.

My Review: Fruity scents on the nose as well as some underlying odor that I couldn't really put my finger on. It made me think of a parking lot right after a summer rain. On the palate it was smooth but it didn't have any flavors that stood. out. Wine was okay, but nothing to get too excited over.

I did not have this wine with food.