Wine Event -Fork and Cork

On May 3rd, I went to Fork and Cork with my boyfriend Robert and my friend Kurt. None of us had been before so we didn't know what to expect. My favorite part of the day was hanging out listening to the band and drinking the bottles of wine we purchased. It was perfect weather and we had good wine, good music, and a good time!

Good wine and good music

1- Mountain Rose Vineyards Sweet Mountain Rose, a $10 blended wine made with Niagara, Seyval Blanc, and Nidal Blanc grapes. Winery Review: "Niagara-lite with nectarine and rose water!" Aromas and flavors abound in this foxy and youthful wine. This easy drinking dessert wine is held in check with a zippy acidity. My Review: This wine was quite sweet but had a nice amount of acidity that kept it balanced. This wine had a distinct grape flavor and a floral nose.

2- Saude Creek Vineyards Squire's Blend, a $16 blended wine made with Chambourcin and Muscadine. Winery Review: A sweet, light, fun blend of Chambourcin and Muscadine. This duo lends a light honeysuckle flavor paired with cherry and raspberry notes, producing a natural berry essence. A wine reminiscent of summer nights and youthful days. My Review: This was definitely my favorite wine from this booth. It was light and refreshing. It had a nice blend of mixed berry flavors like cherry, raspberry, and blueberry. 

3- Trump Winery Cru, a $28 Chardonnay fortified with brandy. Winery Review: 100% Chardonnay juice fortified with brandy, and then aged in bourbon barrels. Deep, fresh aromas and flavors of pear, citrus, bourbon, and toasted almonds. This fortified wine is 18% alcohol, so it works equally well neat or as a mixer. My Review: This is Trump Winery's best-seller and I can see why. This was delicious and creamy. It reminded me of pecan butterballs, a type of cookie my mom makes at Christmastime. There was a nutty undertone which was balanced out by a lemony citrus flavor. 

4- Stanburn Winery Big A Red, a $17 blended wine made with Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin. Winery Review: Fermented in stainless steel and aged in neutral barrels. Aromas of strawberries and cream, red raspberries, blackberries, and violets. Soft, creamy palate with a fruity mid-palate. Fine, dusty tannins, with earthy hints. Smooth and persistent finish. Pairs well with grilled meats, raspberry cheesecake, BBQ, and medium to hard cheeses. My Review: I thought this wine was dry yet very smooth. It had strong raspberry flavors and I detected a weird barbecue sauce flavor too. It was probably my favorite from this winery.

5- Peaks of Otter Winery Chili Dawg, a $15 wine made with 97% light apple wine and 3% chili pepper wine. Winery Review: Tastes like a pepper jelly. My Review: To start off, tasting this wine was weird. They put cheez whiz on your hand. It was as if you were taking a tequila shot: you licked the cheese off and then drank the wine. It was so weird. It was as if I had drank a piece of pepper jack cheese. There was a weird kick from the pepper part that gave it a bit of spiciness. For never having tasted a fruit wine, it was an interesting experience to say the least. 

6- Mountain Rose Vineyards Dorchester, a $12 wine made from Chambourcin grapes. Winery Review: Elegant spectrums of fruit and slight oak echo in this gang buster cherry wine with a nuance of nut and a velvety finish. This wine is perfect to enjoy with a wide range of foods and cheeses. Off-dry. My Review: This wine was pretty light in color so I didn't know what to expect. It was pretty dry and tasted like almonds and cherry cobbler. 

7- Trump Winery Meritage, an $18 dollar Bordeaux-style blend made with 45% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Fran, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot. Winery Review: A lovely ruby red color and nose of toast, black cherry, black currant, and ripe raspberries. The mouth feel is medium bodied with nice freshness and velvety tannins. The finish exhibits spicy notes with a nice ripe red fruits. My Review: I was not a huge fan of this wine. It tasted like something that was charred on a grill. There was a nice fruit flavor, especially an artificial cherry flavor (like Jolly Ranchers). I was hoping for more sense it had a nice aroma. 

Selfies with Boyer

Selfies with Boyer

In the afternoon we went to the Harvest tent and got some shrimp and grits. We ate it with a bottle we purchased from the Mountain Rose Vineyards booth. We bought their Pardee Red, which was made with Chancellor & Chambourcin grapes. It had hints of cherry and grape and was very smooth. It did not pair well with the shrimp and grits as it was way too sweet and clashed with the creaminess of the food.

Wine slushie!

Overall, we had a great time, tasted a lot of great (and not so great) wines, and look forward to going back next year!

Tasting -Basserman Riesling

Name: Basserman Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Country: Germany
Year: 2009
Price: $30

Wine Review: Pale color, clover and honey nose. Zing of fruit on palate: mango and apricot, peach and lemon, orange. Slight birch-bark note. Balanced sugar and acid. So much flavor, but still delicate. Elegant. Yum.

My Review: This wine had a good balance of acidity and sweetness. It smelled a lot sweeter, like honeysuckles, so I was surprised by the acidity when I tasted it. There was a lot of citrus flavours, especially lemons.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting -Hacienda Gewurtztraminer

Name: Hacienda Gewurtztraminer
Variety: Gewurtztraminer
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: $12

Wine Review: I couldn't find another review online.

My Review: In my opinion, this wine was a sugar bomb. It was like eating cotton candy. I could hardly discern any flavor because I was so overwhelmed with sweetness, by I picked up a hint of lychee and mango. The nose was very floral. I was not a fan.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting -Ca Momi Napa Valley Chardonnay

Name: Ca Momi Napa Valley Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $25

Wine Review: A luscious wine intense pineapple, tropical fruit, citrus and pear, framed by caramel and creamy vanilla notes. Complex touches of butterscotch balance a zesty acidity and a long oaky and buttery finish. 

My Review: This wine was very creamy and caramely. It was like drinking a butter beer in Harry Potter world. The creamy, oaky-ness overpowered the very little citrus flavours I tasted and I wish I had tasted more. Wasn't bad though.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting -Guenoc Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Guenoc Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $16

Wine Review: We craft our Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the mouthwatering flavors of grapefruit, pineapple and mango. The warm temperatures ripen the fruit and allow the pyrazines (the cut grass, green pepper or jalapeño flavors) to change into tropical notes, while the diurnal low temps keep the acidity bright.  Warm climate SB has all the pineapple, guava and mango of a fruit smoothie!

My Review: This wine was packed with tropical fruit flavours. I picked up on tons of pineapple and mango. It didn't even seem like wine but rather fruit juice. It was pretty sweet but there was a decent amount of acidity. This would be a nice wine to sit out with on a warm summer night.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting -Marimar Don Miguel Chardonnay 2010 Russian River

 Name: Marimar Don Miguel Chardonnay 2010 Russian River
Variety: Chardonnay 
Region: Sonoma, California 
Country: United States 
Year: 2007
Price: $50

Wine Review: It's unbelievable that this Chardonnay is unoaked, it's so incredibly rich and creamy. Just packed with layers of tropical fruits, peaches, Asian pear and oatmeal cookies. All that butter and cream must be from the malolactic fermentation and aging on the lees. One of the best unoaked Chardonnays ever. 

My Review: I was excited to taste this wine because it was the most expensive bottle they were tasting at the Vintage Cellar. However, I didn't think it was that much better than some of the cheaper bottles I tasted. It had a fruity nose and was very creamy. I wouldn't pay $50 for it.

I tasted this wine without food. 

Dinner -Homemade

On Thursday night, my boyfriend and I decided to do a wine pairing dinner with a nice summery grilled dinner paired with 3 different colored wines. I was hoping to compare the effects that a red, a white, and a blush wine had on the meal. We had pork tenderloin, corn on the cob, and loaded baked potatoes. Paired with those were 3 wines: a 2011 El Cortujillo Tempranillo, a Caparra & Siciliani Cirò white wine, and a 2012 Señorio de Sarrìa Garnacha.

 


The White Wine:
  Alone: I thought this wine had a weird mix of green apple flavor and also an oaky vanilla flavor that seemed to clash in a way. However, it was interesting on the palate and pleasant on the nose.
With the pork: This wine complimented the pork nicely but didn't enhance the flavor of either. I thought that it the apple flavors weren't as strong and the oaky-ness came out more.
With the corn: Again, this wine didn't enhance the flavor of the corn but I also didn't particularly enjoy it either. It seemed to make the wine taste more acidic.
With the potato: I thought this wine went semi-well with the potato. The basicity of the sour cream and cheese on the potato with the acidity of the green apple balanced out. But it wasn't my favorite combination.




The Rosè:
Alone: I was not a fan of this rosè. There was a weird bitterness on the palate. I think the main reason that I didn't enjoy it was because I was expecting something sweeter. It had a faint hint of strawberries on the palate and the nose.
With the pork: The bitterness of the wine with the pork was a terrible combination. It made the pork taste terrible and wine taste even worse than it already did.
With the corn: This wasn't that terrible of a combination but I didn't particularly enjoy it either. The corn was rather neutral flavored so you couldn't really go too wrong. It didn't really change the flavor of this wine.
With the potato: This was not a good combination. It wasn't awful though because the potato had such strong flavors.The chives and sour cream kind of masked the bitterness and I was able to enjoy the wine a bit more. The sweetness of the strawberries came out more.


The Red Wine:
Alone: I quite liked this wine. It had a good balance of sweetness, acidity, and tannins. I picked up on flavours of darker fruits like blackberry and black cherry.
With the pork: This was the best wine pairing with the pork. The pork leveled out the tannic component and the dark fruit flavors became more prominent. I ate most of my pork with this wine.
With the corn: I wasn't a huge fan of this combination but it wasn't awful. The corn was kind of bland so the wine didn't really do much with this dish.
With the potato: This was a pretty good combination. The potato had so many flavor components but the sour cream and cheese balanced nicely with the tannins and acidity to really please my palate.





Overall, I thought this dinner was a good learning experience. It confirmed a lot of things we had learned in class and taught me new things.

(I don't have a picture of me with the food, as I didn't realize it was a requirement for these blog posts (as the email was sent after I did the dinner pairing).)

Tasting -Garnacha de Fuego Old Vine Grenache

Name: Garnacha de Fuego Old Vine Grenache
Variety: Grenache
Region: Aragon
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $9

VC Review: 92 points, Wine Advocate. The Garnacha de Fuego, a 100% Grenache cuvée, was aged in both stainless steel and neutral French oak. There are 10,000 cases for the United States. This amazing wine boasts a dark ruby/purple color along with a sweet kiss of jammy black cherries intertwined with crushed rock notes that give the wine an undeniable minerality. As it hits the palate, a full-bodied, voluptuous texture takes hold and the flavor profile moves towards blacker fruits (ripe raspberries and black currants) intermixed with camphor and forest floor. This full-bodied, rich, glycerin-filled effort should drink well for 4-5 years, perhaps longer.

My Review: I thought this wine was interesting. It tasted kind of chalky which was a strange texture. However there was a nice fruitiness, like cherries and raspberries and cranberries, that balanced with an earthy, dirt element.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting -Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico

Name: Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico
Variety: Gaglioppo
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $14

VC Review: Don't let the pale garnet color fool you: this is a substantial wine. Aromas of red fruits and spice complement undertones of cranberries, wild berries, and plums. On the palate, ripe tannins and good body make for an incredibly rich, yet easygoing red wine. Pair this wine with sausage, spicy curry sauces, hot soppressata, and tandoori chicken.

My Review: I thought this wine had a good tannin component. I also thought that there was a nice spiciness and a hint of black pepper. It balanced nicely with a hint of dark fruit. I'm surprised I liked this wine as much as I did.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting -Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc Seaview Vineyard

Name: Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc Seaview Vineyard
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2008
Price: $21

Vintage Cellar Review: This aromatic wine shows lifted flavours of black currant with underlying notes of wet stone and thyme. The palate is elegant yet full with sufficient weight and texture, balanced by flinty minerality. This wine is a fantastic match with foods such as cheese, salad, poultry dishes and a wide range of seafood dishes including freshly shucked natural oysters, prawns, green lip mussels and creamy scallops.

My Review: I slightly enjoyed this wine but it is not my favorite. I tasted a lot of the mineral element but I also got a taste of green pepper. I would drink this again though and I imagine it would be better with food.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting -Rosemount Estate Moscato

Name: Rosemount Estate Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Country: Australia
Year: 2012
Price: $12

VC Review: Clear, medium-yellow in appearance; lovely citrus and honeysuckle aromas with lemon, honeysuckle, apple and ripe yellow plum flavours. Serve chilled with angel food cake or fresh fruit and mild cheeses.

My Review: The only tasting note I wrote for this wine was "sugar water." It was like drinking liquid cotton candy. It was way too sweet for my palate. On the nose, I picked up the honeysuckle and citrus elements. However, I didn't get any of that on my palate. If there was any citrus acidity, it could have balanced it out nicely. I feel like this is something I would have drank as a 14 year old teeny bopper.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting -Angove Viognier

Name: Angove Viognier
Variety: Viognier
Country: Australia
Year: 2009
Price: $15

VC Review: Bright light straw in colour with some green hues, this wine has a lush ripe tropical fruit aroma. This is a fuller bodied white which fills the mouth with heady flavours of apricot, peach and citrus. Angove Nine Vines Viognier is perfect for today's relaxed lifestyle and is the ideal accompaniment to grilled prawns with chili and garlic or roast pork.

My Review: I liked this wine better than the first wine. It was very pleasing on the nose and the citrus  hit the palate nicely. I think this is a nice summer wine.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting -Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Country: Germany
Year: 2012
Price: $10

Winery Review: This drier-styled Riesling is bright, fruity and floral with crisp acidity and clean flavors of apple, pear and peach that compliment its stony minerality and earthy complexity. It serves well as an aperitif and matches a wide variety of foods, like lighter salad dishes, shellfish, cream sauces and also anything with a touch of spice.

My Review: I find this wine light and refreshing and crisp. The dominant flavor in my opinion is a granny smith apple. I had this with my wine dinner the week prior and found that it paired nicely with my gnocchi dish and my salad. It seemed to make every flavor more outstanding.

I tasted this with and without food.

Tasting -Atlas Cumbres Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting: Atlas Cumbres Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $15

Winery Review: Intense red color with violet highlights, with clean, fresh, and complex aromas of berries, plums, figs, and pepper. Strong personality is in perfect balance with a medium body and pleasant tannins. Ideal for: red meats, cheeses and strong sauces.

My Review: I personally did not like this wine. I thought that it was super peppery and that is all I could really taste. It smelled better than it actually was. I wouldn't want to drink this again.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting -Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Variety: Beaujolais Nouveau
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $14

Winery Review: Balanced and lightly creamy, offering pretty flavors of plum sauce and raspberry coulis with hints of ground spice. Elegant, with a floral finish. Drink now.

My Review: I didn't particularly like this wine at all. While I did find the thicker body of the wine to be interesting, I couldn't handle the flavors. It was like spicy fruit. The plum flavor was overpowering and the spiciness just confused my palette.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting -Bricco deo Tati Rose

Name: Bricco deo Tati Rose
Variety: Blended
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $8

Winery Review: Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and rose petals. This is ideal with shellfish, salads, chicken, and with appetizers.

My Review: This wine both smelled and tasted sweet. There were strong fruit flavors, especially of strawberry or strawberry shortcake. Would be enjoyable on a summer's day.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Frascati Volpetti Malvasia, Trebbiano, Greco

Name: Frascati Volpetti Malvasia, Trebbiano, Greco
Variety: Malvasia, Trebbiano, Greco
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $8

Winemaker Review: Straw in color with a soft, delicate perfume, fruitful flavor, dry and harmonious taste. Perfect with appetizers, soups, fish.

My Review: I thought this wine has a soft, sweet, floral aroma t it. The flavor was crisp and refreshing and matched the scent. Seems like it'd be good before a meal.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Dinner -Homemade

On Thursday night, my boyfriend Robert and I decided to do a wine dinner pairing with Italian foods and random wines. I was hoping to find some interesting wine combinations that worked. Our meal consisted of gnocchi (aka my favorite food) in a creamy pesto sauce, a salad, and garlic bread. The wines we chose were a Syrah, a Merlot, and a Riesling.

Our meal, ready to eat!

I poured a glass of each wine and tried each dish with each wine. Below are my tasting notes for each wine and how I thought they tasted with each dish.

Crane Lake Petite Sirah

Alone
I actually really liked this wine, despite it being a cheap bottle. I think the wine had very fruit-forward flavors (like cherry, blackberry, maybe even a touch of strawberry as well).

With gnocchi
I think this wine paired nicely with the gnocchi. I think the gnocchi and the pesto sauce actually kind of enhanced the wine and I got a lot more out of it. I think it might have been the best wine (of the three) with the gnocchi.

With salad
I'll say it here and I'll say it again. You just can't pair salad and wine. It was bad. I knew it was hard to pair with but it just made the wine worse. It seemed to make the wine taste very tart and bitter.

With garlic bread
 I wasn't the hugest fan of this pairing. Garlic is such a strong and overpowering flavor that the fruitiness of this wine seemed to clash.

Omo Ze Bel Merlot

Alone
I enjoyed this wine a lot. There were subtle hints of cherry flavor, which reminded me of Cherry Coke. This Merlot had an interesting, somewhat grainy texture.

With gnocchi
I thought this wine paired well with the gnocchi. The acidity of the wine was kind of balanced out with the creaminess of the pesto sauce and the basic nature of the potatoes in the gnocchi.

With salad
This wine with salad was actually pretty terrible. I knew salad is a hard thing to pair with but this was just bad. I think that the crispness and freshness of the salad with the wine made the wine taste like poison. I couldn't do it.

With garlic bread
I wouldn't say this paired well or didn't pair well with the bread. As strong of a flavor as garlic is, I thought it would have some impact but it didn't really change the flavor of the wine to me.

Shine Riesling 

Alone
I actually really enjoyed this wine for a white. It was not a typical Riesling as it was not very fruit forward, but had a mineral component as well. While there were citrus aromas and flavors, the acidity was refreshing.

With gnocchi
I didn't expect this to be a good pairing and I was right. The citrusy flavor didn't do anything with the creaminess of the gnocchi and was not pleasing on the palate.

With salad
Probably the best pair of the three, but still not very good. I found that the crispness and freshness of the wine matched the freshness of the salad but the citrus threw everything off.

With garlic bread
I thought that this was a weird pairing. The strong garlic flavor did not go well with the citrusy Riesling. However the garlic made the wine seem more minerally and chalky.

Overall, I found the pairing was interesting and I learned a lot from doing this. I am a vegetarian so I wish I could have done the dinner with meat products to see how that would influence the wines (especially the reds).

Tasting -James Goddard Shiraz

Name: James Goddard Barossa Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $21

Winery Review: The outstanding 2011 James Goddard Shiraz (aged 14-16 months in American and French Hogsheads) delivers considerable value and flavor authority. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of blackberries, black currants, licorice, graphite, and subtle barbecue smoke. Rich, fleshy and dense, it is best consumed over the next 3-4 years.

My Review: I wasn't the hugest fan of this wine. This wine was pretty tannic and I picked up on almost a chalky sensation when I was drinking it. I'm normally not a huge fan of sweet wines, but this wine almost didn't taste sweet in the slightest.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Toso Moscato

Name: Toso Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $10

Winery Review: This Moscato is reminiscent of honeysuckle and rose petal. The quality is equivalent to a top level Asti Spumante DOCG. Sweet sparkling wine obtained from careful selection of the Moscato grapes. It has a pale straw yellow color with fine foam and bubbles. Tropical fruit flavor, refreshing. Excellent to match desserts, fruit and dried pastries.

My Review: I enjoyed this wine. The nose was very floral and the people around me actually gasped when they smelled it. I thought this wine would be good for desserts and fresh fruit. There was definitely nice fruit flavors in the wine. I would drink this again.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -El Sierro Tempranillo/Cab

Name: El Sierro Tempranillo/Cab
Variety: 80% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $8

Winery Review: Dark ruby in color with rich aromas of red fruit and light spices. It is a real knockout with delicious flavors of dark cherries, blackberries and vanilla all perfectly integrated. The Tempranillo provides wonderful spice and fruit, while the Cabernet Sauvignon gives structure and depth with the beautiful use of oak.

My Review: My first impression of this wine was that it had a pleasant nose, but I found that the wine was very tannic and very oaky. I did enjoy the fruit-forward flavor but I couldn't overlook how tannic it was. I probably wouldn't drink this wine again.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Omo Ze Bel Merlot

Name: Omo Ze Bel Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $7

Winery Review: This bright, soft Merlot comes from a hilly vineyard on the Alcesti family estate in beautiful Sicily. It has hints of red cherries and freshly cut hay. Exceptional value.

My Review: I really enjoyed this wine. I went to the Vintage Cellar with my friend Robert who also liked this wine and ended up buying a bottle. We used this wine during our wine dinner that night. I detected the cherries and it reminded me of Cherry Coke somewhat.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Altas Cumbres Torrontes

Name: Altas Cumbres Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $6

Winery Review: Yellowish colour with greenish nuances. Very intense aroma of fresh grapes, flower perfume and mature peaches. Fresh in the mouth. Light and easy to drink. Ideal with seafood, Thai and Chinese food.

My Review: I liked this wine a lot, and I think I am a fan of Torrontes. This wine was super crisp and clean and definitely peachy. I would pair this wine with sushi, maybe sometime soon.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Avery Quinn Chardonnay

 Name: Avery Quinn Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Napa, California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $7

Winery Review: The 2011 vintage marks a return to form for this great value Chardonnay. The aromas feature creamy, mellow, golden apple, pineapple, fresh butter and a touch of vanilla. Then rich, ripe flavors of yellow pear, pineapple, fresh apple, cream and  buttered toast swell up and fill your mouth before a juicy, apple and caramel inflected finish makes your mouth water (and smile!).

My Review: I was overwhelmed with the buttery creaminess of this wine, though I did enjoy it. The description made me think this wine would be more apple-y, but I picked up on the pineapple a lot, the butteriness, and the caramel finish. It was pretty good for a Chardonnay.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Jam Jar Sweet White

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White
Variety: Muscat
Country: South Africa
Year: 2011
Price: $9

Winery Review: 100% Muscat. Soft floral hints add depth to the otherwise straightforward ripe peach and nectarine aromas. There's a good balance in the mouth, with a nice acidic lift and slightly lime edge to cut the sweetness on the finish and close with the faintest hint of honeydew melons.

My Review: I really liked this wine, despite how sweet it was. The acidic finish balanced nicely with the sweetness of the melons and peaches. The nose of this wine was quite delightful but I couldn't pinpoint a descriptor.

This wine was tasted on its own without food.

Tasting -Entrada Malbec

Name: Entrada Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $6

Winery Review: Firm and structured, this is a solid wine, laced with mineral acidity and tight tannins. It has a juicy, blackberry fruit component cutting through the texture.

My Review: I agree that this wine was quite mineral and I was surprised I liked it as much as I did. For a $6 wine I would definitely drink it again as it was interesting and new to my palate.

This wine was tasted on its own without food.

Tasting -Vina Borgia Borsao

Name: Vina Borgia Borsao
Variety: Grenache
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $7

Winemaker's Review: 86 points -Robert Parker. Also made from 100% Grenache, the 2012 Vina Borgia was fermented and aged in stainless steel. Its medium dark ruby color is followed by abundant notes of strawberries and black cherries offered in a straight-forward, medium-bodied, soft, hedonistic, round style. It is hard to believe a wine this good can sell for $7 a bottle. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years.

My Review: I thought this wine was delicious. The fruit-forward expression of the strawberries and cherries was appealing to the palate. The lack of complexity made it enjoyable to taste as well. Would drink again.

This wine was tasted on its own without food.

Tasting -Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Name: Peter Lehmann Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $20

Winemaker's Review: The 2010 Chardonnay presents subtle notes of spiced apple slices and ripe peaches with hints of freshly baked bread and melon. Light bodied, clean and refreshingly crisp in the mouth, it offers just enough apple and pear flavor concentration, finishing with a medium-long persistence. Drink it now to 2014.

My Review: I thought this wine was crisp and refreshing. I definitely picked up on the apple flavor, which was strong in this wine and I found it quite nice. This would be a good summer night on the patio wine.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Protocolo Vino de la Tierra Castilla

Name: Protocolo Vino de la Tierra Castilla
Variety: Airen with a little Macabeo
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $7

Winemaker's Review: Mostly Airen with a little bit of Macabeo. Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.

My Review: I found this wine refreshing and pleasant. The citrus aromas matched what I expected to taste and the lemon flavor on the finish added a nice crispness. I enjoyed this wine and would like to pair it with chicken picatta or something of the sort.

This wine was tasted on its own without food.

Tasting -R Wines Eco Love Riesling

Name: R Wines Eco.Love Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: $18

Winery Review: Our South Island Riesling has a range and combination of flavors unlike any other. These flavors span citrus, root ginger, white peach, spices and florals. Eco.Love Riesling is made in balance to an off-dry style. Food Pairing: Asian Fusion, seafood, curry, and anything spicy.

My Review: I really liked this particular wine. I thought that the acidic citrus flavor balanced nicely with the sweet peach flavor. It tasted like the peach ring candies. The ginger flavor was subtle to me, but I think this wine would go well with sushi. My friend purchased this while we were at Vintage Cellar after the tasting, and I look forward to drinking this wine
again.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $9

Winery Review: Well-balanced flavors of dark berries and plums. Spicy fruit finish.

My Review: I thought this wine had very strong cherry, blackberry, and plum flavors. The spiciness at the end made this wine seem balanced. I enjoyed it and would drink it again.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Canyon Road Pinot Noir

Name: Canyon Road Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $7

Winery Review: Rich, fruit forward cherry flavors, soft tannins, a medium body and a smooth velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes.

My Review: I really enjoyed this particular wine. The cherry flavors were strong and reminded me of cherry coke. I tasted this on its own and I think it would have been better if I had tasted it over dinner. Nonetheless, I still liked this wine and would drink it again.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon

Name: Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon
Variety: Chardonnay, Semillon
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $8

Winery Review: 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.

My Review: This wine was quite pleasant. The intensity of the fruit flavors and their acidity balanced nicely with the butterscotch and made for quite a nice wine.

This wine was tasted on its own without food.

Tasting -Indwe Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Indwe Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $8

Winery Review: Grapes are meticulously sourced from our grape producers along the Coastal region of the Western Cape ensuring complexity and freshness in the wine. Indwe Sauvignon Blanc is full of layers, balance, and persistence. The wine is imbued with tropical and citrus notes, with hints of melon and gooseberry flavors.

My Review: I thought this wine was particularly refreshing. I definitely picked up on the citrusy notes that add a crispness to the wine as well. The melon flavor was understated but was definitely there, which gace this wine different levels.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Charles Brotte Grand Vallon Syrah

Name: Charles Brotte Grand Vallon Syrah
Variety: Syrah
Region: Vaucluse
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $13

Winemaker's Review: This wine is a 100% Syrah bottling that they produce with grapes from the Languedoc region to the south. It shows remarkable depth of flavor and richness. Spicy but with lively forward fruit.

My Review: I thought this wine had a delightful spiciness, particularly very peppery and like licorice. There was also a nice balance with some sweetness from what tasted like blackberry or black cherry. The aroma from this wine was kind of weird.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Trumpeter Torrontes

Name: Trumpeter Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price $9

Winemaker's Review: Trumpeter Torrontes is an immensely aromatic and distinctive wine with predominant aromas of white peaches followed by hints of jasmine and rose. This summery white displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long full finish.

My Review: This full-bodied wine was semi-sweet and supple with distinct citrus flavors coming through. I thought the rose aroma was rather strong which made this wine seem very floral. The acidity of the citrus mixed with the floral aroma made this wine seem well-balanced.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Korbel Brut

Name: Korbel California Brut
Variety: Brut
Region: Sonoma, California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $11

Winemaker's Review: Korbel Brut is America's favorite bottle-fermented champagne. Korbel Brut is light and crisp, with spicy fruit flavors like citrus and a pear-like note in the finish. It is finished with a 1% dosage for a balanced medium-dry finish.

My Review: I definitely picked up on the light citrus-y flavors in this wine, especially what seemed to be subtle lemon element. The lemon was refreshing and paired especially well with it being chilled. I am a fan of champagnes and sparkling wines so I enjoyed this particular wine.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Bay Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Bay Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Livermore and Ripon, California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $4

Winery Review: The subtle undertones of tannins arrive first to your taste buds and are light. The wine is smooth and sultry with an crisp, fresh finish with a full body and hints of red berries.

My Review: I initially picked up hints of cherry and black currant on the nose. The cherry flavor developed on my palate and reminded me of Cherry Coke. I found the tannic component to be very strong. Given this is a cheap bottle of unaged red wine, it's not something I particularly enjoy drinking and I'll probably finish this bottle as part of
a marinade.

I tasted this on its own without food.

Tasting -Pinetti Notte Pinot Grigio

Name: Pinetti Notte Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Provincia di Pavia
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $9

Winery Review: This well-balanced Pinot Grigio showcases bright melon and stone fruit aromas that segue into juicy orchard peach and citrus flavors.

My Review: I found that the peach flavor was dominant in this particular Pinot, although not overpowering. I picked up some green apple scent on the nose along with cantaloupe, which was unexpected. I thought this wine was rather refreshing and crisp.

I tasted this on it's own without food.