Tasting Rosemount Estate Moscato

• Name: Rosemount Estate Moscato

• Variety: Moscato 

• Region: Southern Australia  

• Country: Australia 

• Year: 2012

• Price: $3.95

• Shop/wine critic/winery review:"Clear, medium-lemon 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: This white wine smelled sweet, fruity and acidic. It had a light golden and yellow color. I thought the wine was sweet and acidic at the same time. It was well-balanced and the finish is pretty soft. Overall, I thought this wine would be a good wine for new wine drinkers to try, it is easy to drink and refreshing. 

• I had this wine at a wine tasting. 

Tasting Ironstone Old Vine Zinfandel

• Name: Ironstone Old Vine Zinfandel

• Variety: Old Vine Zinfandel 

• Region: Lodi, California 

• Country: U.S 

• Year: 2011

• Price: $3.95

• Shop/wine critic/winery review:"Grown in vineyards that are over 45 years old, this medium-bodied Zin has exceptional varietal character with lovely aromas of dark fruit and blackberry. Subtle pepper spice mingles with richly concentrated fruit flavors of blackberry, ripe plums and fresh red raspberries. Barrel aging created its smooth, silky finish and unprecedented depth.  A wonderful wine pairing for variety of dishes. Any type of meat - whether its pork, beef or game - is ideal with this wine. Cioppino is another amazing complement or try it with tomato-based pastas, hearty stews or a plate of strong, aged cheeses."
• My review: This red wine had a dark and red color. I can smell strong hints of tannins before I even put my nose in the glass. After getting past the tannins, I could smell some fruit components and spices as well. I thought this wine was well made, it seems that they tried to balance out the high tannins with spices and fruits. Overall, I enjoyed the wine. It has a hot finish, but it is not too overpowering. 

• I had this wine at a wine tasting. 

Tasting Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico

• Name: Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico

• Variety: Gaglioppo

• Region: Calabria 

• Country: Italy

• Year: 2010

• Price: $3.95

• Shop/wine critic/winery 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: This Italian wine is a nice red wine. The color was red/violet, not too dark. It smelled very nice, some fruit components and tannins. First when I tasted the wine, I could only taste the tannins. However, after a little while. The wine became smooth and light. It was very pleasant to drink this wine, I definitely recommend it to new drinkers.  

• I had this wine at a wine tasting. 

Tasting Angove Nine Vines Viognier

• Name: Angove Nine Vines Viognier

• Variety: Viognier

• Region: South Australia 

• Country: Australia

• Year: 2009

• Price: $7.95

• Shop/wine critic/winery 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 life-style and is the ideal accompaniment to grilled prawns with chilli and garlic or roast pork."
• My review: This white wine has a dark and golden color. It smelled very acidic, and a little fruity. Overall, I did not think this wine was well balanced. Beside from the hot finish and the acidity, I did not experience much fruit flavors. 

• I had this wine at a wine tasting. 

Tasting Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc

• Name: Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc

• Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

• Region: Marlborough

• Country: New Zealand

• Year: 2008

• Price: $7.95

• Shop/wine critic/winery review:"This aromatic wine shows lifted flavours of blackcurrant with underlying notes of wet stone and thyme. The palate is elegant yet full with sufficient weight and texture, balanced by a 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: This Sauvignon Blanc has a nice golden color, very clear. I thought it smelled very acidic and fruity at the same time. This wine was very well balanced, I enjoyed the acidity and fruitiness. At first I taste nothing but its strong acidic flavors, but then the fruity components kick in and balance it out right. I thought this wine was well made and definitely deserves a try. 

• I had this wine at a wine tasting. 

Tasting Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

• Name: Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

• Variety: Riesling

• Region: N/A

• Country: Germany

• Year: 2012

• Price: $9.95

• Shop/wine critic/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: This riesling smelled very fruity and sweet. I was excited to try this wine. It has a crisp and golden color, it was very clear. This wine tastes like very acidic and dry, which is something that I really enjoy. I loved this wine, I wanted more than just a little glass at the wine tasting. It had a full body, and a soft finish. 

• I had this wine at a wine tasting. 

Tasting Altas Cumbres Cabernet Sauvignon

• Name: Altas Cumbres Cabernet Sauvignon

• Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon  

• Region: Mendoza

• Country: Argentina 

• Year: 2013

• Price: $6.95

• Shop/wine critic/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: This wine was very well made, it had dark and red color. It smelled strong of tannins, along with berries and different spices. I thought this wine was going to be a overpowering wine, but it turned out to be well-balanced. I thought this wine tasted very under control, the acidity along with the tannins and oak. I thought everything just blend together well. However, this wine does have a hot finish.  

• I had this wine at a wine tasting. 

Tasting Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

• Name: Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

• Variety: Gamay 

• Region: Beaujolais

• Country: France 

• Year: 2013

• Price: $3.95

• Shop/wine critic/winery review:"Balanced and lightly creamy, offering pretty flavors of plum sauce and raspberry coulis threaded with hints of ground spice. Elegant, with a floral finish. Drink now."
• My review: This wine smelled nice, it had hints of floral components and different berries. I thought the wine smelled better than its actual taste, I found this wine to taste boring and simple. There was not much going on with the body of the wine, it was light and plain. 

• I had this wine at a wine tasting. 

Tasting Bricco dei Tati Rose

• Name: Bricco dei Tati Rose

• Variety: Barbera 

• Region: Piedmont

• Country: Italy 

• Year: 2011

• Price: $7.95

• Shop/wine critic/winery review:"Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries and rose petals. This is ideal with shellfish, salads, chicken, and with appetizers."
• My review: I thought this wine was very interesting. It smelled very fruity and sweet. I did not enjoy this wine because I do not like sweet wines. This wine was sweet from the first taste, it was acidic and sweet. It was not balanced very well, it was more sweet than acidic. The finish was pretty soft. 

• I had this wine at a wine tasting. 

Tasting Frascati Volpetti

• Name: Frascati Volpetti 

• Variety: Malvasia, Trebbianoy, Greco

• Region: N/A

• Country: Italy

• Year: 2012

• Price: $7.95

• Shop/wine critic/winery review:"Straw yellow in color with a soft, delicate perfume, fruitful flavor, dry and harmonious taste. Perfect with appetizers, soups, fish."
• My review: This white blend smelled very fruity and strong of tanins. When I tasted the wine, it was very acidity, but it was balanced out very well with the fruitiness and the sweetness of the wine. In my opinion, this wine was very well made and is worth of the price. 

• I had this wine at a wine tasting. 

Tasting Avery Quinn Chardonnay

• Name: Avery Quinn Chardonnay

• Variety: Chardonnay  

• Region: Napa Valley

• Country: U.S

• Year: 2011

• Price: $6.95

• Shop/wine critic/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: This white wine was a beautiful wine to taste. It had a darker golden color, which is different from the previous chardonnay that I have tried. This wine possessed smells of fruits, butter and vanilla. It was a very pleasant smell, so it got me excited to actually taste the wine. I thought the wine was well-balanced, it had the right amount of acidity and sweetness at the same time. It was a very easy wine to drink, and the finish was not overpowering. Overall, this wine was a very well made wine and I enjoyed it. 

• I had this wine at a wine tasting. 

Tasting Omo Ze Bel Merlot

• Name: Omo Ze Bel Merlot

• Variety: Merlot  

• Region: Sicily

• Country: Italy

• Year: 2011

• Price: $6.95

• Shop/wine critic/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: This red wine was one of my favorite at the wine tasting. It had a dark and purple color. I thought the smell of this wine was very pleasant, it was full of berries and some oak, along with tannins of course. Moving on to the taste, this wine had a very strong taste of oak, perhaps it was in an oak barrel for too long. I found this wine to be not well balanced, it was a bit too overpowering of tannins for me as well. This wine also had a hot finish.  

• I had this wine at a wine tasting. 

Tasting El Sierro Tempranillo & Cabernet

• Name: El Sierro Tempranillo & Cabernet

• Variety: Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon  

• Region: Valencia

• Country: Spain

• Year: 2011

• Price: $7.95

• Shop/wine critic/winery review:"Dark ruby in color with rich aromas of red fruit and light spices. It is a real knock-out 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: This red blend is a very interesting one, blending two grapes that are both full of tannins. I find the color of this wine to be pretty dark and red. When I first smelled the wine, all I could smell is the overpowering tannins. After I battle through the tannins aromas, I smelled some blackberries, cherries, and the oak. I thought this wine was pretty well balanced, the tannins is not overpowering, it was complimented pretty well with the acidity. I thought the finish was not too hot for my palate, and it was a well made wine. 

• I had this wine at home with crackers.

Tasting Maipei Malbec 2012

• Name: Maipei Malbec 2012

• Variety: Malbec 

• Region: Mendoza

• Country: Argentina

• Year: 2012

• Price: $11.99

• Shop/wine critic/winery review:"The malbec has a deep purple color with violet tints, complex plum, fig, strawberry, spices and floral aromas; rounded and velvety tannins, excellent length with a distinguished character. Excellent when paired with game, roasted red meats, pasta or pizza."
• My review: This red wine had a very distinct tannins smell, it was very strong and all I could think of is pure alcohol. Of course, the wine did not taste like pure alcohol, however, the alcohol content is very strong. The color of this wine was a dark violet and red color. Although this is a malbec wine, I thought the wine reminded me of cabernet sauvignon. The body of this wine was not well balanced, and it had a hot finish. 

• I had this wine at home with dinner, oyster pasta. 

Tasting Encostas Do Lima Vinho Verde

• Name: Encostas Do Lima Vinho Verde

• Variety: 80% Loureiro and 20% Trajadura 

• Region: Adega Cooperativa de Ponte de Lima

• Country: Portugal

• Year: 2012

• Price: $9.95

• Shop/wine critic/winery review:"The wines are fresh, crisp, lively and have a touch of spritz. With low alcohol, they are best as an aperitif or with seafood. Definitely a summer drink."
• My review: This white blend is a very refreshing one. First, the smell, this wine had a very fruity and sweet smell. I thought this was going to be another sweet white wine that had an overpowering sweetness level. However, that was not the case. This wine had a nice full body, it tasted very balanced. It was not too sweet, it had enough acidity in the wine to balance with the sweetness. The finish was light and it was dry. This is the type of wine that I enjoy very much. 

• I had this wine at home with crackers.

Tasting Bellafina Pink Moscato

• Name: Bellafina Pink Moscato

• Variety: Moscato and Raboso  

• Region: Veneto

• Country: Italy

• Year: 2012

• Price: $9.95

• Shop/wine critic/winery review:"A blend of Moscato and Rabosos grapes it has a pale rose color, notes of red berries (strawberry and raspberry), with the characteristic and fragrant bouquet and palate that is typical of the Moscato grape."
• My review: This pink Moscato seems to be targeting women wine drinkers. My first impression while looking at the wine was that it was going to be sweet. The color was a redish pink color. I thought the wine tasted like other pink moscato wine, it is too sweet for my palette. I did not think it was well balanced, and also the finish was not there. Overall, I do not think this wine fits my palette, but it might be attractive to others. 

• I had this wine at a wine tasting.

Tasting Santa Julia Malbec Sustainable 2012

• Name: Santa Julia Malbec Sustainable 2012

• Variety: Malbec  

• Region: Mendoza

• Country: Argentina

• Year: 2012

• Price: $8.95

• Shop/wine critic/winery review:"The nose is full of mellow raspberry and cherry, while the palate is fleshy and round, with blackberry and a touch of raisin. Plump, not edgy, and ready to drink, with coffee and mocha notes on the finish."
• My review: This red wine's smell consisted of hints of berries, cherry, and other earthy components. I thought the color was dark red. In my opinion, this wine had a full body, but it was not well balanced. I thought the tannins component in this wine was a little too strong for me, it had a hot finish. Overall, it was not a unpleasant experience, but I wish it would include more acid. 

• I had this wine at a wine tasting.

Tasting Santa Julia Pinot Grigio

• Name: Santa Julia Pinot Grigio

• Variety: Pinot Grigio  

• Region: Mendoza

• Country: Argentina

• Year: 2011

• Price: $8.95

• Shop/wine critic/winery review:"Light and clean, which compared to other Argentine Pinot Grigio is not something to dismiss. Feels solid and punchy, with orange and mango flavors. Has nice overall clarity and balance, with a citrusy finish."
• My review: This white wine smelled very nice, it was full of citrus, orange and sweetness hints. I thought the color was a nice clear golden color. The body of this wine was well balanced and full. I thought it had a good acidic level balanced out by the right amount of sweetness. I would recommend this wine to anyone that is looking for a good white wine to try.  

• I had this wine at a wine tasting.