Tasting - Morada Sangria

Name: Morada Sangria
Variety: Sangria
Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $4.95

Vintage Cellar 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.


My Review: So delicious that I had to buy some! Since I liked it so much, it's a given that this wine is sweet. Very sweet. The nose had a strong fruit and citrus smell reminding me of powdered lemonade mix. I could also catch a scent of cloves in the nose. This Sangria definitely tasted like lemonade and maybe some peach and apple along with it.

I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola

Name: Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola
Variety: Nero D'Avola
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Vintage Cellar 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.

My Review: I could definitely smell the licorice and plum! It kind of smelled like twizzlers; fruity and sweet. I also tasted the plum. The wine felt warm and tart with a little spice in the finish.

I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Tres Ojos Rose

Name: Tres Ojos Rose
Variety: 50%Tempranillo 50% Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $3.95

Vintage Cellar 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.

My Review: Very fruity and cherry smell. There is a mild spice in the taste which isn't very appealing to me. Very fresh though, just not for me.

I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Les Perles Piquepoul

Name: Les Perles Piquepoul
Variety: 100% Piquepoul
Region: Cotes de Thau
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar 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.

My Review: I've never had Piquepoul before, but this wasn't bad! It had a citrus-y and apple nose to it. The taste was pretty tangy. I thought it was a unique white.

I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Sutter Home Chardonnay

Name: Sutter Home Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $6.00

Winery Review: Our Chardonnay offers lovely aromas of fresh pear, peach, apple and lemon, enhanced by a rich creamy tone imparted by partial malolactic fermentation and wood aging. The wine's smooth texture and peach flavors persist into a long flavorful aftertaste. This delicious, beautifully balance Chardonnay makes and ideal match for any seafood or poultry dish, as well as for veal or pork chops, cream sauce pastas, and both mild and flavorful cheeses.

My Review: I tried this wine with and on a recommendation from my dad. It was good, very sweet with a grape nose to it. This Chardonnay tasted fruity and somewhat smokey. I liked drinking it with light hors d'oeurves on the side; this made it's flavors stand out a little better.

I tasted this wine with crackers and cheese.

Tasting - Gabriella Chianti

Name: Gabriella Chianti
Variety: Sangiovese Chianti blend
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar 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.

My Review: I thought wine had a strong nail polish remover smell to it above any other smell I could distinguish. This Chianti was very dry and strong with a spicy taste. It dried up my mouth too much, I don't think I'd choose this wine to drink.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

Name: Lavarini Valpolicella Classico
Variety: 65% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, 10% Molinara
Region: Valpolicella Classico
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Vintage Cellar 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.

My Review: This red had a very nice fruity, cherry smell. I was looking forward to the taste, but it was much too spicy for me. It was still smooth, but not my style.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Domaine de Mirail

Name: Domaine de Mirail Cabernet Merlot Rose
Variety: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot
Region: Cotes de Gascogne
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: There is a fresh, crisp character to this light rosé. It is eye-watering in its refreshing character, with balancing acidity, smoothing out the edges with a touch of caramel.

My Review: For a rosé, this wine was not that sweet. Very acidic flavors. I didn't really like this rosé.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Norton Torrontes

Name: Norton Torrontes
Variety: 100% Torrontes
Region: Mendoz
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Greenish yellow with hints of gold, this Torrontés has intense aromas of white peach, rose petal, and jasmine. Norton Torrontés 2011 is pleasant and well balanced on the palate.

My Review: When smelling this, I got a strong sense of the outdoors. It was very floral on the nose, but the taste was not sweet. There was a bit of a spicy aftertaste to it.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Dibon Cava

Name: Dibon Cava
Variety: Cava blend: Xarel-lo, Parellada, Macabeo
Region: Catalonia Penedes
Country: Spain
Year: Non Vintage
Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: The nose offers regal yeast and richness, while the palate has complexity to prop up apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors. Solid from front to back, with health and freshness.

My Review: This wine surprised me by being a little effervescent feeling. I didn't think the nose was very strong, but the taste was a very citrus-y and sort of bitter one.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Name: Opera Prima Pink Moscato
Variety:  97% Muscat, 3% Tempranillo
Region: Castilla La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: Non Vintage
Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This fine sparkling presents and intense aroma of fresh berries and tropical fruits with hints of white flavor petals. Delicate bubbles caress the palate offering a silky and pleasant sweetness well balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish. Ideal on it own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts.

My Review: This was, of course, my favorite wine I've tasted so far since it's as girly as they come; pink, bubbly, and sweet. This Moscato smelled like a fresh strawberry patch and tasted very sweet and fruity with a nice fizzy kick. It would be perfect for dessert!

I tasted this wine on it's own without food.

Tasting - Black Opal Shiraz

Name: Black Opal Shiraz
Variety: 100% Syrah/Shiraz
Region: Barossa Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: The Black Opal wines are sourced from vineyards found in South Australia along the Limestone Coast, at Langhorne Creek and in the infamous Barossa Valley. Black Opal Shiraz is rich red in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, pepper and spice followed with rich plum flavors round out the palate. Soft tannins give structure to the fruit-driven palate.

My Review: This had a very spicy smell to it. The smell also gave off a woodsy/earthy feel to me. It tasted very peppery, which unfortunately is not my type of wine.

I tasted this wine on it's own without food.

Name: Sokol Blosser Meditrina
Variety: 50% Syrah, 22% Zinfandel, 28% Pinot Noir
Region: Oregon
Country: United States
Year: Non Vintage
Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: It's created from the finest Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel. The taste is lush and velvety with expressive notes of raspberry and cherry. It pairs nicely with pasta and anything off the grill.

My Review: This wine dried out my mouth a little too much. It smelled sweet, but did not taste the same. I don't think I'd have this wine again.

I tasted this wine on it's own without food.

Tasting - Beringer Riesling

Name: Beringer Riesling
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: California
Country: United States
Year:  2009
Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This wine is the perfect balance of honeysuckle and bright peach flavors. A perfect compliment to light fare, appetizers, or just sharing with friends.

My Review: This was a very sweet and fruity wine. There wasn't much acidity to it. I like this white, it was smooth and refreshing.

I tasted this wine on it's own without food.

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon

Name: Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon
Variety: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Semillon
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Gotham’s 2008 Wine Men of Gotham 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: Sweet honeydew scent to the nose when first smelling. Unfortunately since I like sweet wines, the taste was not as sweet as the smell. This was not my favorite white wine.

I tasted this wine on it's own without food.

Tasting - Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2011

Price: $7.99

Winery Review: Bold flavors of blackberry and black cherry supported by firm tannins, brown spice and a dark chocolate espresso finish.

My Review: This seemed like a typical red wine to me, it had a somewhat bitter tannin flavor. I thought it was pretty smooth going down. There was a slight spicy aftertaste. Not my favorite red, but not bad!

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Finca del Castillo Tempranillo

Name: Finca del Castillo Tempranillo
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $4.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Rooty, spicy and baked on the nose, with aromas that lean towards raisin. The palate is more gritty and acidic, with raisin, cola, and spicy flavors. Darkens up on the finish, which is long and peppery, with adequate juiciness and a final note of tomato.

My Review: Very spicy and bitter. A dry wine which I did not really like. I don't think I'll drink this wine again.

I had this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Variety: 100% Gamay
Region: Beaujolais
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $3.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Bright and tangy, offering a classic banana note on the nose, with flavors of raspberry, wild strawberry and light spice. Modest finish.

My Review: Before tasting the wine smells sweet and fruit filled, however it turns out to taste pretty dry. There were hints of strawberry and a slight bubble gum after taste.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Name: Mars and Venus Chardonnay  
Variety: 100% Chardonnay  
Region: Central Valley  
Country: Chile
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

 Vintage Cellar 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: Less acidic than many white wines I've tried. Very smooth on the way down. Fruity tasting, hints of apple present. I would drink this again!

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - La Cappuccina Soave

Name: La Cappuccina Soave
Variety: 100% Garganega
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Bright straw yellow in color. Delicate on the nose, with notes of flowers and almonds. Dry, well-structured and delicately fruity, with hints of bitter almonds on the finish that is typical of Garganega-based wines.

My Review: Fairly citrusy; not quite as sweet as most white wines. I could taste a hint of the white grapes. I tasted a subtle hint of almond after hearing it in the description.

I had this wine without food.