Tasting - "Crane Lake White Zinfandel"

Name: Crane Lake

Variety: White Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Notes:
Light pink wine with floral and tropical aromas: flavors of strawberry, peach and raspberry with a touch of sweetness. This wine is an easy sipping wine that also pairs well with a wide variety of foods ranging from crab cakes or pâté to spicy Asian dishes, glazed ham, and grilled sea bass.

My review:
This wine was very pink in color. The smell was a deceptively mild floral perfume smell. The taste was shockingly sweet in comparison to the smell. The taste was more reminiscent of a Mike's Hard Lemonade than a wine. I tasted this wine without a food pairing.

Tasting - "Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet"

Name: Vina Galana

Variety: Alicante Bouchet

Region: Spain

Country: Spain

Year: 2012
Sale Price: $9.95
Regular Price: $15

Winery Notes:
From the rare Alicante Bouchet, one of the few grapes in the world with red flesh this wine has a plush texture carring flavors of brandied cherry and chocolate ganache in this round red. Light tannins and gentle acidity impart a lovely, balanced structure.






My review:
This red wine had a dull smell of pine wood, reminiscent of the outdoors. The wine was extremely bitter, especially upon swallowing. The bitterness was overpowering, but there was undertones of a smokey taste. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Tonnino Syrah"

Name: Tonnino

Variety: Syrah

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2013
Sale Price: $9.95
Regular Price: $14

Winery Notes:
An intense red color. Aromas of violet and blackcurrant enriched by hints of liquorice and black pepper. In the mouth it is full, round, slightly tannic and with a spicy note on the finish.







My review:
This red wine had a strong yeast, butter, and vinegar scent. It tasted of campfire, but that was the only layer I noticed. This wine had a very flat taste. I did not enjoy this wine all, and it was tasted on its own, without food.

Tasting - "Riebeek Cellars Viognier"

Name: Riebeek Cellars

Variety: Viognier

Region: Swartland

Country: South Africa

Year: 2015
Sale Price: $7.95
Regular Price: $12

Winery Notes:
This is a luscious viognier, featuring a deep yellow color, that explodes with juicy peach and honeysuckle flavors. Viognier can easily become flabby, but this one manages to keep its figure within bounds. I recommend this for immediate, lip-smacking enjoyment.





My review:
This wine essentially had no color, and was nearly entirely clear. It smelled of pears, and light fruit. The taste was rather bland, yet still bitter. There was a slight lemon taste. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Dom Michael Thomas Sancerre Rose"

Name: Dom Michael Thomas

Variety: Sancerre Rose

Region: Loire

Country: France

Year: 2013
Sale Price: $8.95
Regular Price: $32

Winery Notes:
Bright orange-pink. Lively, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh red berries, orange peel and honeysuckle, with a hint of anise building in the glass. Dry and nervy in the mouth, offering vibrant strawberry and orange pith flavors and a suggestion of rose pastille. The floral element comes back on the finish, which lingers with very good spicy persistence



My review:
This wine was light pink, and smelled of yeast. The wine also smelled floral and citrus, specifically oranges. The taste was unexpected and very bitter, with kumquat undertones. While the wine smelled better than it tasted, it would have tasted better if it had not been so bitter. This wine was tasted without food, which may have contributed to the prominence of the bitter taste.

Tasting - "Crane Lake Gewürtztraminer"

Name: Crane Lake

Variety: Gewürtztraminer

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Notes:
Slightly high-toned notions of rose petal mingle with lemon on nose and palate of this lightly sweet, richly textured yet balanced Gewürztraminer. This is not as heady as you may expect and will be a treat with spicy Asian dishes. Lychee and rose petal make another very fetching appearance on the finish.





My review:
This yellow sweet wine had a bitter pineapple smell. The wine tasted of slightly tart fruit, such as a pineapple, peach, or apricot. The texture was smooth and creamy. I tasted this wine without food, but would be interested in pairing it with food in the future.

Tasting - "Codirosso Chianti"

Name: Codirosso

Variety: Chianti

Region: Tuscany

Country: Italy

Year: 2014
Sale Price: $7.95

Regular Price: $13

Winery Notes:
Ruby red color with purple reflections. Intense vinous bouquet with hints of violets and dark cherry fruit. The flavor is full of ripe fruit and a hint of spice. It is well balanced and dry. The finish is persistent and satisfying.






My review:
This red wine had a sharp smell of a tart or tropical fruit. It had a taste of campfire, yet also floral. The wine was dry, spicy, and also bitter. I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - "Indwe Pinotage"

Name: Indwe

Variety: Pinotage

Region: South Africa

Country: South Africa

Year: 2013
Sale Price: $5.95

Regular Price: $12

Winery Notes:
“A disclaimer: I have never cared much for Pinotage, the indigenous South African grape variety, but this 2013 Pinotage from Indwe, named after the country's national bird, the blue crane, comes across like a light Pinot Noir. Subtle notes of cherries, spice and forest floor are followed by a round, light to medium-bodied, pure, seductive, well-crafted wine.” Drink now-2016.


My review:
This red wine had a savory smell that reminded me of a campfire. The wine was smooth, yet dry with oaky undertones. I tasted it without food, but enjoyed it and would be interested in pairing it with food in the future.

Tasting - "Palacio de Bornos Verdejo"

Name: Palacio de Bornos

Variety: Verdejo

Region: Rueda

Country: Spain

Year: 2013
Sale Price: $5.95

Regular Price: $12

Winery Notes:
Zesty and clean, with pure grapefruit and passion fruit aromas. It’s charged up but perfectly balanced, with bright, focused citrus and pineapple flavors. Lemony acidity keeps the finish rolling, then throw in some chive and fresh greens and you have a spot-on Verdejo.





My review:
This wine was pale yellow color in color and smelled of grapes and felt warm. The wine was dry and tasted like green apple with a citrusy aftertaste. There was just the right amount of bitterness in this wine. I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - "Tonnino Grillo"

Name: Tonnino

Variety: Grillo

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2014
Sale Price: $7.95

Regular Price: $14

Winery Notes:
Fruit-forward and tangy, this light-bodied, snappy white offers flavors of guava, apricot, candied grapefruit zest and stone. Drink now. 20,000 cases made.








My review:
This wine was pale yellow color in color and smelled mostly sweet, but a bit savory as well. The flavor was warm and smooth. The most prominent flavor was green apple, which matched what I smelled at the beginning. This wine was tried without food, but I enjoyed it enough to consider purchasing a bottle for another taste.

Tasting - "Peter Mertes Platinum Riesling Magnum"

Name: Peter Mertes Platinum
Variety: Riesling Magnum

Region: Germany

Country: Germany

Year: 2014
Sale Price: $9.95

Regular Price: $18

Winery Notes:
Light-bodied slightly sweet white wine; medium pale slightly greenish yellow. Inviting fresh white peach aroma and flavors. Easy to drink and not complicated, but what's there is very pleasant, and flavors develop in the glass.

My review:
This wine had a fruity smell that was reminiscent of a sweet apple. While the wine was sweet at first, the taste changed to tangy by the end. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Crane Lake Petite Sirah"

Name: Crane Lake

Variety: Petite Sirah

Region: Lodi

Country: California

Year: 2013

Regular Price: $5.95

Shop Review:
This wine is ruby-purple colored; notes of blackberry, plums and spice predominate the nose and flavors. The tannins give a soft, full mouth feel.

My review:
This wine was a deep reddish purple and had a very savory smell, with mild fruit undertones. The wine tasted strongly and was bitter and dry. There was an enjoyable buttery aftertaste. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "El Cortijillo Tempranillo"

Name: El Cortijillo

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2014

Sale Price: $5.95

Regular Price: $9

Shop Review:
Bright purple. High-pitched red berry and floral scents display good clarity and a hint of cracked pepper. Shows a touch of jamminess to its pliant black raspberry and cherry compote flavors, with a spicy quality adding vibrancy. Finishes with good focus and no obvious tannins, leaving a sweet berry note behind.




My review:
This wine was the first red I had tasted during this week's tasting. The smell was savory. I am unsure of the exact source of the smell, but it seemed to have a peppery undertone. The taste was mild and bitter, but very dry, which caused a different feeling in my mouth than other wines. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Les Clos Francs Vouvray Chenin Blanc"

Name: Les Clos Francs Vouvray

Variety: Chenin Blanc

Region: Loire Valley

Country: France

Year: 2013

Sale Price: $7.95

Regular Price: $21

Shop Review:
The cool climate in the Vouvray appellation area insures good acidity, which is balanced by the distinctly fruity character of the Chenin Blanc and the mineral qualities imparted by the soil. Thanks to these natural elements, this Vouvray combines elegance and vigor with honey dipped pears and an inherent freshness.



My review:
I attempted to get a smell from this wine, and honestly came up empty. There was a very very faint fruity smell, but I was unable to distinguish further than that. The taste resembled tart apples. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "La Lejania Chardonnay"

Name: Le Lejania

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Central Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2015

Sale Price: $6.95

Regular Price: $10

Shop Review:
A refined and suave style, with a rich array of white fruit and cream flavors, featuring a plush texture. Ripe citrus and pear notes fill the smooth finish.

My review:
This wine was nearly clear in color and had a fruity smell that reminded me of pear or apple. The wine was dry and acidic. The midpallet was mild, but the aftertaste was much stronger. This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting - "Yellow Tail Red Moscato Bubbles Non Vintage"

Name: Yellow Tail

Variety: Red Moscato Bubbles Non Vintage

Region: Yenda

Country: Australia

Year: Unknown

Sale Price: $5.95

Regular Price: $10

Shop Review:
With a gorgeous deep pink hue, this is a wine that offers scrumptious aromas of lifted tropical fruits, ripe fresh strawberries with black currant and raspberry texture. Its flavor is a vibrant Moscato, with fresh forest fruits and strawberries and a nice dose of sweetness.






My Review:
This wine was tasted at the Vintage Cellar with no food. It had a really nice color and there were visible bubbles. The wine both smelled and tasted like strawberries and cherry and was very sweet. The bubbles felt nice and added another dimension to the wine. I really enjoyed this wine. I anticipate that it will become my go-to moscato.

Tasting - "Beringer Smooth Red Blend"

Name: Beringer

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2012

Sale Price: $5.95

Regular Price: $15

Shop Review:
A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Without a doubt, very smooth and uniquely balanced. Not too dry but not too sweet. Has a foundation of raspberry and blackberry that lingers in the finish. A slight hint at vanilla and some spice when it touches your tongue.






My Review:
This wine was tasted at the Vintage Cellar with no food. I really didn't like this wine. At all. The smell had a slight hint of berry to it, but it was pretty much what I think of when I think "generic red wine" smell. It had an extremely strong taste that was spicy, in a way, that I did not care for at all. Looking at the shop review, I did not get any of the flavors out of this wine that I was supposed to, and I have no plans to purchase the wine and try it again.

Tasting - "Yellow Tail Cabernet/Merlot"

Name: Yellow Tail

Region: Yenda

Country: Australia

Year: 2014

Sale Price: $4.95

Regular Price: $10

Shop Review:
A classic blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium-bodied and very approachable with soft tannins. Fruit-forward flavors of plum, cherry and blackberry are accented by notes of spice with more juicy berries on the finish.







My Review:
This wine was tasted at the Vintage Cellar with no food. The wine was rich red in color, and smelled a bit like a campfire. The flavor was also bold, very bitter, and had a hint of a pepper taste. I was not a huge fan of this wine, but for a red wine, I found it unobjectionable.

Tasting - "Bright Pinot Grigio"

Name: Bright

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Sale Price: $5.95

Regular Price: $10

Shop Review:
This effortless Pinot Grigio keeps things light, with sun-ripened citrus flavors and a crisp, fresh finish. An instant taste of optimism, perfect for setting a carefree mood at any occasion. Serve chilled for total deliciousness.







My Review:
This wine was tasted at the Vintage Cellar with no food. The color was very pale, almost clear and had a smell to taste. The smell was very light and fruity. The taste matched the smell and appearance and in how light it was, but the wine did not taste as fruity as it smelled. I enjoyed this wine and would consider buying it the next time I am looking for a light white wine.

Tasting - "Dynamite Sauvignon Blanc"

Name: Dynamite

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Lake County, California

Country: USA

Year: 2012

Sale Price: $5.95

Regular Price: $13

Shop Review:
Melon, green apple and citrus flavors are lively and refreshing, with a spicy, floral nuance.

My Review:
This wine was tasted at the Vintage Cellar with no food. It smelled light and fruity. I smelled tropical fruits, specifically pineapple. The taste was much harsher than the smell, but still not overwhelming. The overall consistency was very smooth.