Tasting - Jam Jar Sweet White

Name:  Jam Jar Sweet White

Variety:  100% Muscat

Region:  Western Cape

Country:  South Africa

Year:  2011

Price:  $8.95

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: On the nose, this wine has aromas of peach and cantaloupe melon with floral hints. This is a light, crisp, and sweet wine with melon flavors on the palate. With a little acidity on the backend, this is a well-balanced wine.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Entrada Malbec

Name:  Entrada Malbec

Variety:  100% Malbec

Region:  Mendoza

Country:  Argentina

Year:  2013

Price:  $5.95

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: Another red with dark fruit and berry on the nose. The wine is light-bodied with little tannic components; blackberry flavors all the way.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Vina Borga Borsao

Name:  Vina Borga Borsao

Variety:  100% Grenache

Region:  Campo de Borja

Country:  Spain

Year:  2012

Price:  $6.95

Winery review:  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 straightforward, 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.  86 Points – Robert Parker

My review: On the nose, I get a lot of dark fruit and berries from this red wine. On the palate, this wine is medium-bodied with tight tannins and exerts flavors of black cherries and berries.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Name:  Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Variety:  100% Chardonnay

Region:  Barossa Valley

Country:  Australia

Year:  2010

Price:  $20.00

Winery 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 medium-long persistence. Drink it now to 2014.

My review: On the nose, this Chardonnay is peachy with a subtle hint of baked apples. With a light body, this wine is crisp and acidic and exerts various fruit flavors such as apple, pear, peach, and melon.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

Name:  Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

Variety:  Airen and Macabeo

Region:  La Mancha

Country:  Spain

Year:  2012

Price:  $6.95

Winery 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: This white wine has some grassy and lemony aromas. On the palate, the wine is acidic and citrusy, having flavors of orange and lemon peel. This is a light-bodied wine and finishes dry.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - R Wines Eco.Love

Name:  R Wines Eco.Love

Variety:  100% Riesling

Region:  South Island

Country:  New Zealand

Year:  2009

Price:  $18.00

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: On the nose, I get grassy, floral, mineral aromas. The wine is peachy and citrusy on the palate and medium dry; not the typical sweet Riesling.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Toschi

Name:  Toschi

Variety:  100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region:  California

Country:  United States

Year:  2011

Price:  $8.95

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

My review: This wine has a spicy and herby bouquet. On the palate, I get lots of cherry flavors. This is an easy to drink wine with a short finish.

Food:  Did not have with foo

Tasting - Canyon Road

Name:  Canyon Road

Variety:  100% Pinot Noir

Region:  California

Country:  United States

Year:  2012

Price:  $6.95

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: This red wine was very jammy on the nose; lots of cherry and some strawberry. Like the nose, lots of red berry flavors on the palate. Also has a smooth, velvety body with a slightly dry finish.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham

Name:  Wine Men of Gotham

Variety:  80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon

Region:  Australia

Country:  Australia

Year:  2008

Price:  $7.95

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 greenish color wine had aromas of apple and pear. On the palate, it had a smooth and creamy texture with a long finish. It’s a sweet wine with hints of apple and melon. It also had a buttery, popcorn-like taste at the end.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Indwe

Name:  Indwe Sauvignon Blanc

Variety:  95% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Semillion

Region:  Elim

Country:  South Africa

Year:  2012

Price:  $7.95

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: This wine is floral and peary on the nose, with citrus notes coming through. On the palate, it is citrusy with subtle earthy tones; also dry, acidic, and tart-like.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Loredona Riesling

Name:  Loredona Riesling

Variety:  Riesling

Region:  Monterey, California

Country:  United States

Year:  2011

Price:  $15.00

Winery review:  If you like your Rieslings on the sweet side, this pretty wine is for you. It’s brisk in Central Coast acidity, with citrus, peach, honeysuckle and spice flavors that finish clean and long.

My review: This wine is sweet on the nose. I get hints of peach and honey aromas. On the palate, this wine is citrusy, but the flavors of peach and honey poke through. Like the above review, it has a finish that is clean and long.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Maipe Malbec

Name:  Maipe Malbec

Variety:  Malbec

Region:  Mendoza

Country:  Argentina

Year:  2011

Price:  $8.95

Winery review:  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 wine has a very dark fruit smell to it; smells of plum, fig, and even some strawberry. The smells transition to flavors with some added spices on the palate and goes well with the velvet body of this wines body.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Villa d' Rosso Toscano

Name:  Villa d’ Rosso Toscano

Variety:  100% Sangiovese

Region:  Montepulciano

Country:  Italy

Year:  2012

Price:  $6.95

Winery review:  100% sangiovese grapes and is a wonderful rendition of a velvety Tuscan red.

My review: This is a very aromatic wine, giving off very fruity wines. Smells of strawberry, cherry, among other sweet fruit and berries are apparent. On the palate, I get hints of the cherry mixed with the medium body of this wine; has a long, dry finish.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Arnold Palmer Chardonnay

Name:  Arnold Palmer Chardonnay

Variety:  Chardonnay

Region:  California

Country:  United States

Year:  2011

Price:  $20.00

Winery review:  A vibrant Chardonnay form vineyards in cooler climates of California. Chardonnay is well known for its characteristic fresh apple fruit aromas and rounded, rich flavors. Weather during the 2011 harvest provided ideal growing conditions for lush, yet perfectly balanced fruit.

My review: This wine is smells just like a red delicious apple. Floral aromas are also apparent. On the palate, this wine is acidic with the apple flavors coming through. It has a dry finish.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - El Sierro Macabeo/Chardonnay

Name:  El Sierro Macabeo/Chardonnay

Variety:  Macabeo and Chardonnay

Region:  Valencia

Country:  Spain

Year:  2012

Price:  $6.95

Winery review:  In the glass, there is a bright and shiny white wine with an incredibly welcoming, fresh appetizing aroma reminiscent of ripe tropical fruits. The flavor is rich, balanced and extremely comfortable. The near-perfect all-purpose white wine. As an additional benefit, and good evidence that El Sierro reflect the new Spain, the bottle is sealed with the technical viewed perfect screw cap that at once eliminates any risk of cork flavor and keeps the fruit and the wine fresher for longer time.

My review: On the nose this wine gives a peachy, yet citrusy aroma; hints of honey are also present. However, on the palate I do not get much from it. It is very light bodied with very subtle tastes of peach. This wine is seems too plain.

Food:  Did not have with food