Tasting - Rex Goliath Zinfandel

Name: Rex Goliath

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: Madera, California

Country: USA

Year: N/A

Price: $5.90

Winery Review: This wine screams classic Zinfandel, with an abundance of ripe blackberry and cherry flavors, earthy, spicy, coffee/mocha notes and depth and complexity that really round out the flavor profile!

Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled really alcoholic and of blackberries and plum. The wine tasted very tannic and I did not like it. It was hard to decipher the flavors in the wine because it was so dry and tannic that it was distracting (mostly because I was making funny faces and struggling to swish this stuff in my mouth). Some of the flavors I finally tasted after a few tries were blackberries, plums, dark green vegetables (such as spinach and asparagus). The wine also was slightly smokey and was quite chewy. I would definitely not recommend this wine because it was really and tasted how it was priced - cheap. I did not have this wine with any food to affect the flavor. 

Tasting - Champteloup Pinot Noir

Name: Champteloup

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: Loire Valley

Country: France

Year: 2011

Price: Regular Price: $15.00; Sale: $7.95

Winery Review: In the heart of France’s Loire River Valley lies the Touraine wine region. Although it produces vast amounts of well-priced, fresh, mostly white wines, lovely reds like this are broadening Touraine’s appeal. This wine may seem familiar to you. It is a sibling of the Touraine Sauvignon Blanc we’ve offered for years. Serge de Bucy employs a light touch in his winemaking, using no wood and doing as little as possible to preserve freshness. Bright cherry and strawberry fruits are followed by a soft, smooth palate.

Personal Review: This wine smelled like dark fruit jam, specifically like plums, raspberries, and blackberries. It also smelled really smokey like wild fire smoke. The taste was a little peppery, smokey, and tasted like the dark fruits I noted in the smell, along with cherries. I did not have this wine with any food and I did not really like it.

Tasting - Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Neu Direction

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: Regular: $7.95; Sale: $7.95

Winery Review: This Cabernet Sauvignon shows very good purity of fruit and skillful winemaking. This wine is full of black-fruit aromas, depth and style. The palate pushes ripe plum and berry fruit along with chocolate, and the finish is chewy and correct in terms of tannins and structure.

Personal Review: When I smelled the wine, it reminded me of the whiskey my friends make me take shots of. It was also very jammy smelling and reminded me of alcohol-filled chocolate. The taste was nose-tickling, tannic, alcoholic, dry, and smokey with a dark chocolate aftertaste. It was very chewy and full-bodied. This wine did not "mess around" so-to-speak, and honestly, I did not like it. I feel as though an experienced wine taster would love and appreciate the complexity of this wine, but it was a little too harsh for me. It was significantly more alcoholic than any other wine I have tasted and felt very heavy in my stomach. I did not have any food with this wine and I would definitely not recommend having it with food, because it is enough by itself.

Tasting - Sonnenband Moscato Magnum

Name: Sonnenband

Variety: Moscato

Region: Unknown

Country: Spain

Year: Unknown

Price: Regular: $20.00; Sale $9.95

Winery Review: This wine is intricate with the delicate perfumes of white flower blossoms, profound tropical fruit sweetness, and energized by citrus nectars.

Personal Review: This wine mostly smelled like honey and white flowers. It was super sweet but tasted pretty good. It was chewier than most white wines which was unexpected and pleasing. The wine also tasted of pineapple, citrus fruits, and peaches

Tasting - Baumann Gentil Classiq

Name: Fattori Runcaris 

Variety: Blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris.

Region: Alsace

Country: France

Year: 2012

Price: Regular: $17.00; Sale: $9.95

Winery Review:  A delicious and fresh blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, 

and Pinot Gris. Light aromas of fresh fruit 

and delicate white flowers start your 

journey, followed by crisp flavors of stone 

and citrus fruit. A well balanced acidity 

on the dry finish ends this French blend 

beautifully.

Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like pineapple, apples, strawberries, blackberries, and flowers. The wine tasted of citrus, lemon and pineapple. I was surprised that I did not taste a lot of the aromas in the wine. It was very complex and I loved the wine. I did not have it with any food.

Tasting - Fattori Runcaris Soave

Name: Fattori Runcaris 

Variety: 100% Garganega

Region: Soave

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: Regular: $15.00; Sale: $7.95

Winery Review:  From the local Italian word for “to work the soil,” Runcaris represents an easy, fresh expression of Soave Classico with lingering aromas of citrus, yellow rose, 

honey, jasmine and dried herbs. 86 Points – Wine Enthusiast:

Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like flowers, honey, lemon, and slightly like dirt. The wine tasted like honey, root vegetables, rubber, and dirt. I really enjoyed this wine and would recommend it because it was pretty complex for being a white wine. I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - CigarZin Zinfandel

Name: CigarZin

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2011

Price: $15.00

Winery Review: Looking for an unapologetic, big bold wine? CigarZin is packed with rich, ripe, blackberry flavors and a touch of spice mixed with aromas of cocoa. CigarZin is ready to be unleashed on a big, juicy steak or barbecued anything, full of flavor, absent of compromise.

Personal Review: On the nose, this wine was full of blackberry and currant, and was slightly citrus-y, like grapefruit. I could also smell hints of dark chocolate. This wine was slightly dry-tasting and tasted of blackberries and blueberries. The wine was a bit spicy and had a peppery aftertaste. I really enjoyed this wine and thought it would pair well with pretty much any dinner, especially a juicy burger or steak. I did not have this wine with any food but it was amazing by itself.

Tasting - Innocent Bystander Moscato

Name: Innocent Bystander

Variety: Moscato

Region: Victoria

Country: Australia

Year: 2013

Price: $10.00

Winery Review: This light pink, slightly sweet Australian Moscato offers a flirtatious mix of strawberries and cream with a whisper of rose petal on the nose. Intense sweet fruit, playful frizzante bubbles and an unexpected, enduring finish all collide to make this a must try Moscato.

Personal Review: This wine was very light on the nose, and all I could really smell were strawberries with a hint of cranberry. The taste was of strawberries, flowers, and was well-balanced. The wine was very sweet and I enjoyed the way the bubbles hit my tongue. The wine was not very complex, but I still liked it. I would definitely say this is a great "beginner wine" to try because it basically tasted like a fizzy pink Jolly Rancher. I enjoyed this wine with a dinner at The Cellar in Blacksburg, Virginia. First, I tried the wine with a spinach and artichoke dip appetizer, which did not affect the taste of the wine. However, I would not have picked to pair this wine with the dish. For dinner, I had chicken souvlaki kabobs, asparagus, and potatoes. Again, the taste of the wine wasn't affected by the food, and it was not the best pairing, but it was not bad, either.

Tasting - La Puerta Torrontes

Name: La Puerta

Variety: Torrontes

Region: Famatina Valley

Country: Argentina

Year: 2013

Price: $12.95

Winery Review: "Honeysuckle and other floral aromas. Crisp acidity on the palate with great citrus flavors. The finish is clean and refreshing." - 90 pts. Wine Access

Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like citrus fruits, honey, and Baby's Breath flowers . The wine tasted sour, dry, tannic, citrus-y, slightly woody, and had a mild barnyard after taste. I did not have this wine with any food. I really did not like this wine or think it was anything special.

Tasting - Tres Ojos Garnacha

Name: Tres Ojos Garacha
Variety: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Wine Critic Review: "This semi-opaque ruby, custom cuvée of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre is made specifically for Fran Kysela. It exhibits very fresh, ripe dark red fruit with very good palate weight and depth and ends with rich fruit notes. Made from organically grown grapes. Incredible value!" - I-WineReview (December 2013), 90 pts.
My Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like cranberries, plums, apricots, and cherries and smelled slightly floral. At first, the wine tasted rubbery and slightly peppery but ended up having a smooth finish of jammy cranberries. The wine was slightly tannic, but I enjoyed it a lot can could tell it was quality wine. I liked this wine and I did not have it with any food.

Tasting - Fetzer Malbec

Name: Fetzer Malbec

Variety: Malbec

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2011

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Delicious Malbec is 100% from Mendoza, Argentina. It has a vibrant red color with violet tones. Subtle and delicious aromas with an intense mixture of red fruits, plum and cherry jam. On the palate it’s juicy and has intense wood-like tannins that make it a rustic, yet versatile wine. Long finish.

My Review: On the nose, the wine smelled like dark purple flowers, cranberries, plums, and cherries. The wine tasted like cherry/blackberry jam and was very well-balanced for a red wine. It also had a slightly peppery mid-palate which made it more interesting and unique tasting. The wine was also slightly tannic, but not too drying. I loved this wine - it is probably the best red wine I have ever tried. I would definitely buy Fetzer Malbec. I did not pair this wine with any food.

Tasting - Angove Zibibbo Sparkling Moscato

Name: Angove Zibibbo
Variety: Moscato
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: Unknown
Price: Regular Price: $15. Sale: ~$7.95
Winery Review: This is a tasty and generous Moscato  that opens with plush aromas of honey, peach syrup, white flower and fragrant exotic fruit. There’s a nice sensation of fullness and creaminess in the mouth that is backed by the foamy effervescence of this sparkling dessert wine.
My Review: I loved this so much that my boyfriend and I purchased a bottle of this on the spot after tasting it (Hello Valentine's Day)! On the nose, this wine smelled of honeysuckle flowers,and peaches. It's taste was very peachy with a slight creaminess at the end. I also thought this wine had the perfect amount of carbonation, which actually brought out the cream flavor. I definitely recommend purchasing a bottle of this to pair with a romantic dessert. I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - Norton Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Norton
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: Regular Price: $12. On Sale: $5.95
Winery review: Aromas of pithy citrus and pineapple are decent but unrefined, while flavors of tangerine and pineapple are tropical, zesty and what they are. This is nothing more than a fresh, simple, citrus-y white to sip on the patio.
My Review: On the nose, the wine smelled like peaches, citrus fruit and tropical fruits. The wine was a little zesty and punched you in the mouth a bit at first, but ended up having a smooth finish and was overall well-balanced. I really enjoyed this wine. I did not have any food with this wine.

Tasting - The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc

Name: The Royal
Variety: Old Vines Chenin Blanc (AKA Steen Grapes)
Region:  The Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Wine Critic Review: 90 Points – Robert Parker

"One of the greatest buys I have tasted this year is this under $10, 100% Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape. A super flowery-scented nose includes notions of ripe honeydew melons and pears. This medium-weight, fresh, fruity, crisp, dry, textbook Chenin Blanc will provide immense pleasure over the next 12 months."

My Review: The wine smelled like fresh apples, peaches, and other exotic fruits. The wine tasted like peaches, citrus fruit, lemon, melon, and was similar to the Norton Sauvignon Blanc I tried right before it. I enjoyed this wine and did not have it with any food.

Freudian Slip Wines - Apple Satin White Port

•Name: Freudian Slip Wines 
•Variety: Port Blend White
•Region: Nashville, Tennessee 
•Country: USA
•Year: 2012
•Price: ~$10
•Winery Review: This spectacular golden-honey colored port wine is marvelously sweet and will remind you of your favorite dessert. Pair this port with tart desserts after dinner, or simply enjoy it on its own.
More about this wine: This port wine was actually a gift to my friend, Becky, from her roommate's father, who crafted this wine. Becky brought it to a social gathering one night and that is how I was able to try this wine.
•My Review: The wine was sickeningly sweet and reminded me a lot of glazed donuts, or the yogurt glaze on top of Special K cereal bars. It was hard to tolerate even a tiny sip of this wine. It smelled just as sweet as it tasted. I would not try this particular port again, just because the sugar-to-acid balance was way off. I did not have this wine with any food that would have affected its flavor.

Tasting - Risata Moscato d' Asti

Name: Risata Moscato d' Asti
Variety: 100% Moscato
Region: Asti, Piedmont DOCG
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $15.99
Wine Critic Review: Risata Moscato d’Asti is fresh, fragrant, and frizzante with vibrant, flavors and aromas of ripe stone fruit, tangerines, and honey. The wine is concentrated and flavorful, but not overly rich or heavy; sweet, yet balanced.
My Review: I loved this wine! First of all, I purchased it all by myself based on what I had tasted and liked and disliked so far. From reading the label, I thought I would enjoy it, and it turns out I was correct! The wine smelled like peaches, apples, and apricots. The wine was very sweet, but not overwhelmingly so, with hints of golden honey on top of all the fruits I smelled. I did not have this wine with any food that could have affected its taste.

Tasting - Taproot Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Taproot
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Central Coast
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: ~$10
Winery Review: Our Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of ripe, dark fruits and warm, toasty oak, Perfectly paired with slow-cooked roast beef,  roasted eggplant with brown butter crumbs or full-flavored firm cheese.
My Review: On the nose, the wine just smelled like typical red wine, without any overwhelming scents of particular fruits other than grapes. The wine tasted like cranberries and was slightly peppery, which I liked. The wine left my mouth a tad dry, however, I really enjoyed this wine! It was smooth and well-balanced. I did not have this wine with any food that would affect its flavor. I will purchase this wine in the future to pair with dinner because it is decent quality for its price.

Tasting - Pinecroft Merlot

Name: Pinecroft
Variety: Merlot
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $5.39
Winery Review: Our medium-bodied Merlot has enticing aromas of black currant, bing cherries, and toasty vanilla. This enticing Merlot ends with a long, smooth finish. Pair this Merlot with hearty homemade pizza or grilled pork tenderloin. 
My Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like blackberries and cranberries. The taste was mild, but a little drying at mid-palate. I had this wine with  brie cheese, and mixed with it, I could taste hints of apricot and broccoli. I liked this wine, but it was not anything special. It is definitely a good wine to purchase if you are looking to save money.

Tasting - Weinkeller Erbach - Flonheimer Adelberg

Name: Weinkeller Erbach - Flonheimer Adelberg
Variety: Silvaner
Region: Rheinhessen
Country: Germany
Year: 2010
Price: Regular Price $18, Sale ~$4.95
Shop Review: “The fruity, mouthwatering wine has a nice acidity-sugar balance and comes from the so called 'Rheinhessen-Switzerland', the heartland of Rheinhessen. It has a floral bouquet and is full of lemon zest, hint of passion fruit, and smells like yellow fruit, lemon-grass and green tea, all wrapped around a pleasant creaminess and a semi-dry profile. The finish is zippy and refreshing. Perfect for party on the deck as it comes in a liter bottle!”
My Review: On the nose, this wine smelled a lot like wheat-y beer with a hint of melon peel. The wine tasted like lemon, pineapple, and lemon with a slight salmon flavor and was very sweet. It also had a green tea aftertaste. I did not have this wine with any food, and I enjoyed it!