Wine Tasting - Dona Sol Shiraz, Petite Syrah & Symphony

Name: Dona Sol Sweet Red Table Wine

Variety: Shiraz, Petite Syrah & Symphony 

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: Non vintage

Price: $7

Outside Reviews: 

"Shiraz has a unique jammy fruit character that is well represented in the Sweet Red. Both on the nose and on the palate, jammy fruit, like strawberries, cherry pie and red licorice, entices the senses and pair well with cheeses and desserts." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This table wine is an orange-red color. It smells very strongly of alcohol and rotten fruit. It is an extremely sweet wine that has a lot of heat and rotten fruit flavors, specifically brown bananas. I tasted this wine without food.

Wine Tasting - Velvet Crush Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petite Sirah

Name: Velvet Crush Blend

Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petite Sirah

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2012

Price: $18 on sale for $7

Outside Reviews: 

"Velvety smooth texture just like its name. Soft tannins and lush dark fruit character. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah bring backbone and character, while the Merlot balances out the blend for a soft, smooth texture." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This blend is a purple, ruby red color. It smells very rich and creamy and reminds me of roasted red pepper hummus. It's very smooth on the tongue and tastes like coffee and drywall. This is a very full-bodied wine, and I really enjoyed it. I tasted it without food.

Wine Tasting - Grand Cru Pinot Noir

Name: Grand Cru Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $7

Outside Reviews: 

"This ruby-colored wine has aromas of raspberry, cherry and a hint of vanilla. Flavors of cherry and plum lead to a soft velvety finish. This wine can be enjoyed by itself. It is also an excellent accompaniment with Brie, goat cheese and smoked salmon. Lamb shanks and pork tenderloin are a favorite main dishes to pair with this wine" -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This wine is a brown-red color and smells like vegetables, chocolate, dirt, and minerals. It tastes strongly of broccoli and bitter cocoa. This is a very smooth, medium-bodied wine. I tasted it without food.

Wine Tasting - Prime Brume Garganega

Name: Prime Brume Garganega

Variety: Garganega

Region: Soave

Country: Italy

Year: 2014

Price: $11 on sale for $7

Outside Reviews: 

"Pale color. Fruity, floral minerally inviting aromas of passion fruit, white grapefruit, spice poached pear, and papaya with a lean, racy, bone-dry medium body and a smooth, complex, long lemon, passion fruit, raw hazelnut, and wet stones finish with no tannins and light oak. From the tantalizing nose full of exotic fruit, citrus and minerality thru to the long, crisp finish, this soave can seamlessly go from cocktail hour thru to vibrantly flavored dishes." -Tastings.com

My Review:

This garganega wine is a pale yellow in color and smells very floral with hints of evergreen. On the tongue, it has notes of petroleum and dust but ends sweet, buttery, and tangy. This is a full-bodied wine. I tasted it without food.

Wine Tasting - Quintas Melgaço Blue Vinho Verde

Name: Quintas Melgaço Blue Vinho Verde 

Variety: Vinho Verde

Region: Vinho Verde

Country: Portugal

Year: 2013

Price: $10 on sale for $6

Outside Reviews: 

"Refreshingly crisp white wine from Portugal--Vinho Verde is soft, light and refreshing, and is an uncompromising and ideal wine for everyday pleasure. Its bright color and pineapple aromas are followed by citrus notes. The palate is clean and fresh. Vinho Verde is an excellent accompaniment to fish and shell fish, white meats and salads." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This wine has a light green hue to it. It smells like a crisp sour apple dipped in sour cream. It tastes very tart and citrusy; lemon is very apparent. The overall effect is a mouth puckering, wet, hot sensation with a lot of body. I tasted this wine without food.

Wine Tasting - Crane Lake White Zinfandel

Name: Crane Lake White Zinfandel

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $6

Outside Reviews: 

"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." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This white zinfandel is actually a pink rosy color. It smells like tropical fruits, especially pineapple, melon, and raw sugar. It tastes very fruity and sweet, like pineapple, but it has a bitter aftertaste. This is a watery, thin wine. I tasted it without food.

Wine Tasting - Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet

Name: Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet

Variety: Alicante Bouchet

Region: Spain

Country: Spain

Year: 2012

Price: $15 on sale for $10

Outside Reviews: 

"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." -Vintage Cellar

My Review:

This wine is a rich orange red in color. It smells very earthy, like wet rocks and broccoli. It tastes very oaky and dry, with a grassy flavor initially and a light pumpkin spice aftertaste. This is a watery, thin-bodied wine. I tasted it without food.