Tasting -"Toso Moscato"

Name: Toso
Variety: Moscato

Region: Unknown

Country: Italy
Year: Unknown
Price: $9.95

Review: "This Moscato is reminiscent of honeysuckle and rose petal. The quality is equivalent to a top level Asti Spumante DOCG. Sweet sparkling wine obtained from a careful selection of the Moscato grapes. It has a pale straw yellow color with fine foam and bubbles. Tropical fruit flavors, refreshing. Excellent to match desserts, fruit and dried pastries.

My review: This wine smelled like strawberry kiwi, very sugary, and kind of like lemonade. It tasted like orangeade mixed with a pink lemonade. I would love to try this wine with food, such as desserts.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"Thorn Clarke James Goddard Shiraz"

Name: Thorn Clarke James Goddard
Variety: Shiraz

Region: Unknown

Country: Australia
Year: 2009
Price: $7.95

Review: "The outstanding 2011 James Goddard Shiraz (aged 14-16 months in american and French hogsheads) delivers considerable value and flavor authority. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of blackberries, black currants, licorice, graphite and subtle barbecue smoke. Rich, fleshy and dense, it is best consumed over the next 3-4 years."

My review: This wine smelled like cherries and weird, stinky vegetables. It had a strange taste and a long finish but it was difficult to identify specific flavors. I don't think I would drink this wine again.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"El Sierro Tempranillo/Cab"

Name: El Sierro
Variety: Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Unknown

Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Review: "Dark ruby in color with rich aromas of red fruit and light spices. It is a real knock-out with delicious flavors of dark cherries, blackberries and vanilla all perfectly integrated. The Tempranillo provides wonderful spice and fruit, while the cabernet Sauvignon gives structure and depth with the beautiful use of oak."

My review: This wine smelled like cranberry and had a very light nose. It tasted chewy, chocolaty and had hints of strawberry. I would love to try this again as a dessert wine.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"Altas Cumbres Torrontes"

Name: Altas Cumbres
Variety: Torrontes

Region: Unknown

Country: Argentina
Year: Unknown
Price: $5.95

Review: "Yellow colour with greenish nuances. Very intense aroma of fresh grapes, flower perfume and mature peaches. Fresh in the mouth. Light and easy to drink. Ideal with seafood, Thai and Chinese food.

My review: This wine had a very weak nose except for having a bit of a grassy smell. I found this wine to be very tart, and could not identify many tastes. I do not think I would drink this wine again.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"Avery Quinn Chardonnay"

Name: Avery Quinn
Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Napa Valley

Country: USA
Year: Unknown
Price: $6.95

Review: "The 2011 vintage marks a return to form for this great value Chardonnay. The aromas feature creamy, mellow, golden apple, pineapple, fresh butter and a touch of vanilla. then rich, ripe, flavors of yellow pear, pineapple, fresh apple, cream and buttered toast swell up and finish your moth before a juicy, apple and carmel inflected finish makes your mouth water (and smile!)."

My review: This wine smelled like Granny Smith apples and had hints of citrus. It tasted like what cold apple cider would taste like, a smoother kind of apple juice. I really liked this wine and would drink it again.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"Bellafina Pink Moscato"

Name: Bellafina
Variety: Moscato

Region: Unknown

Country: Italy
Year: Unknown
Price: $9.95

Review: "A blend of Moscato and Rasobos grapes it has a pale rose color, notes of red berries (strawberry and raspberry), with the characteristic and fragrant bouquet and palate that is typical of the Moscato grape.

My review: This wine smlled like peaches, lemons and grapefruits. It also smelled like the "Blacksburg Sunset" smoothie from Deets. It tasted like lemon-lime soda, like Sprite, and lemonade. 

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"Weinert Carrascal 2008"

Name: Weinert Carrascal
Variety: 40% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot

Region: Unknown

Country: Argentina
Year: 2008
Price: $13.95

Review: "Aged for two years in a cask, the 2008 Carrascal is a blend of 40% Malbec, 35% Cabarnet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot. It has a rustic blackberry, scorched earth and leather scente bouquet with touches of pressed flowers. The palate is well-balanced with crisp tannins, expressive black tarry fruit and a Bordeaux-like finish. Drink now-2016."

My review: This wine had a peppery nose, with elements of leather and mulch as well. It tasted like dirty vegetables, blackberries, grapes and was tarty. I would like to try this wine again with food. 

I tasted this wine on its own without food.