Tasting -"R Wines Eco.Love Riesling"

Name: R Wines Eco.Love
Variety: Riesling

Region: South Island

Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: Sale -$18 --> $7.95

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: This wine had barely early nose and had flowery elements on the nose. It was a very light wine. It tasted sweet, had a medium finish, and to me, tasted like strawberry Pop Rocks. This was a very interesting wine. I would like to try it again.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon"

Name: Toschi
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: California

Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $10

Review: "Well-balanced flavors of dark berries and plums. Spicy fruit finish.

My review: On the nose this wine smelled very spicy. It also smelled like a kind of cherry salsa and smelled peppery. This wine tasted spicy, salty and peppery. I did not like this wine at all.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"Canyon Road Pinot Noir"

Name: Canyon Road
Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: California

Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Review: "Rich, fruit forward cherry flavors, soft tannings, a medium body and a smooth velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes."

My review: I was curious about tasting this wine upon seeing its light color. On the nose, I smelled cherry and strawberry elements. It tasted chocolaty, cherry, and had a velvety finish. It reminded me of a dessert wine. I would love to try this wine with food.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"Wine Men of Gotham Chard. Semillon"

Name: Wine Men of Gotham
Variety: 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon

Region: South Australia 

Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: Sale $7.95

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: On the note I smelled buttered popcorn for this wine. This wine wasn't too light or too heavy. It did have a long finish. I liked this wine and would like to try it again, maybe with food this time. 

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"Indwe Sauvignon Blanc"

Name: Indwe
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Western Cape

Country: South Africa
Year: Unknown
Price: $7.95

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: On the nose this wine had hints of citrus and lemongrass. Despite how light the nose was, this wine was incredibly chewy. I was surprised by the oakiness of this wine also. I would have to try it again to decide how I feel about it for sure. 

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"2011 Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio"

Name: Ecco Domani
Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Trento-Alto Adige

Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $10

Review: "This wine has a clear, straw yellow color, with light golden reflections. It possesses pleasant floral and tropical fruit aromas and a freshness which makes this vintage truly unique. This wine has a light, crisp, and refreshing flavour, with fruit character and refined elegance." -Wine Tasting Notes

My review: This wine has a very lemongrassy nose and not much else. It was very light and I'm not sure how much I liked it. I would have to try this wine again to make up my mind, or I would like to try it with food.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"2012 Da Vinci Pinot Grigio "

Name: Da Vinci
Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: Regular price $15; Sale $9.99

Review: "Da Vinci Pinot Grigio is sourced primarily from the Trentino-Alto Adige region. It is crisp and acidic with floral aromas and ripe flavors of apple, citrus and tropical fruit. A small percent of the blend is from surmaturo grapes, which are left on the vine after initial harvest. Using these grapes intensifies the tropical fruit characteristics and creamy mouthfeel." -Gary's Wine

My review: I didn't feel that this wine had much of a nose, except for small hints of citrus. This wine had an overpoweringly strong lemon smell, and an overwhelming lingering taste. This wine is not one of my favorites that I have tried.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"2013 Robertson Winery Sauvignon Blanc"

Name: Robertson Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Robertson Valley

Country: South Africa
Year: 2013
Price: $8

Review: "Full bodied with powerful varietal flavours of bell-pepper, green apple and freshly cut grass. Good structure with lovely balancing acidity. Enjoy now with seafood, smoked salmon, roast chicken and pork." -Robertson Winery

My review: I tasted this wine at Lillie's, a restaurant/bar in Times Square. Before I knew this was a South African Sauvignon Blanc, I thought it was an Australian because when I smelled it, it smelled like the normal cat pee smell you get with Australian Sauvignon Blancs. I also noted the smell of lemongrass. This wine was very light, but also had a lingering taste. I found it to be lemony and had hints of other citrus elements.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"Loredona Riesling"

Name: Loredona
Variety: Riesling
Region: Monterey, California

Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: Regular price $15; Sale $7.95

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 riesling had a very floral nose, which drew me in. I normally don't like rieslings, but I was looking forward to tasting this wine after the sweet, floral nose. When I tasted this wine, I noticed how light it was, while also being citrusy and sweet. The sweetness would've been overwhelming had it not been for the lightness of the wine. I liked this wine so much that I bought a bottle!

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"Maipe Malbec"

Name: Maipe
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $8.95

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 Malbec had an extremely spicy nose. After smelling it, I was very eager to taste this wine. It had a chewy taste and a spicy finish. It also had a lingering taste. I would love to taste this wine with the recommended food.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"Villa d' Rosso Toscano"

Name: Villa d' Rosso Toscano
Variety: 100% sangiovese grapes
Region: Montepulciano

Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Review: "100% Sangiovese grapes and is a wonderful rendition of a velvety Tuscan red."

My review: This wine had a very strong grape juice nose, with elements of cherries. I knew this would be a very fruity wine after smelling it. This wine tasted like a simple fruit juice to me, or a V8 Splash drink. I would be interested to try with wine with food, particularly cheeses, to see how the flavor would change.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"Arnold Palmer Chardonnay"

Name: Arnold Palmer Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Napa, California

Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: Regular price $20; Sale $7.95

Review: "A vibrant Chardonnay from 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 chardonnay had an extremely smoky nose, with elements of buttered popcorn. I knew immediately that it would be an interesting wine to taste. When tasting it, my instincts from the smoky nose proved correct. This chardonnay was very woody and smoky as well. It was the oakiest wine that I have ever had. 

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -"El Sierro Macabeo/Chard."

Name: El Sierro 
Variety: Macbeco/Chardonnay
Region: Valencia

Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

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: Upon smelling this wine, I noticed that it had a very strong nose. It was a strong floral nose. While it had a decently light taste, it had a full citrusy finish and a lingering taste. I would like to taste this wine again.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.