Tasting - Oliver Apple Pie

Name: Oliver Apple Pie
Variety: Apple Wine
Region: Bloomington, Indiana
Country: United States
Price: $7.95

Store Review: You’ll imagine they spent hours crushing and pressing fresh-baked pies. You’re almost right. For this seasonal wine, they painstakingly perfected the balance of tart, crisp, fresh apple and creamy sweet vanilla. Oliver Apple Pie wine features fresh-pressed, 100% apple wine (no concentrates!)

My Review: This wine was apple pie in a glass, to a T. The smell was very much reminiscent of sitting in the kitchen on a holiday as an apple pie bakes in the oven - a little bit spicy and very cinnamon, and the taste was the same: sweet and cinnamon-y like any good apple pie. I tried this wine with no food.

Tasting - Hawk Crest Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Hawk Crest Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Lake County, California
Country: United States
Year: 2008
Price: $8.95

Store Review: From Stag’s Leap winery this is textbook California Cabernet Sauvignon with dark fruit, red cherry and black pepper spice notes. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with inviting blueberry pie and cocoa flavors. Enjoy this wine with grilled rib eye steak with herb butter, braised beef short ribs, or black-pepper-crusted ahi tuna.

My Review: The main smells that I picked up on with this wine was red fruits and a pepperiness that was very pleasant. It was mostly dry but a little bit sweet at the same time, with nice dark fruit flavors.
I tried this wine on its own.

Tasting - Terra del Giglo Chianti

Name: Terra del Giglo Chianti
Variety: Chianti
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95

Store Review: This wine’s shy nose eventually reveals black-skinned fruit and a whiff of baking spice, while the palate offers straightforward plum and clove flavors. It's easy-drinking and has mellow tannins.

My Review: I can agree with "shy nose;" it had a pretty gentle and bland smell that didn't reveal a whole lot to me out of the ordinary red fruit smells. It was pretty tannic and plummy.
I tried this wine on its own.

Tasting - Thorn-Clarke Mount Crawford Chardonnay

Name: Thorn-Clarke Mount Crawford Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Eden Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $10.95

Store Review: Brilliant yellow. Dried pear, lemon zest, honeysuckle and a hint of vanilla on the fragrant nose. Fleshy and smooth on the palate, offering fresh melon, pear nectar and tangerine flavors and a hint of bitter quinine that adds back-end cut. Closes on a subtle leesy note, showing very good energy and lingering citrus character.

My Review: The smell of this wine was honestly a little bit dirty to me; there was earthiness along with the citrus-y smell. The flavor was very subtle, buttery and a little bit bitter at the same time, and it had a fairly long finish, lingering in my mouth.
I tried this wine on its own.

Tasting - Villa Pozzi Pinot Grigio

Name: Villa Pozzi Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2015
Price: $6.95

Store Review: This opens with delicate aromas reminiscent of white spring flower and a whiff of orchard fruit. On the palate, fresh acidity underscores creamy Bartlett pear and nectarine zest that lead to a clean, bright finish.

My Review: The smell of this wine was nice, it was fresh and bright and sharp. The flavor was gently acidic with a little bit of citrus, and had only a short finish for me.
I tried this wine with no food.

Winery Visit - Chateau Morrisette

 

On the last day of spring break, I went with my family to visit Chateau Morrisette. Having seen bottles in stores for years but never having made it out to to the winery itself, we were curious and looking forward to getting to taste out the wines for ourselves.

We arrived shortly before a tour was scheduled to begin, so we proceeded to the lobby before our tastings to meet our tour guide. After hearing a little bit of history about its founding in 1980 by David Morrisette, we were taken on a tour of the production facility, including the barrel room and bottling areas.

Our tour guide introduces us to Lucy and Ethel, the winery's pressers.

A view of where the wine waits as it ages. On the left, the wine is undergoing the process of cold stabilization.

Inside the barrel room, my father inspects some of the barrels. He noted that he found it interesting that the red from the wine was visible, bleeding through the wood.

While we were not able to go inside, our guide showed us a view into the bottling area.

Although it had been our tour guide's first tour that she had given in a number of months, she was a pleasant host and her passion for the winery and the wine it produces really shined through. Once we had finished up our tour, we headed back into the tasting room to try the wines.

2017 Vin Gris: This wine did not particularly stand out among the bunch. It was light and fruity, but not particularly memorable.

2014 Nouveau Chien: This was my favorite of the white wines we tried. It was a bit more dry and crisp, which is more my style.

2016 Viognier: A wonderful grape in Virginia, this viognier had nice acidity and would be nice to have on a hot day with some seafood.

My mother, who only tasted the white wines because tannins give her migraines, was a little bit disappointed to find that the wines tasted of chemicals to her; I myself didn't notice that.

2013 Merlot: Out of the list of reds, this was my father's favorite. It was plummy and dark, and was pretty much your typical Merlot.

2015 Petit Verdot: Being that this is one of my favorite varietals, I was pleased to see this on the tasting list. It had a nice earthiness to it balancing out the dark fruit.

The Black Dog: My dad declared that this wine tasted like Christmas to him; I didn't taste that myself, but it was still pleasant.

Our Dog Blue: There is a reason this wine is so iconic, being one of the top wines people associate with Chateau Morrisette. It was just the right amount of sweet.

Sweet Mountain Laurel: While I could taste that this wine would be good to someone else, it was just too sweet for me.

Red Mountain Laurel: This wine was also teetering on too sweet for me, but it was alright. The aroma was wonderful and grape-y.

Sweet Mountain Apple: Not much to say except that when an apple wine is done well, it is always a treat to taste.

My sister (and her husband behind her) trying one of the wines.

After trying out the wines, my dad spotted a bottle of Cabernet Franc - his favorite wine - and was able to have a taste of it as well, and he then declared it the best Cabernet Franc he had ever had (though it may be worth noting that sometimes, the most recent beer/wine he's had is declared his favorite of all time).

Overall, Chateau Morrisette isn't my favorite winery that I have ever been to, but it has a good variety of wines and it would be a wonderful place to spend an afternoon in the summertime, bringing our golden retriever and black lab along.

Me and my dad during our tasting (featuring my sister openly judging us).

Tasting - Villa Pozzi Moscato

Name: Villa Pozzi Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2016
Price: $6.95

Store Review: This Moscato features aromas of fresh figs, apricot and orange blossoms. This crisp and refreshing wine is slightly effervescent, with a gentle sweetness that invites another glass.

My Review: This wine had a very sugary and fruity smell, which was very representative of the taste as well. It was sweet while not being overwhelmingly so, and was light and fresh. There was a defined fruitiness that I tasted that was almost like raspberries.
I tried this wine on its own.

Tasting - Elsa Bianchi Malbec

Name: Elsa Bianchi Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2015
Price: $9.95

Store Review: This Malbec is red-violet in color, with aromas of plumbs and black cherries and a subtle, smoky scent. The beauty of Malbec in Argentina is its ability to combine a rich, weighty mouth-feel with a soft silkiness normally associated with lighter wines. Elsa Malbec takes the promise of the nose through to the palate, with dark fruits that mimic the aroma. The soft, supple palate and smooth tannins lead to a round and harmonious finish.

My Review: The aroma of this wine was very sharp and oaky, and at the same time almost reminded me of liquor. It was a little bit sweet with dark fruits, but overall it was fairly tannic and dry.
I tried this wine with no food.

Tasting - Skyfall Red Blend

Name: Skyfall Red Blend
Variety: Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre, Cabernet Franc, Grenache
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Country: United States
Year: 2015
Price: $9.95

Store Review: A blend of 55% Merlot, 22% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Mouvedre, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Grenache. Wonderful berry fruit on the nose with integrated oak notes woven throughout. On the palate black cherry and blackberries mingle with spice and oak notes. A broad and rich wine with a long elegant finish.

My Review: Just from smelling this wine, I could tell that it would be dry; it just smelled dry, along with dark fruit smells. The flavor was a little bit subdued though I picked up on the oakiness, and it was quite dry on the finish.
I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Clara Benegas Chardonnay

Name: Clara Benegas Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2016
Price: $8.95

Store Review: A crisp, unoaked chardonnay with a hint of Sauvignon Blanc coming from the cold region of Mendoza in the Uco Balley. Clear and bright with greenish hues. On the nose it is fragrant and elegant with fresh citrus aromas as well as fruit such as passion fruit, pineapple, and white pear. Soft on the mouth with gentle acidity and a marked, pleasant aftertaste. Enjoy with seafood dishes, white meats, or simply as an aperitif.

My Review: This wine did not smell particularly pleasant to me, though I could not quite put my finger on what it was. It almost smelled like fruit that was no longer fresh. The flavor in the mouth was mellow yet tart at the same time, with a nice citrus-y note.
I tried it on its own with no food.

Tasting - Acronym Chardonnay

Name: Acronym
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95

Store Review: Simple and soft, this Chard is juicy, forward with hints of tropical fruit and a touch of vanilla. A nice acidity balances the rich fruit flavors.

My Review: This wine had a very welcoming sweet, fresh smell. The flavor was surprisingly tart while being buttery on the tongue, and had a fairly short finish for me.
I tried it on its own with no food.

Tasting - Villa Jolanda Moscato The Blue

Name: Villa Jolanda Moscato The Blue
Variety: Moscato
Country: Italy
Year: non-vintage
Price: $10.95

Store Review: The nose has the scent of ripe peaches. It is sweet with peach apricot and floral notes on the palate.

My Review: This wine is a beautiful color and I would be lying if I said that it didn't influence my opinion of it. Everything about it felt like candy; it smelled like blue raspberry candy and tasted similar. It was light and fresh, with some slightly honey notes to the taste. With the carbonation and low ABV, it felt like drinking a soda.

Tasting - Skyfall Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Skyfall Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington

Country: United States

Year: 2015

Price: $9.95

Store Review: Inviting aromas of boysenberry, vanilla and dark chocolate swirl in the glass. Rich flavors of ripe black cherry coupled with hints of crème brulee sugar crust and butterscotch weave through the palate. Balanced acidity and polished tannins on the finish.

My Review: This wine felt fairly dry in my mouth, and the taste was very rich and up front. It was hard for me to pull out specific tastes and smells to describe it, though the cherry came across well.

I tried this wine with no food.

Tasting - Tres Ojos Garnacha

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha
Variety: Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95

Store Review: Bright purple. Blackberry, plum and peppery spice aromas exhibit good vibrancy and power. Firm cherry and dark berry flavors are subtly accented by a peppery nuance, picking up a hint of licorice with air. A candied plum note lingers on the warm finish, which is firmed by gentle tannins.

My Review: The main smells that I picked up from this wine were plum and dark berries. It felt fairly mellow in my mouth and the cherry and blackberry flavor wasn't overly in your face.
I tried this wine on its own.

Tasting - Chateau Montauriol Rigaud Corbieres Rose

Name: Chateau Montauriol Riguad Corbieres Rose
Variety: Grenache, Syrah
Region: Corbieres
Country: France
Year: 2016
Price: $7.95

Store Review: The white raspberry and peach notes have a creamy but fresh profile in this rosé. Hints of spice and apricot meld together on the lingering finish.

My Review: The smell of this wine was nice and light and kind of floral. The taste felt somewhere off-dry for me, with a slight flavor of raspberry to me. Personally, the finish felt pretty short to me.
I tried this wine with no food.

Tasting - Maipe Torrontes

Name: Maipe Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Argentina
Country: Argentina
Year: 2016
Price: $7.95

Store Review: This is an aromatic floral Torrontés with hints of air freshener and bath oil on the nose. A palate with zesty acidity frames crisp flavors of citrus pulp and peel. A racy finish tastes of lime before showing patented varietal bitterness.

My Review: The aroma of this wine was nice and light, sweet and smelling of something like honeysuckle. The citrus came across well in the taste and it was a little bitter, with a tartness that lingered in my mouth.
I tried this wine on its own.

Tasting - Daniel Cellars Dog Gone Red

Name: Daniel Cellars Dog Gone Red
Variety: Chambourcin, Riesling
Region: Barboursville, Virginia
Country: United States
Year: non-vintage
Price: $3.95

Store Review: The wine is made from Chambourcin grapes and sweetened with Riesling grape juice. This is Cooper's debut wine. Dog Gone Red is a semi-dry red wine, created especially for someone just starting to enjoy red wines. The wine is fruity and soft, with a hint of sweetness. Cooper suggests serving chilled or at room temperature.

My Review: This wine was a truly bizarre one to me, with the smell and the taste not matching up at all. On the nose it had a fairly unpleasant smell of licorice and something almost like dirt. When tasting it, however, it was quite pleasant, sweet and fruity with just a little bit of tartness.

Tasting - Carini Alicante Bouschet

Name: Carini Alicante Bouschet
Variety: Alicante Bouschet
Region: Lodi, California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Store Review: Opaque ruby in color, once in the glass the nose explodes right away. Delightfully intoxicating aromas of black and blue berry fruit leap forward first, followed by notes of cherry hard candy, crushed violets, caramel, allspice, cloves, and cigar box. In your mouth, more persistent and chewy berry fruit: blue and black + lots of sour cherry and tart blackberry.

My Review: This was was very interesting, and surprised me. It has a very strong, sharp scent with dark fruit and some spiciness. When tasting it, however, it was very mellow and soft in my mouth. It was dry and had the same dark fruit flavors.
I tried it on its own with no food.

Tasting - WildLife Shiraz

Name: WildLife Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2013
Price: $4.95

Store Review: Often referred to as Shiraz Country, the Riebeek Valley is renowned for exceptional Shiraz wines. WildLife Shiraz is a lively rich wine; full-bodied with a subdued smokiness on the nose and a palate of ripe fruit and interesting spice. Well-balanced and smooth, the aftertaste lingers with the exciting flavors of chocolate and spice.

My Review: I am beginning to get the impression that I simply do not like the South African style of winemaking. Though it had a nice aroma to it, smelling smoky and of red fruits like a good classic red, it was a little strange in its taste for me. The smokiness and spiciness came across in the taste, but overall wasn't for me.
I tried this wine on its own.

Tasting - Reichsrat Von Buhl Spatburgdner Trocken

Name: Reichsrat Von Buhl Spatburgdner Trocken
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Pfalz
Country: Germany
Year: 2016
Price: $7.95

Store Review: Made from Pinot Noir saignée—has an salmon-pink dress and opens with a clear, pure and very delicate bouquet of ripe red berries (raspberries) and sweet cherries, floral aromas (rose petals) but also fresh elements. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, round and pretty rich but pure, fresh and finessed wine with intense fruit, fine tannins and a very persistent, well-structured taste. The finish is stunningly powerful, intense and aromatic but also fresh and mineral, with nice grip and even salinity notes.

My Review: This wine was nice and pleasant, with a strawberry and floral aroma that was delightful. The wine was fairly dry and tart but still had a nice fruitiness to it.
I tried this wine with no food.

Tasting - Skyfall Chardonnay

Name: Skyfall Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Country: United States
Year: 2015
Price: $9.95

Store Review: Toasted hazelnuts and Asian pear on the nose. Rich and creamy on the palate with apple, toasted almond and lingering notes of Meyer lemon and creme brulee.

My Review: I was very pleased to see a Chardonnay on the tasting list this week, as typically these are my favorites. It had a nice and fairly light flavor with apple notes and was a little bit toasty, with nice acid as well. As with most chardonnays, there was some butteriness to it.
I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Casa del Maia White Zinfandel

Name: Casa del Maia White Zinfandel
Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: non-vintage

Store Review: With pretty aromas of wild berries and honeydew melon this sophisticated blush Primativo Bianco offers delicately sweet flavors of ripe strawberries, juicy peaches and watermelon, balanced by bright, refreshing acidity.

My Review: This wine was fairly sweet, as can be expected with a white zinfandel, but was still very pleasant. It had a lightness to it that kept it feeling fresh, and the sweet fruity smell nicely led into strawberry flavors.
I tried it on its own with no food.

Tasting - Anderra Carmenere

Name: Anderra Carmenere
Variety: Carmenere
Region: Valle Central
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Store Review:  Black currant and blackberry aromas open up to reveal bright strawberry and cherry notes, and a subtle spicy character. A touch of vanilla oak complements the fruit and the ripe, sweet finish. Pair with savory dishes, like earthy stews, spicy dishes, like braised short ribs, chile con carne, Texas ribs, or steak au poivre

My Review: This wine had a very pleasant smell to it, distinctively dark berry and oaky. The oak came across well in the taste as well, feeling nice and dry with a cherry flavor as well as being a little bit spicy. It all balanced together fairly nicely.

I tried it with no food.

Tasting - Castle Rock Sonoma Pinot Noir

Name: Castle Rock Sonoma Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Sonoma, Calfornia
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Store Review:  Dark ruby color. Aromas of chocolate covered berries, dates, grilled pepper, cedar, and a touch of peppered ham with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a cherry tart and dark roasted nut finish. Very tasty and well balanced.

My Review: I did not care much for this wine. It had a smell that reminded me of dark berries yet not in a particularly pleasant way, and the flavor was earthy. It had the taste of a forest floor, with something like mushroom flavors to it. If I were to drink this wine again, I would need to pair it with something to freshen it up a bit.

I tried it on its own with no food.

Tasting - Wild Life Chenin Blanc

Name: Wild Life Chenin Blanc
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $6.95

Store Review: Packed with upfront tropical fruit, the nose charms with an abundance of guava and gooseberries. The palate follows through with fruit flavors, balanced by a crisp acid to ensure a fresh and fruity style of wine.

My Review: This wine was an interesting one, and was harder for me to put together notes for. It did not have a particularly strong smell for me, though it was a little bit fruity. The flavor was mostly dry while still being light and fruity.
I tried this wine on its own.

Tasting - Beringer Main & Vine Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Beringer Main & Vine Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: non-vintage
Price: $5.95

Store Review: This Sauvignon Blanc has wonderful grapefruit, guava and melon aromas that lead into citrus and melon flavors. There's a slight grassy back-note with a hint of honey and a balanced acidity that leads into to a citrus finish.

My Review: This wine was nice and had a bright flavor to it, with plenty of citrus fruit flavor to it with a bit of grassiness. The finish was short and bitter, but overall it was a very pleasant wine.

I tried it with no food.

Tasting - Baci Dolci Mosto di Uve Parzialmente Fermentato Rosato

Name: Baci Dolci Mosto di Uve Parzialmente Fermentato Rosato
Variety: Garganega, Marzemino, Moscato
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: non-vintage
Price: $7.95

Store Review: Blend of 35% Garganega, 35% Marzemino, and 30% Moscato. A delicate, bubbly, pale pink wine. Fresh strawberry and cherry aromas. Light bodied with red fruit flavors and a refreshing sparkle to balance the semi-sweet finish.

My Review: As someone who is never a fan of dessert wines, this one surprised me. It smelled a little bit like raisins and apples, and when I tasted it it was of course sweet but not overwhelmingly so. It was light and refreshing and not at all syrupy, the bubbles doing a good job to freshen it up on my tongue.

I tried this wine with no food.

Tasting - Jardin de Luculo Navarra

Name: Jardin de Luculo Navarra
Variety: Garnacha
Region: Navarra
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Store Review: There’s a lot more in the bottle of the 2012 Jardin de Luculo, which is pure Garnacha from 30-year-old vineyards fermented in concrete vats with indigenous yeasts and aged six months in used barrels. Here the nose shows much more complexity, notes of sweet cherries, red licorice and hints of sweet spices. The palate is medium-bodied, quite dry and the flavors denote some very ripe fruit underneath. The slightly drying finish should go almost unnoticed with lamb chops, rather than drunk on its own. It’s approachable now, but it should develop in bottle. Drink 2014-2018.

My Review: The first thing I noticed about this wine was how dry it was. It had nice notes of earthiness on the nose as well as hints of berries along with a bitter finish. It was surprisingly light compared to my expectations when I smelled it.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - WildLife Merlot

Name: WildLife
Variety: Merlot
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price: $6.95

Store Review: The wine offers an array of red berries and a soft and mellow palate. The style is elegant with distinctive red berries and well-integrated wood aromas on the nose. The palate is velvety and smooth with an aftertaste that lingers with the juicy flavors of abundant berries.

My Review: This wine was a fairly pleasant one, and it was a fairly mellow red. It tasted pretty dry and oaky with a very bitter and earthy smell, with a surprisingly long finish. The tannins left my mouth feeling dry for a while after tasting it.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Schwarz Barossa Valley Rose

Name: Schwarz Barossa Valley Rose
Variety: Grenache and Mataro
Region: Barossa Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2015
Price: $6.95

Store Review: Made from a blend of Grenache and Mataro, this pale pink rosé is definitely a wine to enjoy with friends. Perfectly pale pink in colour with soft strawberry and elements of musk and perfume. The palate shows a macerated strawberry component that makes for a great point of interest

My Review: This wine was very pleasant, though again much more dry than most roses that I have had experience with in the past. It had a light apricot aroma to it and its flavors were fairly subtle for me, though I was able to pick up some strawberry.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Boet Le Roux Old Vine Colombard

Name: Boet Le Roux Old Vine Colombard
Variety: Columbard
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price: $7.95

Store Review: Colombard is not considered one of the great wine grapes and is used mostly for Cognac in France and white jug wine in California. This old vine example from South Africa, though, is delicious. Crisp and refreshing with zesty acidity, it's a delightful wine to start a party.

My Review: This wine was very pleasant. It felt like a fairly average white wine, with all the markers you'd expect - refreshing and citrusy. It had a bit of a sour grape smell to it and it was a little bit bitter, but in a very pleasant way.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Vina Galana Tempranillo Sangria

Name: Vina Galana Tempranillo Sangria
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: non-vintage
Price: $8.95

Store Review: 100% Tempranillo. Natural fruit flavors and succulent red wine all fused together in one bottle. This doesn’t require a punch bowl and big ladle, you can chill your bottle in a cooler and head out to the beach or a hike and enjoy a cup of the best sangria anywhere you choose to be.

My Review: While on average I am not too much for sweet wines and I can be picky about the types of sangrias that I drink, this was a pleasant surprise. I expected it to be too sweet, but it was just on the right side of too sweet, tasting nicely like the fresh citrus fruits it was made with. It was light and pleasant, and would be good to have at a party.

I tried this wine on its own without any food.

Tasting - Monte Tendo Corvina Veneto

Name: Monte Tondo
Variety: Corvina
Region: Valpolicella
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $7.95

Store Review: To create the classic Valpolicella cuvee, the noble Corvina is typically blended with other varietals such as Molinara and Rondinella. Monte Tondo’s Veneto IGT is the extraordinarily rare 100% Corvina wine. This Corvina is redolent of pie cherries, orange peel, potpourri, mint, and star anise. Brisk on the attack yet round and satisfying, it conveys suggestions of violets, white pepper, and ruby red grapefruit notes wrapped around a bright, vibrant core of sour cherry fruit. Bitter herbs and fine tannins join the wine’s chewy core of red fruits to make this an exceptionally versatile and table-ready red wine.

My Review: Between the two reds that I tasted this week, this one was my preference of the two. It had a much more smoky flavor to it that felt nice filling my mouth, with peppery notes that added to the overall feel of it.

I tried it on its own with no food.

Tasting - Terre dei Savoia Barbera d'Alba

Name: Terre dei Savoia
Variety: Barbera d'Alba
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Store Review: Its aroma is wide and complex: spicy, with green pepper notes, cinnamon and vanilla, pleasant and characteristic; at the same time it is also fruity, with cherry, blackberry, strawberry and red fruits jam in general notes. In mouth it reveals its full-bodied taste, with the right amount of acidity, and with a persistent and pleasant finish.

My Review: This wine had an interesting mesh of flavors to it, with a nice vegetal aroma and a bit of spice to the flavor. What I typically expect out of a red - the cherry and oak came across nicely on the finish for me.

I tried this wine without food.

Tasting - Mas Carlot Costieres de Nimes

Name: Mas Carlot Costieres de Nimes
Variety: Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2016
Price: $4.95

Store Review: This mouthwatering rosé is a traditional blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. It's medium-bodied, boasting notes of fresh herbs, cherries and white chocolate, balanced by a hints of sea spray. Drink it over the next year.

My Review: This wine was a fairly nice balance of sweet and dry for me. The scent was interesting for the wine, giving more of the herbs mentioned above that I did not taste as much. It was nice and light, while having a bit of a tart finish.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Dom Chazallon Coteaux de l'Ardeche Viognier

Name: Dom Chazallon Coteaux de l'Ardeche Viognier
Variety: Viognier
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2014
Price: $9.95

Store Review: Viognier, one of the finest grape varieties, originates from the Rhône Valley of France. When well looked after, it produces a distinctive, particularly fragrant wine, a true delight to the senses. Saint Régis is a great Viognier bottling, with peachy aromas, hints of tangerine and menthol, and a pure and fresh character.

My Review: This wine was my favorite of the ones that I tasted this week. It was nice and light and fresh, with a good fruity smell and a citrus flavor. It had a smooth finish that lingered well in my mouth.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Daniel Cellars Aurora Chocolate Raspberry Wine

Name: Daniel Cellars Aurora Chocolate Raspberry Wine
Variety: Blend, Red Dessert Wine
Region: Barboursville, Virginia
Country: United States
Year: Non-vintage
Price: Frontline $18 sale, $3.95

Store Review: Aurora is a sweet red wine that Daniel Cellars have added Chocolate and Raspberries to. Chocolate is the dominate aroma and flavor with Raspberry accents. This is a perfect wine for chocolate lovers. Best served ice cold with a friend.

My Review: I am not typically a fan of dessert wines, and for the most part this was no exception. While it was wonderful to smell, with strong suggestions of chocolate, and the raspberry did come across decently well on the tongue, overall the wine felt and tasted too syrupy in my mouth. That said, it felt brighter than most dessert wines.

I tried it on its own, with no food.

Tasting - Estrella Cabarnet Sauvignon

Name: Estrella Cabarnet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabarnet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2014
Price: Frontline $17 sale, $5.95

Store Review: Bright medium dark garnet color. Fruity, creamy, attractive aromas and flavors of berry and cherry custard pies, watermelon, and chocolate and floral honey with a silky, vibrant, fruity medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length spiced blueberries and cherries and vanilla custard finish with soft tannins and light oak. A very smooth, charming, and fruity cabernet crowd pleaser.

My Review: This wine was a delight, with a lot of nuance and something that I believe most people would find approachable. It was a bit sweeter than the other red that I tasted just before it, making it a bit more of something I would bring for someone whose tastes I wasn't sure of. There were plenty of nice fruit flavors, making tasting this wine nice and pleasant.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Terre dei Savoia Dolcetto d'Alba

Name: Terre dei Savoia Dolcetto d'Alba
Variety: Dolcetto
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: Frontline $20 sale, $6.95

Store Review: Violet, red berry and underbrush scents come together in this Dolcetto. Its savory, juicy palate evokes crushed blackberry, cherry and a touch of toasted almond alongside lithe tannins.

My Review: This wine was a bit on the dry side, but not too dry for my tastes. The cherry flavors came across nicely for me, along with a not unpleasant slightly bitter finish.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Terra Minei Treixadura Ribeiro

Name: Terra Minei Treixadura Ribeiro
Variety: Treixadura
Region: Ribeiro
Country: Spain
Year: 2015
Price: Frontline $17 Sale, $6.95

Store Review: Firm and focused, this white supports the core of apple and pear flavors with flinty, steely and briny notes, accented with fresh herb and smoky details. Juicy acidity keeps this fresh and racy through the mineral finish.

My Review: I was not able to detect most of the flavors that were listed above, though the apple definitely came across as well as an earthiness on the finish. Light and refreshing, this would be a good go-to.

I had this wine with no food on its own.