tasting - Fetzer

Name: Fetzer

Variety: Gewurztraminer
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $12 Sale $8.95
Expert Review: 87 – Wine Enthusiast
"A rainy minerality on the nose of this sweet wine manages to cut through the sugared oranges, honeysuckle and ripe, tropical white fleshed fruit, from peach to cherimoya. The palate is full of honeyed apples, white peach and pineapple, but the decent acidity and chalky element stops it short of treacly."

My Review: The smell was interesting, a lot of white fruit elements, orange, and peach. The taste was similar, white fruit juice, peach. orange, and even apples. It was a cocktail of different fruits.

I did not pair this with food

tasting - Maipe

Name: Maipe

Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2015
Price: $12 Sale $6.95

Expert Review: "The 2015 Maipe Malbec is another 100% Malbec, with a deep purple color and a style similar to the Lexicon, with chocolaty, blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, as well as touches of licorice and earth. It is delicious, soft and round."- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (March 2016), 87 pts - Excellent Wine Values for Under $25

My Review: This wine had a lot of smells, I got plum, chocolate, blackberry, and licorice, it was evident that this dark purple wine was gonna taste like red fruit. It did not disappoint, I got black berry jam, plum, chocolate and a earthy taste.

I did not pair this with food

tasting - Manoir du Carra

Name: Manoir du Carra

Variety: Beaujolais Nouveau
Region: Beaujolais
Country: France
Year: 2014
Price: $12 Sale $4.95
Expert Review: "A pretty, floral wine, with a rose petal note underscoring the rich pomegranate and sweet plum flavors. The fresh acidity is balanced, and a light spice note lingers on the finish."
My Review: The smell of this wine was very pleasant, had the smell of flowers, like I was in a field of flowers. The taste had some spice to it, but not overwhelming, I also got hints of red fruits like pomegranate and plum.

I did not pair this with food

tasting - Mapreco

Name: Mapreco

Variety: Vinho Verde

Region: Vinho Verde

Country: Portugal

Year: 2015

Price:$10 Sale $7.95

Expert Review: "The cherry color reveals a slightly fizzy wine that is a very fruitful rosé made from the traditional vinho verde white grapes. Adding a splash of red to offer flavors with notes of strawberry, cherry and berries. A delightful twist on the original."

My Review: The smell was very fruity, had all kinds of smells from white to red fruits, including strawberry, cherry, and pomegranate. The taste was similar, lots of strawberry, and a fruit medley type taste. very enjoyable.

I did not pair this with food

tasting - Mars & Venus

Name:  Mars & Venus

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2014

Price: $5.95

Expert Review: "A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag. No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple.  Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping."

My Review:The smell of this Chardonnay was very crisp, I got a lot of apple, mango, and pineapple. The taste was similar, crisp, had white grape juice taste paired with the apple. Would be perfect with fish or chicken. 

I did not pair this with food

Tasting - Beringer

Name: Beringer

Variety: Chenin Blanc

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2014

Price: $5.95

Expert Review: "A fresh green-apple aroma and vivid citrus and crisp apple flavors are supported by vibrant acidity in this medium-bodied wine. The texture is smooth but crisp, making lots of good food pairings come to mind, from pre-meal cheese, to salads, seafood and veggie pastas."

My Review: Very good smelling wine, I got a lot of white fruit smells, apple, melon, pear. The taste was great, crisp and fruity, granny smith apple, pear, melon. Overall my favorite wine from the tasting this week.

I did not pair this with food

tasting - Carraia

Name: Carraia

Variety: Aglianico

Region:Campagna

Country: Italy

Year: 2013

Price: $15 Sale $9.95

Expert Review: "Produced in the Campania region of Italy, this Aglianico has delicious black fruit flavors with hints of licorice, volcanic soil and tar notes. Classic in nature, yet in a lighter, more crowd-pleasing style, the Carraia is made of the ancient Aglianico grape. This black grape originated in Greece and today is widely grown in Basilicata and Campania."

My Review: The smell was intense, it had a licorice smell, red fruits like dark cherry, pomegranate, and other red fruits. The taste was similar with a lot of licorice and cherry and raspberry, and I got a hint of plum.

I did not pair this with food

Tasting - Siema Vino Rosso

Name: Siema Vino Rosso

Variety: Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo

Region: Piemonte

Country: Italy

Year: 2013

Price: $10 sale $6.95

Expert Review: "Intense ruby red with soft garnet nuances in the glass, the Rosso is intriguingly fresh, fruity and spicy on the nose. Perfectly round and balanced, the wine is particularly soft and dry. Pair with simple dishes like fresh cheese, ham, salami, or pizza for a divine culinary experience."

My Review: The smell had some cherries, pomegranate, and some other red fruit smells. The taste was dry but not too dry, the same red fruits were in the taste, dark cherry, pomegranate, raspberry and black berry.

I did not pair this with food

tasting - Dom de la foret

Name: Dom de la Foret

Variety: Grenache Cinsault

Region: Provence

Country:France

Year: 

Price: $13 sale $8.95

Expert Review:"A stony, pure style, with a warm paving stone note framing the dried cherry and rose water notes. The long, watermelon rind—inflected finish is finely tuned. Shows length and cut, staying lacy in feel. 50% Cinsault and 50% Grenache."

My Review: I got a cherry and watermelon smell from this wine. The taste was similar, watermelon and cherry but I also got hints of raspberry and I got some spice, it also had a high alcohol finish.

I did not pair this with food

tasting - Bricco dei Tati

Name: Bricco dei Tati

Variety: Cortese

Region: Piemonte

Country:Italy

Year: 2013

Price: $10 sale $6.95

Expert Review: “Great Value! Treat this terrific little white like a red: Don’t chill it too much, then let it open for a half-hour to develop its enticing tropical fruit flavors. It’s dry, but the fruit gives an appealing illusion of sweetness. Great as an aperitif or with light seafood dishes.”

My Review: I got a lot of trpical fruit from the smell, like mango and pear. The taste was similar, tropical fruit, pear, mango, but it was slightly dry. Overall very enjoyable wine.

I did not pair this with food