Rosemount Estate Moscato

Name: Rosemount Estate Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2012
Price: Regularly $12.00, Sale $3.95

Winemaker Review: Clear, medium-lemon yellow in appearance; lovely citrus and honeysuckle aromas with lemon, honeysuckle, apple and ripe yellow plum flavors. Serve chilled with angel food cake or fresh fruit and mild cheeses.

My Review: As with most moscatos, this wine is very sweet. It has a light body with hints and undertones of lighter fruits. It has a short and sweet finish and throughout the tasting I noticed hints of apples and even lemon.

Food: No

Ironstone Old Vine Zinfandel

Name: Ironstone Old Vine Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Lodi, California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: Regularly $15.95, Sale $7.00

Winemaker Review: Grown in vineyards that are over 45 years old, this medium-bodied Zin has exceptional varietal character with lovely aromas of dark fruit and blackberries. Subtle pepper spice mingles with richly concentrated fruit flavors or blackberry, ripe plums and fresh red raspberries. Barrel aging created its smooth, silky finish and unprecedented depth. A wonderful wine pairing for a variety of dishes. Any type of meat - whether its pork, beef or game - is ideal with this wine. Cioppino is another amazing complement, or try it with tomato-based pastas, hearty stews or a plate of strong, aged cheeses.

My Review: I haven't had many zinfandels but this one made me more interested. It had a strong, unique flavor that featured dark fruits, but seemed to have hints of lighter ones as well. As the review suggests, I think this wine would be great to try with a bunch of different cheeses.

Food: No

Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico

Name: Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico
Variety: Gaglioppo
Region: Calabria
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: Regularly $14.00, Sale $3.95

Winemaker Review: Don't let the pale garnet color fool you: this is a substantial wine. Aromas of red fruits and spice complement undertones of cranberries, wild berries, and plums. On the palate, ripe tannins and good body make for an incredibly rich, yet easygoing red wine. Pair this wine with sausage, spicy curry sauces, hot soppressata, and tandoori chicken.

My Review: This was a very decadent wine, with strong fruity flavors, mostly consisting of darker berries. It had a strong body and was full of tannins, especially noticeable in the finish.

Food: No

Angove Nine Vines Viognier

Name: Angove Nine Vines Viognier
Variety: Viognier
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Winemaker Review: Bright light straw in color with some green hues, this wine has a lush ripe tropical fruit aroma. This is a fuller bodied white which fills the mouth with heady flavors of apricot, peach and citrus. Angove Nine Vines Viognier is perfect for today's relaxed life-style and is the ideal accompaniment to grilled prawns with chili and garlic or roast pork.

My Review: This white was heavier bodied than most I've had but it was full of flavor to complement it. The hints of peach and apricot were awesome and the fruity aroma left the mouth watering. Great finish to this one as well, I think it would be great with seafood.

Food: No

Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc Seaview Vineyard

Name: Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc Seaview Vineyard
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Winemaker Review: This aroma wine shows lifted flavours of black currant with underlying notes of wet stone and thyme. The palate is elegant yet full with sufficient weight and texture, balanced by a flinty minerality. This wine is a fantastic match with foods such as cheese salad, poultry dishes and a wide range of seafood dishes including freshly shucked natural oysters, prawns, green lip mussels and creamy scallops.

My Review: This was a very interesting wine. It had a weird aroma, which smelled earthy and almost like grass. The taste was relatively similar to the smell, but it had a mineral hint that lasted through the finish. I liked it because it was different, but overall not that tasty.

Food: No

Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mosel
Country: Germany
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95

Winemaker Review: This drier-styled Riesling is bright, fruity and floral with crisp acidity and clean flavors of apple, pear and peach that compliment its stony minerality and earthy complexity. It serves well as an aperitif and matches a wide variety of foods, like lighter salad dishes, shellfish, cream sauces and also anything with a touch of spice.

My Review: This was a very smooth and tasty Riesling. It had a crispness to it and tasted like peaches. It was light-bodied and had a nice finish. It seems like this wine would go great with almost any type of food pairing.

Food: No

Altas Cumbres Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Altas Cumbres Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: Regularly $15.00, Sale $6.95

Winemaker Review: Intense red color with violet highlights, with clean, fresh and complex aromas of berries, plums, figs and pepper. Strong personality is in perfect balance with a medium body and pleasant tannins, Ideal for: red meats, cheeses and strong sauces.

My Review: This was a very strong red wine, that packed a punch. It was heavy-bodied with plenty of tannins. It had a strong, spicy finish. I enjoyed this one because of how big it was.

Food: No

Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Variety: Gamay
Region: Burgundy
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: Regularly $14.00, Sale $3.95

Winemaker Review: Balanced and lightly creamy, offering pretty flavors of plum sauce and raspberry coulis threaded with hints of ground spice. Elegant, with a floral finish. Drink now.

My Review: This was a great wine especially for the price. The value for this creamy, tasty red was pretty incredible. I enjoyed how smooth it was and the strong taste of plums in the finish.

Food: No

Bricco Dei Tati Rose

Name: Bricco Dei Tati Rose
Variety: Barbera
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Winemaker Review: Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries and rose petals. This is ideal with shellfish, salads, chicken, and with appetizers.

My Review: This was a very light wine and was exceptionally smooth through the finish. It had a hint of cherries and other darker fruits. The nose was floral as was the taste.

Food: No

Frascati Volpetti

Name: Frascati Volpetti
Variety: 50% Malvasia, 40% Trebbiano, 10% Greco
Region: Latium
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winemaker Review: Straw yellow in color with a soft, delicate perfume, fruitful flavor, dry and harmonius taste. Perfect with appetizers, soups, fish.

My Review: This was a really great blend with plenty of flavors throughout. It had a nice floral nose and finish. It was crisp and light but had a buttery taste to it.

Food: No

Toso Moscato

Name: Toso Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $9.95

Winemaker 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 was a good Moscato, but was a little sweeter than I'm used to. It was bubbly, which was refreshing and had hints of pineapple. I think this would be a perfect wine to have with dessert.

Food: No

El Sierro Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: El Sierro Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 80% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Valencia
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winemaker 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 was a very dark red wine, which had the aromas and taste to back up its color. It had deep tannins and strong finish, leaving the mouth very dry. It was an interesting wine, but I enjoyed it.

Food: No

Omo Ze Bel Merlot

Name: Omo Ze Bel Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

Winemaker Review: This bright, soft Merlot comes from a hilly vineyard on the Alcesti family estate in beautiful Sicily. It has hints of red cherries and freshly cut hay. Exceptional value.

My Review: The nose on this wine was great, with hints of cherries and darker fruits. The taste was not quite as good, it had a few tannins, but was relatively light-medium bodied. It was decent for the price, but was not a great wine in my opinion.

Food: No

Altas Cumbres Torrontes

Name: Altas Cumbres Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Salta
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95

Winemaker 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 Torrontes was very sweet, which is indicative of the region that it comes from. It had a very fresh, crisp taste and had hints of peach. It was light-bodied and had a sweet finish. It would go great with spicy food.

Food: No

Avery Quinn Chardonnay

Name: Avery Quinn Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Napa, California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

Winemaker 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 fill your mouth before a juicy, apple and caramel inflected finish makes your mouth water (and smile!).

My Review: This was a classic Napa Chardonnay. It was creamy, buttery and had hints of pineapple. I particularly enjoyed how smooth it was. The finish was tasty and lingered.

Food: No

Wine Dinner with Friends/Family

We had yet another wine dinner and this one involved both my friends and my family who were visiting. We decided to go with a variety of tastings for this one, mostly consisting of a Mexican cuisine. There was also seafood involved, which seems like an odd combination, but when paired individually with each wine it really went together well and I enjoyed every bit of it.

Name: Hella Fine Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $8.99

Winemaker Review: Full-bodied and smooth, this is a luscious Merlot with aromas of dark fruits that are followed by rich flavors of chocolate and cherries. As Train lead singer Pat Monahan mentions in their hit song Save Me, San Francisco, this is a "Hella Fine" Merlot! Serve it at cellar temperature to allow the flavors to evolve in the glass.





Name: Rex Goliath Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $7.99

Winemaker Review: Our Malbec's sweet spice intensity, lush texture, and silky finish is like dancing a seductive tango - delightfully balanced with all the right moves. Its deep red color and robust tannins are offset by a rhythmic blend of ripe plum, raspberry, spice, and chocolate notes. Personally, I think it's a masterpiece.






Name: Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma, California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $8.99

Winemaker Review: The warmth of vanilla and brown spice aromas in this classic Sonoma County Chardonnay are lightened with notes of creamy lemon and sweet pear. A palate of soft fruit, including apple and pineapple flavors and notes of toasted hazelnut, finish with a bright acidity, taking the rich mouthfeel to a long, satisfying finish.

For our first dish, we decided to pair chips, but more importantly dip, with the Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay. This was an interesting combination and had a variety of different tastes, because guacamole, queso, and sour cream and onion dip were all used for this pairing. The Chardonnay interestingly enough paired well with each of the dips and really complemented the different spices and textures. The wine itself was incredible, which is why I believe it paired so well, because it seems like it could go with almost anything. It was smooth, oaky, buttery, light-bodied, and had a crisp finish. 

For the second pairing, we paired the Rex Goliath Malbec with chicken and steak fajitas. The toppings for my individual fajita included: tomatoes, peppers, onions, hot sauce, and cheese. The wine and fajitas individually were very good, but together created a spicy combination. I'm usually a big fan of spice, but this was overwhelming. I had a bit of the Chardonnay with this dish too and it worked out quite well, tempering the spice from the fajita. The Malbec on its own was very good, with a strong body, high tannins, and spicy finish. I could taste hints of dark berries, specifically black currant and blackberries, which complemented the thickness of the wine.

The final dish could have been more of an appetizer but it worked just as well as a third course. It was a mini crab cake and Hella Fine Merlot pairing. This was my favorite of the three pairings, as the wine and the food complemented each other perfectly. The crab cakes had the classic seafood taste, which doesn't go well with everything, but oddly enough it was perfect with the Merlot. The Merlot by itself was very good, with a medium body and good amount of tannins. The nose was fruity, as was the finish. It tasted like dark cherries and plums and had a long lasting finish. 

These wine dinners continue to reinforce the fact that wine and food are meant to be paired and when done right can create amazing combinations of flavors that would be impossible to achieve on their own.

Bellafina Pink Moscato

Name: Bellafina Pink Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $9.95

Winemaker Review: A blend of Moscato and Rabosos grapes it has a pale rose color, notes of red berries, with the characteristic and fragrant bouquet and palate that is typical of the Moscato grape.

My Review: This white wine was a lot less sweet than other Moscatos I've tasted. It had a floral noise and hints throughout. The finish was smooth and tasted like cherries.

Food: No

Weinert Carrascal

Name: Weinert Carrascal
Variety: 40% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2008
Price: $13.95

Winemaker Review: Aged for two years in cask, the 2008 Carrascal is a blended wine. It has a rustic blackberry, scorched earth and leather-scented 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 was an incredible red blend. I noticed the oak, which was embedded into the wine via the cask. It had a strong, earthy taste, as well as hints of blackberry and black currant. It had a strong finish with a good amount of tannins. I feel as though this would be a great wine to age.

Food: No

Santa Julia Malbec

Name: Santa Julia Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $8.95

Winemaker Review: The nose is full of mellow raspberry and cherry, while the palate is fleshy and round, with blackberry and a touch of raisin. Plump, not edgy, and ready to drink, with a coffee and mocha notes on the finish.

My Review: The nose of the red wine was interesting, with light, fruity hints that I don't normally associate with Malbecs. The taste was similar, but the fruit was much stronger than I anticipated with hints of blackberry. Medium bodied and good finish.

Food: No

Gougenheim Torrontes

Name: Gougenheim Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Tupungato
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $9.95

Winemaker Review: The 2012 Torrontes comes from Chilecito in La Rioja. It has a light floral nose with touches of lemon peel and nectarine. The palate is crisp and taut, showing far more vivacity and fruit that the nose implied, finishing with flourish of apricot and white peach. Drink now.

My Review: I don't normally enjoy torrontes, but this was a great one. It had floral hints and was very crisp. It had a light body and tasted like peaches. The finish was smooth and a variety of fruity hints.

Food: No

Santa Julia Pinot Grigio

Name: Santa Julia Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $8.95

Winemaker Review: Light and clean, which compared to other Argentine Pinot Grigios is not something to dismiss. Feels solid and punchy, with orange and mango flavors. Has nice overall clarity and balance, with a citrus finish.

My Review: This was a particulary citrusy white wine, with a nice floral nose. It was smooth, yet crisp and was consistent throughout. It was very typical of a solid pinot grigio.

Food: No

Wine Dinner with Friends - Homemade

Now that we were back at school and in the swing of things after Spring Break, we thought we would start off the last half of the semester before we graduate with a wine dinner. This included me, my brother, Dylan, Tom, and Heather. It was kind of a spur of the moment event that we decided to do one day after class, so we gathered all the ingredients we already had and made a trip to the store to get anything else we might need for the dinner. We ended up with five wines in total but each of us consumed different ones with different dishes to see how well they complemented each other.

Name: Annabella Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $12.95

Winemaker Review: Annabella Chardonnay is a full flavored wine with medium body and a rich concentration of fruit. It has overtones of apples and pears with a wonderful nose and mouth feel. A subtle essence of new oak creates a lingering finish. This wine pairs perfectly with grilled salmon, herbed chicken, or a mild cheese.


Name: Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $11.75

Winemaker Review: Our full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon is brimming with black cherry and vanilla and a rich, smooth finish with oak overtones. Enjoy with bleu cheese-stuffed filet mignon or hearty minestrone soup.



Name: Duplin Muscadine

Variety: Muscat
Region: North Carolina
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $7.99

Winemaker Review: A cool, sweet, and easy taste of America's favorite sweet grape, the Muscadine.



Name: Maipe Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price: $11.99

Winemaker Review: Mendoza, Argentina - 100% Torrontes. A beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish. Best enjoyed in its youth.


Name: Beringer Founders' Estate Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $12.99

Winemaker Review: Founders' Estate Pinot Noir has the flavors of black cherry and plum with hints of toasted nuts and spice. We hope you enjoy drinking it as much as we enjoyed making it.



For the first dish, we decided to pair multi-grain crackers and jalapeno cheese with white wine. I personally tried the Annabella Chardonnay, because I had never had a Napa Valley Chardonnay and really wanted to try it with an appetizer. I thought this was a perfect pairing and it was my favorite of the evening. The Chardonnay itself was awesome. It was smooth, oaky, refreshing, medium-bodied, slightly sweet, and had a great finish. This was my first time having wine with cheese and I realized why it is such a great combo.

                          

For the second pairing, we all had different kinds of fish or chicken but everyone had brown rice and vegetables. I had tilapia with a chile seasoning and paired it with the Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon. The food was really good, but did not pair very well with the wine. The cabernet sauvignon seemed overly spicy and was overwhelming when combined with the food. It had a strong body and a good amount of tannins with a strong finish, but had hardly any fruity flavors and tasted overwhelmingly alcoholic.

The third pairing was dessert. We had strawberry shortcake with blueberries and whipped cream paired with the Duplin Muscadine. Overall, this was a great pairing and although they were both very sweet, they didn't clash. The shortcake was really good and went with the acidity of the Muscadine really well. The white wine by itself was sweet, smooth, light-bodied, fruity, and had a nice finish.



We continued to drink the rest of the wines and really enjoyed the evening. The food pairings went really well with all the wines and it was fun preparing the meals. We listened to music and talked about a lot of stuff and learned a lot about wine in general. It was a great experience and we plan on doing it again.

Jam Jar Sweet White

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White
Variety: Muscat
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Winemaker Review: 100% Muscat. Soft floral hints add depth to the otherwise straightforward ripe peach and nectarine aromas. There's a good balance in the mouth, with a nice acidic lift and slightly lime edge to cut the sweetness on the finish and close with the faintest hint of honeydew melons.

My Review: This was a light and fruity white wine. It had floral hints on the nose and in the finish, creating it a crisp and refreshing balance. I liked this one a lot, especially the hints of peach that I noticed throughout the tasting.

Food: No

Entrada Malbec

Name: Entrada Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Chile
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Winemaker Review: Firm and structured, this is a solid wine, laced with mineral acidity and tight tannins. It has a juicy, blackberry fruit component cutting through the texture.

My Review: This was a very strong red wine. It was medium-bodied and contained a lot of tannins throughout, but especially in the finish. It had a fruity hint, but most of what I could taste was dry with very little sweetness.

Food: No

Vina Borga Borsao

Name: Vina Borga Borsao
Variety: Grenache
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Winemaker Review: 86 points - Robert Parker. Also made from 100% Grenache, the 2012 Vina Borgia was fermented and aged in stainless steel. Its medium dark ruby color is followed by abundant notes of strawberries and black cherries offered in a straightforward, medium-bodied, soft, hedonistic, round style. It is hard to believe a wine this good can sell for $7 a bottle. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years.

My Review: This was a very smooth and fruity red wine. It was medium-bodied and had a decent tannic finish, but nothing overwhelming. I really enjoyed this one and thought it was a great deal.

Food: No

Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Name: Peter Lehmann Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Southern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: Regularly $20.00, Sale $9.95

Winemaker Review: The 2010 Chardonnay presents subtle notes of spiced apple slices and ripe peaches with hints of freshly baked bread and melon. Light bodied, clean and refreshingly crisp in the mouth, it offers just enough apple and pear flavor concentration, finishing with medium-long persistence. Drink it now to 2014.

My Review: I enjoyed how smooth and refreshing this wine tasted when it first hit the palate. It finished well and left a nice aftertaste that lingered and tasted like apples. It was crisp and had a little bit of a spice to it.

Food: No

Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

Name: Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Castilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Winemaker Review: Mostly Airen with a little bit of Macabeo. Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.

My Review: This was a dry white wine that had very citrusy aromas. It smelled sweet but was quite the opposite with a hint of citrus in the finish. It was a smooth, but didn't have a lot going on. It seemed as though it would be a great complement for a simple appetizer like crackers and cheese.

Food: No

R Wines Eco.Love Riesling

Name: R Wines Eco.Love Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2012
Price: Regularly $18.00, Sale $7.95

Winemaker 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 was a great white wine and one of my favorite Rieslings that I've had. It was much different from others in that it wasn't very sweet but had a smooth texture. I agree with the review in that it would go great with any spicy food.

Food: No

Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

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

My Review: This was a fairly strong red wine with a good amount of tannins throughout, including the finish. It had dark fruity flavors as well as a bit of spice.

Food: No

Canyon Road Pinot Noir

Name: Canyon Road Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

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

My Review: This was a very fruity red wine with a medium-body and good amount of tannins. I liked the long finish and thought it would go well with a pasta dish.

Food: No

Wine Men of Gotham

Name: Wine Men of Gotham
Variety: 80% Semillon, 20% Chardonnay
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95

Winemaker 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: I tasted more Chardonnay in this wine than semillon, but it was well-bodied and had hints of sweetness. I also noticed hints of melon and apricot and I think it would work really well as an aperitif.

Food: No

Indwe Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Indwe Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Elim
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Winemaker 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: This wine was full of flavor and unlike the few sauvignon blancs that I've had before. It was a little sweet with hardly any dryness in it. The finish was long and tasted of melon.

Food: No

Chateau Clos de Vieille Eglise Castillon

Name: Chateau Clos de Vieille Eglise Castillon
Variety: Bordeaux Blend
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $7.99

Winemaker Review: Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France- Produced predominantly from Merlot grapes in vineyards bordering St. Emilion, this medium-bodied, round and supple wine offers delicious flavors of black fruit, cedar and cassis ending with a lush finish. Try it with chicken, beef or veal.

My Review: We had this red blend with chicken marsala for dinner. The wine itself was medium-bodied with smooth tannins which really complemented both the chicken and the sauce. I enjoyed the hints of darker fruits and even a little oak that were in this wine. I was very satisfied with the pairing that we came up with.

Food: Chicken Marsala