Jam Jar Sweet White

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White
Variety: 100% Muscat

Region: Western Cape

Country: South Africa

Year: 2011

Price: $8.95 

Winery Review:  Soft floral hints add depth to the otherwise straight forward 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 wine tasted exactly how it smelled, like honey and peaches. I was overwhelmed by peach and honey scents and tastes. I didn't taste or smell any other flavors until the end. The texture for this wine was smooth, which made it really enjoyable. Also, at the end I experienced a little acidic aftertaste. I didn't fully like the acidic aftertaste and I found in hit my taste buds out of nowhere. I really liked the peach and honey but didn't enjoy the acidic part. Overall, a good wine though.
Food Pairing: None

Entrada Malbec

Name: Entrada Malbec
Variety: 100% Malbec

Region: Nancagua

Country: Chile

Year: 2013

Price: $5.95 

Winery 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: The wine had a mineral and earthy smell to it. There was small hints of cherries but it was mostly over-powered by the mineral smell. The wine tasted more of fruits than minerals. I found myself tasting strawberry, cherry with a hint of lemon. This wine was, also, dry. The combination of lemon and dry taste lingering in my mouth made this an unenjoyable wine for me. 
Food Pairing: None

Vina Borgia Borsao

Name: Vina Borgia Borsao
Variety: 100% Granacha

Region: Campo de Borja, Aragon

Country: Spain

Year: 2012

Price: $6.95 

Winery Review:  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: On the nose, this wine had strong scents of strawberry, cherries, and blackberries. The wine, itself, was light which I enjoyed It tasted like strawberry, cherry, and blackberry as well. I felt that wine's taste reminded me of jams used for sandwichs. I enjoyed this wine, which I was surprised about.
Food Pairing: None 

Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Name: Peter Lehman Chardonnay

Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2010

Price: Regular Price -- $20, Sale Price -- $9.95

Winery 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: When I was smelling the wine, I noticed hints of apples and peaches as well as cinnamon. The taste of the centered around a vanilla and apple flavors. I found the wine to be very dry and the after taste not one I desired. The after taste didn't linger but it left a bitter taste in my mouth. Not a wine I would drink again. 
Food Pairing: None

Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Blanco

Name: Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Blanco
Variety: 50% Airen, 50% Macabeo

Region: Castilla La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2012

Price: $6.95 

Winery 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: I smelled honey, lemon, and mint. When I tasted it, the wine was a little more dry than I thought it would be. I, also, could taste the mint very clearly and I had an after taste of lemon. This was too dry for my liking. 
Food Pairing: No food

Eco.Love Riesling

Name: R Wines Eco.Love Riesling
Variety: 100% Riesling

Region: Marlborough, South Island

Country: New Zealand

Year: 2009

Price: Regular Price -- $18, Sale Price -- $7.95 

Winery 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: Not what I was expecting at all. Thought it was going to smell as well as taste sweet but instead it had taste of minerals with hints of peaches. The back end of the wine had taste that I am still unable to determine. I feel the only word that best describes it would be smoky. It was an interesting Riesling but I don't think I would get it again.
Food Pairing: None

Toschi Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Toschi Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Central Valley, California

Country: California (USA)

Year: 2011

Price: $ 8.95

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

 My review: On the nose, the wine had smells of spice and blackberry. Concerning the taste, I had hints of green peppers as well as cinnamon. I, also, tasted cherry and the finish for this wine was not that long. I liked this wine but wouldn't buy it.
Food Pairing: None

Canyon Road Pinot Noir

Name: Canyon Road Pinot Noir
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Sonoma Coast

Country: California (USA)

Year: 2012

Price:  $6.95

Winery 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: The smelt of cherry with a hint of strawberry and raspberry. The wine had smooth and creamy taste, which I really enjoyed. It, also, had tastes of cherry, strawberry, and raspberry, which I smelled. There was a long and dry finish, which I actually enjoyed. I am finding I don't normal enjoy dry wines but the combination of the fruits in the taste helped me to enjoy it. This one was great!
Food Pairing: None

Gotham Wine Men of Gotham Chardonay Semillon

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

Region: South Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2008

Price: $7.95

Winery 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 nose, there were hints of apple, pear, and what I believe to be almonds. The taste of wine had more earthy flavors like grass. The wine was, also, very dry and not as creamy has I had hoped. The back end of the wine had hints of tropical fruits and than salts, which I didn't enjoy. This was my least favorite of the wines from this week. The combination of the earthy flavors with the dry taste and back ending made me dislike this wine.
Food Pairing: None

Indwe Sauvigon Blanc

Name: Indwe Sauvigon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvigon Blacn

Region: Western Cape

Country: South Africa

Year: 2012

Price: $7.95

Winery 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: The wine had an herbal, floral smell to it. There was, also, clear citrus smell in this wine. The taste of the wine centered around citrus fruits and herbals. There seemed to be a slight hint of mint, which I enjoyed. Overall, the wine was too tart for my liking.
Food Pairing: None

CalNaturale Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

Name: CalNaturale Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles
Variety: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Viognier

Region: Paso Robles

Country: California

Year: 2009

Price: Regular Price -- $16, Sale Price -- $10.95 (1 liter) and $5.95 (500 mL)

Winery Review:  95 % Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Viognier this certified organic winery produces outstanding quality at reasonable prices offering classic Cabernet flavors of fresh herb, olive, cedar and cassis. Focused and intense, with a charming rustic side and broad tannins that firm up on the finish. 

My review: This wine had smells of olive oil and vinegar, which I thought was interesting. I immediately tasted oak and than found an earthy, mineral taste. It, also, had a tannic finish and was a little dry. This was my least favorite wine of the group due to the earthy taste.
Food Pairing: None

First light Moscato

Name: First Light Moscato

Variety: Moscato

Region: Barossa Valley

Country: Australia

Year: N/A

Price: Regular Price -- $15, Sale Price -- $7.95

Winery Review: Ripe lychee, tropical fruits and musk on the nose as you near the glass. Lovely grape and stone fruits and on the palate is highlighted with the subtle sweetness and spritz that makes this uch a fun drink. Low in alcohol and nicely balanced acidity ensure you will want more than one glass of this easy drinking wine.  

 My review: This wine had strong smells of flowers and fruits, specificially apples. I loved the taste! It had very good balance between sweet and sour with a hint of honey present. There was a little dry aftertaste but I overall I really liked the wine. This was my favorite! 

Food Pairing: None

Georges Duboeuf Beajolais Nouveau

Name: Georges Duboeuf Beajolais Nouveau

Variety: Gamay

Region: Beajolais

Country: France 

Year: 2013

Price: Regular Price -- $15, Sale Price -- $7.95

Winery Review: An aromatic red, with floral and white peach notes accenting the black raspberry and plum flavors. This is open-knit and fresh, offering light tannins on the finish.
My Review: This wine has strong smells of raspberries, blackberries, and strawberry. With these strong scents I was expecting to be overwhelmed by the taste of fruit, however that was not what I tasted at all. Instead it had hints of plum and cherries with a tannic finish to it. The tannics added a dryness to my mouth and I recieved an aftertaste I didn't enjoy. 
Food Pairing: None 

Beltrame

Name: Beltrame

Variety: Tocai Friulano

Region: Friuli

Country: Italy 

Year: 209

Price: Regular Price -- $15, Sale Price -- $9.95

Winery Review:100% Tocai Friulano Straw-coloured yellow with a pale green tint express an intense, delicately aromatic and floral bouquet.The flavour is dry, soft, slightly fruity, with slightly bitter nuance in its almond aftertaste, and suggestion of peach.
My Review: This wine had fruity smell that centered around plum and bananas with hints of lemon. The wine was not overflowing with flavors, which I rathered liked. It was smooth and tasted likes apples with an aftertaste of almonds, like the winery review stated. I actually enjoyed this wine, which suprised me because I am finding that I like more powerful/flavorful wines. 
Food Pairing: None

Mas LLunes Maragda

Name: Mas LLunes Maragda
Variety: Grenache Blanc

Region: Emporada

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: Regular Price- $16, Sale Price - $9.95

Winery Review:  This Grenache Blanc is exquisitely sculpted with sharp acids and pinpointed minerals, and offers orange, melon and vanilla-honey flavors. A delight to drink, at a great price
My Review: The smelt of citrus and apples. It tasted very dry, acidic, and citrus. I combination of being dry and acidic made me dislike this wine. I didn't enjoy this wine at all. 

Food Pairing: None