Torrent Bay Chardonnay

Name: Torrent Bay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: $6.95


Winery Review: Fleshy, melony aromas cuddle some fresh oak. The palate has decent acidity so there’s freshness along with weight, resiny oak flavors, lemon and green apple.


My Review: I did not care for this wine all that much when drinking it without the pairing of food. I found that the flavors came on too strong and I had a difficult time really drinking this. I did however enjoy the aromas of melon on the nose but when it came to the palate it was just too acidic. The aftertaste was not smooth either. 

Spanish Vines Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Spanish Vines
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $4.95

Winery Review: Apple and floral notes and then an almost buttery palate with baked apple and citrus flavors.

My Review: This wine was interesting tasting especially since it is so inexpensive. Overall I enjoyed drinking this wine with out the pairing of foods. There were great aromas on the nose with apple. I did however not get a baked apple flavor on the palate but instead tasted kiwi. This wine was relatively acidic tasting. I would recommend this wine.

Muscanti Brut

Name: Muscanti Brut

Variety: Sparkling Wine

Region: Girona

Country: Spain

Year: N/A

Price: $7.95 

Winery Review: Lemon blossoms, green apple, toast and honeydew melon are front and center in this crisp refreshing Spanish Sparkler. Silky supple with lingering flavors, yet a tingle of citric acid on the finish. A combination of traditional cava grapes but this wine is not made in the traditional méthode champenoise (which is required by Spanish law to be called Cava). This is made with the Charmat process so this wine may only be called ‘Spanish sparkling wine'.

My Review: I thought this wine was an average overall. I did not pair this wine with food and found that the taste was bitter in some regards. There was a good amount of sweetness to this wine which I enjoyed but overall the taste was dry. On the nose this wine was much more promising than the taste. 

Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine Reisling

Variety: Riesling

Region: N/A

Country: Germany

Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Flint and mineral notes accent pineapple and lime aromas, while on the palate, the wine shows plenty of ripe, citrusy fruit flavors. Tangy acids on the long finish provide balance.

My Review: I enjoyed drinking this wine without the pairing of food. I enjoyed the crisp acidity and clean flavors of apple, pear, and peach that compliment. Though the after taste was dominated by lemon flavor. Very smooth to drink with little acidity until the end. I would recommend this wine. 

Don Ramon Tinto

Name: Don Ramon Tinto

Variety: Mix  

Region: N/A

Country: Spain

Year: 2008

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: 75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo. Aged 3 months in American Oak casks. Ruby red in color with creamy aromas of earth and cherry. Flavor turns toward deeper and darker black cherry and raspberry on a medium framework. A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit add some depth and complexity.

My Review: Really enjoyed drinking this wine without the pairing of food. Very little acidity taste on the palate which was a pleasant surprise. I did taste the hint of oakiness on the palate but mainly enjoyed the black cherry flavors. On the nose mainly detected a fruit salad kind of smell. 

Resonata Nero D'Avola

Name: Resonata Nero D'Avola

Variety: Nero D'Avola

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Dense ruby red with violet reflections. Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice. Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background. 

My Review: This was a strong wine in my opinion. I tasted this wine with no food pairing. It came on very strong and seemed to linger for longer than I would have hope. Definitely detected the bit of spicy flavor that came with the wine. The after taste had a bit of acidity to it but overall the wine would probably taste better with it paired with meat.

Protocolo Blanc

Name: Protocolo Blanc

Variety: Blanc

Region: N/A

Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: 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: Was relatively surprised by the taste of this wine due to the aromas on the nose. Was surprised to detect the melon flavors and also seemed to get a bit of peach. Definitely got the aroma of mint on the nose. Overall a tasty wine that I did not taste with food.