Tasting - "Crane Lake Riesling"

Name - Crane Lake Riesling
Variety - Riesling
Region - California
Country - Unites States
Year - 2013
Price - $5.95

Wine Store Review: Vintage Cellar
"The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine. Great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled."

My Review: 
This wine smelled of sweet flowers and vanilla. It was very refreshing and sweet. This was a very well-balanced Riesling because I was not overwhelmed with sweet flavors. I did not taste this wine with food. 

Tasting - "Crane Lake Shiraz"

Name - Crane Lane Shiraz
Variety - Shiraz
Region - California
Country - United States
Year - 2013
Price - $5.95

Wine Store Review: Vintage Cellar
"Beautiful ruby appearance, with blackberry and pepper notes. Tannins and fruit marry well for a soft finish. This wine pairs well with sharp cheddar cheese and hazlenuts. Also try it along with roast lamb at Easter time, veal marsala, or grilled salmon."

My Review:
This wine had an earthy, dirt, pepper smell. The first taste was filled with pepper flavors and a very dry, bitter aftertaste. This wine was too dry and bitter for my personal liking. I did not taste this wine with food. 

Tasting - "Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau"

Name - Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2015
Variety - Nouveau
Region - Beaujolais
Country - France
Year - 2015
Price - $12.00, Sale - $5.95

Wine Store Review: Vintage Cellar
"George Duboeuf is THE king of Beaujolais. His wines are full of pop, charm and great flavor and his Beaujolais Nouveau is no exception. A cornucopia of expressive fruit wrapped in an almost-bubblegum-like frame; it is the flagship Nouveau."

My Review:
This wine had a moldy, smokey cheese smell that was not very pleasing. The taste was incredibly dry with a tart grapefruit-like aftertaste. This wine was a bit too dry and bitter for my person liking. I did not taste this wine with food. 

Tasting - "Maipe Torrontes"

Name - Maipe Torrontes 2014
Variety - Torrontes
Region - Mendoza
Country - Argentina
Year - 2014
Price - $14.00, Sale - $7.95

Wine Store Review: Vintage Cellar
"This wine has a spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has 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."

My Review:
This wine smelled of sweet apples, peaches and pineapples. I was expecting a fresh, sweet taste, but instead the wine really did not have much of a taste at all. It had a slight, light citrus aftertaste. I did not taste this wine with food. 

Tasting - "Tonnino Pinot Grigio"

Name - Tonnino Pinot Grigio 2014
Variety - Pinot Grigio
Region - Sicily
Country - Italy
Year - 2014
Price - $14.00, Sale - $7.95

Wine Store Review: Vintage Cellar
"Tonnino's exotic example of Pinot Grigio has a straw to pale gold color. It is fresh and clean on the nose with fruity notes of pear, green apple and white peaches. The palate is true to the nose with a fresh acidity, coriander and lime notes followed by a crisp finish. This wine pairs well with youthful aperitifs, clams or mussels, pastas and risotto dishes."

My Review: 
This wine smelled of lemon, melon and sweet honey suckle. The wine was very smooth with a thin viscosity. I really enjoyed this light, fresh wine and ended up purchasing it. I did not taste this wine with food. 

Tasting - "Peter Mertes Sweet Red Dornfelder"

Name: Peter Mertes  Sweet Red Dornfelder
Variety: Red Dornfelder
Region: California
Country: Germany
Year: 2014
Price: Regular $12, Sale $6.95

Shop Review: Vintage Cellar
"The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine. Great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled."

My Review:
This wine smelled and tasted incredibly sweet. It tasted like a sweet grape juice. I enjoyed a little taste of this wine, but I don't think I could drink much of this. I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - "Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli"

Name: Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli
Variety: Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti
Region: Chianti
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: Regular $15, Sale $8.95

Shop Review: Vintage Cellar
"A blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti. Rich and modern, with a dark, saturated color and aromas of graham cracker and lemon rind. A juicy palate packed with plum and raspberry is carried by a creamy texture that’s rather toasty in terms of flavor. The finish is round, full and chocolaty."

My Review:
This wine smelled of cherries. It had a bit of a bitter punch to it and a lingering aftertaste. I did not enjoy this wine. I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - "Bolla Bardolino Magnum"

Name: Bolla Bardolino Magnum
Variety: A blend of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 10%
Region: Bardolino
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: Regular $18, Sale $9.95

Shop Review: Vintage Cellar
"A blend of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara this bright ruby red wine has hints of black cherry on the nose.  It is soft and fruit-forward, with black-fruit flavors followed by a bright and fresh finish. Serve it as the Italians do – young and lightly chilled. Pairs perfectly with fleshy fish, beef, lamb, red-sauced pastas and pizza."

My Review:
This wine smelled of strawberries and cherries. Its taste was light and sweet, and had no lingering aftertaste. I enjoyed this wine so much I ended up buying it. I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - "Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico"

Name: Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico
Variety: A blend of 30% Trebbiano, 30% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia, 15% Verdello, and 5% Drupeggio.
Region: Orvieto
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: Regular $18, sale $6.9

Critic Review: Wine Review
"The Berganorio Orvieto is a subtle wine with a bright palate. It shows white flowers on the nose and light citrus notes in the mouth. Its neutral character means it can accompany a wide range of foods. A blend of 30% Trebbiano, 30% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia, 15% Verdello, and 5% Drupeggio. The estate has 103 hectares on the hill opposite the hill town of Orvieto."

My Review:
I smelled hints of pear and sweet flowers. This wine was very tart and acidic, leaving a lingering aftertaste. I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - "Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde"

Name: Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde
Variety: A blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura and 10% Azal
Region: Vinho Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: Regular, $10, Sale $8.95

Shop Review: Wine and Spirits
"A blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura and 10% Azal.Full of fruit, a lasting peach flavor targeted with laserlike acidity through the finish. It has the bite of salty ocean air and a lot of zing. For langoustines."

My Review: 

This wine smelled of sweet peaches and citrus flavors. The carbonated taste had a displeasing aftertaste, which I did not anticipate from its sweet smell. I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - "Dona Sol Sweet Red"

Name: Dona Sol Sweet Red
Variety: Shiraz, Petite Syrah  & Symphony
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: --
Price: 6.95

Wine Store Review: Vintage Cellar
"Shiraz has a unique jammy fruit character that is well represented in the Sweet Red. Both on the nose and on the palate, jammy fruit, like strawberries, cherry pie and red licorice, entices the senses and pair well with cheeses and desserts."

My Review:

This wine smelled a little like rubbing alcohol with hints of plum and sweet honey. I tasted sweet strawberries and cherry, tasting like a desert. This wine was very smooth and tasty. I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - "Velvet Crush"

Name: Velvet Crush
Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petite Sirah
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: ---
Price: $18, sale price $6.95

Wine Store Review: Vintage Cellar
"Velvety smooth texture just like its name. Soft tannins and lush dark fruit character. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah bring backbone and character, while the Merlot balances out the blend for a soft, smooth texture."

My Review:
The smell of this wine was not inviting. I smelled hints cherries, plum and pepper. I tasted hints of vanilla and this wine had a very smooth finish. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "Grand Cru Pinot Noir"

Name: Grand Cru Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $6.13

Wine Store Review: Vintage Cellar
"This ruby-colored wine has aromas of raspberry, cherry and a hint of vanilla. Flavors of cherry and plum lead to a soft velvety finish. This wine can be enjoyed by itself. It is also an excellent accompaniment with Brie, goat cheese and smoked salmon. Lamb shanks and pork tenderloin are a favorite main dishes to pair with this wine"

My Review:
This wine smelled of cherry, strawberry and hints of vanilla. It tasted of plum and hints of oak. This wine was very smooth and refreshing. I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - "Prime Brume Garganega"

Name: Prime Brume Garganega
Variety: Garganega
Region: Soave
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $11, sale price $6.95

Wine Store Review: 91 Tastings.com
"Pale color. Fruity, floral minerally inviting aromas of passion fruit, white grapefruit, spice poached pear, and papaya with a lean, racy, bone-dry medium body and a smooth, complex, long lemon, passion fruit, raw hazelnut, and wet stones finish with no tannins and light oak. From the tantalizing nose full of exotic fruit, citrus and minerality thru to the long, crisp finish, this soave can seamlessly go from cocktail hour thru to vibrantly flavored dishes."

My Review:
This wine smelled of sweet honey and flowers. It had a hint of pepper in the aftertase, providing a small punch to the palette. This wine was very smooth and refreshing. I enjoyed this wine so much that I ended up purchasing it. I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - "Quintas Melgaço Blue Vinho Verde"

Name: Quintas Melgaço Blue Vinho Verde
Variety: Vinho Verde
Region:Vinho Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: $10, sale price $5.95

Wine Store Review: Vintage Cellar
"Refreshingly crisp white wine from Portugal--Vinho Verde is soft, light and refreshing, and is an uncompromising and ideal wine for everyday pleasure. Its bright color and pineapple aromas are followed by citrus notes. The palate is clean and fresh. Vinho Verde is an excellent accompaniment to fish and shell fish, white meats and salads."

My Review:
This wine smelled of citrus flavors, specifically orange peel, and pear. The first taste of this wine was very bitter, providing a big punch of flavor. This wine was too bitter for my personal taste. I did not taste this wine with food.