Tasting - Sol 'Acantalys

Name: Sol ‘Acantalys

Variety: Red Rhone Blend

Region: Rhone

Country: France

Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

Producer's comment: With a deep bright deep purple, Sol'Acantalys has a pleasing and peppery nose with red fruits.  It's attach is soft light-bodied, easy-to-drink.

My Review: This wine was very strong smelling. It had a very strong oak flavor immediately but the flavor disappears quickly and it finishes smoothly.

Tasting - Vina Santurnia

Name: Vina Santurnia

Variety: Rioja Crianza

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Year: 2006

Price: $11.95

Critic Review: Very classic, traditional styling, with a terrific balance between mouthwatering berry fruit and damp forest floor nuances. Traditional Rioja, with its Burgundian characteristics and slightly plumper fruit profile, works wonders with food. Simply put, the 2006 Viña Santurnia Crianza Rioja is pure deliciousness! In all seriousness, this property, located a mere 3 kilometers from Muga over in the Rioja Alavesa, really over-delivers when it comes to consistently making wonderful Crianza, with impeccable balance and typicity, for an incredibly fair price. This wine is produced in comparably tiny quantities for Rioja, 5,000 cases, all the more reason to join the many customers who have purchased past vintages of this terrific, satisfying wine in case quantities.

My Review: This wine smelled lie oak and somewhat sweet. It tasted sharp and bitter.  It was a little off balance, I could detect a fair amount of heat.  I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting- Nykteri Santorini Yannis

Name: Nykteri Santorini Yannis

Variety: Nykteri

Region: Santorini

Country: Greece

Year: 2010

Price: $13.95

Critic Review: I fell first for the compelling story of this 'night work' wine, and then for the aroma and taste, and can't think of a wine to compare it to. "Nykteri -Dry White Wine appellation of Origin Santorini of superior quality."  Since 3,500 years ago, the Nykteri is synonymous to Santorini's famous white wines.  The formula to 'instant wine making' on the night of the same day that the grapes were harvested solved the problem of the variety's sensitive aroma deterioration.  The wine is matured for 3 months at least in barrels. In this way the wine's contact with the barrel's wood gives the Nykteri a special finesse.  Characteristics: crystal-clear, semi-yellow wine.  Dominated by the aromas of jasmine, citrus fruits, flowers and pear, all these enhanced with a gentle vanilla sense. A strong body with warm personality and long lasting taste. Serve with grilled anything as well as with local Greek dishes such as tomato meatballs and fava dip. 

My Review: I found this wine to be bitter and a little sharp initially, but had a bearable aftertaste. It smelled slightly of citrus but it did not have a very strong smell.  I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Doural Tinto

Name: Doural Tinto

Variety: red blend

Region: Douro

Country: Portugal

Year: 2009

Price: $8.95

Critic Review: This Portuguese tinto (red) blend exhibits a deep red color with violet hues. The nose is vibrant and fruity.  The palate offers notes of spice, cherry, and dark berry supported by good structure.  Pairs well with red or game meat, cheeses and fish.

 My Review: This wine was deep red in color.  It did not have much of an aftertaste.  It was well balanced; I didn’t feel any heat coming though, but I didn’t really care for the flavor. I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Casa Bianca Spumante Rosato

Name: Casa Bianca Spumante Rosato

Variety: white grape pinot nero prosecco and red

Region: Montello

Country: Italy

Year: non vintage

Price: $11.95

Critic's review: Prosecco is very popular in Italy. The wine is often served as a festive aperitif but mild dry Prosecco Spumante is also very suitable as a companion of appetizers and entrees.  Prosecco is a generic term and can be sold in many different qualities.  The best have their own appellation, as Casa Bianca.  The vineyards of Montello and the hills of Asoli located in northern Italy.  This rosato spumante is made from white grape pinot nero prosecco and red.  By fermenting them togethere creates the pale pink color and a flaover that is more powerful than the white variety.  spicy rosato spumante with a fine, persistent mousse, juicy fresh red fruit in the aroma and a rich, smooth and lasting flavor. 

My review: This wine was much dryer than the other pink wine I tasted that day.  It had a strange and lasting aftertaste. I couldn’t put my finger on what the taste was exactly, perhaps woody.  The carbonation was harsher than other sparkling wines I've had in the past. Overall, I thought this wine had an interesting flavor.  I did not taste this wine with food.