Tasting - Zonin Pinot Grigio

Name: Zonin Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Critic Review:  Pale straw-yellow color with brilliant reflections. Delicately fruity bouquet, with outstanding finesse and marked hints of almond blossom and peaches. Elegant, soft and well structured fruit on the palate, with remarkable freshness and a clean, persistent aftertaste.

My Review: This wine smelled slightly sweet, very floral with a hint of apricot.  I could detect some alcohol while tasting and it had a slightly yeasty aftertaste.  Overall it had a sort of nondescript fruity flavor to it.  I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Ebano Ribera del Duero Tempranillo

Name: Ebano Ribera del Duero
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Ribera del Duero
Country: Spain
Year: 2007
Price: $7.95

Critic Review: 87 Points, Robert Parker
The 2007 Ebano 6 is 100% Tempranillo aged 4 months in French oak. Dark ruby red in color, it displays a pleasant bouquet of cedar, spice box, violets, black cherry, and blackberry. Medium- to fullbodied on the palate with savory flavors and plenty of spice, this racy, vibrant Tempranillo has enough structure to drink well over the next 5-6 years and is a very good value.

My Review:  This wine had the aroma of raspberries and cranberries.  It had strong spicy taste, with a hint of oak and was a little hot.  It had a strong tannic component as well.  I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Vinho de Mesa Tinto

Name: Lost Vineyards Vinho de Mesa Tinto
Variety: Red Blend
Region: Not Specified
Country: Portugal
Year: None Given
Price: $3.95

Critic Review: Pours a light garnet color with a nice crisp zest, with aromas of cranberries and orange peel on the nose. Drinks smooth with a briary of mild cherries, wild strawberries and raspberries along with a note of rhubarb. Pairs particularly well with wild game and heavy fish such as salmon.

My Review: This wine had a light cherry color and smelled like strawberry jam.  It had a peppery/black pepper flavor that was not too overpowering.  It had a slightly tangy finish.  I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Torrent Bay Chardonnay

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

Critic 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:  This wine had a very weird and unpleasant aroma, a little bit like dirty laundry.  I could definitely feel the heat coming through when tasting.  It had a smoky and oak-like aftertaste, but it was very short-lived.  I did not care for the aroma or taste of this wine. I didn't taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Spanish Vines Sauvignon Blanc

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

Critic Review: 85 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Apple and floral notes and then an almost buttery palate with baked apple and citrus flavors.

My Review: This wine smelled like wet rocks.  It was highly acidic, very tangy.  It tasted like limes with a slightly hot finish.  I did not try this wine with food. 

Tasting - Muscanti Brut

Name: Muscanti Brut
Variety:Whine Sparkling Blend
Region: Girona
Country: Spain
Year: None Given
Price: $7.95

Critic 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: This wine was very light golden in color.  It smelled like kiwis.  It was dry and not very acidic.  It tasted like pears with a slightly bready or yeasty aftertaste. The carbonation was very light.  I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Heinz Eifl Shine Riesling

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Pfalz
Country: Germany
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Critic 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: This wine smelled very much like minerals and wet rocks.  It was very acidic, very tangy and had a strong citrus flavor with some hints of pineapple.  It had an overall sweet flavor, despite the acidity.  The stark contract between the taste and the smell was interesting.  It liked the taste, but I didn't care for the smell at all.  I did not try this wine with food.