Tasting- Bricco Dei Tati Rosé

Name: Bricco Dei Tati Rosé
Variety: Barbera

Region: Piedmont

Country: Italy

Year: 2012

Price: $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and rose petals, this an ideal wine with shellfish, salads, chicken, and appetizers.

My Review: I smelled strawberries and floral perfume.  I tasted berries and thought this wine was crisp and refreshing.  I thought this wine was so-so.  

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2009

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This bleached blonde beauty is reminiscent of fresh green apples, pineapple and has hints of hibiscus blossoms. The concentration of zesty lemon and gooseberry fills your mouth leaving notes of thyme and melon behind. The bright acid in this wine gives you a zing while the fruit keeps your mouth watering for more. This wine pairs beautifully with a grilled prawn salad with a grapefruit vinaigrette, veggie spring rolls or grilled tilapia with mango salsa.

My Review: This wine smelled like citrus and pears.  It was very crisp.  I tasted apples, pears and another fruit I could not identify.  I think this wine would pair well with mild cheese to slightly curb the acidity.  I liked this wine.  

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Veleta Tempranillo Rosado

Name: Veleta Tempranillo Rosado

Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Granada

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: $3.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Fresh in flavor and crisp in texture, this dry rosé offers berry, tart cherry and light herbal flavors, with firm acidity and a clean finish. Focused and juicy.

My Review: This wine smelled like cherries.  I tasted a hint of cherry mixed with strawberry.  This wine was very crisp and dry.  The taste was not over the top and was balanced well.  I liked this wine.  

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado

Name: Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado

Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Granada

Country: Spain

Year: NV

Price: $3.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Rosé salmon with copper reflections. Slow rising fine bubble that forms “lace” and “rosary”. In the nose is complex and elegant with red fruit, citric, exotic, fresh flowers, and notes of dry fruits and dry flowers. Fresh, gentle, and alive. Perfectly integrated “perlage” with serious and subtle flavors of dry fruits, pomegranate and lemonade. Long lasting scent of flowers and herbs.

My Review: This wine smelled like citrus and fruit, but I was not able to identify any specific fruits. It tasted crisp with a very light spice. I tasted pears and it had a nice aftertaste.  The sparkling aspect of this wine was a little much.  I thought this wine was so-so.  I probably would have liked the wine more if it was not carbonated. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Ruta 22 Malbec

Name: Ruta 22 Malbec

Variety: Malbec
Region: Patagonia

Country: Argentina 

Year: NV

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Stout and dense from the beginning, with blackberry and violet aromas. Despite being a bold and dark Malbec, this is fresh and composed, with sweet blackberry and cassis flavors. Good on the finish, with candied fruit and caramel sweetness.

My Review: This wine smelled like berries and licorice.  I did not taste much because the spicy taste from the grape was overwhelming.  I could not taste fruit.  This wine was too bold for me.  I did not like this wine. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Château Serres Sainte Lucie Corbières

Name: Château Serres Sainte Lucie Corbières

Variety: Blended (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre)
Region: Corbières

Country: France

Year: 2010

Price: $4.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Superb dark garnet color with a few reflections of dark orange. Intense nose of ripe fruits, spices, and roasted coffee. The palate is rounded and full, with silky matured tannins and hints of vanilla. This wine is rich and powerful with layers of tannins.

My Review: This wine smelled like cherries, spices and licorice. It tasted like tobacco with a little cherry and was very spicy.  It was too dry for my liking.  I did not like this wine. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Cresta Azul

Name: Cresta Azul

Variety: Blended (Moscatel, Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo)
Region: Emporda

Country: Spain

Year: NV

Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Peach, orange cream and vanilla flavors mingle in this softly bubbly white. Off-dry, but with crisp acidity and a clean finish.

My Review: This wine was very pale, almost clear in color.  It smelled like sugared peaches and pears.   I tasted sweet pears and whipped cream.  This wine was sparkling but not over bubbly.  I liked this wine. It would be a good dessert wine due to its sweetness.  

Food: Not tasted with food