Name: Ca'Bea Sangue di Guida
Variety: 45% Uva Rara, 10% Barbera, 25% Croatina
Region: Oltrepo Pavese
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2014
Price: $9.95
Shop Review: "Off-dry with a slight fizz, offering bright berry and mineral notes. Medium-bodied, with a clean, fresh palate and fruity finish. This is a rare, sweet red wine that is wonderful with desserts such as dry pastries, cookies, and cakes."
My Review: The color of this wine is remarkable! A beautiful deep purple that is slightly carbonated. It was pretty refreshing, but kind of tasted like artificial grape flavor.
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Alvarez de Toledo
Variety: Mencia Roble
Region: Bierzo
Country: Spain
Vintage: 2009
Price: $14, on sale for $8.95
Shop Review: "The 2009 Alvarez de Toledo was bottled just a week before the wine was presented but seems to be showing no symptoms of distress. Balsamic, leather, and black fruits are the principal notes struck by this suave effort that over-delivers in a big way. Like its older sibling, it can be enjoyed now but will have more to say in 2-3 years."
My Review: This wine was just ok. I did not like the aromas I got. On the palate, all I could taste was black pepper. Not a winner.
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Codirosso
Variety: 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, 3% Colorino
Region: Tuscany (Chianti)
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2015
Price: $3, on sale for $7.95
Shop Review: "A heck of a value in Chianti, this delicious blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, and 3% Colorino offers up notes of licorice, new saddle leather, black cherry and berry fruit, loamy soil undertones and a touch of pepper and herbs. It is medium-bodied, savory and best drunk over the next several years."
My Review: I liked this wine!! It had a nice ruby red color. I got a lot of oaky/smokey aromas. Definitely astringent (that dry feeling in your mouth) but in a good way.
Pairing: Not yet, but I did buy this wine so I'll have to update you on what I pair it with :)
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: The Royal Old Vines Steen
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Vintage: 2015
Price: $8.95
Shop Review: "The 2015 Chenin Blanc offers loads of melony fruit interspersed with hints of honeysuckle and peach. It is delicious, crisp, fresh, lively, and a dead ringer for a good Loire Valley Chenin Blanc. Drink it over the next year."
My Review: I thought this wine was good! It was crisp and acidic. I got hints of pineapple and lime. Definitely would recommend this wine. I also learned that South Africa has been growing Chenin Blanc grapes for over 400 years! Pretty cool!
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Barão de Figueira Vinho Branco
Variety: Siria
Region: Beira
Country: Portugal
Vintage: 2014
Price: $12, on sale for $6.95
Shop Review: "This wine is soft and rounded. It has lemon and light spiciness along with cool acidity. It is an easy wine that is ripe with apple and fresh lemon juice and ready to drink."
My Review: This wine is good! I got fruity aromas like apricot. It was acidic and almost sour. We had a wine last week that was the same brand but it was a red. I did not like that one but this one was good!
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Country: USA
Vintage: N/A
Price: $5.95
Shop Review: "Pale golden color. Ripe and dried peaches on the nose. Minerals and dried peach flavors. Nicely balanced, leaning towards lime acidity."
My Review: I'm not usually into sweet wines anymore but this one was good. It almost smelt like shampoo with hints of floral and fruity aromas. Pretty sweet but good!
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Vinedos Real Rubio
Variety: Tempranillo, Graciano
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Vintage: Rioja Crianza 2010
Price: $16, on sale for $9.95
Shop Review: "Lightly baked berry aromas vie for attention with leather, spice and mild earth notes, and teh result is disjointed. On the palate, this is tight as a drum initially, but more expansive as it unfolds. Cherry, plum, raspberry, vanilla and woodspice flavors finish pure, clean and easy. This is a fine yet manageable Rioja that's not trying too hard. Drink through 2016."
My Review: This wine was good! It did have an orangey brick dark red color which I noticed and then realized it said "drink through 2016" and it is now 2017. But I still liked it! I got aromas of damp basement, tobacco, and pepper.
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Barao de Figueira
Variety: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca
Region: Beria
Country: Portugal
Vintage: Tinto Reserva 2013
Price: $12, on sale for $7.95
Shop Review: "From vineyards at 2000 feet elevation, this is a rich and spicy wine that has a pure streak of fruit freshness and a firmly tannic core. It is perfumed from Touriga Nacional in the blend, with red berry and black plum flavors coming through strongly along, balanced by acidity. It will be better from 2017."
My Review: This wine had a dark purple color. I got aromas of lentils, tea, pepper, and metal. It was dry and astringent. I did not enjoy this wine at all. However, the description says "will be better from 2017" so maybe it will get better with age?!
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Garnacha de Fuego Rose
Variety: Old Vines Grenache
Region: Aragon
Country: Spain
Vintage: 2014
Price: $10, on sale for $2.95
Shop Review: "The Garnacha de Fuego Rose is a solid effort that has a light salmon color to go with notions of cherry blossom, orange peel and herbs de Provence. Medium-bodied, supple, fresh easy-drinking, and an outstanding value at $3."
My Review: This wine was the hit of the night. I did not like it at ALL. However, college students were buying it left and right because it was only $2.95 lol. I almost got a light oaky aroma. It was kind of bitter. Like I said, I did not like this wine.
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Villa Vitas
Variety: Ribolla Gialla
Region: Venezie
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2014
Price: $18, on sale for $6.95
Shop Review: "The 2014 Ribolla Gialla shows more minerality, nice quince, white currant and citrus oil notes, a dry, refreshing mouthfeel and a fragrant bouquet."
My Review: This wine was interesting to me because I had never heard of the grape Ribolla Gialla. In fact, I had to Google it! It's also pretty cool that it comes from Venice, Italy. I didn't know they grew wine grapes there. I thought this wine was ok. I got peach/pear aromas and very floral notes on the palate. This wine was also acidic.
Pairing: Nope!
Cheers!
Natalie
