Name: Maipe
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Salta
Country: Argentina
Vintage: 2016
Price: $13, on sale for $7.95
Shop Review: "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 smells AMAZING! I got aromas of orange blossom, apricot, and grape juice (lol). One descriptor that a man working there gave me was "fruit loops" and as soon as he said that I thought of fruity pebbles, similar to fruit loops, but that is exactly what this wine smells like! It tasted really good too. It was a little too acidic for me though.
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Oxford Landing
Variety: Viognier
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2014
Price: $8.95
Shop Review: "This wine may not be quite as rich or expressive as the other Viogniers. In the Yalumba stable, but it's still an attractive effort. Pineapple and apricot flavors pick up hints of gingery spice on the vibrant finish."
My Review: This wine had a light straw color. It was very floral. I got aromas of lemon and grass. It was ok, not my fave!
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Gewürztraminer
Region: California
Country: USA
Vintage: 2015
Price: $5.95
Shop review: "This floral wine has notes of rose, peach, and apricot, with a smooth, lingering finish. This wine pairs well with both smoked Gouda and Munster cheeses. Also try it along with roast pork, turkey, red snapper or sautéed abalone."
My review: LOVE! What a wonderful wine and excellent value. I mean, $5.95 for a yummy sweet wine? Yes, please! As for color, it was a light yellow. I picked up flavors of lychee (omg delicious), rose, and other tree fruits.
Pairing: Not yet...the shop suggests cheeses like Gouda and Munster. I will definitely be trying it with Gouda. I'll let you know how it goes.
Until next week, cheers!
Natalie
Name: El Ganador
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Vintage: 2015
Price: $12, on sale for $7.95
Shop review: "Garnet color. Aromas of black cherry, plum jam, rich dark soil, and violet honey with a lightly tannic, lively, dry medium-to-full body and a tingling, complex medium long black cherry, rich garden soil, crushed plum, and cinnamon toast finish with medium tannins and moderate oak. Dense, dark and chewy with earthy complexity, balancing the luscious jammy fruit qualities of new world with earthy qualities of old world wines."
My review: THE WINNER! Haha just kidding. That's what "el ganador" means in Spanish, but unfortunately this wasn't the winner of this week's tastings. I did like this wine though! The color was a dark brick red. I got hints of blackberry, woody, oak, spices, and pepper. I liked this but not enough to purchase it since I was already buying two of them...TWO? BUT YOU ONLY TOLD US ABOUT ONE?! Wait till tomorrow to find out which other wine I bought this week...
Pairing: Not with this wine, but I feel like it would be really good with a peppery steak.
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Grand Cru
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Vintage: 2014
Price: $5.95
Shop review: "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 appetizers and main courses. This wine goes well with Brie, goat cheese and smoked Salmon, lamb shanks and pork tenderloin."
My review: Not my favorite. It was a beautiful light red color. The aromas were wonderful - butterscotch, smokey, oak, pepper. I tasted cinnamon on the palate. Unfortunately, it just wasn't that great.
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Douglass Hill
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California
Country: USA
Vintage: 2014
Price: $5.95
Shop review: "This light, crisp Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of grapefruit, bell pepper, and asparagus. On the palate, hints of floral and honey are revealed to yield a well-balanced, refreshing wine."
My review: I'm going to be honest, this one was not my fave. It was just ok. This wine was more of a golden straw color. I got hints of apple and melon. It had a smooth/creamy texture which was nice but overall I didn't like the taste.
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Prime Brume Soave
Variety: Garganega
Region: Soave
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2015
Price: $10, on sale for $6.95
Shop review: "Brilliant emerald straw color. Aromas and flavors of brazil nuts, creme fraiche, and kiwi and starfruit with a silky, lively, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and an effortless, engaging, medium-length watermelon, yellow apple, and clementine finish. A delicious, artfully balanced soave with a great range of fruit flavors." This wine also got 91 points (out of 100) by the Beverage Testing Institute (August 31, 2016)!!
My review: I like this one a lot! The color with a light straw color with a hint of green. As far as aroma goes, I got grapefruit and apple. This wine has such a wonderful balance of acidity and flavors. I liked it so much, I bought a bottle to take home!!
Pairing: Not with this wine, but since I bought it, I'll be trying it with food soon...any suggestions?!
Another must try - can't beat this value!
Cheers!
Natalie
