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
Name: Prime's Ruby Port
Variety: N/A
Region: Oporto
Country: Portugal
Vintage: N/A
Price: $18, on sale for $9.95
Shop Review: "Ruby color; red fruit aromas; pleasantly sweet and balanced taste. As the wines used to produce Prime's Ruby Port age, they gain smoothness and elegance while retaining their fruitiness, intensity and youthful ruby color. They are then blended together for balance and consistency."
My Review: Wow! I've got a story for you! I tried this wine originally and did not like it. It was way too powerful. I got aromas of molasses and soy sauce and there were sediments in the deep brick color. BUT THEN that bottle finished and we started pouring the next bottle, which had a different color and taste. I really liked this one a lot better. It was sweeter, whereas the previous was more umami flavors. We called over the master, Randall, and asked him what he thought. Turns out, the one I really liked was just a hair bad (or as Randall put it, it's not bad, it's just different than the rest). He said it was still totally fine to drink so I got that bottle (don't judge). Just goes to show how different tastes can be!
Pairing: Not yet! :)
Until next week, cheers!
Natalie
Name: Lindeman's Bin 80
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (79%) and Merlot (21%)
Region: Southeastern
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2015
Price: $18 magnum (1.5 L), on sale for $7.95 -- great deal!!
Shop Review: "Medium red in color with ruby hues. On the nose aromas of dark red berries, black currants and ripe plums. While the palate is medium bodied, with dark red berries and a soft tannic finish."
My Review: This was definitely my favorite of the evening! It was spicey, oaky, and just a classic Cabernet Sauvignon taste. It was very yummy but left a warm/hot aftertaste feeling.
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Domaine du Poujol, Coteaux du Languedoc
Variety: Grenache Cinsault
Region: Languedoc
Country: France
Vintage: 2011
Price: $13, on sale for $5.95
Shop Review: "Minerally and berry notes make for a savory blend of flavors in this fine-grained red. Dried berry fruit dominates, with accents of white pepper and dill seed. Delivers lively acidity on the finish. Drink now through 2018."
My Review: This wine was floral and earthy. I didn't enjoy this one too much, but maybe it is better with food (or age since it says 'drink now through 2018').
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Pazo de Monterrey
Variety: Godello
Region: Monterrei
Country: Spain
Vintage: 2014
Price: $15, on sale for $5.95
Shop Review: "Clean, minerally, slightly green in aromatics and oh so approachable and nice. For an under $15 white, this Godello, from Monterrel excels with layered flavors of apple, minerals and natural spice. The finish is long and hints of fresh herbs like thyme and tarragon. Potentially superb with garlic shrimp or calamari over fresh greens."
My Review: This white had more of a light yellow/honey color to it. I got aromas similar to sherry, surprisingly. It was acidic and just bad, in my opinion. Many liked it though!
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Domaine de la Foret, Rosé de Mediterraneé
Variety: Grenache Cinsault
Region: Provence
Country: France
Vintage: 2015
Price: $9, on sale for $5.95
Shop Review: "In color, this is almost white. There is some attractive acidity and the soft wine will slip down easily with just a touch of red currant. The result is a lightly mineral wine that is refreshing and good for an apéritif."
My Review: I did not like this wine. It was very acidic. I picked up some citrus and lemon aromas. I did not feel like this wine was balanced.
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Coastal Vines
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: USA
Vintage: N/A
Price: $15, on sale for $5.95
Shop Review: "Coastal Vines White Zinfandel is a light and fruity salmon-pink wine. Sweet, floral aromas of jasmine and roses burst into bright flavors of apricots, cantaloupe, and orange blossoms."
My Review: Definitely not as sweet as the sweet sweet Jam Jar from last week. It was the HIT OF THE DAY at class tasting. So many people bought a bottle of this (maybe because it was only $5.95 for a magnum size and we're college students... haha jk it was pretty good!) I'm not a fan of sweet wines but this was a good balance. A lot of people were comparing it to candy. I got aromas of grapefruit and strawberry.
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Until next week, cheers!
Natalie
