Tasting - Lindeman's Bin 90 Moscato

Name: Lindeman's Bin 90 Moscato
Variety:  100% Moscato
Year:  2011
Region:  South Eastern Australia
Country:  Austrlia
Price:  $6.95

Review:  "Begins with bright honeysuckle notes, with lush flavors of peach and apricot. The palate is lively and elegant, with hints of lemon and orange blossom across the long, balanced finish."

My Review:  This white wine was very floral on the nose.  When tasting it, I picked up a very slight jasmine floral and it was very sweet.  I tasted it with a smoked Gouda and found it brought out more citrus and acidic flavors in the wine, but also balanced very well with the sweet and smoky aspect of the cheese.

Tasting - Refresh Turning Leaf Moscato

Name:  Refresh Turning Lead Moscato
Variety: 100% Moscato
Year: 2011
Region: California
Country:  USA
Price:  $9.89


Review:  This Moscato is lighter in style with aromas of peach and orange blossom and contains a delightful fizziness.

My Review: On the nose, this sparkling Moscato had peach, floral and citrus aromas.  It also smelled distinctly sweet.  After tasting it, I found the citrus and floral flavors were wonderfully balanced with peach on the finish.  It was slightly dry, and I did not taste it with food.

Tasting - Hob Not Pinot Noir

Name: Hob Not Pinot Noir
Variety:  100% Pinot Noir
Year:  2011
Region:  Languedo-Roussillon
Country:  France
Price:  $12.99

Review:  "As elegant as a bouquet of violets and bursting with cherry flavors, this Pinot Noir is medium-bodied with soft tannins, to create a smooth, rich texture. It's a new world wine style for the new world wine fan. Made with 100% Pinot Noir."

My Review:  On the noise, this wine had dark berry aromas.  However, on the palate it had a pepper taste that was well-balanced with the acid and tannic components.  I tried it with an herbed gouda and was surprised how the spice flavor came out more towards the end.  I also tried it with pasta and found it to be more hard, tart, and acidic than before.

Tasting - Pacific Rim Riesling

Name:  Pacific Rim Riesling
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price:  $8.97

Review:  "Color: Pale straw. Bouquet: Jasmine and citrus. Taste: Moderately sweet, balanced, citrus, green tea."

My Review:  This white wine picked up citrus and apricot aromas.  I also picked up very strong jasmine smell.  When I first tasted it, it had a refreshing light spice taste and slight acid.  It was well balanced between both the sweet and acidic flavors, but also the spiciness and the citrus.  I tasted it again after eating a piece of Havarti cheese, and I found it to be more dry, more spicy, and less citrusy.  It paired very well with the cheese.

Tasting - R Wines Eco.Love Riesling

Name:  R Wines Eco.Love Riesling
Variety:  100% Riesling
Year: 2009
Region:  South Island
Country:  New Zealand

Review:  "Our South Island Riesling has a range and combination of flavors unlike any other.  These flavors span citrus, root ginger, white peach, spices and florals. eco.love Riesling is made in balance to an off-dry style. Food Pairing: Asian Fusion, Seafood, Curry, and anything spicy."

My Review:  When I first smelled the wine, I picked up on peach along with some strong florals.  After tasting it, I found the flavors to be very muddled, not like Rieslings I have tried in the past.  It was more earthy, with what may have been a hint of ginger.  There was a spicy to it that was not like pepper, but more like dessert spices.  It was tart and slightly acidic.  I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2011
Region: California
Country: USA

Review:  "Well-balanced flavors of dark berries and plums.  Spicy fruit finish."

My Review:  On the nose, this wine had a very strong dark fruit smell.  I picked up plums and cherries.  On the palate, it was very spicy and peppery that was accented by the pepper.  There was also an earthiness to the wine that was balanced well with the initial taste of fruit.

Tasting - Canyon Road Pinot Noir

Name:  Canyon Road Pinot Noir

Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

Year:  2012

Region:  California

Country:  USA

Price:  $6.95

Review:  "Rich, fruit forward cherry flavors, soft tannins, a medium body and a smooth velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes"

My Review:  This red wine was more fruity on the nose than on the tongue.  I picked up dark berries, raspberries, plums, cherries.  When I tasted it, it was slightly sweet and tannic and very full-bodied.  There was a hint of plums and pepper on the finish.  Texturally, it was very smooth.  I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham Chadronnay Semillon

Name:  Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon

Variety: 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon

Year:  2012

Region:  Australia

Country:  Australia

Price:  $7.95

Review:  "Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish."

My Review:  When I first sniffed the wine, I picked up on apricots and peaches.  After tasting it, I had the same tastes along with a pineapple type of citrus.  It was slightly acidic and dry with a long finish.  I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Indew Sauvignon Blanc

Name:  Indew Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Year:  2012

Region:  South Africa

Country:  South Africa

Price:  $7.95

Review: "Grapes are meticulously sourced from our grape producers along the Coastal region of the Western Cape ensuring complexity and freshness in the wine. Indwe Sauvignon Blanc is full of layers, balance and persistence. The wine is imbued with tropical and citrus notes, with hints of melon and gooseberry flavors."

My Review:  On the nose, I picked up citrus and acidic smells for this white wine.  After tasting, I noticed a slight asparagus taste that was accented nicely by the citrus.  It was also slightly fruity, but well-balanced.  I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Sea Breeze Palmetto White

Name:  Sea Breeze Palmetto White

Variety: 100% Muscadine

Year: 2012

Region:  Florida

Country:  USA

Price:  $9.75

Winery Review:  "Unique muscadine flavors with perfect acidity, long on the finish. This wine will linger in your mouth and your memory. A southern classic that calls for you to buy it by the case and enjoy it everyday."

My Review:  I could smell the acid and fruit of this wine without really needing to swirl it.  I picked up on peaches, apricots, apples, and pineapples.  After tasting it, I found the fruits were hard to distinguish between.  Overall it was very well-balanced and the finish was long and sweet.  I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Sea Breeze Palmetto Red

Name:  Sea Breeze Palmetto Red

Variety: 100% Muscadine

Year: 2012

Region:  Florida

Country:  USA

Price:  $9.75

Winery Review:  "A smooth and attractive semi-dry blend of muscadine grapes."

My Review:  This red wine had cherry aromatics.  After tasting it, I found it to be juicy and sweet.  The cherry flavors were complimented by plum.  The wine was definitely semi-sweet with a long finish and good balance of acids and fruits.  I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Sea Breeze Magnolia

Name:  Sea Breeze Magnolia

Variety: 100% Muscadine

Year: 2011

Region:  Florida

Country:  USA

Price:  $9.50

Winery Review:  "Straight forward and fruity. Our newest white wine is made with the Magnolia variety of the Muscadine. Pleasantly tart and crisp with hints of green apple and zesty white pepper."

My Review:  When I sniffed the wine, I picked up on hints of apple mixed with citrus.  The sour apple taste played well with the slight acid taste, and I found the wine was well-balanced.  The apple had a long finish.  I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Sea Breeze Horizon White, Dry

Name:  Sea Breeze Horizon Red, Dry

Variety: 100% Muscadine

Year: 2011

Region:  Florida

Country:  USA

Price:  $9.50

Winery Review:  "A remarkably delicate dry muscadine blend. Both fruity and fun with a clean crisp citrus finish. What a fine wine this is, and oh so easy-to-drink."

My Review:  This white wine was definitely dry on the palate, and the smell was citrus and light.  After tasting it, I picked up on some peaches and pineapple, which blended well with the acidic taste.  Overall, I think it would pair nicely with seafood or something light, but I did not try it with food.

Tasting - Sea Breeze Horizon Red, Dry

Name:  Sea Breeze Horizon Red, Dry

Variety: 100% Muscadine

Year: 2011

Region:  Florida

Country:  USA

Price:  $9.50

Winery Review:  "What you get here is a dry muscadine blend. Full bodied and well structured with just the right mix of acid and tannins makes for an explosion of deep rich color and spicy flavor."

My Review:  When I first sniffed this wine, I picked up slight pepper.  After tasting it, I found it to be bitter, dry, and much too acidic.  The pepper taste played through and was accented by a citrus type of flavor.  I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Villa d'Rosso Toscano

Name:  Villa d'Rosso Toscano

Variety: 100% Sangiovese

Year: 2007

Region:  Montepulciano

Country:  Italy

Price:  $8.95

Winery Review:  "100% sangiovese grapes and is a wonderful rendition of a velvety Tuscan red."

My Review:  This red wine had dark berry aromatics.  On the palate it was dry and tart with a faint hint of pepper.  Overall, I thought it would have been greatly improved by food, which I did not taste it with.

Tasting - Arnold Palmer Chardonnay

Name:  Arnold Palmer Chardonnay

Variety: 100% Chardonnay 

Year: 2012

Region:  Nappa Valley

Country:  California

Price:  $20 - on sale for $7.95

Winery Review:  "A vibrant Chardonnay from vineyards in cooler climates of California.  Chardonnay is well known for its characteristic fresh apple fruit aromas and rounded, rich flavors.  Weather during the 2011 harvest provided ideal growing conditions for lush, yet perfectly balanced fruit."

My Review:  I'm not sure what it was about this wine, but it was awful.  Normally, I don't like white wines that are too tart, acidic, or dry, but this wine had an earthy taste that I just did not find appealing.  It was very aromatic with a hint of crisp apple.  I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - El Sierro Macabeo/Chardonnay

Name:  El Sierro Macabeo/Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay and Macabeo (also known as Viura)

Year: no year given

Region:  Valencia

Country:  Spain

Price:  $6.95

Winery Review:  "In the glass, there is a bright and shiny white wine with an incredibly welcoming, fresh appetizing aroma reminiscent of ripe tropical fruits.  The flavor is rich, balanced and extremely comfortable.  The near-perfect all-purpose white wine."

My Review:  The wine has a slight apricot aromatic.  When first tasted, it was ahrd to distinguish any flavors, and it all seemed fruity and muddled.  The finish was dry and kind of citrusy.  Overall the wine was a little too tart, but I found it to be well-balanced with the sweetness.  I did not try the wine with food.