Tasting - Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Name: Opera Prima
Variety: Pink Moscato (97% Muscat, 3% Tempranillo)
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Price: Regular Price $10, Sale $6.95

Winery Review

A blend of Muscat 97% and Tempranillo 3%. This fine sparkling presents an intense aroma of fresh berries and tropical fruits with hints of white flower petals. Delicate bubbles caress the palate offering a silky and pleasant sweetness well balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish. Ideal on its own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts. Serve it very cold, between 7 and 9°.

My Review

I knew from the beginning that I was going to enjoy this wine. Having previously tasted the Opera Prima Sparkling Moscato, I knew that the Pink Moscato was going to be a treat. It gave off a refreshing floral note in the beginning and came in strong with a myriad of berries and citrus fruits. The flavor was incredibly sweet but well balanced. It was very refreshing and easy to drink. One of my favorites thus far.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Cortenova Primativo

Name: Cortenova 
Variety: Zinfandel / Primativo
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: Regular Price $10, Sale $6.95

Winery Review

Dark, ruby-red color with violet highlights. Intense and fragrant bouquet with a rich array of red and black fruit aromas and flavors. Harmonious and velvety on the palate. Great balance and structure. 100% Zinfandel

My Review

This wine really offered nothing unique in the way of scent. It was honestly quite boring and bland with no real smells standing out. Perhaps a hint of caramel or some fruity smells. It honestly just smelled like grapes and alcohol. The taste was just as disappointing, it was bitter, and unpleasantly dry. It left me looking for something more fulfilling.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Riebeek Cellars Shiraz

Name: Riebeek Cellars
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2013
Price: Regular Price $12, Sale $6.95

Winery Review

Often referred to as Shiraz Country, the Riebeek Valley is renowned for exceptional Shiraz wines. The Riebeek Shiraz is a lively rich wine, full bodied with a subdued smokiness on the nose and a pallet of ripe fruit and interesting spice.

My Review

Despite my disposition for red wines my initial smell test of this wine delighted me. This was one of the best smelling wines I have ever had the fortune of tasting. There were so many smells in this wine. Immediately I was greeted with a warm cocoa mixed with caramel scent. It also presented a strong smell of cherries and a woody earthy scent. It really warmed up the cold winter day. For someone who does not like red wines the taste of this was deliciously sweet with just the right amount of dryness. It was a truly enjoyable wine.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Petrucco Ribolla Gialla

Name: Petrucco
Variety: Ribolla Gialla 
Region: Friuli
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: Regular Price $21, Sale $7.95

Winery Review

87 points –Wine Enthusiast

This well-priced Friulano would pair nicely with spicy Indian or Thai food thanks to the creaminess and richness of its mouthfeel. In addition, the wine offers a solid bouquet of peach and melon that would not compete with fragrant ingredients 100% Ribolla Gialla.

My Review

My first impression of the Petrucco was that every smell that it gave off was overpoweringly strong. It had an incredibly sweet aroma that lead me to believe that it would be a very sweet wine like a Moscato but it turned out not to be the case. After the initial shock subsided the wine greeted me with scents of grapefruit and a bit of and earthy, grassy smell. The taste was alright but nothing to rave over. Not too strong in either direction.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Le Jade Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Le Jade
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Languedoc
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: Regular Price $10, Sale $5.95

Winery Review

89 points -Beverage Testing Institute

Silvery straw color. Lively aromas and flavors of pineapple, yellow apple, melon, and Meyer lemon with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, complex, medium-long finish with notes of lemongrass, pear, and lemon with no tannins and no oak. Bright and crisp with layers of juicy pineapple, pear, lemongrass and ripe melon make this perfect for repeated sipping or enhancing fresh farm to table cookery

My Review

The initial smell of the Le Jade was surprisingly refreshing. I was greeted with an onslaught of fruity aromas. What came in strongest was the scent of apples, followed shortly by lemon and a few other fruits that I had difficulty placing. The taste however was a bit of a let down for me, as it was shockingly bitter after such a sweet initial smell. The aftertaste was the most bitter by far however which left a bad sensation in the mouth.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Coastal Vines White Zinfandel

Name: Coastal Vines
Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: Regular Price $6.95

Winery Review

This White Zinfandel has a beautiful pink salmon color and crisp acidity. The wine shows juicy fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry, with a tangy sweet finish. Pairs well with mild cheeses, crab cakes, and spicy Asian cuisine.cheeses.

My Review

This wine gave off an almost overpoweringly sweet scent with many floral notes. It gave off an almost perfume like aroma that was incredibly powerful and reminded me strongly of many of the Moscatos I have already reviewed. The taste was unnaturally sweet, which was perfect for me and the flavor was light and flowery. I thoroughly enjoyed this wine.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Ilurce Tempranillo

Name: Ilurce
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: Regular Price $14, Sale $5.95

Winery Review

88 points – Stephen Tanzer

Dark purple. Zesty, youthfully medicinal aromas of dark berries, licorice and cracked pepper. Juicy and fresh, with smooth texture and sweet cherry and spice flavors framed by dusty tannins. Finishes with a suggestion of slightly roasted fruits and good clinging persistence. Delivers a lot of power and richness for the money. 

My Review

This wine had a deliciously sweet aroma and gave off a variety of scents that just seemed to keep appearing out of the blue with each swirl. Caramel and cocoa seemed to be overwhelming scents with a soft finish of cherry. This wine was a smooth sip, however was incredibly acidic after taste which I was told was due to the aging process of the wine. 

I did not eat food with this wine.