Tasting- Beringer Chenin Blanc 2014

Name:  Beringer 

Variety:  Chenin Blanc 

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2014
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: A fresh green-apple aroma and vivid citrus and crisp apple flavors are supported by vibrant acidity in this medium-bodied wine. The texture is smooth but crisp, making lots of good food pairings come to mind, from pre-meal cheese, to salads, seafood and veggie pastas.

My Review: Previously, I have enjoyed Chenin Blanc very much. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this one too much. On the nose, it had a granny smith apple, and flowery scent to it. The initial taste is sweet, but it had an acidic pop to it mid-palate. It was a little too acidic for my liking. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Carraia Aglianico

Name:  Carraia 

Variety:  Aglianico

Region: Champanga

Country: Italy

Year: 2013
Price: $15

Winery Review: Produced in the Campania region of Italy, this Aglianico has delicious black fruit flavors with hints of licorice, volcanic soil and tar notes. Classic in nature, yet in a lighter, more crowd-pleasing style, the Carraia is made of the ancient Aglianico grape. This black grape originated in Greece and today is widely grown in Basilicata and Campania.

My Review: This wine had a dirty, earthy smell to it. After tasting it, I got flavors of blackberry, and firewood. It was a little to dark and full bodied for my liking. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Siema Vino Rosso

Name:  Siema Vino Rosso

Variety:  Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo

Region: Piemonte 

Country: Italy

Year: N/A
Price: $13

Winery Review: Intense ruby red with soft garnet nuances in the glass, the Rosso is intriguingly fresh, fruity and spicy on the nose. Perfectly round and balanced, the wine is particularly soft and dry. Pair with simple dishes like fresh cheese, ham, salami, or pizza for a divine culinary experience.

My Review: This wine had a cherry, and rose petal smell to it. On the palate, it had a fruity, spicy, and slight oak taste to it, having hints of strawberries. It was well balanced, no one flavor overpowered the other. The finish to it was very pleasant. Overall, very nice wine. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Dom de la Foret Grenache Cinsault Rose de Mediterranée

Name:   Dom de la Foret

Variety:  50% Cinsault and 50% Grenache

Region: Provence

Country: France

Year: N/A
Price: $13

Winery Review: A stony, pure style, with a warm paving stone note framing the dried cherry and rose water notes. The long, watermelon rind—inflected finish is finely tuned. Shows length and cut, staying lacy in feel. 50% Cinsault and 50% Grenache.

My Review: I smelled vanilla, and peach on the nose. I got a tart taste to it when I first sipped it. It seemed similar to the first wine of this week. I liked this one a lot less compared to the other one.  

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Bricco dei Tati Cortese 2013

Name:  Bricco dei Tati

Variety:  Cortese 

Region: Piemonte 

Country: Italy

Year: 2013
Price: $10

Winery Review: Great Value! Treat this terrific little white like a red: Don’t chill it too much, then let it open for a half-hour to develop its enticing tropical fruit flavors. It’s dry, but the fruit gives an appealing illusion of sweetness. Great as an aperitif or with light seafood dishes.

My Review: On the nose, this wine had a distinct pineapple, and citrus. The taste had a lemonade like taste to it, with a sour finish. Overall, I thought it was a solid wine, would like to pair it with salmon or other fish dish. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Crane Lake Riesling 2013

Name:  Crane Lake Shiraz

Variety:  Riesling 

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: This light-colored wine displays aromas of honey suckle and orange blossom; flavors include green apple and peach.  The finish is mildly sweet, crisp, and lingering. This wine is an excellent aperitif, yet it pairs well with a number of different foods.  Try it with New England clam chowder, smoked salmon, Chinese chicken salad, roasted duck, or scallops in a cream sauce

My Review: I have enjoyed a lot of Riesling in the past, but this one was not up to par. You definitely got the sweet honey smell to it as well as peach. In its taste, it had a sweet flavor to it, but it also had an almost acidic disconnect to it mid-palate. Its finish was light, but left me wanting more. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Crane Lake Shiraz 2013

Name:  Crane Lake Shiraz

Variety:    Shiraz

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Beautiful ruby appearance, with blackberry and pepper notes. Tannins and fruit marry well for a soft finish. This wine pairs well with sharp cheddar cheese and hazelnuts. Also try it along with roast lamb at Easter time, veal marsala, or grilled salmon.

My Review: Right away I got a peppery smell to it.  In the taste, I got some tobacco and oak. It was very earthy, and dry. Did not really enjoy this wine to much. I have not been a great fan of Shiraz in the past and this wine continued the trend. 

*Not Paired with food