Tasting-Vina Galana

Name: Vina Galana
Variety: Alicante Bouchet
Region: Spain
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $15 regular, $9.95 sale

Winery review: From the rare Alicante Bouchet, one of the few grapes in the world with red flesh  this wine has a plush texture carring flavors of brandied cherry and chocolate ganache in this round red. Light tannins and gentle acidity impart a lovely, balanced structure

My review: This was the worst wine of the 5 in my opinion this week.  I was not at all a fan of the strong burny wood taste and dry effect on the pallet.  It also had a mild smell and the taste stuck in my mouth so much that the 5th wine was difficult to take in. 

I tasted this on its own with no food

Tasting-Tonnino Syrah

Name: Tonnino
Variety: Syrah
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $14 regular, $7.95 sale

Winery review: An intense red color. Aromas of violet and blackcurrant enriched by hints of liquorice and black pepper. In the mouth it is full, round, slightly tannic and with a spicy note on the finish.

My review: This was my 4th favorite wine of the 5 this week.  It has a raspberry smell which I quite enjoyed but the taste was just not for me.  It has a very strong aftertaste and was very dry on the pallete which i do not enjoy.

I tasted this on its own with no food

Tasting-Dom Michel Thomas

Name: Dom Michel Thomas
Variety: Sancerre Rose
Region: Loire
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $32 regular, $8.95 sale

Winery review: Bright orange-pink. Lively, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh red berries, orange peel and honeysuckle, with a hint of anise building in the glass. Dry and nervy in the mouth, offering vibrant strawberry and orange pith flavors and a suggestion of rose pastille. The floral element comes back on the finish, which lingers with very good spicy persistence

My review: This was my third favorite wine of the 5 this week.  It was rather bitter, sweet, then bitter again when it cycled through my palette.  It tasted similar to wine that I would sip on in Church on Sundays.

I tasted this on its own with no food

Tasting-Riebeek Cellars Viognier

Name: Riebeek Cellars
Variety: Viognier
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $12 regular, $7.95 sale

Winery review: This is a luscious viognier, featuring a deep yellow color, that explodes with juicy peach and honeysuckle flavors. Viognier can easily become flabby, but this one manages to keep its figure within bounds. I recommend this for immediate, lip-smacking enjoyment. 

My review: This was my second favorite wine of the 5 this week.  It was very light with a mild smell.  It has a similar taste profile as the first wine Dom Michael Thomas but a little better and smoother.  

I tasted this on its own with no food

Tasting-Crane Lake White Zinfandel

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Whire Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95 

Winery review: Light pink wine with floral and tropical aromas: flavors of strawberry, peach and raspberry with a touch of sweetness. This wine is an easy sipping wine that also pairs well with a wide variety of foods ranging from crab cakes or pâté to spicy Asian dishes, glazed ham, and grilled sea bass.

My review: This wine had a light red color with strawberry smell. It was rather smooth as well as wet on the palette and definitely my favorite of the 5 wines this week barely edging out the Riebeek Cellars Viognier.

I tasted this on its own with no food

Tasting-Yellow Tail Red Moscato Bubbles

Name: Yellow Tail
Variety: Red Moscato Bubbles
Region: Australia
Country: Australia
Year: NA
Price: $10 regular; $5.95 sale

Winery review: With a gorgeous deep pink hue, this is a wine that offers scrumptious aromas of lifted tropical fruits, ripe fresh strawberries with black currant and raspberry texture. Its flavor is a vibrant Moscato, with fresh forest fruits and strawberries and a nice dose of sweetness.

My review: This was definitely my favorite wine of the week.  It was the most enjoyable in taste as well as texture.  It seemed carbonated like a soda since you could feel the tang of acid when it hit your mouth.  It was a red wine that was very sweet and enjoyable in every sense and I would recommend this wine for basically any sort of setting unless you don't like strong soda-like berverages.

I tasted this on its own with no food

Tasting-Beringer Smooth Red Blend 2012

Name: Beringer
Variety: Smooth Red Blend
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $15 regular; $5.95 sale

Winery review: A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Without a doubt, very smooth and uniquely balanced. Not too dry but not too sweet. Has a foundation of raspberry and blackberry that lingers in the finish. A slight hint at vanilla and some spice when it touches your tongue.

My review: This was a sweet smelling red wine that tasted rather bitter when compared to the first red wine this week but also maintained a darker taste.  This was definitely better than the Yellow Tail Cabernet Merlot in my opinion and would go great in party settings.

I tasted this on its own with no food

Tasting-Yellow Tail Cabernet-Merlot 2014

Name: Yellow Tail
Variety: Cabernet-Merlot
Region: Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2014
Price: $10 regular; $4.95 sale

Winery review: A classic blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium-bodied and very approachable with soft tannins. Fruit-forward flavors of plum, cherry and blackberry are accented by notes of spice with more juicy berries on the finish

My review: This was a grape smelling red wine.  It was smoothly bitter with a little bit of spice when it hit the taste buds.  It was easy to get down the throat and I would recommend it for a casual drinking experience.

I tasted this on its own with no food

Tasting-Be Bright Pinot Grigio 2013

Name: Be Bright
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $10 regular; $5.95 sale

Winery review: This effortless Pinot Grigio keeps things light, with sun-ripened citrus flavors and a crisp, fresh finish. An instant taste of optimism, perfect for setting a carefree mood at any occasion. Serve chilled for total deliciousness. 

My review: I enjoyed this wine more than the first bright wine that I tasted.  It had a rather sweet smell along with a less strong aftertaste than the Dynamite did.  I would definitely recommend  this wine over the Dynamite.

I tasted this on its own with no food

Tasting-Dynamite Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Dynamite Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Melon, Apple, and Citrus Flavors
Region: Lake County,California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $13 regular; $5.95 sale

Winery review: Beautifully balanced, our 2012 Sauvignon Blanc opens with lofty tropical fruit aromas, combining passion fruit, guava and pineapple. A small amount of Muscat leaves a lovely floral imprint on the nose. The palate is lush and round, escorting bright varietal flavors with a supple texture. Citrus picks up on the palate, punctuating the finish with vibrant lime zest and a mouthwatering acidity that begs another sip. “Varietally expressive, this wine has a refreshing zing that makes it perfect for pairing with food,” comments Winemaker David Nakaji. “Try a seafood cioppino, grilled swordfish or light, summer pasta.”

My review: This was probably my least favorite of the 5 wines that I tasted this week.  It  was a very bright wine in color and had a very strong aftertaste that I was not a fan of.  It was also a quite spicy when it first hit the tongue.

I tasted this on its own with no food

My First Introductory Entry

Hey everyone! I have personally not had an immense amount of experiences with wine in my life.  I have drank it at church quite a lot of weekends for Eucharist and have had a few glasses at nicer restaurants or family parties every now and then over the years.  It has a unique and satisfying taste, but it is not my go-to drink that's for sure.

It would be great if I could better understand the different types of wine by the end of this course because there are so many various options when I walk into a grocery store that I have no idea what to even consider purchasing.  I have mostly only tasted red wine in my life with only one or two white wine samplings.

Interestingly enough I have had a few wines that I found terrible, but have also had some that taste great and I really enjoy.  I wonder what causes this since I am not exactly familiar with the precise ingredients that go into each bottle of wine.  Anyways, I would say that I prefer red wine over white wine and that it is definitely an enjoyable drink in many classy settings with relaxed people.  Hope you guys like my overview!