Tasting-Gabriella Chianti

Name: Gabriella Chianti

Variety: 100% Sangiovese

Region: Tuscany

Country: Italy

Price: $7.95

Year: 2008

Winery review: This beautiful wine has the very deep red, almost purple, color that you would expect in a Chianti. The first thing you notice is the fruit, balanced by a bit of spice. It's a good dry wine with a bold flavor. Even with it's boldness, this Chianti is velvety smooth.

M review: This red wine had an extremely strong smell to it. There was a very strong punch to the taste, had a very dry flavor. It was smooth but I did not care for this wine.

Tasting- Dibon Cava

Name: Dibon Cava

Variety: Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo

Region: Penedes/ Barcelona

Country: Spain

Year: NV

Price: $9.95

Winery Review:  The nose offers regal yeast and richness, while the palate has complexity to prop up apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors. Solid from front to back, with health and freshness.

My Review: This wine was very bubbly. It almost had a bready taste, I had hints of yeast. The taste reminded me of beer, specifically a cider beer. I also had a citrus flavor to it. A sharp fruit taste.

I did not have it with food.

Tasting- Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

Name: Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

Variety: 65% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella and 10% Molinara

Region: Valpolicella

Country: Italy

Price: $6.95

Year: 2010

Winery review: The red ruby color and the dry taste give this wine joviality and cordiality. It is fresh and fruity, with lovely strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors, with nice spice and a silky texture.

My review: This was a very dark red wine, it was almost purple. I tasted some hints of a type of herd,, maybe basil. It had a pretty strong flavor and a very weird after taste.

Tasting-Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose

Name: Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose

Variety: Cabernet and Merlot

Region: Cotes de Gascogne

Country: France

Price: $5.95

Year: 2011

Winery review: There is a fresh, crisp character to this light rose. It is eye-watering in its refreshing character, with balancing acidity, smoothing out the edges with a touch of caramel.

My Review: This wine would make a great Valentine’s Day wine. It was very light pink, almost a peach color. It did not have that strong of a smell and the taste was pretty dull. At first there was a burst of flavor than it quickly faded.

I did not have with food

Tasting-Norton Torrontes

Name: Norton Torrontes

Variety: Torrontes

Region: Mendoz

Country: Argentina

Year: 2011

Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Greenish yellow with hints of gold, this Torrontés has intense
aromas of white peach, rose petal, and jasmine. Norton Torrontés
2011 is pleasant and well balanced on the palate.

My Review:  This white wine had a very weak smell. It had a flowery taste but was pretty bland. There was not bite to it, but it was smooth. It had a weird after taste that I could not place.

I did not have it with food.