Tasting Review (Vintage Cellar) - Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Name: Opera Prima Pink Moscato
Variety: 97% Moscato, 3% Tempranillo 
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $5.95 

Winery Review: This fine sparkling presents an intense aroma of fresh berries and tropical fruits with hints of white flavor 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.  

My Review: This Pink Moscato had a very fruity aroma and had a taste that consisted of berries and melon. It was also light and crisp. This was my first Pink Moscato and I enjoyed it but it was very sweet. The sweetness level could be a tad too much for me.

I didn't try the Pink Moscato with food but I feel like it would pair up well with any dessert. 

Tasting Review (Vintage Cellar) - Black Opal Shiraz

Name: Black Opal Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: South Eastern, Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Black Opal Shiraz is rich red in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, pepper, and spice followed with rich plum flavors round out the palate. Soft tannins give structure to the fruit-driven palate. 

My Review: This Shiraz had a nice cherry, fruity aroma and was velvety. I was not able to taste any of the alcohol. I wasn't able to smell the pepper or spice but there was a subtle hint of them in the taste. This was my first Shiraz and I thought it was enjoyable. 

I didn't try the Shiraz with food but I feel like it would pair up well with a steak.

Tasting Review (Vintage Cellar) - Sokol Blosser Meditrina 

Name: Sokol Blosser Meditrina
Variety: 28% Pinot Noir, 50% Syrah, 22% Zinfandel 

Region: Oregon
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: It's created from the finest Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel. The taste is lush and velvety with expressive notes of raspberry and cherry. It pairs nicely with pasta and anything off the grill. 

My Review: The Meditrina tasted bitter and had a raspberry taste. I was able to taste the strong alcohol in the wine and thought the heat was too much. As my first experience with Meditrina, I didn't enjoy this wine very much. 

I didn't try the Meditrina with food but I feel like it would pair up well with a grilled chicken.

Tasting Review (Vintage Cellar) -
Wine Men of Gotham
Chardonnay/Semillon

Name: Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon
Variety: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Semillon
Region: Southern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Gotham's 2008 Wine Men of Gotham 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: This Chardonnay Semillon had a nice fruity aroma and there was a subtle taste of melon. It had a sharp bite so I noticed how it was quite acidic. This was my first experience with Chardonnay Semillon and I did enjoy this type of wine but it's not a wine that I would buy for myself.                

I didn't try the Chardonnay Semillon with food but I feel like it would pair up well with a grilled fish.   

Tasting Review (Vintage Cellar) -
Beringer Riesling 

Name: Beringer Riesling
Variety: Riesling 
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: This wine is the perfect balance of honeysuckle and bright peach flavors. A perfect compliment to light fare, appetizers, or just sharing with friends.

My Review: This Riesling tasted fruity with a hint of melon and sweet peach. It was very light and had a bit of bitterness. I enjoyed this Riesling because the sweetness wasn't too much.
I didn't try the Riesling with food but I feel like it would pair up well with a a plate of cheese. 

Tasting Review - Redwood Creek Malbec

Name: Redwood Creek Malbec
Variety: Black-Skinned Grapes 
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $5.99 

Winery Review: Plush flavors of dark fruit coupled with hints of maple and star anise which gives it a velvet finish. 

My Review: This Malbec tasted very dry and I didn't enjoy it very much. I feel like I would appreciate this wine more if I had a better palate for wine. It didn't have a fruity aroma but I did notice there were subtle hints of blueberry and black cherry. 

I didn't try the Malbec with food but I feel like it would pair up well with a pork tenderloin. 

Tasting Review - Sutter Home Riesling 

Name: Sutter Home Riesling 

Variety: Delta-area grapes, including fruit grown in Sutter Home’s vineyards in California’s Lodi region

Region: Napa Valley

Country: USA

Year: 2011

Price: $5.49 

Winery Review: Riesling is a traditional German wine that originated in the Rhine region and is known for its flowery and intense aromatic characteristics. Gorgeously gold in the light, lush, tropical fruit fragrances leap from the glass, while satiny summer peaches and fresh melons rain down on you palate. This is a 24-carat bliss. 

My Review: I didn't really enjoy this white wine as much as I did compared to Gallo Family's Sweet Chardonnay. It had a fruity aroma but it wasn't overwhelming. This wine had a tangy apple taste and a subtle hint of melon. With an ALC of 12.5% by volume, I was able to taste the heat in this white wine unlike the Sweet Chardonnay from my previous review.

I tried this Riesling without food but I feel like it would pair up well with a light fish plate. 

Tasting Review - Gallo Family Sweet Chardonnay 

Name: Gallo Family Sweet Chardonnay 

Variety: Chardonnay 

Region: Modesto, California 

Country: USA

Year: 2012

Price: $5.99

Winery Review: Our Sweet Chardonnay is bursting with pear, tropical fruit, and honeydew flavors. Serve Chilled. Slightly sweet and delicate fruit flavors pair well with fresh fruit, light salads, simple fish or chicken preparations, and most brunch fare.

My Review: I enjoyed this wine very much. It was fruity and had a great burst of pear and melon flavors. It was sweeter than the other white wines that I have tasted. There was no heat due to the fairly low alcohol content of 9.5% by volume. 

I tried this Chardonnay without food but I want to try it next time with a fresh fruit salad.