Cupcake Pinot Grigio

Name: Cupcake Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region:  California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $12
Winery review: Full with a nose that shows hints of pineapple, pears and sweet lemons. The body is full and gives way to a creamy mid-palate, integrating tropical fruits with the vibrant zing of citrus fruits.

 

My review: This was a very fruity and bright wine.  I definitely tasted a lot of different citrus and sweet fruits when I tasted this wine.  I really enjoyed this wine and would like to try it again with a dinner.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Sutter Home White Zinfandel

Name: Sutter Home White Zinfandel
Variety:  Zinfandel
Region:  California
Country: USA
Year: 2006
Price: $8

Winery review: A delicate blush pink color introduces this fresh, lively wine. On your palate, light creaminess surrenders to a refreshing crisp finish of strawberries and melon.

 

My review: This is a sweet wine.  I could see this being paired up with something a little spicy.  I liked this wine and did get a definite hint of strawberry when I tasted it.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Woodbridge Moscato

Name: Woodbridge Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $8

Winery review: Perfumed aromas and lightly sweet flavors filled with orange blossom, fresh citrus, lychee, honey, and spice.

 

My review: This is a sweet wine that I could imagine pairing well with desserts or something aside from an actual meal.  I really did enjoy this wine because although it was sweet, I still could taste a lot of fruity flavors that I did enjoy.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Woodbridge Chardonnay

Name: Woodbridge Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $6.99

Winery review: displays notes of delicious tart green apples and a gentle floral undertone. Nuances of apple pie with autumn spices weave through the fruity aromas and flavors, ending in a light creamy oak finish.

 

My review: This is a very refreshing and delicious wine.  It is light and not too sweet.  There are definitely some citrus flavors in this wine.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Woodbridge Merlot

 Name: Woodbridge Merlot
Variety: 76% Merlot (with a mix of some other grapes as well)
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $6.99

Winery review: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Merlot has velvety smooth layers of black cherry, blackberry and chocolate character with just a hint of oak.

 

My review: It is a very heavy wine.  I really enjoyed this wine and think it is definitely worth its price.  It has a thick and dark fruity flavor that I really enjoyed.  I think this would be a good wine to try with a meal.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- AmRheins Vin de Péche

Name: AmRheins Vin de Peche 
Variety: White Blend
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: Unknown
Price:Around $15

Winery review: From AmRheins website - A delicate flavor of an existing ripe peach with layers of sweetness. Reminiscent of a southern peach harvest.

 

My review: It was too peachy.  I tried this wine at a tasting in Kroger and it was entirely too much of a peach flavor.  It was really really sweet

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Little Black Dress Merlot

Name: Little Black Dress Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2006
Price: $10

Winery review: Good Delicious everyday wine - As reviewed by Food & Wine - 2009 Wine Guide on 2009. Like the wardrobe staple this line of wines extols, this fruity, everyday red is basic, straightforward and simple. Notes of cherry dominate at first, then settle with both spice and oak on the finish.

 

My review: This was a spicy wine, that I imagine would be great paired with dinner.  It was dark and had a very strong flavor.  There wasn't much burn from the alcohol, which is surprising considering it's not that expensive.  This is definitely a wine that I would like to have again.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- AmRheins Ruby

Name: AmRheins Ruby
Variety: Red Blend
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: Unknown
Price:Around $15

Winery review: From AmRheins website - A provocative blend of red wine blended in to a decadent aroma and mouth feel reminiscent of red raspberry and sweet chocolate.

 

My review:  This was a very delicious and sort of heavy wine.  It had chocolate flavors to it without being too sweet.  I really liked the way that this wine tasted and I think that it would definitely be a good wine to have again.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Lotto Moscato

Name: Lotto Moscato
Variety: Muscat, White
Region: South-Eastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2009
Price: $7

Winery review: Bright yellow straw color. Aromas of peach soufflé and potpourri with a fruity medium-to-full body and a tangy sweet citrus, melon, cream, and earth finish. A crowd-pleasing off-dry sipper.

 

My review: It was possibly the most sickening sweet tasting wine I have ever tasted.  It was so sweet it made me a little sick to my stomach, not to mention the intense alcohol burn that it had.  This is one wine that you definitely get what you pay for in terms of flavor.  I would never want this wine again.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- AmRheins Pinot Grigio

Name: AmRheins Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: Unknown
Price: Around $15

Winery review: This crisp and refreshing wine boasts lemon and apple flavors with a touch of almond on a nice lingering finish.

 

My review: This was a really good wine.  Of the ones that I tasted during the tasting this was my favorite.  It was definitely sweet and had a classic pinot grigio flavor, but also tasted a little of other fruits.  It was really good and I think would pair up well with some foods.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Villa Maria Riesling Private Bin

Name: Villa Maria Riesling Private Bin
Variety: Riesling
Region: South Island (Marlborough)
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: Normally $18 (was closeout priced at $9.95)

Winery review: As with many others at the closeout wine tasting at the Vineyard Cellar, it was hard to find a lot of reviews about the wine online.  One I did find said: Tangy Riesling in a medium/dry style with attractive floral, lime zest and chalky/mineral flavors. Strong, juicy acidity gives the wine energy and zest. Good now but with even greater potential in the medium term. And the winemakers comment from Villa Maria states: A pure and delicate bouquet of ripe citrus-lime and spring blossom aromas. The palate is beautifully balanced with intense flavours, lovely juicy length and a zest lime finish. Great on its own or with light fresh food.

 

My review: This wine was good.  It was a little too tart to me, but it had a lot of fruity flavors which I enjoyed.  It wasn't as sweet as a lot of white wines and seemed to have a bite to it.  The wine tasting went so quick, this was one wine that I starred on my paper as really enjoying, so I would definitely like to have another chance to taste it again, especially with food or having a longer time to enjoy it. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Donna Sol White Zinfandel

Name: Donna Sol White Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Ceres, California
Country: United States
Year: 2007
Price: Normally $8 (was closeout priced at $4.95)

Winery review: The only thing resembling a review for this wine (it doesn't seem to be extremely popular) comes from Bacchus Wine: Voluptuous blush wine that has hints of strawberry and fresh fruit in its wide range of aromas. As the wine flows into the palate, fresh fruit and sweet cherries are evident. Ends with a smooth sweet finish. Pair with seafood (light & heavy), shellfish, pork, cheese, poultry, and desserts.

My review: I really like this wine, it was one of two bottles that I purchased at the tasting.  It is sweet with a tart and sort of tangy flavor.  I get a little bit of a strawberry taste when I sip on it, especially after the initial taste.  It also has a little bit of a burn, but it is definitely one of my favorite wines from the tasting I went to Monday.  It's not too overwhelmingly sweet like a lot of white zinfandels can be. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.