Tasting - Villa Cerrina Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Name - Villa Cerrina Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Variety - 100 % Montepulciano

Region - Abruzzo

Country - Italy

Year - 2014

Price - $4

Winery Review - "Clear dark garnet. Fresh plums, a touch of dry cherry, a whiff of cranberry, and just a little dash of brown spice. Light-bodied on the palate with good flavor, plum and black-cherry fruit and mouth-watering acidity."

My Review - This rarely reviewed four-buck-chuck from Trader Joes didn't disappoint. Its displayed strong aromas of leather and cigars with compliments of cherry. On the palate, raspberry and plum paired with the spice of pepper was simple yet light and delicious. I would recommend this dry, tart wine.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - 14 Hands Riesling

Name - 14 Hands Riesling

Variety - 100 % Riesling

Region - Washington

Country - USA

Year - 2014

Price - $10

Winery Review - "This bright and crisp Riesling displays flavors of apple, pear and apricot with an ideal balance of minerality and acidity. This wine is a perfect compliment to a variety of foods."

My Review - This light yellow wine was nearly clear in my glass. It had floral aromas alongside pear, lemon zest, and sweet honey. This wine tasted of pears, citrus, and vanilla. Very light and refreshing, this wine would go great on a hot summer day.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Fetzer Gewürztraminer

Name - Fetzer Gewürztraminer

Variety - 100 % Gewürztraminer

Region - Monterey County, California

Country - USA

Year - 2013

Price - $10

Winery Review - "For more than 30 years we've nurtured the foggy coastal vineyards that bring an elegant Gewürztraminer to life. With flavors of honeyed apricots and fresh peach, it's a secret weapon for taming spicy food."

My Review - This wine had a bright golden color. It smelled of citrus and pear with sweet notes of honey coming through. Tart and crisp, the taste of green apple and apricot came through on this refreshing wine. Although I enjoyed the wine, I expected it to taste a little sweeter in comparison to other Gewürztraminers.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Smoking Loon Pinot Noir

Name - Smoking Loon Pinot Noir

Variety - 100 % Pinot Noir

Region - Napa, California

Country - USA

Year - 2014

Price - $10

Winery Review - "Smoking Loon Pinot Noir is a well-balanced blend of vanilla, cranberry, raspberry and herbs de provence aromas. It has flavors of plum, cranberry sauce and raspberry jam along with a milk chocolate nuance. A light tough of tasty brioche displays the presence of French oak."

My Review - This wine had a bright garnet color. With scents of cranberry and raspberry, this red wine was milder than most and tasted light and airy. It left my mouth dry, but not as dry as most red wines. It was very easy to drink and I'd love to have it again!

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Escamas del Dragon Cabernet Sauvignon

Name - Escamas del Dragon Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety - 100 % Cabernet Sauvignon

Region - Valle Central

Country - Chile

Year - 2013

Price - $9

Winery Review - "The Andes, which run the length of Chile, are often referred to by Chileans as the 'Dragon's Spine', so we like to refer to our tough, sturdy vineyards at the base of the mountains as 'Escamas del Dragon', or 'Dragon Scales'. Appropriately, this layered and nuanced wine is full of flavor with ripe cherries, fresh plums, silky spice notes and fine tannins. Pairs magically with seared try-tip or garlic-seasoned chicken."

My Review - I'm not sure what dragon scales are supposed to taste like, so I was in for a surprise with this wine. It had booming aromas of fruit with some earthy and mineral notes. Very tannic and robust, this wine was bitter and dried out my mouth. I think this wine would be much better for someone with a more trained palate and not a beginner like myself.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Shutter Home Red Moscato

Name - Shutter Home Red Moscato

Variety - 100 % Red Moscato

Region - California

Country - USA

Year - 2012

Price - $6

Winery Review - "Raise a glass to friends and family with our juicy Red Moscato. Fresh strawberry and cherry aromas reveal sweet, creamy berry and rose flavors, and a crisp, vibrant finish."

My Review - This red moscato is a vibrant dark pink color. After a whirl, it gives off sweet aromas of strawberry and is very enticing. However, this wine is extremely sweet. On the flavor profile indicator on the bottle, the brand shows the wine is somewhat sweet; however, the predominant taste was pure sugar water and I could barely taste any fruit. This wine is a big pass to anyone without an overly sweet tooth.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Sea Cave Tour Guide Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Name - Sea Cave Tour Guide Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Variety - 100 % Sauvignon Blanc

Region - Marlborough

Country - New Zealand

Year - 2014

Price - $10

Winery Review - "Brisk ocean breezes drifting along the coast while waves crash ashore with you safe in your secret little beach hideaway waft through your mind as you take a sip of this classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Sea Cave. Lychee, green grass and lemon zest encompass this beautiful wine that is delicious with oysters and grilled chicken salads."

My Review - This light, golden sauvignon blanc gives off soapy aromas with earthy notes of fresh dirt and hints of rubber. When I tried it, I was in for a surprise -- this wine tastes completely different than it smells. This light-bodied wine is herbal with grass notes and a puckeringly sour lemon taste. It's also very acidic and produces a lingering bitter finish.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Yellow Tail Moscato

Name - Yellow Tail Moscato

Variety - 100 % Moscato

Region - Yenda

Country - Australia

Year - 2010

Price - $7

Winery Review - "Flavors: zingy tropical fruit with a crisp, refreshing finish."

My Review - This wine is very light, almost clear. It has a light smell and showcases aromas of lemon juice, pears, vanilla, and apricots. Its taste has an effervescent, fizzy quality and is very sweet. Robust, tangy flavors of pineapple dominate this wine before it transitions into an acidic finish. With an alcohol content of only 7.5 %, this wine has lots of residual sugar that makes it not only very sweet, but somewhat heavy. I really enjoyed this wine!

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Albino Armani Pinot Grigio Valdadige

Name - Albino Armani Pinot Grigio Valdadige

Variety - 100 % Pinot Grigio

Region - de Venezie

Country - Italy

Year - 2014

Price - $9

Review - "Pale silvery gold color. Delicate earthly aromas of dried citrus and nuts with a crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a gentle, mineral driven finish. A nice traditional Pinot Grigio with table friendly structure." -- tastings.com

My Review - A nice light golden color, this wine emitted aromas of lemon zest with a hint of sweetness, possibly some cantaloupe. This wine's taste on the tongue is very sharp yet smooth. A strong, sour green apple comes through in this wine with overwhelming acidity. Heat kicks up towards the finish, along with the introduction of some earthy notes. Overall, I liked this wine and would recommend it.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - d'Autrefois Pays d'Oc Sauvignon Blanc

Name - d'Autrefois Pays d'Oc Sauvignon Blanc

Variety - 100 % Sauvignon Blanc

Region - Languedoc-Roussillon

Country - France

Year - 2013

Price - $10

Winery Review - "Nuances of broom flower, blackcurrant buds, and boxwood are detected. There are great citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit, as well as floral notes such as jasmine. Perfect pair with raw seafood, or fish recipes."

My Review - This aromatic sauvignon blanc had a beautiful floral bouquet with some citrus and stone notes. The taste was light and crisp with hints of minerals complimented by grapefruit flavors. Dry but light-bodied, I enjoyed this wine.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Dona Sol Shiraz, Petite Syrah & Symphony Blend

Name - Dona Sol Shiraz, Petite Syrah  & Symphony Blend

Variety - Shiraz, Petite Syrah, and Symphony Blend

Region - California

Country - USA

Year - 2014

Price - $7

Winery Review - "Shiraz has a unique jammy fruit character that is well represented in the Sweet Red. Both on the nose and on the palate, jammy fruit, like strawberries, cherry pie and red licorice, entices the senses and pair well with cheeses and desserts."

My Review - This wine is the ultimate sleuth. On the nose, it smelled like an ordinary, dry red wine. However, once I tasted it, I was surprised at how sweet it was! It definitely smelled way less sweet than I expected. This tasty wine hits your tongue with sweet, sugary notes with a vanilla aftertaste. I really liked this wine and would drink it again!

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Velvet Crush Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petite Sirah Blend

Name - Velvet Crush Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petite Sirah Blend

Variety - Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Sirah Blend

Region - California

Country - USA

Year - 2012

Price - $18, Sale $7

Winery Review - "Velvety smooth texture just like its name. Soft tannins and lush dark fruit character. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah bring backbone and character, while the Merlot balances out the blend for a soft, smooth texture."

My Review - This wine had a gorgeous deep color in the glass. Exhibiting cherry and a hint of spice on the nose, I could not wait to try it. Packed with tannins, this dry wine had a long finish full of spice and pepper. Dark fruit also comes through on the body, and this wine would pair great with food.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Grand Cru Pinot Noir

Name - Grand Cru Pinot Noir

Variety - 100 % Pinot Noir

Region - California

Country - USA

Year - 2013

Price - $7

Winery Review - "This ruby-colored wine has aromas of raspberry, cherry and a hint of vanilla. Flavors of cherry and plum lead to a soft velvety finish. This wine can be enjoyed by itself. It is also an excellent accompaniment with Brie, goat cheese and smoked salmon. Lamb shanks and pork tenderloin are a favorite main dishes to pair with this wine."

My Review - This pinot noir had a nice, medium-light color. On the nose, it revealed flavors of red berries like cranberry and cherry. On the tongue, this acidic and tannic wine left my mouth wanting more. I would drink this again!

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Prime Brume Garganega

Name - Prime Brume Garganega

Variety - Soave

Region - Soave

Country - Italy

Year - 2014

Price - $11, Sale $7

Review - "Pale color. Fruity, floral minerally inviting aromas of passion fruit, white grapefruit, spice poached pear, and papaya with a lean, racy, bone-dry medium body and a smooth, complex, long lemon, passion fruit, raw hazelnut, and wet stones finish with no tannins and light oak. From the tantalizing nose full of exotic fruit, citrus and minerality thru to the long, crisp finish, this soave can seamlessly go from cocktail hour thru to vibrantly flavored dishes.    " -- Tastings.com, 91 Points

My Review - I was underwhelmed when I tried this wine. Offering a nice, sweet bouquet with a honey tinge gave me high hopes for this wine; however, I was underwhelmed when I tasted it. The wine fell flat and lacked body, and its heat component washed out any fruit flavors the wine had. This wine is overrated and I would pass if I saw it again.

I tasted this on its own with no food.