Tasting - Tierra de Luna Torrontes-Chardonnay

Name: Tierra de Luna Torrontes-Chardonnay
Variety: 80% Torrontes, 20% Chardonnay

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2009

Price: $7.95

Wine critic review: Fresh and crisp, with floral aromas and flavors of quince and pear, this wine is a versatile companion to informal meals, and is excellent as an aperitif.

My review: I enjoyed this wine, but it was not anything special. A hint of pear on the nose and a taste of sweetness. Light body and a little dry, but overall a decent wine. I did not pair this wine with any food.

Tasting - Simonet Blanc de Blancs

Name: Simonet Blanc de Blancs
Variety: Sparkling Wine

Region: Elabore

Country: France

Year: Not Listed

Price: $7.95

Wine critic review: On the nose, there is some bread-yeast and some toast, same on the palate.  Great for an everyday bubbly or for mimosas!!

My review: This wine tasted extra dry to me and the breadiness mentioned in the review was definitely present to me. I usually don't care too much for dry sparkling wines, but I did enjoy this one. Sparkling wine is one of my favorites and I would love to try this wine with a mimosa as recommended. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - Ebano Ribera del Duero Tempranillo

Name: Ebano Ribera del Duero Tempranillo

Variety: 100% Tempranillo

Region: Ribera del Duero

Country: Spain

Year: 2007

Price: $7.95

Wine critic review: 87 Points, Robert Parker - The 2007 Ebano 6 is 100% Tempranillo aged 4 months in French oak. Dark ruby red in color, it displays a pleasant bouquet of cedar, spice box, violets, black cherry, and blackberry. Medium- to fullbodied on the palate with savory flavors and plenty of spice, this racy, vibrant Tempranillo has enough structure to drink well over the next 5-6 years and is a very good value.

My review: I was not a huge fan of this wine. The black cherry and spice combination was a little too strong for me. A very structured wine nonetheless. The nose featured cedar and blackberry, smells I am not too fond of. I know some of my friends would enjoy this wine, it just wasn't for me. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Vinho de Mesa Tint

Name: Lost Vineyards Vinho de Mesa Tint

Variety: Tinto

Region: Not Listed

Country: Portugal

Year: Not Listed

Price: $3.95

Wine critic review: Pours a light garnet color with a nice crisp zest, with aromas of cranberries and orange peel on the nose. Drinks smooth with a briary of mild cherries, wild strawberries and raspberries along with a note of rhubarb. Pairs particularly well with wild game and heavy fish such as salmon.

My review: This wine was delightful. Very crisp and zesty with a strong aroma of orange. Very smooth and coated my pallete with tastes of strawberries, blue berries, and a slight peppery taste as well. I did not pair this wine with food but I would really like to pair it with fish per recommendation from the critic review. A great wine at a great price!

Tasting - Torrent Bay Chardonnay

Name: Torrent Bay Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Nelson

Country: New Zealand

Year: 2009

Price: $6.95

Wine critic review: Fleshy, melony aromas cuddle some fresh oak. The palate has decent acidity so there’s freshness along with weight, resiny oak flavors, lemon and green apple.

My review: This wine had an herbal taste paired with a fruity honeydew melon taste as well. Acidic, but not overwhelming. Some woody undertones were present as well. I did enjoy this wine, but not enough to buy it. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - Spanish Vines Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Spanish Vines Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: D.O. La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Price: $4.95

Wine critic review:  85 Points, Wine Enthusiast - Apple and floral notes and then an almost buttery palate with baked apple and citrus flavors

My review: I really enjoyed this wine. Apple was strong in both the nose and in the taste.There was also a citrus element present. This wine was very smooth and delightful. I did not pair this wine with any food but I think it'd be great with a fresh fruit platter.

Tasting - Muscanti Brut

Name: Muscanti Brut

Variety: Spanish Sparkling Wine

Region: Girona

Country: Spain

Year: N/A

Price: $7.95

Wine critic review: Lemon blossoms, green apple, toast and honeydew melon are front and center in this crisp refreshing Spanish Sparkler. Silky supple with lingering flavors, yet a tingle of citric acid on the finish. A combination of traditional cava grapes but this wine is not made in the traditional méthode champenoise (which is required by Spanish law to be called Cava). This is made with the Charmat process so this wine may only be called ‘Spanish sparkling wine’ 

My review: This wine had a little too much fizziness for me and was very dry. Not a very sweet wine, but was somewhat refreshing if you can get past the excess fizziness. The aromas I caught from the nose was of granny smith apple and citrus. I did not pair this wine with food.