Tasting- Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz

Name: Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: South Eastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: N/A
Price: $9.95
   
Winery review:  A relatively light, fresh style of sparkling Shiraz, with berries and hints of chocolates picking up just a touch of sweet vanilla on the finish..(03/28/2013- Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg, VA)

My review:This sparkling red wine poured very bubbly. It had a nose of cherries, raspberries, and chocolate. I have never had a sparkling red before. It was a little heavier than a white or rose sparkling wine. It was also very smooth and desert like.

Tasting- Montebuena

Name: Montebuena
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95
   
Winery review:  Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in textrue, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fin-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's and excellent value for Rioja.(03/28/2013- Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg, VA)

My review:This red wine had a nose of chocolate covered cherries as well as pepper. It tasted pretty dry and like raspberries as well. I did not have any food with this wine paring however I would have liked to try some with it.

Tasting- Tres Ojos Garnacha

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha
Variety: Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year:2011
Price: $6.95
   
Winery review:  The wine has a brick red color with a bouquet of red raspberries, spice and white pepper. The palate is incredibly concentrated and rich. The modern styles of Garnacha in Spain are continuously being perceived worldwide as wines of extraordinarily good quality. This wine is fruity, juicy and shows a great depth, ripe tannins, length but yet with wonderful elegance and lightness. Enjoy with sausages, roasted meats, aged cheeses ect.(03/28/2013- Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg, VA)

My review:This red wine had a spicy and peppery nose. It tasted pretty dry. I thought it was okay, but I really would have liked to try it with food because I did not have any food with this wine tasting.

Tasting- Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence

Name: Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence
Variety: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Region: Provence
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
   
Winery review:  Bright salmon pink; typical of the fresh but warm Provence style. Refined and complex on the nose, with summer fruit and floral notes. dry and crisp, with a delicate flavor and full texture.(03/28/2013- Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg, VA)

My review:This rose wine had a fruity and musty nose. It tasted very light and it did not taste as fruity as it smells. I did not have any food with this wine tasting.

Tasting- Canyon Road Chardonnay

Name: Canyon Road Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
   
Winery review:  Medium-bodied wine with notes of crisp apple and ripe citrus fruit with a hint of cinnamon spice. Delicious complement to grilled chicken, lighter pasta dishes or mild cheeses.(03/28/2013- Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg, VA)

My review:This white wine smelled like pear and nature. It tasted like woods and nature, and was a little tangy at the end. I did not have any food with this wine tasting.

Tasting- Potluck Sweet Malbec

Name: Potluck Sweet Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year:2010
Price: $7.95
   
Winery review:  Deep red brilliant with violet hints. Complex, fruity, and predominant red fruits. Easy to drink, round with persistent sweetness, very well balanced with sweet tannins.(03/21/2013- Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg, VA)

My review:This red wine had smells of cherry and raspberry. I did not taste super dry and was actually more fruity. I liked this wine a lot and want to try it again in the future. I did not have any food with this wine tasting.

Tasting- Domaine de Grange de Payan

Name: Domaine de Grange de Payan
Variety: Grenache
Region: Cotes du Rhone
Country: France
Year:2011
Price: $8.95
   
Winery review:  Intensely spicy and precise, with lively red berry flavors and a hint of black pepper. The Grenache, which makes up the majority of the wine, is deeper and more powerful, offering cherry and black raspberry qualities lifted by zesty minerality. (03/21/2013- Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg, VA)

My review:This red wine had a nose of raspberry and cherry. It tasted not super dry and more fruit than I expected it was going to have. I liked this wine and want to try it again. I did not have any food with this wine pairing.

Tasting- Tinto Figaro

Name: Morada Sangria
Variety: 100% Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year:2009
Price: $6.95
   
Winery review:  Figaro is 100% Garnacha, made from a selection of the best grapes grown in the oldest vineyards. While not truly and "oaked wine", a short stay in oak barrels provides a nice spicy flavor boost. Bright violet. Dark berry and cherry aromas show a jammy aspect. Supple and gently sweet, with good lift to its black raspberry and boysenberry flavors. Smooth and broad on the finish, leaving behind a hint of spiciness. Extremely easy to drink and an excellent value. (03/21/2013- Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg, VA)

My review:This red wine had a nose of chocolate covered cherries. It tasted dry however it still went down very smooth. It was slightly peppery but not very strong. I would conscider buying this bottle of wine to try again. I did not have any food with this wine tasting.

Tasting- Maipe Malbec Rose

Name: Name: Maipe Malbec Rose
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year:2011
 Price: $7.95
   
Winery review:  Intense pink color with violet hints. Fresh red fruit bouquet, strawberry and cherry flavors, balanced acidity, dry and lingering finish. Excellent with tuna or green salad, pasta, spicy Asian dishes.03/21/2013- Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg, VA)

My review:This rose wine had a very fruity nose. It tasted pretty dry, however still had berry flavors. I liked this rose wine. I did not have any food with this wine tasting.

Tasting-Cortenova Pinot Grigio

 Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: N/A
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
   
Winery review:  Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste. Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi, spaghetti with clams, sole in white wine. Perfect also as an aperitif.(03/21/2013- Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg, VA)

My review:This white wine had a pear nose. I was very light and fruity as well. It also had a tingling aftertaste. I have always liked Pinot Grigio and I liked this one as well. I did not have any food with this wine tasting.