Tasting- "Crane Lake Riesling"

Name: Crane Lake Riesling
Variety: White Grape
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Punchy lime and lemon mark this off-dry Riesling with a staccato rhythm, adding edge to honeyed tones of peach and honeysuckle. Exceptionally priced, it’s satisfying and elegant.

My Review: This white wine smelled like rotten tomatoes. It also smelled like smelly socks and pumpkins. It had a fruity taste but it was not too citrusy. I enjoyed this.

Tasting- "Crane Lake Petite Sirah"

Name: Crane Lake Petite Sirah
Variety: Red Grape
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Shows a certain rustic simplicity now, with youthfully jammy flavors of blackberries, cherries and currants, sprinkled with cocoa and pepper and wrapped into dusty tannins.

My Review: This red wine had a velvet brown color. It smelled like berries and milk. It had a bitter taste and it was smooth and watery.

Tasting- "Yellowtail Reserve"

Name: Yellowtail Reserve
Variety: Red Grape
Region: South Eastern
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $12

Winery Review: Round, velvety and mouthfilling, this is a satisfying Merlot at a bargain price. Aromas of black cherries and herbs fold in hints of cinnamon and mocha, while the flavors are generally fruity, but with a slightly tomatoey note. Soft on the finish. Drink now. 

My Review: This red wine had a red and brown color. It smells like flowers and a lot of mixed fruit. It tasted like a sharpee and vodka. It had a powerful taste.

Tasting- "Takutai"

Name: Takutai
Variety: White Grape
Region: Nelson
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: $21

Winery Review: Since this wine weighs in at 14%, the fruit was clearly very ripe. That ripeness is reflected in the flavors as well, which feature nectarine and honey accented by hints of white pepper. It’s full bodied and lush, with a long finish that mingles the sensations of sweet and spicy

My Review: This white wine had a yellow clear color. It smelled stronger and a lot more like butter. It tasted a little bitter with a strong butter taste and it also tasted like lime and green apple.

Tasting- "Mars & Venus"

Name: Mars & Venus
Variety: White Grape
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $10

Winery Review: Citrus and gooseberry aromas are mild but typical of the variety. A basic citrus palate delivers modest tangerine and nectarine flavors which lead to a mild, pithy finish showing light citric notes.

My Review: This spanish white wine was clear. It had no yellowish color to it at all. It smelled like green apple with butter and it had a lime taste and it also tasted buttery with a hint of green apple.

Tasting- "Opera Prima"

Name: Opera Prima
Variety: Muscat 97% and Tempranillo 3%.
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: N/A
Price: $10

Winery Review: A blend of Muscat 97% and Tempranillo 3%. This fine sparkling presents an intense aroma of fresh berries and tropical fruits with hints of white flower 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. Serve it very cold, between 7 and 9°.

My Review: This was a bubbly pinkish clear. Smells like a holy bush or a Christmas tree. It smells like some kind of flower. It had a bubbly taste and also tasted fruity. It tastes like apples.

Tasting- "Cortenova"

Name: Cortenova
Variety: Red Grape, 100% Zinfandel
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $10

Winery Review: Dark, ruby-red color with violet highlights. Intense and fragrant bouquet with a rich array of red and black fruit aromas and flavors. Harmonious and velvety on the palate. Great balance and structure. 100% Zinfandel

My Review: This red grape had a darker red color. This had a duller smell. It smells like blackberries mixed with a sharpee. It tasted like a brownie and chocolate chip cookies.

Tasting- "Riebeek Cellars"

Name: Riebeek Cellars
Variety: Red Grape
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2013
Price: $12

Winery Review: Often referred to as Shiraz Country, the Riebeek Valley is renowned for exceptional Shiraz wines. The Riebeek Shiraz is a lively rich wine, full bodied with a subdued smokiness on the nose and a pallet of ripe fruit and interesting spice.

My Review: This red grape wine had a violet color to it. It smelled like it would go well with Italian food. It tastes like grapes and black berries. It seems like it would go well with bread.

Tasting- "Petrucco"

Name: Petrucco
Variety: White Grape
Region: Friuli
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $21

Winery Review: This well-priced Friulano would pair nicely with spicy Indian or Thai food thanks to the creaminess and richness of its mouthfeel. In addition, the wine offers a solid bouquet of peach and melon that would not compete with fragrant ingredients 100% Ribolla Gialla.

My Review: This was a white wine. It smelled like a sharpee mixed with water. It tastes like a sharpee mixed with water and I did not like it.

Tasting- "Le Jade"

Name: Le Jade
Variety: White Grape
Region: Languedoc
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $10

Winery Review: "Silvery straw color. Lively aromas and flavors of pineapple, yellow apple, melon, and Meyer lemon with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, complex, medium-long finish with notes of lemongrass, pear, and lemon with no tannins and no oak. Bright and crisp with layers of juicy pineapple, pear, lemongrass and ripe melon make this perfect for repeated sipping or enhancing fresh farm to table cookery."

My Review: This was a white wine that had a strong smell to it. It smelled like citrus mixed with green apples. It had a strong citrus taste. It was very sour like a warhead candy. And it tasted like green apple.

Tasting- "Coastal Vines"

Name: Coastal Vines
Variety: Green Grape
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: This White Zinfandel has a beautiful pink salmon color and crisp acidity. The wine shows juicy fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry, with a tangy sweet finish. Pairs well with mild cheeses, crab cakes, and spicy Asian cuisine.

My Review: This white wine had a clear pink color. It smelled like strawberry and it was very fruity. It also tasted a lot like strawberries mixed with other fruits. It had a unique taste to it.

Tasting- "Ilurce"

Name: Ilurce Tempranillo
Variety: Red Grape
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $14

Winery Review: Dark purple. Zesty, youthfully medicinal aromas of dark berries, licorice and cracked pepper. Juicy and fresh, with smooth texture and sweet cherry and spice flavors framed by dusty tannins. Finishes with a suggestion of slightly roasted fruits and good clinging persistence. Delivers a lot of power and richness for the money.

My Review: This Spanish red wine was dark purple. It also had flakes at the bottom of the glass. It smelled a lot like blackberry and also tasted like blackberry. It did not have much flavor to it. It was a little watery and bitter.

Tasting- "San Elias"

Name: San Elias Carmenere
Variety: Red Grape
Region: Valle Central
Country: Chile
Year: 2014
Price: $9

Winery Review: This medium-bodied red offers roasted plum, kirsch, sage and game notes, with light tannins supporting the spicy finish.

My Review: This red whine had a violet color. It smelled like strawberries and bread. It also smelled like some kind of pasta dinner. It had a bitter taste. I feel like this wine would go well with bread and an Italian dinner.

Tasting- "Riebeek"

Name: Riebeek
Variety: Green Grape
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price: $10

Winery Review: Fresh kiwifruit, green apple and almond notes bounce along, showing a flash of plantain on the friendly finish. Drink now. 

My Review: This was a clear white wine. It had a very tiny hint of yellow in it. It tasted very sweet and tropical. It also smelled like bubble gum and a little taste of bubble gum. It was also very sour and had a citrus taste to it.

Tasting -"Santa Luz Sauvignon Blanc"

Name: Santa Luz Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Green Grape
Region: Valle Central
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $11

Winery Review: Like any good Sauvignon Blanc, this opens with oceanic aromas of citrus fruits, sea foam and minerality. In the mouth, it is juicy and stony, with washing acidity. Flavors of honeydew, lime and a nice grassiness finish firm, with good backbone. Drink this with salads, shellfish and ceviche.

My Review: This white wine has a clear yellow color. It has a strong lemon smell, mixed with grass. It had a citrus taste and it was very sour. It also had a small taste of pears. I enjoyed drinking this wine.

Tasting- "Canyon Road Moscato"

Name: Canyon Road Moscato
Variety: N/A
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $12

Winery Review: Floral, with tea rose and cherry blossom notes, this balanced Moscato shows flavors of ripe white cherry, candied plum and almond on the smooth finish.
 

My Review: This last white wine smelled like a fruity marker. It had a clear color to it and smelled really sweet. It tasted very fruity and not what I expected. It almost tasted like a melon or kimi.

Tasting- "Resonata Nero D'Avola

Name: Resonata Nero D'Avola
Variety: N/A
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $14

Winery Review: The grapes are soft pressed and the juice is placed in stainless steel along with the skins for a maceration of 8 to 10 days with daily pumping over of the juice to extract more color and sweet tannins. Dense ruby red with violet reflections. Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice. Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background. Excellent with lamb, grilled and barbecued meats, dishes with olives or capers and seasoned cheeses.

My Review: This Sicilian red wine had a bright red color to it with a little hint pink. It also smelled really strong like a sharpee marker. It had a really bitter taste. I did not like this wine and it tasted like a skin of an orange.

Tasting- "Canyon Road Pinot Noir"

Name: Canyon Road Pinot Noir
Variety: N/A
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Rich, fruit forward cherry flavors, soft tannins, a medium body and a smooth velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes.

My Review: This was the first red wine I tried from the tasting. It had a bright red color and it smelled sweet like red grapes and raspberries. It tasted really fruity with a little bitter taste to it. It tasted like raspberries.

Tasting- "Maipe Torrontes"

Name: Maipe Torrontes
Variety: N/A
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish.

My Review: This white wine smelled like a sharpee. It had that strong alcoholic smell to it. It was very clear, with barely any color of yellow. It tasted bitter and not as sweet as the Hugl. It tasted almost like a marker.

Tasting- "Hugl Gruner Veltliner"

 Name: Hugl Gruner Veltliner
Variety: N/A
Region: Niederosterreich
Country: Austria
Year: 2013
Price: $14

Winery Review: "A fresh scent of green pears greets the nose. What follows comes in a light, crisp citrus vein, supported by a rounded mouthfeel. A refreshing wine for immediate drinking. - Anne Krebiehl, MW"

My Review: This white wine smelled really sweet like green apples. It was very clear and almost did not have any yellow color to it. It tasted exactly like green apples and it was really fruity.  I actually purchased this wine because I enjoyed it so much.

Dinner -"Friend's Apartment Spanish and Homecooking"

Wine Dinner Number 1

We started off the meal with homemade guacamole, salsa, and chips. 

The first wine we tried with our appetizers was the Protocolo 2012 from Spain. It smelled like any ordinary white wine but it was a little more fruity and tasted sweet. It had a very yellowy color and almost had a bubbly taste. It had a little sting in the back of my throat. It tasted like lemons and grapes.

The guacamole tasted the best with this wine. The guac almost had a watery taste to it so the flavor of the wine canceled out the flavor of the guac. The wine was also a little watery so this was a good mix. 

This is a picture of the entire appetizer meal that went a long with Spanish wine.

This is us toasting for our second main course meal. 

This is us tasting the red wine we had with our main course. Our main course consisted of barbecue chicken, macaroni, and cole slaw. 

This is the second wine we had with our main course. This was called Sangiovese Dell'Umbria. It had a purple color. It actually tasted a little bit like chocolate. It had a dry taste to it also that went well with the barbecue chicken. The wine smelled a little like gasoline. The mac and cheese went well with the wine also. It had a thick taste mixed with the chocolate taste of the wine. The cole slaw with the wine tastes absolutely disgusting. It was too sweet and did not mix well with the dry taste of the wine. 

This was our artsy picture taken during dessert. This wine tasted a little watery and not as flavory as the first wine we tried during the night. This did go well with the chocolatey taste of the cookies though. Overall it was a good combination with the meals and wine. My favorite combination was the red wine with the barbecue chicken. My second favorite was the white wine with the guacamole. These combinations had similar tastes that worked together to create a stunning sensation with my taste buds. 

This was our third wine we had with our dessert. This wine was called Redwood Greek. It was a Pinot Grigio from California.