Tasting - Maipe Malbec Rosé

Name: Maipe Malbec Rosé
Variety: 100% 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.- Vintage Cellar Tasting Notes

My review: I was not a huge fan of this wine. I was expecting sweet because it's a rosé but it was far from sweet. It was actually very dry - which is why it makes sense that it's typically paired with spicy foods. I pick up the strong acidity more than the fruit components in this wine. It may be my novice palette but I cannot sense the strawberry at all in this wine. I don't think I'll be going back for seconds unless I am having spicy Asian food, in which case, I think I could give this wine a second chance.

Tasting - Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio
Variety: 100% 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.- Vintage Cellar Tasting Notes

My review: I liked this wine quite a bit. As stated previously, I'm not big on overly sweet wines and typically like pinot grigio's because they lack that feature. I definitely can pick up the almond taste in the after taste. It's citrus-y but dry, just how I like it. I purchased a bottle of this and hope to make some spaghetti this weekend to pair it with!

Tasting - Monte Aman

Name: Monte Aman
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Arlanza
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Winery review:Fermentation of selected grapes in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Aging in American oak casks for 5 months followed by 3 months in the bottle before being released in the market. Inky ruby. Ripe cherry and plum on the nose. Smooth and fleshy, with deep dark fruit flavors complicated by bitter chocolate and anise. A spicy quality adds lift and focus to the weighty fruit. Offers an appealing mix of power and energy and drinks very well right now.- Vintage Cellar Tasting Notes

My review: This wine smelled very oak-y to me when I swirled and sniffed it. However, as I went back and read the notes, it mentioned that it was aged in stainless steel tanks - perhaps they pulled the wood chip maneuver and slid them in there for taste. It was recommended to drink this wine with a dish such as lamb but not anything gamey. This wine was bursting with flavor and it was a bit confusing to the palate because of the plethora and variety of flavors. I would be confident in saying this particular wine has a LOT of tannins. I enjoyed it quite a bit, it was just different.

Tasting - Cortenova Montepulciano d' Abruzzo

Name: Cortenova Montepulciano d' Abruzzo
Variety: 100% Montepulciano d' Abruzzo
Region: N/A
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Winery review: Deep ruby red color with violet highlights and a pleasant and fruity bouquet. Full bodied, soft tannins and good acidity. Excellent with pasta dishes and red meats. - Vintage Cellar Tasting Notes

My review: My immediate thought when I sniff and swirled this wine was CHERRIES! That was exactly what I smelled and I was so excited that I was able to pin that. Towards the end of the sip I felt a little kick of pepper. This may have been my imagination and not intentional from the winemaker but I did enjoy this wine! I am curious as to how it tastes with a juicy steak.

Tasting - Maipe Chardonnay

Name: Maipe Chardonnay
Variety: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier, 30% Malolactic
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Winery review:Made from 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier. 30% malolactic fermentation, 30% was aged in French oak barrels. Brilliant yellow golden color with green hints. The wine is crisp and filled with white peach, pear, green apples flavors, toasty vanilla. Elegant and luscious wine, well balanced. Crisp and long finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, pork, veal, vegetables. - Vintage Cellar Tasting Notes

My review: I found this wine to be very buttery on the palate, like most Chardonnays. It was very smooth and drinkable but I wasn't able to taste the apple in this wine. It seems to me that most apple taste is more apparent in crisp whites, rather than Chardonnays. I was able to taste the toasty vanilla and pear in this wine but the most obvious taste to me was butter.

Tasting - Villa d' Orvieto

Name: Villa d' Orvieto
Variety: Grechetto, Procanico, and Malvasia
Region: N/A
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

Winery review: It's a blend of Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), and Malvasia. Fresh and crisp, it has a beautiful, floral bouquet. It is wonderful with appetizers, fish, chicken, and salads.

My review: I did my best to not read the tasting notes before taking notes on this wine. I had written down that I felt that it was definitely more floral than fruity for a white. It was very light and crisp and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This wine is not heavy in body or flavor but refreshing.

Tasting - Dibon Cava Brut

Name: Dibon Cava Brut
Variety: 45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada
Region: Penedes
Country: Spain
Year: N/A
Price: $9.95

Winery review: Light gold with plenty of bubbles, this wine has aromas of apples and pears with pleasant floral notes. Crisp and light-bodied on the palate, stone fruit flavors are accompanied by a mild minerality and balanced acidity. A delicious sparkler for a great price! - Vintage Cellar Tasting Notes

My review: This "Spanish champagne" was extremely different than what I'm used to when I have champagne. That being said, the citrus-y and bubbly aspects of this wine were lovely. It has a rich flavor but is not too bold for my liking. I'm giving this bubbly a thumbs up. The second time around, since we tasted this wine earlier on in the semester, I think I found it to be sweeter than the first time. Still, really enjoy this wine!