Tasting: Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: ?
Country: Germany
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Flint and mineral notes accent pineapple and lime aromas, while on the palate, the wine shows plenty of ripe, citrusy fruit flavors. Tangy acids on the long finish provide balance.

My Review: Immediately smells sweet.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Don Ramon Tinto

Name: Don Ramon Tinto
Variety: 75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo
Region: Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Aged 3 months in American Oak casks. Ruby red in color, with creamy aromas of earth and cherry. Flavor turns toward deeper and darker black cherry and raspberry on a medium framework. A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit adds some depth and complexity.

My Review: Dry.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Resonata Nero D-Avola

Name: Resonata Nero D-Avola
Variety: Red Wine
Region: Sicilia
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: 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.

My Review: This wine tasted like latex gloves to me and it was very dry.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Protocolo Blanc

Name: Protocolo Blanc
Variety: White Wine
Region: ?
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.

My review: I definitely agree that the wine was dry and I detected no sweetness. I don't enjoy dry white wines.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Santola Vinho Verde

Name: Santola Vinho Verde
Variety: White Wine
Region: Mealhada
Country: Portugal
Year: ?
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh.

My Review: Immediately tasted the fruitiness then concluded each taste with some tanginess.

Did not pair it with food.

Tasting: Dona Sol White Zinfandel

Name: Dona Sol White Zinfandel 
Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: Sonoma, California
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $4.95


Winery Review: Voluptuous blush wine that has hints of strawberry and fresh fruit in its wide range of aromas. As the wine flows into the palate, fresh fruit and sweet cherries are evident. Ends with a smooth sweet finish. Pair with seafood (light & heavy), shellfish, pork, cheese, poultry, and desserts.


My Review: Loved it, my favorite white wine of the day. A very sweet wine.


Tasted it without food.

Tasting: Faraway Farm Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Faraway Farm Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95

Winery Review:
Our Cabernet Sauvignon will spoil you with rich flavors of ripe blackberry and plums.

My Review:
Dry, typical red wine, nothing special.

Tasted it without food.

Tasting: Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: Beaujolais Nouveau Appellation Beaujolais Controlee 
Variety: Red Beaujolais Wine
Region: Romaneche-Thorins
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $3.75


Winery Review: There is a layer of tannins here that adds a dry edge to what is otherwise a sweetly fruity wine. It is full, with juicy strawberry flavors.


My Review: My personal favorite of the red wines this past Monday. I definitely taste a subtle hint of strawberries but it wasn't sweet. It was dry and tangy as well. 


I tasted it without food.