Tasting- Bridgeview Blue Moon

Name:  Bridgeview Blue Moon

Variety:  Reisling

Region:  Oregon

Country:  US

Year:  2009

Price:  $10.99

Review:  Bridgeview's trademark wine, in its standout blue bottle. Quite tart, tangy and lemony, it jams the fruit and acid together in a luscious, food-friendly style. 

My notes:  The nose is apple, but not fresh apple, maybe more cooked apple with a little more warmth.  The taste is sweet with the apple coming through really strongly.  There is definitely a note of citrus and the wine is very refreshingly tart.  My tasting notes in the restaurant were not appreciated by my friends, thus this picture happened.  

Food:  n/a

Tasting- Conde Villar

Name:  Conde Villar Vinho Verde

Variety:  40% Loureiro, 30% Trajadura, and 30% Arinto

Region:  Minho

Country:  Portugal

Year:  2010

Price:  $8.99

Review:  The Loureiro in the blend delivers a burst of intensely fresh citrus and green pear fruit, lime skin, and floral aromas.  Take a sip and you'll discover more citrus fruit, wet stones, and a touch of yeasty freshness.  The finish is bright, crisp, and dry with lingering mineral/yeast and lime notes.  A perfect wine to sip on its own on a warm, late-summer night or to enjoy with shellfish, salads, or grilled veggies.  

My notes:  I loved the smell of this wine.  It was so fresh but complex with scents of pear, apple, vanilla, and flowers.  The website says that the complexity of the nose is due to the higher percentage of Arinto, the grape that is hardest to grow.  The taste is slightly sweet and crisp and a little earthier than most of the other vinho verdes I've had.  Very drinkable and refreshing.  

Food:  n/a

Tasting- Lot 96

Name:  Lot 96

Variety:  Petite Sirah

Region:  Sonoma, California

Country:  USA USA USA

Year:  2012

Price:  $12.99

Review:  Bright purple red color. Ripe cherries and blueberries with hints of mint and black pepper. A fruitbomb in style and executed quite well to showcase shiraz's lesser sibling. The fruit is more dark cherries and chocolate, with spice and leather. A lithely tannic French roast finish. Surprisingly good, good QPR, and the second best Petite Syrah I've had after the 90 point 2006 Rutherglen.

My notes:  A very deep red color, the nose offers dark fruit and a little bit of acid.  The mouthfeel of this wine is very luscious with a definite blackberry/blueberry backbone.  It is super smooth and nicely spiced, but definitely fruit-forward.  I really enjoyed this wine.  Like a lot.  

Food:  I had this at Wine Wednesday at Boudraeux's with a blackened Bayou Burger and a cup of mushroom and beef stew.  The choice of having a meaty meal worked really well with this fruity red.  The spiciness complemented it very well.  

Tasting- Gouguenheim

Name:  Gouguenheim

Variety:  Malbec

Region:  Mendoza

Country:  Argentina

Year:  2011

Price:  $8.99

Review:  Moderately saturated dark red. Spicy dark berries and a hint of chocolate on the nose. Juicy, bright and vinous, with a penetrating quality to the dark fruit flavors. Not fat or fleshy but elegant, intense and sharply delineated. The laid-back finish features sweet, fine-grained tannins and sneaky length.

My notes:  The bouquet is jammy with scents of berries and currant.  It stings the nostrils with its acidity.  The first thing I taste is the extreme acidity, which was very off-putting the first couple of tastings.  But after a glass or so, my friend in the class and I really tried hard to examine it.  The acidity let up a bit and we were able to get a bit of warm spice and blackberry on the midpalate.  This wine is very "prevalent" (copyright Chris Fucking Evans) and just very much there.  

Food:  Nope, just purely drinking this one.  

Tasting- Broadbent

Name:  Broadbent Vinho Verde

Variety:  50% Loureiro, 40% Trajadura, 10% Arinto

Region:  Minho

Country:  Portugal

Year:  2011

Price:  $9.99

Review:  This particular Vinho Verde from Broadbent showcases plenty of citrus, with ultra zesty acidity and a fun, effervescence - it is light, refreshing and just perfect for pairing with seafood.

My notes:  This Vinho Verde is a light greenish color with a nice amount of bubbles.  The wine smells like green apples.  It is tart, with notes of apple and watermelon, which is very refreshing and crisp.  

Food:  I ate the Sonoma sandwich at Gillies which is basically sauteed vegetables, tapenade, and coarse mustard on french bread.  And its awesome.  With the sandwich, the vinho verde tastes a little earthier and was a welcome change from the acid.  

Tasting- Gabriella

Name:  Gabriella

Variety:  Chianti

Region:  Tuscany

Country:  Italy

Year:  2008

Price:  $7.95

VC Review:  This beautiful wine has the very deep red, almost purple, color that you would expect in a Chianti. The first thing you notice is the fruit, balanced by a bit of spice. It’s a good dry wine with a bold flavor.  Even with it’s boldness, this Chianti is velvety smooth. 

My notes:  The color is a deep red, almost maroon color.  I could smell this wine all day.  It smells of blackberry and luscious cherry pie.  This Chianti tastes of juicy berries with a light acidity that leaves my mouth slightly puckered.  Overall, a smooth Chianti that I would drink again, but then again I would drink all Chiantis again.  

Food:  n/a

Tasting- Lavarini Valpolicella

Name:  Lavarini Valpolicella

Variety:  65% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella and 10% Molinara

Region:  Verona

Country:  Italy

Year:  2010

Price:  $6.95

VC Review:  The red ruby color and the dry taste give this wine joviality and cordiality. It is fresh and fruity, with lovely strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors, with nice spice and a silky texture.

My notes:  The nose offers aromas of berry and sweet currants, but the taste is mostly spice.  It is not too acidic and is nicely balanced.  I would drink this blend again.  

Food:  n/a

Tasting- Dom de Mirail

Name:  Domaine de Mirail
Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Rose
Region:  Cotes de Gascogne
Country:  France
Year:  2011
Price:  $5.95
VC review:  There is a fresh, crisp character to this light rosé. It is eye-watering in its refreshing character, with balancing acidity, smoothing out the edges with a touch of caramel.
My notes:  The wine has a coral color and a sugary and peachy bouquet.  I was unable to detect much taste or body in this wine.  It was not sweet like most roses that I have tasted, but not dry either.  I was not going bananas over this one.
Food:  n/a

Tasting- Norton

Name:  Norton

Variety:  Torrontes

Region:  Mendoza

Country:  Argentina

Year:  2011

Price:  $5.95

VC review:  Greenish yellow with hints of gold, this Torrontés has intense aromas of white peach, rose petal, and jasmine. Norton Torrontés 2011 is pleasant and well balanced on the palate. 

My notes:  This Torrontes is a beautiful white gold color.  It has a highly floral nose, but the taste is not as sweet.  It is dry and slightly acidic.  It is a nice white wine that I would definitely drink again.  

Food:  n/a

Tasting- Dibon

Name:  Dibon

Variety:  Cava 

Region:  Catalonia

Country:  Spain

Year:  NV

Price:  $9.95

VC Review:  Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo, The nose offers regal yeast and richness, while the palate has complexity to prop up apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors. Solid from front to back, with health and freshness.

My notes:  The wine is sparkling and has a white color.  I have never had Cava before, but I definitely enjoyed Spain's answer to champagne.  It was dry but light with hints of apple.  I will definitely look out for more Cavas. 

Food: n/a

Tasting- Opera Prima

Name:  Opera Prima

Variety:  Pink Moscato

Region:  La Mancha

Country:  Spain

Year:  NV

Price:  $5.95

VC review:  This fine sparkling presents and intense aroma of fresh berries and tropical fruits with hints of white flavor petals. Delicate bubbles caress the palate offering a silky and pleasant sweetness well balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish. Ideal on it own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts. 

My notes:  This is a fun wine to look at it, with its bubbles and pink coral color.  The nose offers hibiscus and perfume and it translates to the floral and sweet taste.  Too sweet for my palate, but definitely a fun fruit-forward wine.  

Food:  n/a

Tasting- Black Opal

Name:  Black Opal

Variety:  Shiraz

Region:  South Eastern Australia

Country:  Australia

Year:  2011

Price:  $5.95

VC review:  The Black Opal wines are sourced from vineyards found in South Australia along the Limestone Coast, at Langhorne Creek and in the infamous Barossa Valley. Black Opal Shiraz is rich red in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, pepper and spice followed with rich plum flavors round out the palate. Soft tannins give structure to the fruit-driven palate. 

My notes:  The nose is very peppery and stings the nostrils.  It is sweeter than it first lets on though, coming through with some nice berry notes and finishes smooth.  I really enjoyed this wine, but did not buy it this time.  I'll probably go back and get it another time though.  

Food:  I didn't have any with it, but I would like to try it with something spicy to see how it complements this spicy shiraz.  

Tasting- Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Name:  Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Variety:  Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel blend

Region:  Oregon

Country:  MERICA.

Year:  Non Vintage

Price:  $7.95

VC review:  It's created from the finest Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel. The taste is lush and velvety with expressive notes of raspberry and cherry. It pairs nicely with pasta and anything off the grill.

My notes:  The wine smells strongly of currant and raspberry, but the taste isn't as strong.  It is a very light red without much body.  It is hard to pick up on a distinct taste except a slight sweetness.  It reminds me of the Beaujolais we tried last week with the strong bouquet and not much taste.  

Food:  n/a

Tasting- Beringer

Name:  Beringer

Variety:  Riesling

Region:  Napa Valley

Country:  California

Year:  2009

Price:  $5.95

VC review:  This wine is the perfect balance of honeysuckle and bright peach flavors. A perfect compliment to light fare, appetizers, or just sharing with friends.  

My notes:  The nose is crisp and fruity, much like the taste.  It is semi sweet with notes of pear and apricot.  Not my favorite Riesling I've ever had, but pretty good for $5.95.  

Food:  I didn't have any food with it, but I imagine it would be really good with a big ass bowl of chicken alfredo pasta.  That sounds good.  I shouldn't write these posts when I'm hungry.  

Tasting- Wine Men of Gotham

Name:  Wine Men of Gotham
Variety:  Chardonnay/Semillion
Region:  Southern Australia
Country:  Australia
Year:  2008
Price:  $5.95
VC review:  Gotham’s 2008 Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish.
My notes:  The nose is sharp and acidic, but with hints of nut and flower.  It tastes smooth and definitely not as dry as most chardonnays, possibly because of the 20% Semillion grape  I get a little apple and melon but it is very slight.  I would drink this again.
Food:  n/a