Tasting - Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico

Name: Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico
Variety: 30% Trebbiano, 30% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia, 15% Verdello, and 5% Drupeggio
Region: Orvieto
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95 (on sale)

Winery Review: "The Berganorio Orvieto is a subtle wine with a bright palate. It shows white flowers on the nose and light citrus notes in the mouth. Its neutral character means it can accompany a wide range of foods. A blend of 30% Trebbiano, 30% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia, 15% Verdello, and 5% Drupeggio. The estate has 103 hectares on the hill opposite the hill town of Orvieto."

My Review: This wine was yellow in color and very sweet in smell. It had hints of florals. With all the assortments of grapes, I felt like the taste of alcohol was very strong. 

I tasted this wine with no food.

Tasting - Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde

Name: Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde
Variety: 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura, 10% Azal
Region: Vinho Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95 (on sale)

Winery Review: A blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura and 10% Azal. Full of fruit, a lasting peach flavor targeted with laserlike acidity through the finish. It has the bite of salty ocean air and a lot of zing. For langoustines.

My Review: This wine smelled of pear and other sweet fruits. I enjoyed this wine because I felt like it was not as strong as other wines I have tried. The aftertaste was a little bitter, but overall good.

I tasted this wine with no food.

Tasting - Rapidan River Peach

Name: Rapidan River Peach
Variety: Other White
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $9.99

Winery Review: This delicious sweet wine is full of ripe Peach fruitiness. Try this wine chilled with fruit-based salads, Southern BBQ, or other spicy dishes.

My Review: This wine was amazing in taste and smell. It was sweet and peachy. The aftertaste was a little bitter, but it was as if you had just eaten a peach or the peach-o gummies.

I tasted this wine with no food.

Tasting - Viña Galana Garnacha Tintorera

Name: Viña Galana Garnacha Tintorera
Variety: 100% Alicante Bouschet
Region: Castile-La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $14.00

Winery Review: Deep purple color with an intense nose of black cherry, raspberry and white pepper, a touch of nutmeg and cloves. Full bodied with velvety tannins and a long finish.

My Review: This wine had a buttery-oaky flavor. It had hints of cherries and chocolate. It also tasted earthy. I would recommend this wine overall.

I tasted this wine with no food.

Tasting - Toscolo Chianti

Name: Toscolo Chianti
Variety: 100% Sangiovese
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $7.99

Winery Review: Brilliant ruby color, elegant bouquet of violets, berry fruit and iris confirmed on a soft, round, well balanced palate showing good body, fruity flavors and intensity. An all-around food wine to match first courses, red and white meat, cheese.

My Review: This wine had a very sweet smell. I was expecting to really like this red wine because normally when I smell red wine, I do not find it appealing. What I did not like about it was the dry after taste. 

I tasted this wine with no food.

Tasting - Cellar No. 8 Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Cellar No. 8 Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $9.99

Winery Review: 2010 Cellar No. 8 Cabernet Sauvignon is an amazingly complex bottle of deep, dark fruity.   This is a fun wine to keep smelling, complex enough to always keep adding some new scents to the mix.  It’s one of those wines with an aroma that’s noticeable from a few feet away.  If there’s a shortcoming here, it’s that 2010 Cellar No.8 Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t very clear cut its flavors, it goes more down the route of everything trying to happen at once.  It’s an interesting wine, but more build would be better.

My Review: This wine smelled like raspberries and cherries. It was a beautiful red color. I did not enjoy this wine because it had a very dry aftertaste. 

I tasted this wine with no food.

Tasting - Chateau Morrisette Sweet Mountain Laurel

Name: Chateau Morrisette Sweet Mountain Laurel
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $9.99

Winery Review: A unique and refreshingly sweet dessert style wine made from American native grape varieties. Firm acidity balances the sweetness, producing a crisp finish with aromas of freshly picked grapes.

My Review: This wine had a horrible smell to it. It almost smelled like a skunk, but the taste was so flavorful and fruity. It tasted like the sweetest grapes and the after taste was pleasant. I would buy this wine again.

I tasted this wine with no food.