Tasting - Cobetckoe Πpemиуm Sparkling Semi-Sweet Red

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Cobetckoe Πpemиуm

Variety: Semi-Sweet Red
Region: Moldova
Country: Moldova
Year: N/A
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: Sweet red sparkling wine from Moldova (former Soviet Union) Splendid dark ruby color with rich aromas of blackberry, nicely balanced and full of flavors. Goes well with soft cheeses, ice cream and pudding, as well as fresh fruits and berries.

My Review: Bubbly, fizzy and strong notes of berries (strawberry and raspberry) with a slight bit of earthiness/smokiness. Slight tannins which were surprising, but pretty good!

With/without food: I tasted this on its own without food.

Tasting - Terra dei Trulli Pinnacoli

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Terra dei Trulli
Variety: Primitivo
Region: Primitivo di Manduria
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $9.95, Frontline $21 Sale

Winery Review: A ruby-red wine with full flavors of ripe red fruits and a hint of spice. Pinnacoli has flavors of wild strawberry through the palate, finishes with a rich fullness and hints of cinnamon.
Roasted and spiced meats, pasta with meat sauce, game, and spicy cheeses.

My Review: Dry and powerful in taste with strong notes of strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and cherry. A long aftertaste with medium tannins leaving the mouth feeling puckery and dry. Quite a strong-tasting, full of flavor wine.

With/without food: I tasted this on its own without food.

Tasting - Quercia al Poggio Chianti Classico

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Quercia al Poggio
Variety: Chianti blend - Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo, Colorino
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $9.95, Frontline $30 Sale

Winery Review: Showing notes of sandalwood, espresso and red berries on the nose, this wine has a lovely silky attack and an attractive ferrous quality complementing red plum and earth notes. It has excellent length and is ready to drink now. A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 20% Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo and Colorino aged 24 months in 500L oak tonneau. Produced in the Monsanto - Barberino Val d’Elsa zone with limestone and clay soil at about 400m altitude. The 15 ha vineyard is organically farmed. - i-wine review, 90 pts

My Review: Full-bodied and earthy with strong notes of cherry, raspberries, and coffee. Full of tannins with a dry, puckery mouth afterwards. Had strong notes and a very distinct taste, but was well balanced.

With/without food: I tasted this on its own without food.

Tasting - Lo-Fi Chardonnay

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Lo-Fi
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Price: $9.95, Frontline $28 Sale

Winery Review: The philosophy behind Lo-Fi (just like music production) isn't to create wine that is too polished or perfect, but rather that which embraces a more natural, raw expression. For winemakers Michael Roth and Craig Winchester, less is more: neutral barrels, native yeasts, little to no sulfur additions, and no acid adjustments. The Chardonnay is aged in 6-year old barrels, then racked and matured in concrete eggs for 6 months. The wine has a leesy texture and crisp snappiness, accompanied by flavors of ripe peach, banana, and white flowers.

My Review: Light and refreshing (like the first wine) with hints of Granny Smith apples, banana and peach. Notes of oak and a creaminess were also apparent with an acidic taste.

With/without food: I tasted this on its own without food.

Tasting - Cantina di Gambellara i Basalti

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Cantina di Gambellara i Basalti
Variety: Garganega
Region: Soave
Country: Italy
Year: 2017
Price: $6.95, Regular Price $10 Sale

Winery Review: The color is a brilliant straw yellow with fresh fruit perfumes, especially apple and pear, and floral notes such as elder and bloom. The taste is very fresh and light, with a very interesting acidity. There is an important presence of mineral salts due to the volcanic origin of the soil. Ideal as aperitif, light main courses such as pasta and risotto, shell fish and fish, soups and vegetables.

My Review: Refreshing and crisp with hints of apple, lemon, and mango flavors. Easy to drink and very light and clean! Has slight bits of a mineral taste too.

With/without food: I tasted this on its own without food.

Tasting - Crane Lake Moscato

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Moscato
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2017
Price: $7.95, Frontline $9 Sale

Winery Review: This sweet wine is light in color with floral aromas including notes of orange blossom, jasmine and honeysuckle. Flavors include peach, melon and spice. This wine can be sipped by itself, but is complementary to a number of foods. With appetizers try prosciutto, melon, brie cheese, or smoked salmon. For a main course I suggest baked ham, grilled red snapper or chicken.

My Review: Sweet to a more dry after taste. Hints of peach, apple & orange, and was very aromatic with an apparent bouquet in scent. Very aromatic and fruity with a good, not as sweet after taste.

With/without food: I tasted this on its own without food.

Tasting - Mt. Monster Cabernet Sauvignon

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Mt. Monster
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Limestone Coast
Country: Australia
Year: 2014
Price: $8.95, Frontline $14 Sale

Winery Review: Deep purple in color. Classic aromas of lifted blackcurrant, blackberry and mint on the nose. Flavors follow through of sweet berry-fruit accented by fresh muddled mint. Elegant, structured palate with big velvety tannins.

My Review: Blueberry, raspberry and blackberries with a touch of mint. This Cabernet Sauvignon had a lot of tannins, finishing with a dry, puckery feeling. It was full-bodied and had clarity in the taste of the berries. Pretty good for a red wine in my opinion!

With/without food: I tasted this on its own without food.

Tasting - Tinto Figaro Red Wine

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Tinto Figaro Red Wine
Variety: Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2016
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: The 100% Garnacha 2016 Figaro Tinto Calatayud is a smoking value and is another red brought in by Kysela that knocks it out of the park on the value scale. Bright berry fruits, dried herbs, earth, and a touch of spice all flow to a medium-bodied, rounded, fleshy red that has loads of upfront charm and accessibility. It's not going to make old bones, but as a house red to enjoy over the coming couple of years, it's hard to beat. - Jeb Dunnuck, 90 pts

My Review: Cherry, raspberry and plum were evident with a slight smokiness/spicy/pepper-y flavor. The after taste was a little overwhelming and tannic, but it went away after about 4-5 seconds. Not a bad Garnacha.

With/without food: I tasted this on its own without food.

Tasting - Nuna Field White by Chakana Wines

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Chakana Nuna Field White
Variety: 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Viognier
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2016
Price: $8.95, Frontline $20 Sale

Winery Review: This unoaked Agrelo blend combines mostly Sauvignon Blanc with lesser amounts of Chardonnay and Viognier. White peach, lemon and grapefruit flavours combine to good effect here with a refreshing, limestone-like tang. - Time Atkins, 91 pts

My Review: Citrus, aromatic, and fruity for a white blend with a high percentage of Sauvignon Blanc. Could also pick up on hints of pineapple, apple, and apricot. Was surprisingly refreshing but had a funky, acidic aftertaste.

With/without food: I tasted this on its own without food.

Tasting - OnePio Lugana

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: OnePio
Variety: Trebbiano di Lugana
Region: Lombardy
Country: Italy
Year: 2017
Price: $8.95, Regular Price $20 Sale

Winery Review: 100% Trebbiano di Lugana. Soft, harmonious, full and well-balanced wine with straw yellow color. It impresses the nose thanks to its multifaceted and fragrant perfume, that gives off almond and citrus emotions, where it's possible to recognize even a fresh pineapple touch.

My Review: Floral and aromatic with notes of apple, pineapple and oranges. Dry yet light and refreshing, quite pleasing with a subtle clean aftertaste.

With/without food: I tasted this on its own without food.