Tasting - Crane Lake Riesling

Photo taken from Moodle

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

Winery Review: Pale golden color. Ripe and dried peaches on the nose. Minerals and dried peach flavors. Nicely balanced, learning towards the acidic.

My Review: Floral and aromatic with notes of apple, peach and oranges. Light, refreshing, and sweet but balanced in acidity. Easy to drink on its own.

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

Tasting - Terre dei Savoia Barbaresco

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Terre dei Savoia
Variety: Nebbiolo
Region: Barbaresco
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95, Frontline $40 Sale

Winery Review: Red berry, rose, leather and baking spice aromas come together in the glass. The structured, juicy palate doles out ripe black cherry, licorice, roaster herb and tobacco alongside firm, velvety tannins. Still young and bracing, give this a few more years to fully develop.

My Review: Strong notes of berries and a pungent leather smell. Oaky with hints of vanilla as well. Very tannic with a dry after taste but is still quite balanced with acidity. Smooth and full bodied.

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

Tasting - Vigna Lenuzza Cabernet Franc

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Vigna Lenuzza
Variety: Cabernet Franc
Region: Friuli
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95, Frontline $15 Sale

Winery Review: With a ruby red color and with intense purplish reflections it has a nose of red fruits like cherry, raspberry, and blackberry, to spices like marjoram, rhubarb and white pepper. On the palate it is pleasantly fresh, not too heavy, with sweet tannins and with soft herbaceous notes, which are the traditional characteristics of the Cabernet-Franc.

My Review: Strong notes of blackcurrant, raspberries, and cherries with spices. Earthy, fuller bodied and with a great amount of tannins with a dry, puckery and long finish. Not my favorite, but definitely an interesting wine.

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

Tasting - Peter Cruythoff Sauvignon Blanc

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Peter Cruythoff
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $5.95, Frontline $10 Sale

Winery Review: Made in a definite herbaceous style, this Sauvignon Blanc also offers tropical undertones of gooseberries that add fruit to the palate. Well-balanced with zesty acidity, every glassful is fresh and crisp and perfect for warm summer days.

My Review: Earthy, very grassy and light. Surprisingly fruity for a Sauvignon Blanc, citrus forward with hints of apple, lemon and orange. Not bad.

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

Tasting - Masseria Pertuso Avelium

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Masseria Pertuso Avelium
Variety: Bombino Bianco, Chardonnay
Region: Apulia
Country: Italy
Year: 2016
Price: $7.95, Frontline $15 Sale

Winery Review: From the Apulia region of Comune di Andria nella zona, the color is Straw yellow with greenish reflections. A fresh bouquet with floral and citrus fruits characteristics. A wonderful wine to pair with fish.

My Review: Strong citrus notes, specifically apple, melon and light berries. A little smoky and a smooth finish. Overall quite fruity, aromatic and floral with a smooth, smoky finish.

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

Tasting - Douglass Hill Sweet Red Table Wine

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Douglass Hill Sweet Red Table Wine
Variety: Shiraz, Grenache, Barbera
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: N/A
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: A blend of Shiraz, Barbera, and Grenache with flavors of fresh berries and stone fruits, this sweet-style, easy-drinking wine is delicious when served with appetizers, seafood, shellfish, pork, poultry, and desserts.

My Review: Sweet yet fruity with an enjoyable after taste. Raspberries and strawberries are evident and the wine proved itself to not be overwhelmingly sweet and enjoyable on its own.

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

Tasting - Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Barbera

Photo taken from Moodle

Name: Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Barbera
Variety: Barbera
Region: Piemonte
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: This is a young, fresh, lively Barbera with a persistent and attractive bouquet of black cherries and a bit of spice on the palate. It has few tannins which is typical of the Barbera varietal, and a medium finish. Delightfully approachable, it is great with medium to strong cheeses, barbecue and game.

My Review: Strong, but not too overwhelming with notes of plums, cherries, and hints of spices. Tannins were evident with a dry, puckery finish that didn't last for too long.

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