Tasting-Maipe Malbec Rose

Name: Maipe Malbec Rose

Variety: 100% Malbec

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Price: $7.95

Year: 2011

Winery review: Intense pink color with violet hints. Fresh red fruit bouquet, strawberry and cherry flavors, balanced acidity, dry and lingering finish. Excellent with tuna or green salad, pasta, spicy Asian dishes.

My review: This wine had a stronger smell, which made it easier to help identify scents while I had a cold. I definitely detected a fruity and berry smell to the wine with a focus of strawberry to it. I smelt more strawberry to it, but when tasting it, I definitely picked up on the cherry taste in it. I thought there was a strawberry taste to it as well, but much more subtle than the cherry. It was a dryer wine than I expected it to be. I thought this wine was good and I enjoyed it.

I did not try this wine with any food.

Tasting-Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Price: $7.95

Year: 2012

Winery review: Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste. Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi, spaghetti with clams, sole in white wine. Perfect also as an aperitif.

My review: Let me start off by saying I had a cold this week, and not being able to smell well really impacted my wine tasting experience. This really allowed me to appreciate how much smell influences our wine drinking experience. I thought this wine was definitely a softer smell and was harder to pick up scents with my cold. The little smell I could pick up on was a sweet one. I did think the wine had a pear taste to it. It wasn't a fruity or very sweet white wine which is always a nice change. I thought this wine was good and it was probably my favorite of the week.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting-Monte Aman

Name: Monte Aman

Variety: 100% Tempranillo

Region: Arlanza

Country: Spain

Price: $5.95

Year: 2009

Winery review: Fermentation of selected grapes in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Aging in American oak casks for 5 months followed by 3 months in the bottle before being released in the market. Inky ruby. Ripe cherry and plum on the nose. Smooth and fleshy, with deep dark fruit flavors complicated by bitter chocolate and anise. A spicy quality adds lift and focus to the weighty fruit. Offers an appealing mis of power and energy and drinks very well right now.

My review: The wine has a plum smell to it with some spice also. I thought the wine tasted of cherries with a definite spice to it as well. It was pretty good for red wines. I would like to try this wine with food to see how the food would effect the spice of the wine.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting-Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Name: Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Variety: 100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Region: Abruzzo

Country: Italy

Price: $6.95

Year: 2010

Winery review: Deep ruby red color with violet highlights and a pleasant and fruity bouquet. Full bodied, soft tannins and good acidity. Excellent with pasta dishes and red meats.

My review: The wine had a fruity smell. It was smooth and easy to drink for a red wine. It wasn't an in your face wine, and I thought it would be good paired with food. It did not have a fruity taste to match the fruity smell.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting-Maipe Chardonnay

Name: Maipe Chardonnay

Variety: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier. 

30% malolactic fermentation, 30% was aged in French oak barrels.

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Price: $7.95

Year: 2012

Winery review: Brilliant yellow golden color with green hints. The wine is crisp and filled with white peach, pear, green apples flavors, toasty vanilla. Elegant and luscious wine, well balanced. Crisp and long finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, pork, veal, vegetables.

My review: The wine has a green apple smell. There is a tart taste to the wine like apple. It was easy to drink and I enjoyed this wine.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting-Villa d' Orvieto

Name: Villa d' Orvieto

Variety: a blend of Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), and Malvasia

Region: Umbria

Country: Italy

Price: $6.95

Year: 2011

Winery review: Fresh and crisp, it has a beautiful, floral bouquet. It is wonderful with appetizers, fish, chicken, and salads.

My review: A very light smell to the wine. It has a crisp taste. Kind of like a typical table wine. I wish I would have tried this wine with some food. This was was good and I'd have it again.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting-Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Name: Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Variety: 45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada

Region: Penedes

Country: Spain

Price: $9.95

Year: NV

Winery review: Light gold with plenty of bubbles, this wine has aromas of apples and pears with pleasant floral notes. Crisp and light-bodied on the palate, stone fruit flavors are accompanied by a mild minerality and balanced acidity. A delicious sparkler for a great price!

My review: A floral smell to the wine. It is a very bubbly wine and not very sweet at all. It had a slight pear taste to it with some acidity. This wine was okay. It was little to bubbly for me.

I did not try this wine with food.