Tastings on my own--February 27

Tastings This Week on My Own

*I got together with a few friends this weekend and tasted some different wines we purchased from Gourmet Pantry and Kroger*

Viansa Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Napa Valley, CA

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $20

 

Critic Review: Crisp and refeshing light white with a bursting bouquet of guava and green apple that shows flavors of citrus green apple and a slight minerality

 

My Review: I was given this wine as a gift from my boyfriend who visited Napa Valley recently. It is AMAZING! I loved every moment of drinking it. It was extremely refreshing to drink and had a taste of citrus in the aftertaste. I want another bottle.

 Faraway Farms Chenin Blanc

Variety: Chenin Blanc

Region: Western Cape

Country: South Africa

Year: 2009

Price: $8.99

 

Critic Review: Our Chenin Blanc will spoil you with flavors of fresh green apple and succulent ripe melon.

 

My Review: I thought this wine was rather tasty and when it first hit my tongue, I immediately noticed a sweet somewhat fruity flavor. 

Chrysalis: Sarah's Patio Red

Variety: Norton Rose

Region: Virginia 

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $9.99 

 

Critic Review: A revolutionary new wine, Sarah's Patio Red is perfect for all occasions when friends gather to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. We suggest you serve it chilled, to emphasize its fresh fruit flavors and sweet-tart balance.

 

My Review: I really enjoy rose wines normally so I was excited to try this wine. And it did not disappoint. It was sweet without being too sweet, and was not tart flavored. It did not have too much bitterness either which I liked.  

Mars and Venus Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Central Valley 

Country: Chile

Year: 2009

Price: $8.00 (on sale for 4.99)

 

Critic Review: The intense and readily accessible flavors offered by a classic Marlborough 'Savvy' (as it is informally known in that part of the world) have captured a vast market across the world, from the United States and Canada to the UK and northern Europe, Australia and Japan. In 2011, Marlborough produced roughly 65% of New Zealand's total wine output, and 75% of that was Sauvignon Blanc.

 

My Review: This wine was very yummy. It was nothing too special or exciting, but it was definitely tasty and I really enjoyed drinking it. It was sweet without being overwhelming. It had a somewhat fruity aftertaste.

Pink Moscato Opera Prima

Variety: Moscato

Region: Castilla La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Price: $6.99 

 

Critic Review: This wine is from Spain, Castilla La Mancha region, La Mancha sub-region. Since 1920, Bodegas Parxet has been producing cava in the Alella region north of Barcelona. The region is formed by a great mass of granite. The soils are generally poor in nutrients with low water retention and the soil texture is variable - from the rough sandy saulo on the maritime side of the area, to the sandy clays on the inland plain.

 

My Review: My roommate finished competing in a swim meet this weekend so we got this sparkling wine as a "celebration". It was fun and festive, but was not the best tasting wine. It was somewhat sweet but I wasn't a huge fan of the bubbles.