Name: Peter Mertes Sweet Red Dornfelder 2014
Variety: Sweet Red Dornfelder
Year: 2014
Country: Germany
Region: Rheinhessen
Price: $12
Wine Critic Review: "The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a
lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with
forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine. Great with grilled red
meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled."
-The Vintage Cellar
My review: The red blend smelled a bit musty on the nose with the smell of dried red berries. The taste was much sweeter and there was a light fruity finish. This seemed like a well balance wine that I would enjoy tasting again.
This wine was not consumed with food.
Name: Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli 2010
Variety: Chianti Montespertoli
Year: 2010
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti
Price: $15
Wine Critic Review: "A
blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti. Rich and
modern, with a dark, saturated color and aromas of graham cracker and lemon
rind. A juicy palate packed with plum and raspberry is carried by a creamy
texture that’s rather toasty in terms of flavor. The finish is round, full and
chocolaty."
-The Vintage Cellar
My review: This wine from Chianti had a little sweeter red fruit flavors than the Bolla Bardolina wine tried the same day. It was a bit more bitter. There was a definite toasty flavor with a bit of a dark chocolaty flavor on the finish. I neither liked nor disliked this wine.
This wine was not consumed with food.
Name: Bolla Bardolino Magnum 2013
Variety: Bardolino
Year: 2013
Country: Italy
Region: Bardolino
Price: $18
Wine Critic Review: "A blend of 60%
Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara this bright ruby red wine has hints of
black cherry on the nose. It is soft and
fruit-forward, with black-fruit flavors followed by a bright and fresh finish.
Serve it as the Italians do – young and lightly chilled. Pairs perfectly with
fleshy fish, beef, lamb, red-sauced pastas and pizza."
-The Vintage Cellar
My review: This blended wine had a strong, dark red color. I could detect dark red fruits, berries, and cherries. The taste was was similar to the smell and there was a blackberry finish. Overall, I did not like this wine that much, but I would try it again as suggested with some Italian dishes.
This wine was not consumed with food.
Name: Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico 2011
Variety: Orvieto Classico
Year: 2011
Country: Italy
Region: Orvieto
Price: $18
Wine Critic Review: 88 – i- wine 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 blended white wine had a stronger nose of crisp apple and white flowers. The taste was slightly acidic with a pear flavor. I liked this wine and would like to try it again. I would not pay full-price for the bottle though.
This wine was not consumed with food.
Name: Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde 2013
Variety: Vinho Verde
Year: 2013
Country: Portugal
Region: Vinho Verde
Price: $10
Wine Critic Review: 92- Wine & Spirits: "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: On the nose this was a sweet white wine with hints of pear. Light bodied and simplistic. The taste was a bit tangy, but there were no intense flavors. Overall, it was an average tasting wine for me.
This wine was not consumed with food.
Variety: Sweet Red Dornfelder
