Tasting - Cobetckoe Πpemиуm

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

Shop 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: Eh... it's definitely something. The aromas and flavors of this wine are polar opposites. Smells of green peppers and charred wood preclude a taste that is fairly fruity, sweet, and smooth. Any wine with that green pepper smell makes me think it should be paired with food - although I enjoy eating them, I don't want to drink them! I can't believe the review suggests drinking this with ice cream... I wouldn't drink this again.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Terra dei Trulli

Name: Terra dei Trulli Pinnacoli
Variety: Primitivo (aka Zinfandel)
Region: Manduria
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $21

Shop 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: Sweet aroma of dark berries, and what I described at first as sweet BBQ sauce but is probably just brown sugar... oops. Full bodied and tannic. This is another one of those wines that leaves you with a very dry mouth. Yet the finish is somewhat smooth. Not bad, probably wouldn't drink this again because of the dryness, unless it was paired with something to balance it.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Quercia al Poggio

Name: Quercia al Poggio Chianti Classico
Variety: Chianti Classico - 80% Sangiovese, 20% Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo and Colorino
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $30

i-wine review: 90 - "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."

My review: This wine is the definition of too much. It smells exactly like straight liquor. Light bodied, VERY dry with extreme tannins. I couldn't even pick up any flavors because the dryness was so overwhelming. It was like all the moisture was sucked out of my mouth. Basically like those straws they use at the orthodontist when you're drooling everywhere. I don't want a wine that reminds me of the trauma of having braces. Excuse me while I drink a gallon of water.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Lo-Fi

Name: Lo-Fi Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Santa Barbara
Country: California, U.S.
Year: 2015
Price: $28

Shop 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: This wine is not like other California Chardonnays I've had... I smell the typical notes of pear, but very faintly. It mostly just smells like cat pee. Medium body and tannins, acidic and fairly dry. I couldn't taste any of the oaky, buttery flavors that I normally enjoy in a Chardonnay, which sucked. Overall I'd say this wine was alright, but there are better ones out there and I don't think it's worth the price.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Cantina di Gambellara

Name: Cantina di Gambellara I Basalti Soave
Variety: Garganega
Region: Soave
Country: Italy
Year: 2017
Price: $10

Shop 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 fruity, (yellow plum, star fruit and ground ginger), with a very interesting acidity. There is an important presence of mineral salts due to the volcanic origin of the soil."

My review: Not bad! Floral and fruity aromas of lilies, apple, and citrus. Light, crisp taste. This wine is interesting because it's sweet but also dry at the same time. Has a slight nuttiness (toasted almonds) to it. I'd drink this again.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Mt. Monster

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

Shop 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: First impression of this wine was not great, because it smells like Windex - and I know it's not just my weird nose this time because other people at the tasting were saying it smells like cleaning supplies (one person even had the balls to say "this might be going bad"). Leave it to Australia, the land of insane deadly creatures, to make a wine that smells like you're being poisoned. Flavor is tannic, spicy, peppery, with a finish that's initially dry, then turns sour, then becomes dry again. Nah man.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Figaro

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

Jeb Dunnuck review: 90 - "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."

My review: Eh. This wine also has that "old" smell. Also smells jammy, spicy, with a hint of cloves and other spices I can't put a name on. Very dry, tannic, with a hint of cherry. Burned my throat. It's a decent red, but gives you that mouth-watering sensation like it needs to be paired with food. Probably something fatty, like a steak.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Chakana

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

Tim Atkins review: 91 - "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. 2017-19"

My review: I couldn't get over the smell of this wine. It was kind of unpleasant, like something old and musty... like walking into one of those academic buildings on the Ag quad. It has that nutty, buttery flavor you come to expect from Chardonnay, with a light body and touch of fruitiness. This wine was just weird. I wouldn't try it again.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - OnePio

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

Shop 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: Here we have another one of those soft-spoken wines that are basically tart water and therefore just okay. They go off in the review about how fragrant it is but I had trouble smelling anything. Then again allergies are in full-swing. Are you sick of me making excuses yet? Sweet aromas of plums, tropical fruit, and citric acid lead into a disappointing tart, dry taste. Not much to it. Maybe it would be a good aperitif, but overall I wasn't impressed.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Crane Lake

Name: Crane Lake Moscato
Variety: Moscato (Muscat)
Region: N/A
Country: California, United States
Year: 2017
Price: $9

Shop 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: I'm a huge Moscato fiend, so I had high expectations for this wine... and they were met! Sweet, fruity, juicy aroma and taste, with notes of grapefruit, strawberries, and peaches. Light and refreshing, with a smooth finish. I could easily finish a whole bottle of this stuff by itself... I won't, but I could. Highly recommend to anyone who's into sweet, fruity wines. It's a perfect treat for the warmer months!

I tasted this wine without food.