Tasting - Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Name: Mars and Venus Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Spain

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $5.95

Winery Review: A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag. No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple.  Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping.

My Review: This chardonnay was tangy and mouth watering. It had a delightful buttery flavor that contributed to a nice sweetness. I tasted semi-sweet apple flavor. I greatly enjoyed how light and sweet it was and I could not resist buying a bottle.

I did not taste this with food.

Tasting - La Cappuccina Soave

Name: La Cappuccina Soave
Variety: 100% Gargenega
Region: Verona
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Bright straw yellow in color. Delicate on the nose, with notes of flowers and almonds. Dry, well structured and delicately fruity, with hints of bitter almonds on the finish that is typical of Garganega-based wines.

My Review: I found this Soave very crisp and refreshing. The first and most notable flavor I detected was almonds. Aside from that I didn't notice any particular flavors in the fruity mix. Overall, the Gargenega grapes were intriguing and I'll certainly be having more of them sometime soon. 


I did not taste this with food.

Tasting - Matthew Fox Chardonnay

Name: Matthew Fox Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Modesto, California
Country: USA
Year: Year was not given on the bottle
Price: $5

Winery Review: This Chardonnay presents aromas of pineapple and vanilla oak. The wine is crisp but smooth with bright pear and tropical fruit flavors that linger throughout a long finish.

My Review: Matthew Fox was my first taste of Chardonnay and it did not disappoint. It was fruity and zesty, with just a little bit of a kick. I tasted pineapple and pear, along with all sorts of other fruit flavors that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. It was somewhat dry and I liked that it was neither overly dry nor overly sweet. Overall, I would certainly drink this delicious Chardonnay again.

I did not taste this with food.

Tasting - Franzia Chardonnay

Name: Franzia Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: South Eastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: Year was not given on the box
Price: $20 (5 Liter Box)

Winery Review: A crisp wine with a clean finish. Semi-dry and medium bodied. Serve chilled. Complements chicken, simple pastas and seafood.

My Review: I did not particularly enjoy this economical boxed Chardonnay. It was very acidic and delivered a strange kick that made me shiver. While the aftertaste was pleasantly fruity, the first burst of flavor was slightly overwhelming and, strangely, all of the fruitiness seemed almost synthetic. It also burned a bit more than I typically like when swallowed. Overall, I simply did not enjoy it and I will most likely not be buying any more boxed wine.  

I did not taste this with food.

Tasting - Gallo Family Merlot

Name: Gallo Family Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Modesto, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $6

Winery Review: Our full-bodied Merlot is all about taste. It blends flavors of black cherry, ripe plum, and hits of oak for a velvety richness.

My Review: This merlot is a tasty, crisp blend of some interesting flavors. I noticed a sour plum flavor which faded quickly into a cherry aftertaste that stuck to the roof of my mouth for a while. The blend of plum and cherry contributed to the dark, full-bodied taste. Overall, it is a good mix of tartness and sweetness and packs a pleasant kick which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I did not taste this with food.

Tasting - Manage a Trois Moscato

Name: Menage a Trois Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: Napa, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $10

Winery Review: Good things come in threes. Our Moscato mingles wines from three different growing areas, each crafted by a different winemaker. Lovely floral aromas and luscious peach/apricot flavors make it the perfectly sweet blend.

My Review: This Moscato is definitely my favorite white wine so far. I was surprised by how light and tingly it was, and I liked the formidable peach flavor. It had a really nice fruitiness and was very juice-like. I also found it quite smooth and pleasantly fragrant. I will certainly be buying it again.

I did not taste this with food.

Tasting - Jacob's Creek Dry Riesling

Name: Jacob's Creek Dry Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Rowland Flat, SouthEast Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $6

Winery Review: A crisp, dry light bodied wine with elegant lime and zesty fruit flavors. Enjoy on it's own, with seafood of spicy Asian cuisine.

My Review: This tasty Riesling was, as its name suggested, very dry, which I found quite pleasing. At first, I detected what seemed like ginger, but I soon realized it was actually citrus. It was light, smooth and very fruity, with the lime being the most notable taste. The Riesling grapes are certainly the most interesting flavor I've tried so far and I’m definitely very fond of this dry white.

I did not taste this with food.