Tasting- Cantina di Casteggio Provinicia di Pavi Moscato

Name: Cantina di Casteggio
Variety: Moscato
Region: Lombardy
Country: Italy
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $10

Winery Review: "This fun dessert wine has delicate aromas of citrus, tropical fruit and fragrant white flower. The bright foaming palate offers juicy yellow peach, candied nectarine zest and a hint of rose. It's sweet, but it also has enough fresh acidity to stop it from being cloying. Perfect for the afternoon, weekend, or any other time."

My Review: This could be my dream wine because it smells like pink roses and cake! But the dream stops there, this wine is "foamy". Maybe this is what the weird sparkling on my tongues is. Except after subsequent sips, I can conclude it is not in fact the same because there are more bubbles than just foam. Also, wow, holy sweetness! Honestly, on my anniversary I got pink roses. Take a bite out of those and it would be the same flavor. But don't forget to get the full taste by sniffing the aromas too!

Paired with food: No

Tasting- Oxford Landing Shiraz

Name: Oxford Landing
Variety: 100% Shiraz
Region: South
Country: Australia
Year: 2014
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: "For such a competitively priced offering, this delivers a lot of complexity. Dried herbs, anise, chocolate and coffee notes add nuance to the raspberry fruit. It's medium bodied and supple, with a lush, lingering finish. Drink now–2020."

My Review: I'm not sure what it is about this wine, but it is not great. Dark fruits with a fuller body, lots of tannins and very very dry. Maybe it would be better for this baby to stay down unda'.

Paired with food: No

Tasting- Indwe Pinotage

Name: Indwe
Variety: Pinotage
Region: Coastal
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $12

Winery Review: "A disclaimer: I have never cared much for Pinotage, the indigenous South African grape variety, but this Pinotage from Indwe, named after the country's national bird, the blue crane, comes across like a light Pinot Noir. Subtle notes of cherries, spice and forest floor are followed by a round, light to medium-bodied, pure, seductive, well-crafted wine that should drink well for a year or so."

My Review: I was pretty excited for this week's tasting because I was under the impression it was "Pinot Noir" week. Apparently it's not but this wine will have to do. Very smooth medium bodied with a little bitterness on the aftertaste. Dark red fruits like cherry with some earthy undertones. Pretty good, but still no Pinot Noir.

Paired with food: No

Tasting- Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde

Name: Aveleda Praia
Variety: Blend of Arinto, Loureiro, Trajadura, and Azal
Region: Vinho Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: "It's rare to find a Vinho Verde – the famously light and refreshing "green" white wine of Portugal – that isn't delightful, but this is one of the best of the breed. And there's no better time to quaff these wines than in the spring and summer. This version is lightly effervescent, with a lively acidity that wakes up the palate. It combines lime and peach flavors with a whiff of sea breeze. Somehow it manages to be both ethereal and penetrating."

My Review: Why do all these white wines always smell  like pears? I don't taste that at all. In fact, this wine is slightly bitter with an earthy taste. Not quite dirt, but it's no oreo mud pie either.

Paired with food: No

Tasting- Kennedy Point Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Kennedy Point
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2014
Price: $22

Winery Review: "This 2014 Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand's Marlborough area offers outstanding value. Crisp and fresh with a hint of herbaceousness intermixed with notes of wet pebbles, melon and caramelized citrus, it is medium-bodied, surprisingly long and very well-crafted."

My Review: I get almost a lemony tang which is refreshing. Very light, very crisp, slightly dry, citrus fruits. Now I know you're wondering since this is a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, but I am happy to report there were no hints of cat pee!

Paired with food: No

Tasting- Clean Slate Riesling

Name: Clean Slate
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mosel
Country: Germany
Year: 2015
Price: $15

Winery Review: "The balanced taste profile of Clean Slate is created by carefully selecting grapes from vineyards throughout the Mosel. Grapes from the Lower Mosel provide mineral notes, while grapes from the Middle Mosel create a hint of spiciness and grapes from the Upper Mosel supply fresh, peach flavors. The result is clean, fresh flavor that is delicious with food and perfect to share with friends."

My Review: Doesn't smell sweet at all. Lights my tongue up. Not significantly sweet, just light and floral with a smooth aftertaste. Pleasant, but I just can't get over the initial sparkles even though i don't know what that means.

Paired with food: No

Tasting- Tabali Reserva Carmenere

Name: Tabali
Variety: Reserva Carmenere
Region: Cachapoal Valley
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $15

Winery Review: "Dark, statuesque wine with concentrated, potent aromas of black olive, herbs and mulled blackberry. Tastes like textbook Carmenère, but without any jammy overripeness. Flavor of racy spiced berry, olive and  black pepper are all good, and there's that patented herbal, roasted quality on the finish, but not too much."

My Review: Very warm berries, well balanced, better fruit flavors. I like it, but still not enough to buy it.

Paired with food: No