Tasting- Primes Ruby Port

Name: Primes Ruby Port
Variety: Port
Region: Oporto
Country: Portugal
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $18

Winery Review: "Ruby color; red fruit aromas; pleasantly sweet and balanced taste. As the wines used to produce Prime's Ruby Port age, they gain smoothness and elegance while retaining their fruitiness, intensity and youthful ruby color. They are then blended together for balance and consistency."

My Review: Smells a little bit like nail polish removal. Tasting it I'm confused. It's very warm and obviously fortified, but it's also slightly sweet. Except the flavors bounce on my tongue yet are not overpowering. Has some bitterness to it. Aftertaste lingers and reminds me of hard liquor.

Paired with food: No, and not a fan.

Tasting- Lindeman's Bin 80 Carbernet Merlot

Name: Lindeman's Bin 80
Variety: 50-50 Blend, Carbernet-Merlot
Region: Southeastern
Country: Australia
Year: 2015
Price: $18

Winery Review: "Medium red in color with ruby hues. On the nose aromas of dark red berries, blackcurrants and ripe plums; while the palate is  medium bodied, with dark red berries and a soft tannic finish."

My Review: First thing that comes to my mind when smelling this is smokey cheese, maybe even Gouda. Very dark, warm, smokey flavor. Slightly dry.

Paired with food: No, I liked this one but I don't think I could finish a magnum bottle. Challenge accepted because I bought it! No regrets, get the bottle.

Tasting- Domaine du Poujol Coteaux de Languedoc Grenache Cinsault

Name: Domaine du Poujol Coteaux de Languedoc
Variety: 50-50 Blend, Grenache Cinsault
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $13

Winery Review: "Minerally and berry notes make for a savory blend of flavors in this fine-grained red. Dried berry fruit dominates, with accents of white pepper and dill seed. Delivers lively acidity on the finish. Drink now through 2018."

My Review: Smells like red berries. Dry, light tannins, not sweet at all. It's actually kind of bitter to me. Hints of tree fruits and spices.

Paired with food: Not this time, but my boyfriend bought this bottle so hopefully he will want to make me dinner and pour me a glass of wine! :)

Tasting- Pazo de Monterrey Godello

Name: Pazo de Monterrey Godello
Variety: 100% Godello
Region: Monterrei
Country: Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $15

Winery Review: "Clean, minerally, slightly green in aromatics and oh so approachable and nice. For an under-$15 white, this Godello from Monterrei excels with layered flavors of apple, minerals and natural spice. The finish is long and hints at fresh herbs like thyme and tarragon. Potentially superb with garlic shrimp or calamari over fresh greens."

My Review: Smells like apple for sure! Not as dry, tropical fruits and definitely a crisp apple taste. Some citrus flavors in there as well, potentially lime. Smooth finish.

Paired with food: Not this time, but this wine was pretty good.

Tasting- Domaine de la Foret Rose de Mediterranee Greanche Cinsault

Name: Domaine de la Foret Rose de Mediterranee Greanche Cinsault
Variety: Blend 50-50 Greanche and Cinsault
Region: Provence
Country: France
Year: 2015
Price: $9

Winery Review: "In color, this is almost white. There is some attractive acidity and the soft wine will slip down easily with just a touch of red currant. The result is a lightly mineral wine that is refreshing and good for an apéritif."

My Review: Smells like tree fruits, specifically pear. Very light, tropical fruits of pear with a crisp hint of apple. Smooth finish.

Paired with food: Not this time, but it was pretty good.

Tasting- Coastal Vines White Zinfandel Magnum

Name: Coastal Vines White Zinfandel
Variety: 100% White Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $15

Winery Review: "Coastal Vines White Zinfandel is a light and fruity salmon-pink wine. Sweet, floral aromas of jasmine and roses burst into bright flavors of apricots, cantaloupe, and orange blossoms."

My Review: Smells sweet right off the bat and brings back my inexperienced wine drinking days. Lighter, definitely strawberry and raspberry. Very good, not overwhelmingly sweet. Very calm but sweet enough to satisfy.

Paired with food: No, not this time.

Tasting- Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Name: Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Variety: Blended
Region: Abruzzo
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: "Wild berry, chopped mint, sun baked earth and violet aromas meld together on this solid savory red. The juicy straightforward palate doles out ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, anise and cinnamon alongside chewy tannins."

My Review: This wine is darker, jammier and dryer down the throat. Perhaps some plum and dark black cherry.

Paired with food: No, not this time.

Tasting- Rosemount Diamond Label Pinot Noir

Name: Rosemount Diamond Label Pinot Noir
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Southeast
Country: Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $15

Winery Review: "On the nose fragrant red berry fruits; red cherries raspberries; supported by sweet earthy spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. The palate is bright and lively with  flavors of cherry and raspberry are supported by a soft creamy texture, providing a long and elegant finish."

My Review: Smells like berries. A jammier, lighter red with hints of cranberry or strawberry. Slight spice at the end. Very good.

Paired with food: No, but I would definitely pair it with food.

Tasting- Valminor Albarino

Name: Valminor Albarino
Variety: 100% Albarino
Region: Rias Baixas
Country: Spain
Year: 2015
Price: $19

Winery Review: "Gloriously aromatic with jasmine and flint notes; very scented. Full and fleshy palate, a mineral follow-through and intense, harmonious finish. A very lovely Albarino that is so pure."

My Review: Smells warm and floral. Citrus and tree fruit taste with pear. Very smooth.

Paired with food: No, but I would try this white with a pairing even though I prefer reds.

Tasting- Yellowtail Unoaked Chardonnay

Name: Yellowtail Unoaked Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Country: New Zealand and Australia
Year: Non-vintage
Price:  $7

Winery Review: "Wow, who would ever call Yellow Tail understated? But here it is. Nice but light aromas of orange, grapefruit, apple, earth and flowers. Lemon, grapefruit, apples, and a little lime on the light palate. Good acidity, pleasant finish, and decent minerality."

My Review: Smells fruity. The taste was very crisp, lemon flavor with a hint of cat pee aftertaste though not repulsive. Very sharp on the tongue.

Paired with food: No

Tasting- Jam Jar Sweet White

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White
Variety: Moscato
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $15

Winery Review: "This charming, easy-drinking Moscato offers flavors of peach, apricot, lychee and orange blossom. A lively jolt of acidity keeps it fresh and fruity. Fancy enough for a special occasion toast, yet sweet-natured enough to enjoy every day."

My Review: This just smells like a bouquet of flowers, though not overwhelming. The first sip is to adjust the palate, especially with a sweet wine. It sparkles on the tongue slightly though is not a sparkling wine. Floral tastes yet fruity, and sweet but not overpowering. There is a potential lavender warmness.

Paired with food: No, but all the more reason to have dessert!

Tasting- Fox Creek Shiraz

Name: Fox Creek Shiraz
Variety: 100% Shiraz
Region: McLaren Vale
Country: Australia
Year: 2012
Price: $23

Winery Review: "Bright purple. Exotic, expansive aromas of black and blue fruit preserves, vanilla and cola, along with a peppery overtone and a hint of violet pastille. Broad, fleshy, appealingly sweet boysenberry and cherry liqueur flavors show excellent depth and a seamless texture. Finishes juicy and long, with building spiciness, an echo of blue fruit and round tannins."

My Review: This wine smells like dark red. The taste lingers on the tongue with dark black fruits. Plummy and heavier than the Italian Buongiorno Blend.

Paired with food: No, but this was my second favorite and I would definitely try it with food.

Tasting- Candoni Boungiorno Organic Primitivo, Syrah

Name: Candoni Buongiorno
Variety: Blended: Organic Primitivo and Syrah
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $15

Winery Review: "Black ruby color. Mild, spicy, earthy aromas of spiced berries and plum with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a tingling, brisk earth and cinnamon finish with dusty, coating tannins and moderate oak. A sturdy, earthy red for the table." 

My Review: This smells like Italy, I don't know how else to describe it; it brought memories back for me from when I visited two summers ago. A dry, crisp and refreshing wine with berries and red fruits.

Paired with food: No, and I liked this wine a lot. I regret not buying a bottle, so I'll have to go back and get it to pair with something.

Tasting- Maipe Torrontes

Name: Maipe
Variety: 100% Torrontes
Region: Salta
Country: Argentina
Year: 2016
Price: $13

Winery Review: Spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well-balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish.

My Review: The smell is inviting and warm with hints of peach. Tastes sparkling on the tongue though it is not a sparkling wine. Hints of peach in the flavor.

Paired with food: No, but I would give it a try. I was not a fan of the wine so perhaps food would balance it even better for my palate.

Tasting- Oxford Landing Viognier

Name: Oxford Landing
Variety: 100% Viognier
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2014
Price: $13

Winery Review: "This wine may not be quite as rich or expressive as the other Viogniers in the Yalumba stable, but it's still an attractive effort. Pineapple and apricot flavors pick up hints of gingery spice on the vibrant finish."

My Review: Definitely sniffing pineapple here which is enticing to me. The taste was crisp on the tongue, fruity, light and dry. Very warm down the throat, hints of pineapple and berry.

Paired with food: No, but if I had to guess maybe it would go well with pineapple or a fish with pineapple salsa. Yum!

Tasting- Crane Lake Gewurztraminer

Name: Crane Lake Gewurztraminer
Variety: 100% Gewurztraminer
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: "This floral wine has notes of rose, peach, and apricot, with a smooth, lingering finish. This wine pairs well with both smoked Gouda and Munster cheeses. Also try it along with roast pork, turkey, red snapper or sautéed abalone."

My Review: I could immediately detect the sugar upon smelling, however the taste was not overwhelmingly sweet. Definitely a peachy floral mix with some citrus apple. The taste was slightly confusing I think because I used the same glass which may have had previous flavors mix with it.

Paired with food: No, but see the winery review for some cool experiments.

Tasting- El Ganador Malbec

Name: El Ganador Malbec
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2015
Price: $12

Winery Review: "Garnet color. Aromas of black cherry, plum jam, rich dark soil, and violet honey with a lightly tannic, lively, dry medium-to-full body and a tingling, complex, medium-long black cherry, rich garden soil, crushed plum, and cinnamon toast finish with medium tannins and moderate oak. Dense, dark and chewy with earthy complexity, balancing the luscious jammy fruit qualities of new world with earthy qualities of old world wines."

My Review: Smelling this wine offered hints of spice and floral elements. The taste lingered on the throat and tongue with dry yet spicy flavors.

Paired with food: No, but I would give it a second chance by pairing it with a burger or steak, yum!

Tasting- Grand Cru Pinot Noir

Name: Grand Cru Pinot Noir
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: This ruby-colored wine has aromas of raspberry, cherry and a hint of vanilla. Flavors of cherry and plum lead to a soft velvety finish. This wine can be enjoyed by itself. It is also an excellent accompaniment with appetizers and main courses. This wine goes well with Brie, goat cheese and smoked salmon, lamb shanks and pork tenderloin.

My Review: This red wine was very dry, thin and smooth. It had hints of berry though I could not depict which ones exactly. If you are someone who liked whites this would be a nice transition for you into reds. Very light, refreshing, and crisp which is similar to a white wine but moves away from the floral flavors into fruity berries.

Paired with food: No, but look at the winery review for suggestions to experiment with!

Tasting- Douglas Hill Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Douglas Hill Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: "This light, crisp Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of grapefruit, bell pepper, and asparagus. On the palate, hints of floral and honey are revealed to yield a well-balanced, refreshing wine."

My Review: Upon smelling this wine I didn't get much more than just fruity. The taste however, seemed the opposite. It offered more bitter, earthy flavors which lingered on the tongue. I would go as far to say a cat pee aftertaste. Fun fact- this is commonly seen in Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand but is well balanced, it is also world famous.

Paired with food: Not at this tasting, though I feel I needed something to cleanse my palate. Personally I thought this was an unpleasant experience.

Tasting- Prime Brume Soave Garganega

Name: Prime Brume
Variety: Soave blend with Garganega
Region: Soave
Country: Italy
Year: 2015
Price: $10

Winery Review: "Brilliant emerald straw color. Aromas and flavors of brazil nuts, creme fraiche, and kiwi and starfruit with a silky, lively, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and an effortless, engaging, medium-length watermelon, yellow apple, and clementine finish. A delicious, artfully balanced soave with a great range of fruit flavors."

My Review: Round two of tastings, here we go! This smelled fruity, and if I had to name a particular one I would go with pear. Tasting it was dry, light, thin bodied, and hint of pear taste.

Paired with food: No, but if it was personally I would just eat the food. I didn't particularly care for this wine.