Tasting- Ca'Bea Sangue di Guida

Name: Ca'Bea Sangue di Guida
Variety: Blend of Uva Rara, Barbera and Croatina
Region: Oltrepo Pavese
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: "Off-dry with a slight fizz, offering bright berry and mineral notes. Medium-bodied, with a clean, fresh palate and fruity finish. This is a rare, sweet red wine that is wonderful with desserts such as dry pastries, cookies and cakes."

My Review: Nope! Too many bubbles which makes me sad because the flavors are actually really good. Reminds me of grape juice except I hate grape juice. Sweeter, bold dark fruit flavors like plums and berries. Really wish there wasn't carbonation in this.

Paired with food: Nope, but if they take the carbonation out I'll give it another chance. Seriously considered buying it and then opening it and leaving it out to let it get flat. But not sure how the oxygen would have affected the flavors. Oh well.

Tasting- Alvarez de Toledo Mencia Roble

Name: Alvarez de Toledo
Variety: Mencia Roble
Region: Bierzo
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $14

Winery Review: "The 2009 Alvarez de Toledo was bottled just a week before the wine was presented but seems to be showing no symptoms of distress. Balsamic, leather, and black fruits are the principal notes struck by this suave effort that over-delivers in a big way. Like its older sibling, it can be enjoyed now but will have more to say in 2-3 years."

My Review: Smells slightly like florals. Tannins for sure with a much drier finish and bitter. Not getting a lot of fruit or floral flavors in the taste. Probably more earthy and vegetative flavors.

Paired with food: No, and if I wanted to drink my vegetables I would buy V8. But I don't buy V8, I buy wine, so I would like it to be a little less earthy and a little more fruity.

Tasting- Codirosso Chianti

Name: Codirosso Chianti
Variety: Blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Colorino
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2015
Price: $13

Winery Review: "A heck of a value in Chianti, this delicious blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino offers up notes of licorice, new saddle leather, black cherry and berry fruit, loamy soil undertones and a touch of pepper and herbs. It is medium-bodied, savory and best drunk over the next several years."

My Review: Can I just say, I freaking love Chianti. Yum, delicious, reminds me of Italy. Though this particular one is slightly bitter it has red fruit characteristics which I love. Laughing because my boyfriend told me I wouldn't like this one, I proved him wrong fo-sho.

Paired with food: Not at the tasting, but it would be delicious with my Nonna's red sauce. Or my mom's. Or my dad's. I guess I could make some too,

Tasting- The Royal Old Vines Steen

Name: The Royal Old Vines Steen
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: "The 2015 Chenin Blanc offers loads of melony fruit interspersed with hints of honeysuckle and peach. It is delicious, crisp, fresh, lively, and a dead ringer for a good Loire Valley Chenin Blanc. Drink it over the next year."

My Review: This sparkles on my tongue and I don't know what that means but I don't like when it happens! Not a sparkling wine, but perhaps because it is royal there is a little extra somethin-somethin there. On the finish, surprise surprise, we have cat pee to a slight extent with some acidity.

Paired with food: Nope, but it might go well with Fancy Feast, since cats are royal and all.

Tasting- Barao de Figueira

Name: Barao de Figueira Vinho Branco
Variety: Siria
Region: Beira
Country: Portugal
Year: 2014
Price: $12

Winery Review: "This wine is soft and rounded. It has lemon and light spiciness along with cool acidity. It is an easy wine that is ripe with apple and fresh lemon juice and ready to drink."

My Review: This wine smells like a ripe pear. Very light with floral tastes but not a lot of fruits. Vegetative feel with some acidity detectable on the finish.

Paired with food: Nope, and I didn't particularly care for this earthy floral taste, I really like my fruits.

Tasting- Crane Lake Riesling

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: "Pale golden color. Ripe and dried peaches on the nose. Minerals and dried peach flavors. Nicely balanced, leaning towards lime acididty."

My Review: Smells like flowers. The sweetness is not overwhelming. Floral and fruity flavors which I cannot seem to specifically identify.

Paired with food: No, but this has probably been my favorite white dessert wine.

Tasting- Vinedos Real Rubio Roja Crianza

Name: Vinedos Real Rubio Roja Crianza
Variety: Blend of Tempranillo and Graciano
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $16

Winery Review: "Lightly baked berry aromas vie for attention with leather, spice and mild earth notes, and the result is disjointed. On the palate, this is tight as a drum initially, but more expansive as it unfolds. Cherry, plum, raspberry, vanilla and woodspice flavors finish pure, clean and easy. This is a fine yet manageable Rioja that’s not trying too hard. Drink through 2016."

My Review: The smell is enticing with floral and fruity notes. Berry flavors yet still light and delicious. Slightly tannic.

Paired with food: No, not this time.