Tasting- Peter Mertes Sweet Red Dornfelder

Name: Peter Mertes Sweet Red
Variety: Dornfelder
Region: California 
Country: Germany  
Year: 2014
Price: $12

Winery Review: The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine. Great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled.    

My Review: This wine had a very, very sweet scent. Scent was very berry like. This wine tasted very much like grape juice, very sugary grape juice. The taste was also very buttery. Smooth wine. 


*not paired with food*

Tasting- Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli

Name: Castello Sonnino
Variety: Chianti Montespertoli
Region: Chianti 
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $15

Winery Review: A blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti. Rich and modern, with a dark, saturated color and aromas of graham cracker and lemon rind. A juicy palate packed with plum and raspberry is carried by a creamy texture that’s rather toasty in terms of flavor. The finish is round, full and chocolaty.    

My Review: I thought this wine smelled strongly of alcohol. There were also hints of petrol and vinegar in the scent. I thought the taste was very dry similar to a leather couch. This was my least favorite wine, very nasty.


*not paired with food*

Tasting- Bolla Bardolino Magnum

Name: Bolla Bardolino
Variety: Magnum
Region: Bardolino
Country: Italy 
Year: 2011
Price: $18

Winery Review:  A blend of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara this bright ruby red wine has hints of black cherry on the nose.  It is soft and fruit-forward, with black-fruit flavors followed by a bright and fresh finish. Serve it as the Italians do – young and lightly chilled. Pairs perfectly with fleshy fish, beef, lamb, red-sauced pastas and pizza.    

My Review: This wine had a sweet, buttery scent. The scent was very grape like. The taste of this wine was oaky with a hint of petrol. I thought it had a bitter taste. 


*not paired with food*

Tasting- Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico

Name: Berganorio Tenuta le Velette
Variety: Orvieto Classico 
Region: Orvieto
Country: Italy 
Year: 2011
Price: $18

Winery Review: "The Berganorio Orvieto is a subtle wine with a bright palate. It shows white flowers on the nose and light citrus notes in the mouth. Its neutral character means it can accompany a wide range of foods. A blend of 30% Trebbiano, 30% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia, 15% Verdello, and 5% Drupeggio. The estate has 103 hectares on the hill opposite the hill town of Orvieto."    

My Review: I think this wine had a sweet honey like scent. The taste was bitter yet crisp with floral hints. Wasn't a fan of this wine. 


*not paired with food*

Tasting- Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde

Name: Aveleda Praia
Variety: Vinho Verde
Region: Vinho Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: $10

Winery Review: A blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura and 10% Azal. Full of fruit, a lasting peach flavor targeted with laserlike acidity through the finish. It has the bite of salty ocean air and a lot of zing. For langoustines.

My Review: I think this wine had a fruity scent. Hints of apple and citrus. It had a light, crisp taste that was a little bitter. However, it was sweet tasting upfront with hints of citrus and grapefruit. 


*not paired with food*