Tasting - Anyela's Cayuga White

Name: 2009 Anyela's Cayuga White

Variety: White wine

Region: Upstate New York - Finger Lakes

Country: USA

Year: 2009

Price: $11.95

Wine Critic's Review: "Anyela's planted their vineyard in 2001, and opened in 2009 when releasing their 2005 vintage. Since then they have received multiple awards for their Cayuga White..." -Why Wine Blog

My Review: Overall, out of the five white wines that I tasted while at this winery, this was my favorite wine. The wine was very well balanced and smooth. I noticed a creamy taste with less overpowering sweetness, but instead hints of vanilla. It was a semi-sweet wine that I enjoyed and actually ordered a glass of this wine after the tasting was over. Very good!

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - Anyela's Riesling

Name: Anyela's 2010 Riesling

Variety: Riesling

Region: Upstate New York - Finger Lakes

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $15.95

Wine Critic's Review: "I found the 2010 Riesling to be very nice... They have received multiple awards for their Riesling... Anyela's is a young winery producing some remarkable wines." -Why Wine Blog

My Review: I enjoyed the 2010 Riesling because it wasn't overly sweet. I have noticed my palate changing and enjoying more wines with a dryer, less sweet taste. The flavor that stuck out the most when initially trying this wine was a peachy flavor. Since the wine wasn't too sweet, the citrusy flavors helps to bring down the level of sweetness. The lingering flavor of the wine was a crisp and clean finish.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - Anyela's Cuvee Blanc

Name: Anyela's Cuvee Blanc

Variety: Cuvee Blanc

Region: Upstate New York - Finger Lakes

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $14.95

Wine Critic's Review: "The NV Cuvee Blanc was a bit disappointing, but I found the 2010 Riesling to be very nice. Then again, 2010 was a very goodyear for the FLX Rieslings and Finger Lakes white wines." - Why Wine Blog

My Review: This particular Cuvee Blanc is a blend of Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Cayuga White. The very first taste I noticed immediately was a nice lemon flavor and hints of green apple. Overall the wine was citrusy and had a crisp, clean mid palate. The lingering flavor left a slight lemon, citrus flavor in my mouth. One word to describe this wine was lemon!

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - Anyela's Pinot Gris

Name: 2010 Anyela's Pinot Gris

Variety: Pinot Gris

Region: Upstate New York - Finger Lakes

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $16.95

Wine Critic's Review: "Pinot Gris is very versatile and pairs well with many foods. The Anyela's Pinot Gris is one of the best I've had at my young white wine drinking age. It is a bit pricey for a Pinot Gris, but will be a must have this summer when grilling or char-broiling a nice salmon steak or trout.

My Review: I noticed for this type of wine to be a lighter style of Pinot Gris that has many fruit flavors. I could taste hints of green apple and pear with a long finish after taking the first sip. The lingering finish was helped me to get other complex tastes such as a stronger taste of the fruit than when initially tasting the wine.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Anyela's Dry Riesling

Name: 2010 Anyela's Dry Riesling

Variety: Riesling

Region: Upstate New York - Finger Lakes

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $15.95

Wine Critic's Review: Anyela's 2010 Dry Riesling won an Unanimous Gold Award given out by the International Riesling Foundation. "Aromas filled with green apple, a little floral and citrus and some pineapple. Flavors just lingered in the mouth and finished long and dry with a little citrus. Realizing now that the 2010 vintage is producing outstanding Finger Lakes Riesling and still have not been disappointed which any I've tasted. Getting more and more difficult to choose the best." -Why Wine Blog

My Review: This wine was very refreshing with a big fruit base to the wine, but not nearly as sweet which was a great component. I noticed great complexity in the wine with also a perfect amount of dryness and sweetness in the wine. The ending of the wine had a crisp, clean finish. I really enjoyed the equality of the dry and sweet levels in the wine.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - Chateau de Valmer Vouvray

Name: Val de Loire Chateau de Valmer Vouvray

Variety: Vouvray White Grape Wine

Region: Loire

Country: France

Year: 2010

Price: $12.99

Wine Critic's Review: "I've had some lovely Loire Valley wines and some pretty darn bad ones. This one is smack dab in the middle. The wine is quite yellow in color. On the nose are lots of sweet honey suckle smells. On the mid pallet are some quite sweet flavors. On the finish are some tart tastes to take away from of the sweetness. This is not a bad balance, but a little sweet for my tastes. I prefer a little dryer. The wine very much reminded me of a Spatlese German Riesling." -canadianwineguy.com

My Review: When I was looking for a wine to purchase at Kroger the man who works in the wine section offered some help. I told him I was looking for something that had a hint of sweetness and also citrusy. This wine that he picked out for me was perfect. It was very light, had flavors of granny smith apples, a slight taste of lemon, honeysuckle and pears. I thoroughly enjoyed this wine and was the perfect kind of wine to sip on.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling

Name: Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling

Variety: Riesling

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $6.99

Wine Critic's Review: "Pleasing and full. Dances on the tongue with good acid. Fruit is forward enough and no heat whatsoever. The peaches and citrus fade away to bring on some canteloupe, honeydew and a small hint of grass. Long, lip-smacking finish. Bit too sweet." -winewelfar.com

My Review: When smelling the wine you get an overpowering whiff of the generic smell of wine and alcohol. Surprisingly, when you taste the wine, there isn't too much heat. I immediately noteced a bit of pear, peach and strawberry all rolled into one. Overall, it didn't seem as if there was much dimension. Before you swallow the wine I noticed a bite in the back of your throat. I would rate this wine just mediocre.

I did not eat food with this wine.