Sunday, February 19, 2012

Tasting - Crane Lake Gewurztraminer

Crane Lake Gewurztraminer (2011)

Name: Crane Lake California 2011 Gewurztraminer
Variety: Gewurztraminer, white wine
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $4.59

Wine Critic's Review: "Even after a big dinner, there's room for this amazingly rich dessert wine. With residual sugar of 15.3%, it's extremely sweet, but vibrant acidity fives it nerve and zest. Shocks the palate with massive flavors of apricot essense, peaches, creme brulee, honey and vanilla bean. Tantalizing and exotic." -S. H. buyingguide.com

My Review: I noticed a great balance between sweet, but during the midpalate there was a dryer taste to help make this particular wine less sweet. When I first swirled and smelled the wine I noticed a honeysuckle smell with a hint of peach. When I tasted the wine I got a peachy, grapefruit taste, possibly accounting for the sweet yet dryer and taste with a bite to it.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Wine Tasting - Poggio Vipere

Poggio Vipere Chianti DOCG, Tuscany, Italy label

Name: Poggio Vipere Chianti Classico

Variety: Chianti, Red Wine

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Country: Italy

Year: 2008

Price: $12.99

Shop Review: "Ruby red color, it has a good body and persistent aroma with hints of cherry spice. In the mouth, it reveals itself as soft, fresh and pleasantly balanced." -Vias Import Limited

My Review: This red wine was a little dryer than I had liked with a decent amount of heat that came with each sip. I did enjoy the blackberry flavor and a hint of sweet raspberries. The immediate and middle taste tended to be dryer but the lingering taste was sweeter. I prefer sweeter wines, but there was a decent mixture between a dry and sweet taste.

I drank this wine with cheese and crackers. The cheese helped make the wine have less lingering heat with the after taste. The wine had a dry after taste, also, so the cheese and crackers helped to change up after taste and make the wine more enjoyable.

Tasting - Moscato Primo Amore

Primo Amore Moscato

Name: Moscato Puglia Primo Amore Italia
Variety: 100% Moscato, White Wine
Region: Puglia, Italy
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $9.99

Wine Critic's Review: "This refreshing and fruit Moscato wine comes from the warm Southern vineyards of Puglia. Primo Amore, or first love expresses the joy of discovery experienced when a wine drinker first encounters the sweetness and enticing fragrance of the delicate wine." -Winery Notes

My Review: Very good! There was a distinct melon and citrus flavor when first taking a sip and then the mid palette I tasted a sweet, honey-like taste. There wasn't too much heat when drinking it. I enjoyed this sweet tasting wine.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.