Tasting: Peter Mertes Liebfraumilch Rheinhessen Qualitatswein

Name: Peter Mertes Liebfraumilch Rheinhessen Qualitatswein

Variety: Riesling
Region: Rheinhessen and Palatinate
Country: Germany
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Winery Review:
Leibfraumilch is a soft, delicate wine of the Rheinhessen and Palatinate districts. The original wine was named after the Leibfraumilch monastery in Worms, where the monks were the first wine growers and produced an unusually pleasing wine. Wines of the Rheinhessen and Palatinate are noted for their aroma, well- balanced harmony, and fragrance.  Leibfraumilch, as all excellent white wines is best served chilled. We suggest serving with cold entrees, as well as poultry, such as chicken or turkey, or even with a mild Cheddar, mellow and slightly nutty with a medium consistency.

My Review:
It smelled very sweet. It has a slight hint of berries in the smell as well. It was a very subtle wine. It was not very bold, but that didn’t matter because the softness was what made the wine very nice. It has a slightly spicy finish. I liked this wine. It was very sweet.   

Tasting: Col Des Vents Corbieres

Name: Col Des Vents Corbieres
Variety: 50% Carignan, 35% Grenache, 15% Syrah
Region: Dorban
Country: France
Year: 2009
Price: $7.95

Winery Review:
Brambly berry, cherry and raspberry, spices, black pepper…all are present in this authentic French country wine.

My Review:
It smelled like alcohol, very dry. It tasted somewhat like berries. It was very spicy. 

Tasting: San Elias Carmenere

Name: San Elias Carmenere
Variety: Carmenere
Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95

Winery Review:
The grapes for this Carménère are selected from vineyards in the Central Valley. Beautiful red fruit aromas. Supple and round in the mouth, the wine pairs well with full flavored cheeses and lamb.

My Review:
It smells like berries and cherries. It also had a pepper smell. After the lady told me that she smelled green pepper, I couldn’t smell anything but green pepper. The only taste was pepper. It was like a pepper explosion.

Tasting: Estrella Chardonnay

Name: Estrella Chardonnay
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Napa, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95

Winery Review:
Intensely flavored and balanced with layers of vanilla, butter and pear, followed by apple, banana and oak.

My Review:
It smelled like pear. It tasted like apple, and is not very open. I did not like it at all.  

Tasting: Zonin Pinot Grigio

Name: Zonin Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Winery Review:
Pale straw-yellow color with brilliant reflections. Delicately fruity bouquet, with outstanding finesse and marked hints of almond blossom and peaches. Elegant, soft and well-structured fruit on the palate, with remarkable freshness and a clean, persistent aftertaste.

My Review:
It smells like grapes, green ones that you set out on the table. It was kind of sweet, and smelled that way. It had a very acidic after taste.

Tasting: Estrella Merlot

Name: Estrella Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Winery Review:
This ruby colored merlot has raspberry jam aromas with a subtle hint of spice. Layers of vanilla, plum and fig are revealed that linger ever so slightly on the palate.

My Review:
This wine smelled sweet, with some berry. The taste was very subtle. It was not bold, but I really liked it. It had a slightly spicy finish.

Tasting: Doural Red Tinto

 Name: Doural Red Tinto
Variety: Red blend
Region/country: Portugal
Year: 2009
Price: $8.95

Winery Review:
This Portuguese tinto (red) blend exhibits a deep red color with violet hues. The nose is vibrant and fruity. The palate offers notes of spice, cherry, and dark berry supported by good structure. Pairs well with red or game meat, cheeses and fish.

My Review:
This wine had a smell that was kind of hard to define. It smelled like alcohol. It had a dry smell as well. It tasted of berries. It had a slightly spicy finish. In my description, I wrote down berries twice… so it must have tasted very much like berries to me.