Tasting - Jam Jar Sweet White

I did not pair this wine with food.

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White
Variety: Muscat
Region: N/A
Country: South Africa
Year: N/A
Price: $8.95

Professional Notes: 100% Muscat. Soft floral hints add depth to the otherwise straightforward ripe peach and nectarine aromas. There's a good balance in the mouth, with a nice acidic lift and slightly lime edge to cut the sweetness on the finish and close with the faintest hint of honeydew melons. 

My Review: This wine had a floral nose, mostly of roses. It was a well balanced wine and was not overly sweet. A good after dinner wine. I would recommend it. 

Tasting - Entrada Malbec

I did not pair this wine with food.

Name: Entrada Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: N/A
Country: Chile
Year: N/A
Price: $5.95

Professional Notes: Firm and structured, this is a solid wine, laced with mineral acidity and tight tannins. It has a juicy, blackberry fruit component cutting through the texture. 

My Review: This wine was dark red in color. It was a firm wine, and had some mineral textures. It was alright, but nothing special. I didn't write too many notes down for this wine, because I saw a 6 pack of the new KCCO black lager, which was A-mazing!

Tasting - Vina Borga Borsao

I did not pair this wine with food.

Name: Vina Borga Borsao
Variety: Grenache
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Professional Notes: 86 Points - Robert Parker. Also made from 100% Grenache, the 2012 Vina Borgia was fermented and aged in stainless steel. Its medium dark ruby color is followed by abundant notes of strawberries and black cherries offered in a straightforward, medium-bodied, soft, hedonistic, round style. It is hard to believe a wine this good can sell for $7 a bottle. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years. 

My Review: This wine was a nice ruby red color. I smelled dark cherries on the nose. However, the wine had an overload of spices. Like, it tasted like I had just licked a bowl of a Native American blend of tribal spices. There was too much spice. It was fairly dry. I would not recommend it. 

Tasting - Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

I did not pair this wine with food.

Name: Peter Lehmann Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: N/A
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $20, on sale for $9.95

Professional Notes: The 2010 Chardonnay presents subtle notes of spiced apple slices and ripe peaches with hints of freshly baked bread and melon. Light bodied, clean and refreshingly crisp in the mouth, it offers just enough apple and pear flavor concentration, finishing with medium-long persistence. Drink it now to 2014. 

My Review: The nose of this wine was disturbing. I smelled moldy couch, trash juice, and peaches. It really threw me off. The wine itself was simple and dry. I did taste the bread-y, yeast-y flavors. I feel like this wine wanted to be a beer, but turned out a wine. His parents forced him into it, and now he regrets it every day.  

Tasting - Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

I did not pair this wine with food.

Name: Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
Variety: Airen/Macabeo blend
Region: N/A
Country: Spain
Year: N/A
Price: $6.95

Professional Notes: Mostly Airen with a little bit of Macabeo. Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.

My Review: This wine had citrus nose. It was quite dry and had a weird mouth feel. I had a hard time picking out clear flavor profiles in the taste. The wine spoke to me though, and it said 'meh, I'm nothing special.' I would not recommend it.

Tasting - R Wines Eco.Love Riesling

I did not pair this wine with food

Name: R Wines Eco.Love Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: N/A
Price: $18, on sale for $7.95

Professional Notes: Our South Island Riesling has a range and combination of flavors unlike any other. These flavors span citrus, root ginger, white peach, spices and florals. eco.love Riesling is made in balance to an off-dry style. Food Pairing: Asian Fusion, Seafood, Curry, and anything spicy

My Review: This wine was not bad. It was sunshine yellow. I smelled hints of grass and fruit. There was a burning sensation that really singed the nostrils as well. There were also hints of gasoline when I tasted the wine. I would not recommend it. 

Tasting - Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon

I did not pair this wine with food

Name: Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: N/A
Country: California
Year: N/A
Price: $8.95

Professional Notes: Well-balanced flavors of dark berries and  plums. Spicy fruit finish

My Review: The professional notes pretty much sum this wine up perfectly. The wine was dark red in color. I tasted dark spicy fruits. I also tasted a lot of ground. Like dirty, earthy ground. I felt like I was tasting the underside of a sandal. The type of sandal that an aged hippy would wear on a nature hike. So it wasn't my favorite flavor. 

Tasting - Canyon Road Pinot Nior

I did not pair this wine with food

Name: Canyon Road Pinot Nior
Variety: Pinot Nior 
Region: N/A
Country: California
Year: N/A
Price: $6.95

Professional Notes: Rich, fruit forward cherry flavors, soft tannins, a medium body and a smooth velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes.

My Review: This was a good one ladies and gentlemen. I enjoyed this tasting, so much that I bought a bottle of it! This pinot noir had lovely hints of cherry with mild tannins. It was on the sweeter side but not overdone. Good wine; drink this if you're a good person. 

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham Chard. Semillon

I did not pair this wine with food

Name: Wine Men of Gotham Chard. Semillon
Variety: Chardonnay / Semillon Blend
Region: N/A
Country: Australia
Year: N/A
Price: $7.95

Professional Notes: Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish. 

My Review: This blend was alright. It was pale white in color. I smelled melon on the nose. However, the wine tasted gritty, with hints of mineral. It was quite acidic as well. I did not enjoy it.

Tasting - Indwe Sauvignon Blanc

I did not pair this wine with food

Name: Indwe Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: N/A
Country: South Africa
Year: N/A
Price: $7.95

Professional Notes: Grapes are meticulously sourced from our grape producers along the Coastal region of the Western Cape ensuring complexity and freshness in the wine. Indwe Sauvignon Blanc is full of layers, balance and persistence. The wine is imbued with tropical and citrus notes, with hints of melon and gooseberry flavors.

My Review: This pale white wine was alright. I got a lot of hints of goose on the nose. Very goosey. I especially enjoyed the flavors on the mid palette. Though there was something off-putting about the wine. I can't put my finger on it. It may have been dill flavor. Either was I would not buy this wine personally. 

Tasting - Domaine Andre Bonhomme Vire Clesse

I paired this wine with chicken and pasta

Name: Domaine Andre Bonhomme Vire Clesse
Variety: Chardonnay 
Region: Burgundy
Country: France
Year: 2009
Price: $29.99

Professional Notes: 91 Points, International Wine Cellar. Bright yellow-gold  smoky, soil-driven nose offers aromas of stone fruits, oatmeal, clove, grilled nuts and lees, along with intriguing high notes of lilac and minerals.  Penetrating, minerally and very dry, with lovely mid-palate energy giving the wine a light touch.  Really dances on the finish, offering saline, spice and mineral nuances and a light touch.  This uncompromisingly dry, very subtle wine is about much more than just fruit.

My Review: This was a special wine my mother chose. The price tag was a bit higher than usual, so I had high hopes for this wine. The french label made it seem legit as well; however, I was fairly disappointed. The wine was pale white, I had a hard time discerning any distinctive flavors on the nose. The wine was crisp and not overly sweet. Definitely on the drier side. Again there wasn't much flavor. I would chalk this wine up to be your average Chardonnay. I would not recommend, unless it was on sale for $7.95. 

Tasting - St. Francis "Old Vines" Zinfandel

I paired this wine with a kielbasa and pirogi dinner

Name: St. Francis "Old Vines" Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Sonoma Valley
Country: California
Year: 2010
Price: $29.99

Professional Notes: This classic "old world style" Zinfandel pays tribute to the legacy of its 50-110 year old vines. This rich Sonoma County classic flaunts aromas of cigar box, raspberry, pepper and spice. Flavors of ripe black cherry and vanilla bean are followed by a long, luscious finish. 

My Review: This was an excellent wine. I enjoyed it with my parents when I was home. The wine was deep red in color and I could smell the wine from afar. I smelled raspberries and slight earthy tones on the nose. Mostly raspberry though. I thought this wine was bold. It had a noticeably long finish, and a lot of heat. The 15.8% alcohol is a little excessive in my opinion. However, this wine paired nicely with the kielbasa dinner we had. The wine was strong enough to not get washed out by the big meaty flavors. I would highly recommend this wine.  

Tasting - Heavy Seas Davy Jones Lager

I paired a bison burger with this beer

Name: Heavy Seas Davy Jones Lager
Variety: Lager
Region: Halethorpe
Country: Maryland
Year: N/A
Price: $2.50 on sale

Professional Notes: Our Davy Jones’ Lager is fermented using lager yeast at “ale” temperatures, then slowly lowered down to “lager”, taking the yeast from the top down to Davy Jones’ Locker. Available from May through July.

My Review: I also had this beer at my recent visit to the Blacksburg Taphouse on Main Street. This was one of the special beers on ale for the night. Most of the sale beers were thick, heavy stouts. I mistakenly ordered one of these and regretted it. On the next round, I asked for a lighter one, and our waitress recommended this lager. It was right up my alley. There were some lighter spicy hints to this beer. It was still full of flavor. I drank it with my bison burger, and it did not go very well with it. I would still recommend the beer by itself though.

Tasting - Sly Fox Helles

I paired this beer with artichoke dip

Name: Sly Fox Helles
Variety: German style golden lager
Region: N/A
Country: Pennsylvania
Year: N/A
Price: $5.50 for a glass

Professional Notes: A German-style golden lager brewed with imported German Pils malt and Saaz and Hallertauer hops. This light-bodied beer offers a gentle, dry finish. A perennial favorite in the Sly Fox pubs and our brewer's go-to session beer. Helles Golden Lager in a can offers wide open flavor and aroma.

My Review: I had this beer at the Blacksburg Taphouse on Main street. Great restaurant, by the way. This is a solid lager. I am not a fan of heavy, dark beers, so this one was perfect for me. This beer has just the right amount of hops for my tasting. It paired well with the artichoke dip we had as an appetizer. I would recommend this beer. 

Tasting - Spud Potato Vodka

I did not pair this vodka with food

Name: Spud Potato Vodka
Variety: Potato Vodka
Region: N/A
Country: Poland
Year: N/A
Price: $24.90

Professional Notes: Spud vodka follows in the great traditions of the 1800. Spud is made in Poland entirely from potatoes. It is distilled 5 times for an unprecedented smoothness, and it has subtle, yet distinctive, vanilla notes. So it should come as no surprise that, in blind tests spud super-premium potato vodka out-performed the ultra-premium brands. And it 100% gluten free.

My Review: Throwing a vodka into the mix! I went to the liquor store and they were handing out free samples. I've never had potato vodka before so I wanted to try it. I'm not a huge fan of unflavored vodka, but I gotta say, this one is noticeably smoother than grain vodka. I've tried Grey Good and Belvedere before, and this one beats them out for smoothness. I also tried one of the ginger flavored ones, and it was alright. If I want to drop $25 on a 750 mL bottle of nice vodka, I'd probably go with this one. I would recommend it. 

Tasting - Corbett Canyon Pinot Grigio

I ate cheese pizza with this wine

Name: Corbett Canyon Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Ripon
Country: California
Year: N/A
Price: $12.99 for 3L

Professional Notes: “I am honored when you select one of our Corbett Canyon wines to share at your family table. You have my pledge that each bottle and cask of Corbett Canyon wine is worthy to grace your meal and conversation.Our Pinot Grigio is a crisp and refreshing full-flavored wine. Aromas of floral notes and tropical fruit lead to a clean finish. Pair with creamy penne pasta salad and chicken.”

My Review: This was a good wine, considering it came in a bag. The wine was a pale white, and had a ripe citrus nose. The wine was on the acidic side, but I enjoyed it. I would recommend this wine. I ate cheese pizza with this wine. I would say it wasn't the best pairing, but it also wasn't the worst.

Tasting - Chadds Ford Sunset Blush

I did not pair this wine with food

Name: Chadds Ford Sunset Blush
Variety: Rose
Region: Chadds Ford
Country: Pennsylvania
Year: N/A
Price: $11.49

Professional Notes: Delicate, pale pink, slightly sweet Rosé. Roll it out anytime the sun goes down!

My Review: This was a very enjoyable wine. It is light pink in color and has a wonderfully fruity nose that reminded me of strawberries and small amounts of citrus fruit. The wine itself is very sweet. The strawberries are present in the flavor as well, and give the wine a nice mellow finish. I would recommend this wine. 

Tasting - Loredona Riesling

I did not pair this wine with food

Name: Loredona Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Monterrey
Country: California
Year: N/A
Price: $15.00 on sale for $7.95

Professional Notes: If you like your Rieslings on the sweet side, this pretty wine is for you. It's brisk in Central Coast acidity, with citrus, peach, honeysuckle and spice flavors that finish clean and long.

My Review: This wine had quite the acidic nose. However, it was a very sweet wine. Thought simple, I tasted fresh strawberries, the kind that are never frozen. This is a refreshing wine, and I would recommend it. 

Tasting - Maipe Malbec

I did not pair this wine with food

Name: Maipe Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: N/A
Price: $8.95

Professional Notes: Deep purple color with violet tints, complex plum, fig, strawberry, spices and floral aromas; rounded and velvety tannins, excellent length with a distinguished character. Excellent when paired with game, roasted red meats, pasta or pizza. 

My Review: This was a tasty wine. The wine was a purpley red shade. This nose of the wine smelled exactly like Smuckers Concord grape jelly, plum, and purple fruits. The wine was complex in nature and did not taste like it smelled. I tasted Crayola crayons. It was bitter, and felt like I was licking a tire. This was no little dab either, I'm talking about a full on, completely extended tongue lick. I would not recommend this wine. 

Tasting - Villa d' Rosso Toscano

I did not pair this wine with food

Name: Villa d' Rosso Toscano
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Montepulciano
Country: Italy
Year: N/A
Price: $6.95

Professional Notes: 100% sangiovese grapes and is a wonderful rendition of a velvety Tuscan red.

My Review: This wine was ruby red in color. I smelled earthy tones on the nose. The wine had a large tannic component, but was fairly mellow. It was easy to drink. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

Tasting - Arnold Palmer Chardonnay

I did not pair this wine with food.

Name: Arnold Palmer Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: N/A
Country: California
Year: 2011
Price: $20.00 on sale for $7.95

Professional Notes: A vibrant Chardonnay from vineyards in cooler climates of California. Chardonnay is well known for its characteristic fresh apple fruit aromas and rounded, rich flavors. Weather during the 2011 harvest provided ideal growing conditions for lush, yet perfectly balanced fruit.

My Review: This may be my favorite Chardonnay that I've ever tasted. It was a very full, very complete wine. It was golden in color, and had a big nose of apples. This wine was full bodied, and I tasted hints of hay. I thoroughly enjoyed it and bought a bottle of it afterwards. Totally recommend it!

Tasting - El Sierro Macabeo/Chardonnay

I did not pair this wine with food

Name: El Sierro Macabeo/Chardonnay
Variety: Macabeo/Chardonnay
Region: N/A
Country: Spain
Year: N/A
Price: $6.95

Professional Notes: In the glass, there is a bright and shiny white wine with an incredibly welcoming, fresh appetizing aroma reminiscent of ripe tropical fruits. The flavor is rich, balanced and extremely comfortable. The near-perfect all-purpose white wine. As an additional benefit, and good evidence that El Sierro reflect the new Spain, the bottle is sealed with the technical viewed perfect screw cap that at once eliminates any risk of cork flavor and keeps the fruit and the wine fresher for longer time.

My Review: This white wine had a strong nose. I could smell it before my nose reached the glass. It was light and refreshing, both in smell and taste. This is a light bodied wine that has a warming sensation that lasts. It had light fruit flavors. I would recommend this wine.