Region: Montello vineyards in Asoli
Country: Italy
Year: Unknown
Price: $11.95
"Vintage Cellar" Review: "Prosecco is very popular in Italy. The wine is often served as a festive aperitif but mild dry Prosecco Spumante is also very suitable as a companion of appetizers and entrees. Prosecco is a generic term and can be sold in many different qualities. The best have their own appellation, as Casa Bianca. The vineyards of Montello and the hills of Asoli located in northern Italy. This rosato spumante is made from white grape pinot nero prosecco and red. By fermenting them together creates the pale pink color and a flavor that is more powerful than the white variety. Spicy Rosato spumante with a fine persisten mousse, juicy fresh red fruit in the aroma and a rich, smooth and lasting flavor."
My Review: I personally tend not to like Rose anything because too often it is overly sweet for my palate. However, I found this prosecco to be quite light in its sweetness. For a prosecco, it did not seem highly carbonated which could possibly have been from being open for awhile (seeing as this was at a tasting bar). Although, the tasting bar was fairly busy so the bottle was likely relatively fresh. I couldn't pick up many particular flavors or aromas but found the wine to be very light and crisp. I could certainly see it as a refreshing afternoon beverage on a warm summer afternoon.
Tasting #2: Nyketeri Santorini Yannis
Variety: Assyrtico, Athiri, Aldanl
Region: Santorini Island
Country: Greece
Year: 2009
Price: $13.95
"Vintage Cellar" Review: "I fell first for the compelling story of this 'night work' wine, and then for the aroma and taste, and can't think of a wine to compare it to. Nykteri - Dry White Wine Appellation of Origin Santorini of superior quality since 3,500 years ago, the Nykteri is synonymous to Santorini's famous white wine. The formula to 'instant wine making' on the night of the same day that the grapes were harvested solved the problem of the variety's sensitive aroma deterioration. The wine is matured for 3 months at least in barrels. In this way the wine's contact with barrels wood gives the Nykteri a special finesse. Characteristics: crystal-clear, semi-yellow wine. Dominated by the aromas of jasmine, citrus fruits, flowers, and pear, all these enhanced with a gentle vanilla sense. A strong body with warm personality and a long lasting taste. Serve with grilled anything as well as with local Greek dishes such as tomato meatballs and fava dip."
My Review: The very first thing I thought when I tasted this wine was that I found it to be very tart. The next thing that hit me was how fruity it was. Without reading the write-up, I would not have been able to pin-point what fruits exactly were coming through but after reading it, the pear flavor became obvious. Aside from those two punches, I found it to be a little oaky, smooth on the palate, medium-bodied, with a very like vanilla flavor in the finish.
Tasting #3: Doural Tinto
Variety: Touriga Franca
Region: Douro
Country: Portugal
Year: 2009
Price: $8.95
"Vintage Cellar" 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: Of the 6 wines I tasted, this one was my favorite. It had a very strong aroma and taste of cherry. I thought it to have very little spice but a slight peppery taste on my palate. I thought the body was very strong and the mouthfeel very smooth. I really enjoyed this wine. I would have loved to try it was a nice hard parmesan cheese. Great value if you ask me!
Tasting #4: Beauvert Cotes du Rhone
Variety: Cotes du Rhone
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2009
Price: $11.95
"Vintage Cellar" Review: "A beautiful ruby red wine. Very fragrant, with aromas of red fruit (currant, strawberry, and cherry) with hints of black pepper and cinnamon. Medium-bodied and silky in the mouth with mature, round tannins. Enjoy with meats, grilled vegetables, or cheese.
My Review: If there is one thing that I can detect both in smell and taste in a wine, it's currants. The smell and flavor is very distinguishable for me probably because it is not a flavor I prefer. The currants definitely came across strongly in this one for me, but only in the wine's smell. I didn't find there to be a particularly strong currant flavor in the taste of the wine. I actually found the fruity strawberry flavor to be more powerful than the currants. This wine also had a very silky smooth mouthfeel.
Tasting #5: Boas Vinhas Tinto
Variety: Touriga Nacional, Alforcheiro and Tinta Roriz
Region: Dao
Country: Portugal
Year: 2009
Price: $9.95
"Vintage Cellar" Review: "Deep bright violet and red color. Rich in aromas of red fruits as plums and strawberries. Its intense yet docile and fleshy taste fills the palate without roughness, leaving a pleasant sensation."
My Review: This wine is another great value. Very fruity smell came across for me. Contrary to the write-up given, I found this wine to leave a very rough mouthfeel. It left me with the feeling of a very dry cabernet sauvignon in my mouth. Definitely not a smooth wine but has very nice flavors. Despite being fruity on the nose, I did not find it especially so on the palate. This is one we bought!
Tasting #6: Paulo Laureano Classico Alentejano Tinto
Variety: Unknown
Region: Alentejo
Country: Portugal
Year: 2009
Price: $9.95
"Vintage Cellar" Review: "Intense ruby color. Clearly favors the component of primary aromas where notes of plum confit stress, blackberries, spice and ripe red peppers, all in a balanced and attractive...soft, to remember the hot plains, shows a nice fresh, soft and silky tannins and an elegant long finish."
My Review: I thought this wine was very well balanced. Of all the ones I tried, this had the least amount of heat from the alcohol coming across. I found the nose to be highlighted by the blackberries and the finish to have a bit of a "zip" to it. I'm not sure where the zip in flavor came from for me, but the end had a bit of a punch!
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