Tasting - Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes de Rhone

Name: Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes de Rhone
Variety: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $14.95/750mL , $38.95/3L
Wine Review: As for their other values, the 201 Grand Veneur Cotes de Rhone Reserve (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Cinsault) displays loads of ripe flavors. It is very concentrate for a Cotes de Rhone, and is actually an amazing wine. Classic garrigue, black cherry liqueur, lavender  licorice and spice box are all present in this full-bodied, intense, and rich Cotes de Rhone. This is a sensational effort to drink over the next 4-5 years, although it might even last longer.
My Review: This wine has a dark red color. It had a fruity smell with strong hints of black cherry. It also smelled slightly spicy and slightly like licorice. It had a black cherry taste with hints of spice. I did not really like this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Lobetia Tempranillo

Name: Lobetia Tempranillo
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $9.95
Wine Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and terroir to stand out cleanly. It shows an nice cherry color with a violet shade because of its youth. Red berries and cherries on the nose. On the palate it is fresh, slightly astringent, and harmonious with a long finish. 
My Review: This wine has a medium red color. It smelled very fruity with strong hints of cherry. It also had a slightly rooty scent. This wine had a cherry taste with hints of root flavors. You could taste the tannins in this wine. I did not really like this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Lobetia Chardonnay

Name: Lobetia Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $9.95
Wine Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. Clean, bright color with a greenish-yellow tone. On the nose, exotic fruits like pineapple. Full flavored, fresh, with good acidity in the mouth, it finishes with tropical fruits.
My Review: This wine has a light color. It smelled like pears and pineapples. It was dry and slightly acidic. This wine tastes like tropical fruit. I enjoyed this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele

Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $7.95
Wine Review: Named after the famous restaurant in Italy! This is their house white wine! Coppery color from extended skin contact, round and rich texture with juicy melon aromas and flavors with a sweet fennel note on the ultra smooth finish. Great value Grigio! Drink now.
My Review: This wine has a light color. It had a floral scent with hints of apple and melon. It had a juicy, melon taste. This wine was dry. I enjoyed this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Ksana Bonarda

Name: Ksana Bonarda
Variety: Bonarda
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2008
Price: $9.95
Wine Review: The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid. Very sweet, berry smell with some rooty undertones. Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker.
My Review: This wine had a dark color with a floral scent. It also had a cherry, jammy smell. This wine has a berry taste to it. It has a slightly rooty taste. This wine is very smooth and very dry. I did not like this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Concannon Shiraz

Name: Concannon Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95
Wine Review: This is an extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the palate.
My Review: This wine has a dark red color. It had a strong scent of blackberries. This wine has a berry taste with hints of chocolate. It had a slight peppery taste with a smooth finish.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Chandon Sweet Cuvee

Name: Chandon Sweet Cuvee
Variety: Sparkling
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $9.95
Wine Review: This wine is an innovative sparkling wine style revealing vibrant stone fruit and floral aromas with rich, luscious mouthfeel. This wine enlivens the senses and sparks spontaneous moments, complementing your passion for a good life.
My Review: This wine has a light coral color. It has a very floral scent. This wine was slightly tart with a fruity taste. I did not really like this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine food.

Tasting - Black Ridge White Zinfandel

Name: Black Ridge White Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $3.95
Wine Review: This fruit forward White Zinfandel displays fresh aromas and crisp flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. It is incredibly food friendly and will pair well with burgers, sandwiches, fruit salad, and more.
My Review: This wine has a light coral color. It has a slight cherry and strawberry smell to it. This wine has a cherry taste. It is slightly sweet. I thought this wine was ok.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95
Wine Review: Orange blossom and citrus permeate the aromas. Alluring flavors of orange and grapefruit dominate the palate. Bright acidity balances the plush mouthfeel, resulting in a clean finish.
My Review: This wine has a very light color. It smelly very strongly of grapefruit. There were slight hints of orange on the nose as well. This wine has a very fruity taste. It tasted like oranges and grapefruits. It was slightly acidic and had a good finish. I really liked this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne

Name: Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne
Variety: 60% Semillon, 36% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Muscadelle
Region: Sauternes
Country: France
Year: 2004
Price: $7.95
Wine Review: Very clean, with lemon, mineral and honey aromas that follow through to a medium body. Shows vanilla, apple and melon favors, with a medium finish. Lightly sweet.
My Review: This wine had a yellow color. It smelled like honey with hints of minerals. It also smelled really sweet. This wine had a vanilla apple taste with hints if honey. It was very sweet. I did not like this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Torre Castillo Alegre

Name: Torre Castillo Alegre
Variety: Monastrell
Region: Jumilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95
Wine Review: Bright ruby-red. Dried cherry, pipe tobacco and rose aromas, with a hint of wood smoke. Sweet and fleshy on the palate, with blackberry and cherry flavors complimented by licorice and a suggestion of dried herbs. The cherry and smoke notes repeat on the finish.
My Review: This wine is a dark red. It has a smokey cherry smell. This wine is slightly sweet with a strong tobacco taste. I did not like this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Wilson Daniels Merlot

Name: Wilson Daniels Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95
Wine Review: Made predominantly from Paso Robles grapes, this wine is full-bodied and silky yet robust, with aromas of black cherry and plum and a palate of blackberry, raspberry and blueberry jam laced with vanilla and toast.
My Review: This wine had a fairly dark red color. It smelled like black cherries. This wine had a very rooty taste with an overwhelming toasty taste. I did not like this wine.
Food: I did no taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Bricco Dei Tati Rose

Name: Bricco Dei Tati Rose
Variety: Barbera
Region: Piemonte
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Wine Review: Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and rose petals, this is an ideal wine with shellfish, salads, chicken and appetizers.
My Review: This wine has a light pink color. It had a strawberry ad cherry smell. This wine had a cherry taste as well. This wine went from a tart taste to a sweet finish which I found to be kinda nice. I thought this was a pretty good wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: $7.95
Wine Review: This bleached blonde beauty is reminiscent of fresh green apples, pineapple and has hints of hibiscus blossoms. The concentration of zesty lemon and gooseberry fills your mouth leaving notes of thyme and melon behind. The bright acid in this wine gives you a zing while the fruit keeps your mouth watering for more. This wine pairs beautifully with a grilled prawn salad with a grapefruit vinaigrette, veggie spring rolls or grilled tilapia with mango salsa.
My Review: This wine has a really light color. It has a tart, fruity smell. This wine is slightly acidic. This wine had a pineapple taste. I really liked this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Ruta 22 Malbec

Name: Ruta 22 Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Patagonia
Country: Argentina
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $7.95
Wine Review: Stout and dense from the beginning, with blackberry and violet aromas. Despite being a bold and dark Malbec, this is fresh and composed, with sweet blackberry and cassis flavors. Good on the finish, with candied fruit and caramel sweetness.
My Review: This wine had a very dark red color. It had a peppery and berry smell. This wine had a peppery taste with hints of fruit. It was a very smooth wine. I really liked this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Chateau Serres Sainte Lucie Corbieres

Name: Chateau Serres Sainte Lucie Corbieres
Variety: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre
Region: Corbieres
Country: France
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $4.95
Wine Review: Superb dark garnet color with a few reflections of dark orange. Intense nose of ripe fruits, spices, and roasted coffee. The palate is rounded and full, with silky matured tannins and hints of vanilla. This wine is rich and powerful with layers of tannins.
My Review: This wine had a dark red color. It had a spicy, peppery smell. This wine had a slightly juicy taste. I really liked this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Cresta Azul

Name: Cresta Azul
Variety: Moscatel, Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo
Region: Emporda
Country: Spain
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $5.95
Wine Review: Peach, orange cream and vanilla flavors mingle in this softly bubbly white. Off-dry, but with crisp acidity and clean finish.
My Review: This wine had a light goldish almost white color. It had a sweet smell with strong hints of peaches. This wine had a strong peach flavor with hints of vanilla.  This was not a bad wine but also not my favorite.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Veleta Tempranillo Rosado

Name: Veleta Tempranillo Rosado
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Granada
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $3.95
Wine Review: Fresh in flavor and crisp in texture, this dry rose offers berry, tart cherry and light herbal flavors, with firm acidity and a clean finish. Focused and juicy.
My Review: This wine had a reddish-brown color. It smelled like cherries. The wine also tasted like cherries. It was slightly sweet and slightly acidic. I really liked this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado

Name: Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado
Variety: Tempranillo, Garnacha
Region: Granada
Country: Spain
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $3.95
Wine Review: Rose salmon with copper reflections. Slow rising fine bubble that forms "lace" and "rosary". In the nose is complex and elegant with red fruit, citric, exotic, fresh flowers, and notes of dry fruits and dry flowers. Fresh, gentle, and alive. Perfectly integrated "perlage" with serious and subtle flavors of dry fruits, pomegranate and lemonade. Long lasting scent of flowers and herbs.
My Review: This wine has a light amber color. It smelled like roasted almonds with a hint of fruity undertones. It had a bubbly feel to it when drank. This wine tasted like roasted almonds. It was an acidic and dry wine. I thought this was an ok wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz

Name: Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: South Eastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $9.95
Wine Review: A relatively light, fresh style of sparkling Shiraz, with berries and hints of chocolate picking up just a touch of sweet vanilla on the finish.
My Review: This wine had a medium red color. You could see some bubbles but not as much as I would have expected from a sparkling wine. It had a fruity smell with hints of chocolate. This wine had a slightly berry taste. It was also much drier than I expected. I thought this was a good wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting- Tres Ojos Garnacha

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha
Variety: Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Wine Review: The wine has a brick red color with a bouquet of red raspberries, spice, and white pepper. The palate is incredibly concentrated and rich. The modern styles of Garnacha in Spain are continuously being perceived worldwide as wines of extraordinary good quality. This wine is fruity, juicy and shows a great depth, ripe tannins, length but yet with wonderful elegance and lightness. Enjoy with sausages, roasted meats, aged cheeses etc.
My Review: This wine had a medium red color. It had a peppery smell that had hints of raspberries. This wine had a peppery taste with some slight hints of fruit. It was a very dry wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting -Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence

Name: Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence
Variety: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Region: Provence
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Wine Review: Bright salmon pink; typical of the fresh but warm Provence style. Refined and complex on the nose, with summer fruit and floral notes. Dry and crisp, with a delicate flavor and full texture.
My Review: This wine had a light pink color. It had a very floral and fruity scent. This wine also had a floraly taste and was kinda sour. I did not like this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Canyon Road Chardonnay

Name: Canyon Road Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Wine Review: Medium-bodied wine with notes of crisp apple and ripe citrus fruit with a hint of cinnamon spice. Delicious complement to grilled chicken, lighter pasta dishes or mild cheeses.
My Review: This wine had a light color. It had a very good nose that smelled of apples. This wine tasted like apple cinnamon. It was also very dry. I liked this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Montebuena

Name: Montebuena
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95
Wine Review: Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja
My Review: This wine had a medium red color. It smelled like cherries with a hint of black currant. It had a very peppery taste, almost too peppery. There were slight hints of cherries in the taste. I thought this wine was ok.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Potluck Sweet Malbec

Name: Potluck Sweet Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95
Wine Review: Deep red brilliant with violet hints. Complex, fruity, and predominant red fruits. Easy to drink, round with persistent sweetness, very well balanced with sweet tannins.
My Review: This wine had a dark red color. It had a very sweet and fruity smell as well as a floral smell. This wine had a very fruity taste. It was drier than it smelled. This wine was not my favorite but I did enjoy it.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Domaine de Grange de Payan

Name: Domaine de Grange de Payan
Variety: Grenache
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Wine Review: Intensely spicy and precise, with lively red berry flavors and a hint of black pepper. The Grenache, which makes up the majority of the wine, is deeper and more powerful, offering cherry and black raspberry qualities lifted by zesty minerality.
My Review: Dark red color with a oaky smell. It had a cherry flavor with a slightly jammy taste. It also had a peppery and oaky flavor. I liked this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Tinto Figaro

Name: Tinto Figaro
Variety: Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $6.95
Wine Review: Figaro is 100% Garnacha, made from a selection of the best grapes grown in the oldest vineyards. While not truly an "oaked wine", a short stay in oak barrels provides a nice spicy flavor boost. Bright violet. Dark berry and cherry aromas show a jammy aspect. Supple and gently sweet, with good lift to its black raspberry and boysenberry flavors. Smooth and broad on the finish, leaving behind a hint of spiciness. Extremely easy to drink and an excellent value.
My Review: This wine was a dark red color. It had an oaky and cherry smell. It had a very peppery, spicy flavor as well as a cherry flavor. It was very smooth and easy to drink. I enjoyed this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Maipe Malbec Rose

Name: Maipe Malbec Rose
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95
Wine Review: Intense pink color with violent hints. Fresh red fruit bouquet, strawberry and cherry flavors, balanced acidity, dry and lingering finish. Excellent with tuna or green salad, pasta, spicy Asian dishes.
My Review: This wine had a light pink color. It had a very fruity smell. It tasted like strawberries and cherries. This wine was dry and slightly acidic. It was very easy to drink. I liked this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Wine Review: Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste. Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi, spaghetti with clams, sole in white wine. Perfect also as an aperitif.
My Review: This Pinot Grigio had a very light color to it. It had a floral and fruity scent. The wine was dry with a lightly fruity taste. I could taste the almonds in the aftertaste. I enjoyed this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Dogajolo Toscano

Name: Dogajolo Toscano
Variety: 40% Chardonnay 30% Grechetto 30% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $16.99
Wine Review: Pleasantly fruity, elegantly aromatic, it shows good body and agreeable acidity. It's fresh, harmonious taste makes it wonderful as an aperitif as well as a great match with seafood dishes, salads, and white meats.
My Review: The wine had a light color. It had a fruity smell. This wine had a fruity taste to it as well. It was a very light and refreshing wine. It was dry and slightly acidic. I really liked this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Peter Lehmann Portrait Shiraz

Name: Peter Lehmann Portrait Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $13.99
Wine Review: Deep red/black color with a rich bouquet of chocolate and black forest fruits. This is a full-bodied wine with soft velvet tannins, a long finish. Drinking beautifully now and will cellar for 5-10 years.
My Review: This wine had a dark red color. It had a peppery and cherry smell. It also had a very peppery taste with a slight cherry taste. I thought this was a good wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Maddalena Zinfandel

Name: Maddalena Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Paso Robles, California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $16.99
Wine Review: This Zinfandel is from Paso Robles. It is rich with silky texture and soft tannins.
My Review: This wine had a dark color. It had a cherry smell. The zinfandel was slightly peppery and had a cherry flavor. You could feel the peppery flavor on the back of your throat. It had a very smooth finish. I thought this wine was excellent. 
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Sauvignon Republic

Name: Sauvignon Republic
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2012
Price: $7.99
Wine Review: A windswept terror of hills and dry gravelly-clay riverbeds produces crisp tropical sauvignon with gooseberry notes, herbal grassiness, and restrained minerality. Juicy flavors, crisp acidity and long finish pair well with sea foods of all kinds. The perfect wine with Sushi!
My Review: This wine had a very light color. It had a very heavy grapefruit smell. This wine also had a very strong grapefruit taste. It was dry and slightly acidic. It was a very refreshing wine. I really liked it.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Garnacha de Fuego

Name: Garnacha de Fuego
Variety: Grenache
Region: Catalayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $9.99
Wine Review: On the nose, this wine shows ripe black fruits: black raspberry and prune, with a touch of eucalyptus, pepper, and a smidgeon of earth. The palate offers a silky smooth texture, warm black raspberry, black cherry, and plum, with a touch of spice. Acidity and tannins are medium, appropriate for food but not so high that they're overbearing when this wine is drunk by itself.
My Review: This wine had a very very dark red color. I did not get very much on the nose when I smelled it. It had a very spicy taste. The wine was very smooth. I really did not care for this wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Dinner - at Home with the Family!

I had a wine and food pairing dinner at my house with my parents, boyfriend Brad, my Aunt Carla, my Aunt Kelsie, and my Uncle one day over spring break. It was fairly easy to convince my family to join in since they never turn down a reason to try wine or food. My brother Chris, who is 20, just joined in for the meal. 

For our appetizer  I served a baked brie with a four fruit jam consisting of red currents, strawberries, raspberries, and cherries with the Opera Prima Pink Moscato. I thought this would work well since the moscato was semi-sweet and so was the brie.

Baked Brie and Pink Moscato Appetizer 

Me pouring wine for out appetizer

Opera Prima Pink Moscato Tasting Notes: This fine sparkling presents an intense aroma of fresh berries and tropical fruits with hints of white flavor petals. Delicate bubbles caress the palate offering a silky and pleasant sweetness well balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish. Ideal on its own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts.

Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Carla (left) and Kelsie (right) enjoying their appetizer

The Opera Prima had a very sweet and fruity smell. I could detect the scent of grapefruit when I smelled it. It was not as sweet as it smelled which was a pleasant surprise. It had a delightful grapefruit flavor. When tasted with the brie, the moscato tasted drier than on its own. Everyone was pleased with how well the moscato and the brie paired together.

Stuffed Shells and Bucatini Red Blend

For dinner, we had spinach and turkey sausage stuffed shells with a salad. The stuffed shells had ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, spinach, diced tomatoes, diced rotel tomatoes (I ran out of regular tomatoes but it actually gave it a pretty good kick), garlic, and turkey sausage. I was torn between two reds to try so I decided to do both and see which one paired better. The two wines we had were the Gamela Malbec Reserva and the Bucatini Red Blend. We decided to try the Bucatini Red Blend first.

Bucatini Red Blend

Bucatini Red Blend Tasting Notes: An ideal companion to pasta or pizza. Bucatini's rich fruit, complex flavors, and peppery spice are a perfect match to pasta dishes, from Fettuccine Alfredo to Bucatini alla Carbonara. A pasta musta!

My parents enjoying their wine and dinner

I decided to pair the Bucatini with dinner since it was a wine made to go with pasta. The Bucatini had a cherry smell along with a rooty smell. It was a dark red color. It had a very peppery and cherry taste. The food really brought out the peppery taste in the wine. The fruity taste helped mask some of the spice from the rotel tomatoes. Overall it paired well with the stuffed shells. 

Gamela Malbec Reserva Tasting Notes: Bramble, leather, and cheese aromas crouwd out the wine's fruit notes, while black cherry and plum flavors are regular. Standard mouthfeel and mildly racy finish fail to elevate things.

Gamela Malbec Reserva

Jeff and Chris enjoying dinner

The Gamela Malbec Reserva had a very dark red color and a very rooty and slightly fruity smell. It had a fruity taste. The wine also had a very full body and was very smooth. It had a peppery finish. The food brought out even more of the fruity flavors. The food also brought out some more of the peppery flavors. It went very well with the stuffed shells.

Brad and I enjoying the wine and dinner

After trying both wines with dinner, we went around the table and said which wine we preferred with dinner. The Gamela Malbec Reserva was the overall favorite with the Bucatini Red Blend only receiving one vote which came from my dad.

For dessert, I served a chocolate banana soft serve with raspberries and the Sanctuary Vineyards Blackberry Wine. I thought this wine would go good with the dessert since chocolate and fruit always pair well together. The tasting notes for the blackberry wine were not on the Sanctuary Vineyards website and I was unable to located them anywhere else.

Blackberry Wine

Our Dessert

The blackberry wine had a super sweet smell. It was a fruity smell but also smelled a lot like raisins. It tasted exactly like blackberries with a hint of grape juice. It was very sweet. The chocolate banana soft serve dried out the wine. It also enhanced the blackberry flavor which went really well with the chocolate. This wine paired really well with the dessert.

My parents and I enjoying our blackberry wine

All of the food paired really well with the wines. It was neat to see how much food can change the wine tastes. It was a very good learning experience. I look forward to exploring more wine and food pairings in the future!

My dad and his two sisters and his wine hat!

Tasting - Bucatini Red Blend

Name: Bucatini Red Blend
Variety: Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2008
Price: $12.99
Wine Review: An ideal companion to pasta or pizza. Bucatini's rich fruit, complex flavors, and peppery spice are a perfect match to pasta dishes, from Fettuccine Alfredo to Bucatini alla Carbonara. A pasta musta!
My Review: This blend had a dark color. It had a cherry smell. It also had a very tannicy and dry taste to it. The wine had a fruity and peppery taste. I thought this was a very good wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Colby Red

Name: Colby Red
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Merlot
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $13.99
Wine Review: The 2010 Colby Red wine, a unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Merlot, is a deep crimson color. Aromas of ripe red cherries, raspberries and star anise jump from the glass. The wine is generous on the palate with a rich mouthfeel complimented by well-integrated tannins and bold flavors of red berry and hints of clove spice. The finish is smooth with slight, toasty vanillin character which lingers and is achieved from oak aging. Easy to drink and enjoy, this wine is a crowd pleaser.
My Review: This Red Blend had a very dark color. It also had a very fruity smell. The wine had a very fruity taste. The fruits from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape were very evident. I could also taste some cherry flavor. This wine was very dry and smooth and did not have a big tannic structure. I thought this was a pretty good wine.
Food: I did not taste this wine with food.