Wine Tasting (Week 6)

Name: Floriana
Variety: Gruner Veltliner
Region: Hungary
Country: Hungary
Price: $5.00

Year: 2012

Winery Review: "2012 Floriana Grüner Veltliner poured into the glass in a very light color. On the nose, there were prominent apple and citrus aromas. On the palate, it is dry, with apple and citrus persisting, but eventually herbal aromas coming in, which made it a really nice partner for the schnitzel, which is traditionally served with some lemon to squeeze over it and a salad as a side. The wine was light and refreshing. The herbal aromas did give it a different feel, though. Definitely worth trying if you are looking for a refreshing dry white."

My Review: I tasted this wine at Trader Joe's this past weekend in Richmond. The aromas I got was that of lemon and citrus flavor (they do tastings in little shot cups vs a glass). The wine was very light, not too dry but was not memorable. 

Name: Tribunal
Variety: Red Wine Blend
Region: North Coast California
Country: United States
Price: $10.00

Year: 2011

Winery Review: "The final value red wine making the Thumbs Up WineFinder cut is the 2011 Tribunal, a red blend from the North Coast of California.  The $16.00 wine is available to Trader Joe’s customers for only $10.00.  This value wine tastes of blackberry, raspberry, plum and chocolate."

My Review: This wine had a very strong scent of dark fruit flavor. I am really starting to enjoy blended wines from California. This was a full-body wine that had a chocolate element to it. It did pack a little heat on the end.

Name: Trader Joe's Grand Reserve
Variety: Merlot
Region: Napa Valley California
Country: United States
Price: $12.99

Year: 2011

Winery Review: "This wine is a deep, dark red hue, bursting with vibrant cherry, ripe plum and currant notes, undertones of vanilla & oak, and a very long, lingering finish. Aged in oak barrels for 24 months, it's a complex & rewarding wine."

My Review: This was the last of the three I tasted at Trader Joe's. I felt that it was a standard Merlot. The smell on the nose was very rich with vanilla instead of fruit. The wine had a long lasting aftertaste to it.

Name: Blue Fin
Variety: Petite Sirah
Region: California
Country: United States
Price: $5.00

Year: 2012

Winery Review: "Round blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry fruit is nicely balanced by cedar, espresso, and boysenberry. Finishes smooth. An excellent value."

My Review: This is the first Petite Sirah I have ever had. The wine had a dark color to it. It had very distinct black fruit taste with a hint of a woody taste. This wine also had a lot of heat on the finish.

Name: Les Portes De Bordeaux
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Price: $5.99

Year: 2012

Winery Review: "The nose is very much like a Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc with plenty of herbal, grassy citrus. But, there is some "Old World" civilized restraint as it crosses the palate. Very golden for a Sauvignon. Kiwi nose, but this wine is French! Just barely medium bodied, the weight across the palate is disappointing considering the color and the nose. But, as we get to the finish, this value priced wine gets a big thumbs up with a lingering acid meets fruit commendable character. More time in the glass reveals some apricot and peach."

My Review: The label on this bottle makes the wine have more color. In the glass it is pretty clear. The wine has a small citrus and lemon flavor that paired very well with chicken. It also had a very buttery and smooth finish.