Tasting Boas Vinhas Tinto

Name: Boas Vinhas Tinto
Variety: Touriga Nacional, Alforcheiro, Tinto Roriz
Region: Dao
Country: Portugal
Year: 2009
Price: $9.95
Critic's 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 Take on Things: When I initially smelled this wine, I could tell that it had some age on it just by the wood aromas. Upon my first sip, this suspicion was confirmed by the earthy flavor of aged oak. I thought this wine was somewhat acidic with dark fruit flavors. I tasted slight plum flavors but, honestly, all this wine really tasted like was flat red wine that had been aged. It had no true depth or distinguishing qualities besides its intense tannins which instantly dried out my whole mouth to the point that it felt as if I'd just woken up after a night downtown and had forgotten to drink any water before falling asleep. The lack of flavors in this wine certainly could not come anywhere close to standing up or even alongside the extreme tannins.

Tasting Doural Tinto

Name: Doural Tinto
Variety: Tinto Cao, Touriga Nacional
Region: Douro
Country: Portugal
Year: None Given
Price: $8.95
Critic's 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. Paris well with re or game meat, cheeses, and fish.
My Take on Things: The color of the wine has a slight purple hue making me think that it must be on the younger side. I initially smelled vanilla and spice. Once I tasted the wine, I noticed it was extremely smooth with no to very slight tannins. I tasted spices and dark fruits like cherry. The most interesting thing about this wine to me was the finish. It had almost a tang to it that caught me so off guard that I had to turn to my fiance and best friend who I was tasting with to verify this strange sensation. I didn't enjoy the lack of tannins and really didn't think this wine had any real depth.

Tasting Nykteri Santorini Yannis

Name: Nykteri Santorini Yannis
Variety: Nykteri
Region: Santorini
Country: Greece
Year: 2010
Price: $13.95
Critic's 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 Appelation of Origin Santorini of superior quality. Since 3,500 years ago, the Nykteri is synonymous to Santorini's famous white wines.The famous '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 the barrel's wood gives the Nykteri a special finesse. Characteristics- crystal-clear, semi-yellow wine. Dominated by the aroma 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 Take on Things: I first began by looking at the wine. It has a nice straw color and was very clear. I next smelled the wine and initially that I smelled something fruity by floral like that of an apple blossom. Upon tasting this wine, I realized what I had smelled and was now tasting was pear along with some floral notes. I thought this wine was smooth on the palate with a good balance of acid. It was interesting to feel the slight tannin in the end. This, along with the color, makes me think this wine was aged in wood.

Tasting Casa Bianca Spumante Rosato

Name: Casa Bianca Spumante Rosato
Variety: White Grape Pinot Nero Prosecco and Red
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: None Given-
Price: $11.95
Critic's 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 fine, persistent mousse, juicy fresh red fruit in the aroma and a rich, smooth and lasting flavor.
My Take on Things: My first impression of this wine was that it smelled slightly sweet and had a floral scent. My initial sip yielded no clues as to flavors as my mouth was overwhelmed by the intense bubbles of this sparkling wine. I personally love sparkling anything- wine, cider, lemonade, etc. but this much carbonation was a little intense for me. Upon further examination and sipping, I tasted fresh fruit flavors like that of summer red berries like strawberries and some slight floral notes like that of a fruit blossom. It had a longer finish than I expected with slight residual sugar although it was less sweet than I was expecting from the spumante label.