Opera Prima Moscato

Opera Prima

This sparkling Moscato is from Spain and is a great value at $5.95.  The review states it has flavors of honeyew, lime and lychee.

This was my first taste of sparkling wine that was not Champagne. Its impressions on me were very good.  I loved the taste of lime and other citrus fruits.  This wine would go well with any fruity dessert such as cheese cake or parfait.

Le Lapin Multiplicity

This was one of the first truly blended wines I have tasted.  This one was from  Paso Robles,  California.  I could smell a hint of blackberry and pine needles.  The price for this bottle was $ 6.95 and the review is as follows.  "The nose is black cherry, blackberry, a little plum and some spice, with a touch of forest floor. The palate is full of fruit and spice, with flavors of black cherry and a slight cranberry note.  Nice firm tannins and a medium finish."

I enjoyed this line very much, and will continue to try blended red wines.

Blended Multiplicity

Marques De Moral Crianza Tempanillo 2007

Marques De Moral 2007

This Crianza Tempanillo is from Valdepenas, Spain, and was scored a very respectable 87 by Stephen Tanzer.  His review reads " Medium red. Aromas of redcurrant and cherry, plus a hint of dried rose. Fleshy and smooth, with moderate depth to its slighly bitter red fruit flavors.  Finishes with decent breadth and grip, with the red currant element joined by a hint of white pepper."

This wine, for me, was very difficult to taste.  I could detect, on the nose or pallet any dried rose.  However I could start to taste a little bit of the cherry.  I didn't enjoy this wine as much and the Coldstream Hills, and this one is priced the same as the Coldstream at $7.95.

Coldstream Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Coldstream Hills Sauvignon Blanc

This Sauvignon Blanc is from the Yarra Valley in Austraila.  It is priced at $7.95.  The critics review says that this wine is predominately fermented in a stainless steel tank at cool temperatures, and a small portion is fermented in older french oak.  The wine is then blended and bottled.  On the nose it is said to have gooseberry with underlying passionfruit and lychee.

To mean this wine was very enjoyable.  The heat was a tad to high, but the beautiful taste and its smoothness made up for it very well.  The review also says that it has a zesty lemon acidity and length.

Royal Chenin Blanc 2009

The Royal Chenin Blanc

The Royal Chenin Blanc is from the Swartland Regions of South Africa.  The Wine is said to have a "deceptive punch...of apples, pears, and quince." However my untrained pallet could only detect the slightest amount of apples, most likely green.  The Washington Post goes on saying " it pairs well with salads and other light fare, but do not drink it cold."  I did not taste this wine with any food, but its clean crisp and refreshing nature, I imagine would go well with a salad or fruit cup.  It was a light golden color.  It is priced very reasonably at $4.95.



Source: Washington Post (June 2010)