Tasting - Jam Jar Sweet White

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White
Variety: 100% Muscat (Moscato)
Region: South Africa
Country: South Africa
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Winery Review:
"100 % Muscat. Soft floral hints add depth to the otherwise straightforward ripe peach and nectarine aromas. There’s a good balance in the mouth, with a nice acidic lift and slightly lime edge to cut the sweetness on the finish and close with the faintest hint of honeydew melons."

 My Review: 

This wine smelled very similar to most other Moscato varieties I have smelled.  Strong aromas of peach and lemongrass came across most strongly.  The flavor of the wine followed the aromas closely with strong notes of apricots, honey, and sweet white peaches with just a hint of lemongrass noticeable.  The sweetness faded with the aftertaste which ended with a decent acidic bite.  Overall, a nice wine that I tried without food.

Tasting - Entrada Malbec

Name: Entrada Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Chile
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Winery Review:
"Firm and structured, this is a solid wine, laced with mineral acidity and tight tannins. It has a juicy, blackberry fruit component cutting through the texture."

 My Review: 
This Malbec came across as very earthy with its aroma.  Notes of mushroom, dirt, and even cucumber/veggies came across pretty openly.  The initial taste reminded me of blackberry but it quickly faded to a more acidic flavor that had a good amount of tannins present.  Not a bad wine but I probably wouldn't buy it on my own.  I tried this wine without food.

Tasting - Vina Borga Borsao

Name: Vina Borga Borsao
Variety: 100% Grenache
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Winery Review:

"Also made from 100% Grenache, the 2012 Vina Borgia was fermented and aged in stainless steel. Its medium dark ruby color is followed by abundant notes of strawberries and black cherries offered in a straightforward, medium-bodied, soft, hedonistic, round style. It is hard to believe a wine this good can sell for $7 a bottle. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years." 86 Points – Robert Parker

 My Review: 
Very dark red color.  Strong notes of cherry, strawberry, and black cherry on the nose.  When I tasted the wine, it came across as far less fruity than it smelled.  The cherry and strawberry was there to some degree but the main thing I noticed was just the fairly thick medium texture and strong tannic structure present in the wine.  So far I have not really liked the Grenache wines I have tasted and the fact that this wine wasn't aged in oak at all didn't help much.  I tried this wine without food.

Tasting - Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Name: Peter Lehmann Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $20 (Sale for $9.95)
Winery Review:

"The 2010 Chardonnay presents subtle notes of spiced apple slices and ripe peaches with hints of freshly baked bread and melon. Light bodied, clean and refreshingly crisp in the mouth, it offers just enough apple and pear flavor concentration, finishing with medium-long persistence. Drink it now to 2014."

 My Review: 
When I smelled this wine the first thing I noticed was a buttery, cheesy aroma that had a bit of oak in the background.  As I tasted it, the first thing that came across was a buttery flavor with a hint of baked bread as well.  I noticed a bit of fruit (mainly peach and slight apple notes) after the buttery flavor but they didn't linger long at all.  Personally, I thought the wine was more medium bodied than light and too buttery to really be crisp.  I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Protocolo Vino De la Tierra de Castilla

Name: Protocolo Vino De la Tierra de Castilla
Variety: Mainly Airen & some Macebeo
Region: Castilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Winery Review:
"Mostly Airen with a little bit of Macabeo .Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value."

 My Review: 
The aromas of this wine were quite pleasant; everything from fresh apple to tropical fruit to honey was noticeable.  The flavor was very unique because it went from normal white wine flavors of apple and subtle orange to a more herbal note of mint and lemon.  It was quite crisp and refreshing, a wine that almost reminded me of sipping on a mojito.  I enjoyed this wine very much and didn't try it with any food.

Tasting - Eco. Love Riesling

Name: Eco. Love Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2011
Price: $18 (Sale for $7.95)
Winery Review:
"Our South Island Riesling has a range and combination of flavors unlike any other. These flavors span citrus, root ginger, white peach, spices and florals. eco.love Riesling is made in balance to an off-dry style. Food Pairing: Asian Fusion, Seafood, Curry, and anything spicy "

 My Review: 
The smell of this wine immediately let me know it was a Riesling without any doubt in my mind.  It had the usual floral, tropical fruit aromas along with just a hint of a petrol smell.  The flavor profile was a bit different than most sweet Rieslings I have tried.  Although there was definitely sweet tropical fruit, there was more of a mineral, floral aspect that diminished the sweetness of the wine.  It had a little more acidity than other Rieslings and was fairly dry.  I did not try this wine with food.