Tasting - Boas Vinhas Tinto

Name:  Boas Vinhas Tinto
Variety:  Touriga Nacional
Country:  Portugal
Region: Beira
Year: 2009
Price:  $9.95


Vintage Cellar 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 Review:  This wine had a scarlet red color and a slight cherry aroma.  The taste of this Red Tinto was mildly fruity and very different from the Doural Red Tinto.  It had a hint of spice and milder tannins than the Doural and Cotes Du Rhone I had at this tasting.  I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Sol'Acantalys Cotes du Rhone

Name:  Sol'Acantalys Cotes du Rhone
Variety:  Cotes du Rhone
Region:  Bouteille a la propriete
Country:  France
Year: 2010
Price: $11.95


Vintage Cellar Review:  A beautiful ruby red wine.  Very fragrant, with aromas of red fruit (currant, strawberry, and cherry) with hints of black pepper and cinnamon.  Medium0bodied and silky in the mouth with mature, round tannins.  Enjoy with meats, grilled vegetables or cheese.  

My Review:  This Cotes du Rhone had a deep red color.  I noticed a hint of cinnamon in the smell.  It tasted similar to the 2009 Doural Tinto.  This was also a dry wine with strong tannins.  I tasted this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Doural Tinto

Name:  Doural Tinto
Variety: Red Tinto

Region:  Not specified

Country:  Portugal

Year:  2009

Price:  $8.95

Vintage Cellar 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.  Pairs well with red or game meat, cheeses, and fish.

My Review:  This wine had a rich red color with a tint of blue in it.  This was the first red wine that I tried.  Like the Nykteri Santorini Yannis, this was a dry wine.  A stronger tannin dimension came through in tasting this wine.

I tasted this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Nykteri Santorini Yannis

Name:  Nykteri Santorini Yannis
Variety:  Santorini Yannis
Region:  Santorini, Southern Kyklades Islands
Country:  Greece
Year:  2010
Price:  $13.95


Vintage Cellar 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 Appellation of Origin Santorini of superior quality.  Since 3,500 years ago, the Nykteri is synonymous to Santorini's famous white wines.  The formula to '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 barrel's wood gives the Nykteri a special finesse.  Characteristics crystal clear, semi-yellow wine.  Dominated by the aromas 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 Review:  This wine had a gorgeous golden color that immediately caught my eye.  The scent was fruity, so I was expecting this white wine to have somewhat of a sweet flavor.  When I tasted the wine, I noticed a woody, oak flavor that had not come through in the aroma.  This wine turned out to be quite dry, which is a taste I have yet to acquire.  It would have been interesting to compare this to another white wine at the Vintage Cellar tasting today.
I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Casa Bianca Spumante Rosato

Name:  Casa Bianca Spumante Rosato
Variety:  Prosecco
Region:  Montello vinyards, in Asoli (Northern Italy)
Country: Italy
Price:  $11.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Prosecco is very popular in Italy.  The wine is often served as a festive apertif 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 flavor that is more powerful than the white variety.  Spicy rosato spumante with a fine, persisent mousse, juicy fresh red fruit in the aroma, and a rich, smooth and lasting flavor.

My Review:  This Prosecco was the first wine that I tried at the Vintage Cellar wine tasting today.  It had a light pink color and was slightly carbonated.  Both the aroma and taste were fruity.  The girly color and sweetness made this my favorite wine of the group.

I tasted this wine on its own with no food.