Bellini Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2007

Bellini Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2007
Origin: Tuscany, Italy
Blend: Vernaccia (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $10.99

Our review: This light-bodied wine is straw in color and very aromatic, with a fragrance of tropical fruit (pineapple), tree fruit (peach), and spice. The palate has an interesting, earthy character, with a good balance between the fruit flavors and acidity. The finish is complex and of considerable length.

Our rating: We rather enjoyed this wine, with the second glass (after being opened for 15-20 minutes) being better than the first. Moderately priced, it’s a fine choice for most meals. Above Average, nearly Excellent.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Cristalino Cava Brut NV

Cristalino Cava Brut NV
Origin: Spain
Blend: Macabeo (50%), Xarel-lo (15%), Parellada (35%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $7.99

Our review: Golden straw in color, this sparkling wine has aromas of tree fruit (notably red apple) and spice with slight floral notes. In addition to the fruit flavors, there is a considerable toast character on the palate, almost nutty, and a moderate amount of effervescence. The finish is very dry and of considerable length.

Our rating: This is a very nice cava, suitable as an aperitif or with a light meal. It's also a good choice for a brunch al fresco. A terrific value, we rate it Above Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Cristalino Brut Cava is available to purchase from Wine.com.

Winery website: None found.

Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $9.99

Our review: This wine is silver-green in color with classic aromas of grapefruit, gooseberry and a touch of grassiness, typical of this New Zealand varietal. Light and crisp on the palate, the flavors are reminiscent of a tart, freshly made limeade. The finish exhibits considerable minerality and is a little too astringent.

Our rating: There’s not a lot of depth or complexity in this wine, and that’s a bit disappointing. It probably pairs best with shellfish but could also be served with appetizers or a crudités. Nice but not memorable; just Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A vibrant zing, reminiscent of your grandma’s lemon chiffon cupcake. The flavors are integrated, delighting the senses with Meyer lemons, Key limes and a finish that awakens the appetite. This wine pairs well with oysters on a half shell or with a rich and succulent Lobster Risotto."

Winery website: Cupcake Vineyards.

Campaneta Pinot Grigio 2008

Campaneta Pinot Grigio 2008
Origin: Veneto, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (85%), Garganega (15%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $9.99

Our review: Pale yellow with a pleasant bouquet of apple and pear with citrus blossom notes, this wine has a similar flavor profile on the palate. There's a good balance of acidity and the finish, while somewhat flat, is pleasing nonetheless.

Our rating: We initially had a glass of this wine before the start of our meal and were not impressed. However, our second glass was served with stir-fried chicken tenderloins and almost seemed like a different wine, coming alive when accompanied by food. As such, we rate it Above Average (but don't recommend it as a sipping wine). Note: We were unable to confirm the percentage of garganega included in this wine; our source suggested it was 15%.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Sanrocchetto Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2007

Sanrocchetto Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2007
Origin: Marche, Italy
Blend: Verdicchio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $10.99

Our review: Presented in a very unusual, attractive bottle, this pale yellow wine has aromas of tropical fruit, melon, and citrus blossom; there’s also the barest hint of nuts. Quite smooth on the palate, the initial flavors are of slightly sweetened fruit. A dry, stone-like character is introduced into the finish, which is surprisingly complex. There’s a somewhat bitter aftertaste that enhances rather than detracts from the overall experience.

Our rating: A most enjoyable wine. We served ours with herb-roasted chicken and believe it pairs best with poultry. It would also make a fine Thanksgiving wine. Verdicchios are best served young, so look for the most recent vintage you can find. This particular one is Above Average, nearly Excellent.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Freixenet Cordon Negro Cava Brut NV

Freixenet Gordon Negro Cava Brut NV
Origin: Spain
Blend: Macabeo (35%), Xarel-lo (25%) and Parellada (40%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $9.99

Our review: Silver-gold in color and very lightly fragrant, this sparkling wine is also lightly effervescent with very tiny bubbles. The flavors are of green apple and lime, a bit on the tart side with a bright acidity. The fruit flavors seem to intensify a bit into the finish, which is exceptionally dry and long-lasting.

Our rating: We’re not sure this cava works as well as an aperitif as it does as an accompaniment to a meal. As such, it is a very food-friendly wine. We served our bottle with a spicy vegetable omelet, soy sausages and fresh biscuits, a fine choice. We rate it on the high side of Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Crisp, clean and well balanced. The dosage is very dry, but the acidity is lower than most champagnes for a softer, smoother flavor. It is medium-bodied with apple, pear and bright citrus flavors and a moderately long and crisp, clean finish."

Winery website: Freixenet Sparkling Wines from Spain.

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Anakena Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Anakena Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Valle Central, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $7.99

Our review: Straw-colored with a very grassy aroma highlighted with gooseberry and citrus. Of medium body on the palate, this wine is very smooth with good balance between fruit and acid. The finish is quite cleansing and delicious.

Our rating: This is our third review of this winery's sauvignon blanc, and we remain enthusiastic fans. It is certainly our favorite sub-$10 bottle of the varietal, which we consider an excellent value. We previously rated the Anakena Sauvignon Blanc 2006 and Anakena Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Above Average, nearly Excellent. The 2008, possibly the best of the three, is comparable.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A delicate and crisp pale gold, this wine shows good aromatic intensity with notes of white peach and black current bud. At the palate it is elegant, fresh and with a long finish. Delicious as an aperitif or with poultry, seafood, salmon, and salads."

Winery website: Anakena Wines Chile.

Marques de Monistrol Cava Brut NV

Marques de Monistrol Cava Brut NV
Origin: Spain
Blend: Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada (percentages not known)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $9.99

Our review: Medium gold in color, this sparkling wine is lightly fragrant with aromas of tree fruit (peach and apple) with similar floral notes. The palate doesn’t quite adequately balance the fruit flavors with acidity, being slightly too acidic. There is a somewhat chalky character to the finish.

Our rating: This cava is best suited to be served with Asian appetizers like Thai chicken satays or Chinese pork potstickers. It doesn’t work quite as well as an aperitif or sipping wine. It’s interesting, but not memorable. Just Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Its tiny sparkling bubbles and enticing aromas lead to fresh fruit flavors and a silky, dry enduring finish."

Winery website: The Haciendas of Espana World.

KWV Steen 2006

KWV Steen 2006
Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Chenin Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $8.99

Our review: Gold in color, this wine exhibits aromas of honey, tropical fruits, and flowers with a little hint of spice. Pleasantly sweet and fruitful on the palate, an acidity quickly develops that carries the flavors into the finish, which is distinctly spicy (think soft vanilla).

Our rating: A nice wine overall, but possibly a bit on the old side. We paired ours with a simple chicken and pasta dish, but think it may work even better with certain Asian cuisines. We rate it Average, maybe slightly better.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A briskly fresh and clear wine. Intense aromas with tropical fruit and floral flavours. Firm acids complements the wine well and adds to the clean style and dry finish."

Winery website: KWV.

Salute Pinot Grigio 2007

Salute Pinot Grigio 2007
Origin: Veneto, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $9.99

Our review: A mixed fruit, herbal bouquet is exhibited by this pale gold wine. Of light- to medium-body on the palate, the slightly sweeter than expected fruit flavors are weighed down by a chalk-like minerality. The finish is rather fruity, somewhat flat, but long-lasting.

Our rating: An Average, if unremarkable, pinot grigio that would pair well with most pasta dishes. At this price point, though, there are better choices.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Castle Rock Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Castle Rock Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Origin: Monterey County, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.8%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $8.99

Our review: Pale gold in color and aromas of grapefruit, melon, and honey with slight vegetal or herbal notes, this wine is incredibly smooth on the palate. The fruit flavors are initially quite prominent before a soft, spicy character (from oak cellaring?) comes through. The finish is quite complex and long-lasting, though a little too much smoky heat develops.

Our rating: We served this wine with a salad course, but think it pairs best with a vegetable risotto or a hearty poultry dish. It is a sophisticated wine that we rate Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "This elegant, medium-bodied wine is crisp and refreshing, with hints of citrus, apple, honey and melon flavors all blending into a smooth, silky, harmonious finish. It makes an ideal accompaniment for seafood, chicken, salads and vegetarian dishes."

Winery website: Castle Rock Winery.