Tradewinds Pineapple Wine NV
Origin: California
Blend: Pineapple
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2011
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)
Our review: This gold-colored wine has a fragrance of — not surprisingly — tropical fruit and flowers, and though pineapple can be discerned, it is not the dominant aroma. Rather sweet on the palate, and in particular at first, a moderating acidity develops to lessen the sweetness, though this would never be considered a "dry" wine by any means. A hint of spice, possibly orange zest, is also present. There isn't much of a finish.
Our rating: We were pleased with this simply crafted wine. It is not cloyingly sweet, which we confess we feared, and paired quite nicely with our Sunday brunch dishes. We also think it might work well with some East Asian cuisines. It's not a wine we'd serve very often, but it does add a festive, tropical sense to a meal. It seems priced a little high for what it is, but overall, we'd rate it Above Average.
Taste profile from the winemaker: This bright luscious off-dry wine blooms with the rich heady flavor of the queen of tropical fruits. Vivid aromas of plumeria and orange blossoms are layered with delicate hints of vanilla and exotic spices. The crisp lively texture finishes long and clean with the taste of fresh pineapples.
Winery website: Tradewinds Tropical Wines.