Porta Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Porta Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Origin: Bio Bio Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2012
Purchase Price: $6.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Lemon yellow in color with straw highlights, this wine has aromas of citrus (grapefruit), tropical fruit (mango), and lemongrass with faint notes of orange blossom. The fruit flavors are very smooth and nicely blended on the palate, dissipating slowly and leaving a relatively soft, slate-like minerality in their place, which is accompanied by a hint of citrus zest.

Our rating: This is a very nice wine that evokes images of a candelit dinner, with whitefish and asparagus grilled with a bit of olive oil and served on elegant china. OK, so we're getting a little carried away with our imagery here, but this we did enjoy this wine with the referenced meal, if minus the candles and china. We've come to be partial to Chilean Sauvignon Blancs, and this one is a very good example of such. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent, the same rating we applied to the 2009 vintage.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Brilliant light greenish-gold in color with a zesty bouquet of lime and gooseberries. The palate is full of appetizing and lively fruit flavors, and the finish is clean and refreshing.

Winery website: Porta Winery • Chile.

Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: June 2012
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Pale silver-straw in color with green highlights, this wine has strong aromas of citrus (grapefruit, lime), lemongrass, and orange zest. The acidity from the citrus fruit flavors is nicely balanced on the palate, crisp but not tart. The grassiness initially present evolves into a more mineral character on the finish, which is lengthy.

Our rating: This wine is very typical of a New Zealand crafting of this varietal, though better than most. The harsh edges that could have been dominant are nicely softened here, resulting in a well structured wine. We paired our bottle with freshly grilled whitefish, something we usually do with Sauvignon Blancs, and found it a very nice match, though we think it could be served with most any seafood or dishes that have a significant vegetable element to them. We previously rated the 2009 vintage Excellent and the 2010 vintage Above Average to Excellent; we think the present wine is just between the two, but scores slightly closer to the latter.

Taste profile from the winemaker: The wine possesses a light straw colour and tropical aromas of citrus and white peach. The palate exhibits the same fine flavours followed by a crisp, dry, flinty finish.

Winery website: Clifford Bay: New Zealand Wine.

Ecco Domani Italia Moscato 2011

Ecco Domani Italia Moscato 2011

Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Moscato (100%)
Alcohol Content: 8.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2012
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A barely noticeable effervescence appears upon pouring this pale gold wine with silver highlights. It exhibits aromas of sweet tropical fruit with distinctive notes of freshly cut oranges. Silky smooth on the palate, the fruit flavors — juicy pear is what first came to mind — are sweet but not aggressively so. Indeed, the initial sweetness is tempered almost immediately by a balancing acidity. The finish adds some soft minerality but is otherwise rather brief.

Our rating: This stylish wine is delicious on its own, which is how we enjoyed our bottle, sitting on the balcony watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico. We struggled a bit trying deciding how to pair it, eventually settling on serving it on our weekly "appetizer" night, a meal consisting of nothing but, well, appetizers. (We often do that in restaurants as well, ordering 3-4 appetizers instead of two meals between us.) We believe it would have paired nicely with our eclectic mix of foods … had it lasted that long. Which it didn't. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent, and a fine choice while spending a simple, quiet night at home. (We're also going to keep this in mind for our next social gathering. Its versatility and low alcohol content also makes it the perfect party wine. The attractive cobalt blue bottle doesn't hurt, either!)

Taste profile from the winemaker: Lovely aromas of peach, apricot and mandarin orange entice the nose, while the slightly off-dry palate has bright acidity to make this wine so refreshing.

Winery website: Ecco Domani.

This bottle of wine was received as a sample for review. No promise was given or implied that it would be the subject of an endorsement or review, either positive or negative.

Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2012
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Pale gold with silver highlights, this wine has aromas of grapefruit, gooseberry, and grass with notes of green vegetables and herbs. The citrus flavor on the palate is crisp but not tart, followed by a slight but brisk minerality that develops into the finish. The finish itself is a little flat and ever so slightly bitter.

Our rating: This is a refined wine with good structure and balance. Very typical of this varietal from New Zealand, it is moderately aggressive but doesn't cross any boundaries. We served our bottle with simply prepared white fish, a nice choice. We were slightly disappointed in the finish, which some might consider "racy" but reminded us of citrus zest used in excess. We previously rated the Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Excellent and the present vintage is close but doesn't quite deserve the same rating; we rate it Above Average, Nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: The wine possesses a light straw colour and tropical aromas of guava, melon and citrus. The palate exhibits the same fine flavours followed by a crisp, dry, flinty finish.

Winery website: Clifford Bay: New Zealand Wine.

Telmo Rodríguez Basa Blanco Rueda 2009

Telmo Rodríguez Basa Blanco Rueda 2009

Origin: Rueda, Spain
Blend: Verdejo (85%), Viura (10%), Sauvignon Blanc (5%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2012
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A light lemon yellow in color with gold highlights, this wine has aromas of green apple accompanied by slight grassy notes. A crisp apple character is also present on the palate, but quickly and somewhat surprisingly softens. There is a good acid balance into the finish, which adds a touch of minerality and is relatively short but very clean.

Our rating: We served our bottle with a mildly spicy chicken and rice dish, with which it paired quite nicely. We think most simply prepared meals with poultry or pork would be enhanced with this wine; we don't see seafood as a good match. We're guessing the small amounts of Viura and Sauvignon Blanc added some depth and interest to this wine that wouldn't otherwise be there. We really enjoyed it, and rate it Above Average, Nearly Excellent … and at just $8, a very good value.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Compañía de Vinos Telmo Rodríguez.

Biltmore Reserve Viognier 2010

Biltmore Reserve Viognier 2010

Origin: North Carolina
Blend: Viognier (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Receipt Date: November 2011
Suggested Retail Price: $18.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A pale straw in color with gold highlights, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit, a hint of citrus and very slight spice notes. On the palate the fruit flavors are moderated by a mild acidity, and seem softened a bit. The finish is of moderate length, but doesn't add anything new to the wine's profile.

Our rating: This is a wine versatile enough to pair with a variety of foods. We tend to like Viogniers with roast pork, and indeed that is what we served with this bottle, but we can see it paired with most any poultry dish or shellfish, especially those that are accompanied by sauces. There are a couple of aspects to the wine that intrigued us, one being that even though — according to the marketing literature we received with the sample — no oak was used in creating it, there was a certain softness that suggested it had. The other is that we typically associate Viogniers with some spiciness — again because they usually seem to see some oak — but here it's more of a background, enhancing sensation than anything else. Both of these were nice, unexpected touches. We enjoyed this elegant wine, and rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Color: Light straw. Nose: Kiwi, honeysuckle, strawberry and white pepper. Taste: Hints of honey, strawberry, and key lime; good mouth feel with a lingering acidity.

Winery website: Biltmore Wines.

This bottle of wine was received as a sample for review. No promise was given or implied that it would be the subject of an endorsement or review, either positive or negative.

Martín Códax Albariño 2009

Martín Códax Albariño 2009

Origin: Rias Baixax, Spain
Blend: Albariño (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2011
Purchase Price: $5.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A medium gold in color, this wine has aromas of mixed tropical fruits with significant notes of spice. Of moderate body on the palate, the fruit flavors tend towards tree fruit (apple, pear) though there is some tropical fruit (pineapple, guava) present as well. The finish brings out the spice a bit, reminiscent of cider.

Our rating: This wine has a lot of character to it. While one will be tempted to serve it with a meal — and we're thinking a poultry dish is best — it can also be enjoyed as is, just relaxing and enjoying the late summer breezes. Indeed, our bottle was nearly gone by the time the chicken breasts came off the grill. Rich and smooth, we rate this wine Above Average, Nearly Excellent. We previously rated the 2006 vintage similarly. (A quick note about the price paid: this wine was in a "marked down" section, and is almost certainly not what you would pay for it. Indeed, Wine.com currently lists it for $16.99. We wish now we had cleared the vendor where we purchased our bottle of their remaining supply.)

Taste profile from the winemaker: This refreshing food friendly white wine is crisp, elegant and dry and has aromas and flavors of pear, passion fruit and apple with bright acidity.

Martín Códax Albariño 2009 may be available to purchase from Wine.com.

Winery website: Martín Códax.

MontGras "Reserva" Sauvignon Blanc 2009

MontGras "Reserva" Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Origin: San Antonio Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Straw-gold in color, this wine has aromas of citrus and lemongrass, with slight sweet bell pepper notes. On the palate, the citrus flavors are nicely balanced with a touch of grassiness and minerality that gives it a crisp feel. The finish is brief, bringing out a hint of spiciness (though it could also be characterized as citrus zest).

Our rating: This is a very nice wine, one which we enjoyed with grilled chicken and quickly stir fried vegetables. We think it may pair slightly better with seafood, in particular shellfish, but given how drinkable it is -- there's a subtle hint of tropical fruit sweetness that captivated us -- this wine can probably be readily served with a wide variety of cuisines. It's no secret we're fans of Chilean Sauvignon Blancs, and this one doesn't (and won't) disappoint. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Appearance: Pale straw yellow. Aromas: Loaded with grapefruit, passion fruit and figs combined with nice fresh grass and asparagus notes. Intense and attractive. Deep and intense citric fruit and melon. It not only has freshness, but also volume and a nice texture. Full bodied.

Winery website: . Viña MontGras

Ribbonwood Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Ribbonwood Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $3.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Straw in color with gold hightlights, this wine has aromas of gooseberry, lemongrass, and lime with some slight herbal notes. The citrus (grapefruit) flavor is pronounced on the palate, but has a nice acid balance to it. There are hints of tropical fruit as well, maybe some kiwi or melon. The finish is clean, though relatively brief.

Our rating: It's hard to believe this is a $4 wine, as it shares many of the classical characteristics that are typically found in the New Zealand style of this varietal. If we to quibble, we'd say that we thought the palate lacked a bit of grassiness and that the minerality that makes its presence in the finish is a bit off, and it's more of a food wine than a sipping wine. But really, these are really minor faults. Not everyone enjoys this style, but it pairs beautifully with seafood, especially grilled or broiled white fish, and at this price, it's definitely worth a second -- or third -- or fourth -- look. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent, and are still astonished that we paid only $4 for this bottle. (We hope it wasn't a misprice by the seller, or worse, an error on our part as we inventoried our last purchase, as we intend to be back for more.)

Taste profile from the winemaker: None

Winery website: Framingham Wines: Wine Treasure from New Zealand. Ribbonwood Wines is produced by Framingham Wines. This label is not mentioned on their website.

Cantine Riondo Prosecco "Spago Nero" NV

Cantine Riondo Prosecco "Spago Nero" NV

Origin: Italy
Blend: Prosecco (100%)
Alcohol Content: 10.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: This gold and silver colored lightly sparkling wine has aromas of apple and citrus zest with slight floral notes. A similar flavor profile is exhibited on the palate, slightly sweet at first before becoming slightly tart. The somewhat toasty finish has some mineral character, clean and refreshing.

Our rating: This has been one of our most commented upon wines, both for its taste and for the difficulty associated in opening the bottle. And it now seems that the winemaker has listened, for we recently saw a bottle in the store with a screw cap and just had to pick up a bottle (or two)! (We couldn't find an online image of this particular bottle, so we're using a picture we took ourselves.) In the past, we have very much enjoyed this wine; indeed, we enjoy most proseccos and cavas, but this particular label is among the best ... especially at this price point. We first published a review of it back in 2008, and more recently in late 2009, both times rating it above average. But we're scoring this particular bottle a bit higher, Above Average nearly Excellent, and suggest you try it sometime. And with the screw cap, it's especially easy to open and serve!

Taste profile from the winemaker: Appearance: White with gold highlights, fine and persistent. Aroma: Fresh, fruity and aromatic. Taste: Elegant with soft, lingering finish.

Winery website: Cantine Riondo.

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2009

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2009

Origin: California
Blend: Chenin Blanc (80%), Viognier (20%)
Alcohol Content: 11.8%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $10.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Straw in color with golden highlights, this wine has aromas of peach and melon with significant floral and herbal, almost tea-like notes. Creamy on the palate, the fruit flavors have a similar profile, more soft than crisp. A slight smoky heat develops into the finish (though this wine received no oak cellaring).

Our rating: This is a nicely crafted wine, complex yet refined with a lot of subtle aspects to it. We served our bottle with a simple meal of broiled chicken and garden salad, but think this relatively rich wine deserves a more substantial meal and believe it is best paired with more robustly flavored dishes. The winemaker suggests this blend be consumed young, within 2 years or so of bottling. We rate it Above Average to Excellent. We previously rated the Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2008 vintage similarly (for different, though not dissimilar, reasons).

Taste profile from the winemaker: A fragrant bouquet of fresh fruit notes including Asian pear, pomelo and lychee, touched with a delicate floral layer of jasmine blossom and kaffir lime leaf. On the palate, enjoy a slightly off-dry harmony of fruit flavors including honeydew melon, ruby red grapefruit, juicy white peach and crisp golden apple. Bright acidity and a clean, refreshing finish round out this wine.

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2009 may be available to purchase from Wine.com.

Winery website: Pine Ridge Napa Valley Wines.

Tiki Sound Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Tiki Sound Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Light gold with green and silver highlights, this wine is lightly fragrant, with aromas of lime and citrus blossom and slight notes of lemongrass. The palate has a bit more body than one might expect, with rounded, well-balanced citrus flavors (grapefruit, lime) and just a hint of bell pepper and herbs. The finish is brief, adding little of note.

Our rating: This is a very nice example of this varietal from New Zealand, typical in many respects of what one has come to expect from the region, yet bringing its own style to the table. For example, it's a bit softer than others we've sampled, crisp but not bracing. We enjoyed our bottle with Thai cuisine, but think it very food-friendly, pairing nicely with most white-meat or seafood dishes. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Giesen Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Giesen Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Light gold with green highlights, this wine has aromas of gooseberry, citrus, and lemongrass. Crisp and slightly tart on the palate, the fruit flavors are well developed and have a moderate acidity. The finish is relatively brief, but clean and refreshing.

Our rating: This is a nicely balanced example of this varietal from New Zealand. We enjoyed our bottle with appetizers, but it could easily be served as an aperitif and would pair very well with a wide variety of hot and cold seafood dishes. We previously rated the Giesen Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Above Average, nearly Excellent and we score this vintage similarly.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Flavours of grapefruit and red capsicum where mid-palate fruit sweetness is balanced by a fresh, lively citrus acidity."

Winery website: Giesen Wines.

Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde 2009

Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde 2009
Origin: Portugal
Blend: Loureiro (60%), Trajadura (30%), and Alvarinho (10%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: December 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: A very pale straw in color, this wine has aromas of citrus and citrus flowers. The palate has a light, soft citrus flavor, slightly tart with a faint sensation of effervescence. The finish adds a touch of minerality, is surprisingly long, though without much depth.

Our rating: This is a most delightful "green wine", perfect as an aperitif before or served during a light meal, or all by itself while reading a book or enjoying a sunset. The citrus character suggests pairing with seafood, though we think it could easily accompany most fish or white meat dishes. (We had intended to serve our bottle with a vegetarian pizza, but it was gone long before the pie came out of the oven!) We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent. (Vinho Verdes are intended to be consumed young, so purchase the most recent vintage you can find.)

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Harmonious wine with a fresh, fruity and delicate aroma, where the presence of tropical fruits and white flowers is evident. The palate offers a long and persistent finish."

Winery website: Aveleda. Our Wine. Our Love. Our Life..

Nederburg Lyric 2010

Nederburg Lyric 2010
Origin: South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (56%), Chenin Blanc (23%), Chardonnay (21%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2011
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Pale gold with silver and green highlights, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (apples and peaches), but also some tropical fruit notes with maybe a touch of citrus. Nicely balanced on the palate, the fruit flavors are quite expressive, tending more toward sweet than tart. The finish is lengthy and has a bit of chalkiness, but it isn't distracting.

Our rating: This is a most interesting blend, three varietals that work, for the most part, in harmony with each other (even if one of them in Chardonnay). Maybe that's where the "Lyric" comes from! It's a very fruity wine, not overly complex, and probably best suited for Sunday brunches or maybe as an aperitif or with appetizers. Indeed, given its almost festive feel, we can see it being served at a party with family and friends. Suffice it to say, we enjoyed it, and rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Colour: Brilliant green. Bouquet: Aromas of peach and apricot mingle with the aromas of freshly cut grass and passion fruit. Palate: Crisp and generous with a fresh acidity."

Winery website: Nederburg Wines.

Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: December 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Pale straw in color, this wine exhibits aromas of citrus (grapefruit, lime) and vegetable (bell pepper). Crisp on the palate, the tart flavors are well-balanced, not unlike freshly squeezed limeade. There's a hint of tropical fruit sweetness present. A touch of astringency emerges into the finish, but dissipates quickly; the finish is clean though relatively thin.

Our rating: This is a very nice example of this New Zealand varietal, nicely complex but not overwhelming. We enjoyed our bottle with broiled fish fillets, a fine pairing. Consider serving this wine with any seafood dish, especially those that may be on the spicy side. We bought our bottle on sale, and as such consider it a great value for this Above Average to Excellent wine.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "The wine is pale straw in color with green highlights. Aromas of ripe gooseberry and capsicum dominate with tropical melon and grapefruit notes apparent. This wine displays full fruit intensity. The ripe capsicum and gooseberry flavors with hints of pungency sit well with the supporting tropical fruit flavors. A well-balanced wine showing the crisp, vivacious acidity associated with this style."

Winery website: Brancott Estate Limited.

Domaine de Gournier Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Domaine de Gournier Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Cévennes, France
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 14.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: December 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Pale lemon yellow in color, this wine has a very pleasing bouquet of tropical fruit, some citrus, maybe lemongrass with herbal notes. Smooth on the palate, the fruit flavors are quite well balanced and harmonious. There's also a bit of grassiness here. A touch of heat develops into the finish, which is slightly bitter, though not unpleasant.

Our rating: This is a surprisingly rich wine, full of complexity and depth. Not best alone, it needs food to bring out its range of flavors and round off some of the edges, especially towards the finish. We served our bottle with a roasted chicken dish, with which it paired very nicely. We think most any white meat would be suitable; we're less sure how well it would work with seafood, though. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: December 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: An exceptionally pale green in color, this wine has aromas of gooseberry, lime, and lemongrass with slight herbal notes. Pleasantly crisp on the palate, the citrus flavors are well balanced, initially with some tropical fruit coming through before becoming slightly tart into the finish, which has some mineral character but otherwise is lengthy and rather citrusy.

Our rating: This is a very nice example of this varietal. Though it clearly has a New Zealand signature to it, it is well rounded with some interesting nuances. Probably best paired with seafood, we'd choose grilled whitefish over shellfish, though both probably would work well. It could also be served as an aperitif, which is basically how we enjoyed our bottle. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "The wine is light straw in colour with green highlights and displays vibrant fruit aromatics of pink grapefruit, passionfruit and a complex minerality. The palate shows balance, both ripe passionfruit flavours and a tight, fresh acidity."

Winery website: Stoneleigh: Marlborough New Zealand Wines.

NewHarbor Sauvignon Blanc 2009

NewHarbor Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $10.99

Our review: Straw with green highlights, this wine has aromas of gooseberry and lemongrass with slight citrus floral notes. Crisp on the palate with well balanced citrus fruit flavors that extend into a clean, refreshing finish.

Our rating: This is a very nice, harmonious example of this varietal from New Zealand. We found it very food friendly, enjoying our bottle with a soup and salad combination, but we think it would pair well with most any poultry or seafood dish. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Opens with a playful interplay of bright gooseberry, grapefruit and fragrant honeysuckle, touched by hints of green chili. In the mouth, intense flavors of gooseberry and grapefruit dance through the palate, balanced by a subtle complexity that adds texture and depth. A crisp, lively minerality weaves through the long finish. Pair this tantalizing wine with seafood, light pastas or grilled chicken dishes."

Winery website: None found.

Ventisquero "Reserva" Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Ventisquero "Reserva" Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Casablanca Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Straw in color, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit (melon, kiwi) with light citrus, floral, and a hint of herbal notes. Very fruitful on the palate, the flavors are well balanced; there is a slight lemongrass-like character that develops into the finish, which is pleasant but relatively brief.

Our rating: This is a delicious wine, and though the more typical citrus/grassy character of this varietal is not so dominant here, we certainly enjoyed it and think others would as well. It is well rounded, flavorful, and best of all, exceptionally food-friendly. (We served our bottle with a vegetarian pizza, but to be honest, it was mostly gone by the time the pie came out of the oven.) We rate Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Fresh fruit such as pineapple, grapefruit, papaya, lime, white peach, melon and pear together with mineral notes and nice acidity. Long and clean finish."

Winery website: Viña Ventisquero.