Casarsa Pinot Grigio / Pinot Blanc 2009

Casarsa Pinot Grigio / Pinot Blanc 2009
Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (55%), Pinot Blanc (45%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $4.99

Our review: Straw in color, this wine has aromas of ripe tropical fruit, with sweet spice notes. Quite fruitful on the palate, the flavors are nonetheless somewhat unbalanced, with a somewhat aggressive acidity developing into the finish, which has considerable mineral character to it.

Our rating: We served our bottle with cold chicken sandwiches, not a bad choice considering. This is probably a decent backyard, picnic-type wine, but not one we'd serve at dinner. Overall, a bit of a disappointment that is reflected in our rating of Below Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker (from the label): "Refreshing citrus aromas and flavors of ripe apple and pear."

Winery website: None found.

Gunther Schlink Pinot Blanc 2007

Gunther Schlink Pinot Blanc 2007
Origin: Germany
Blend: Pinot Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $10.99

Our review: Pale yellow, this wine has aromas of apricot, apple, and sweet spice (vanilla). Nicely flavorful and dry on the palate, the nonetheless slightly sweet fruit flavors have a slight mineral character. There isn't much of a finish.

Our rating: Versatile with food, this wine would also make a good aperitif or served with a selection of hot appetizers (which is how we enjoyed our bottle). Not otherwise remarkable in an significant way, we rate it about Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc 2006

Wine: Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc 2006
Origin: Sonoma County, California
Blend: 100% Pinot Blanc (stainless steel 6 months, 10% new French oak 3 months)
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Bottle closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: September 2008
Purchase Price: $10.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Aromas of honeysuckle, pear and lime are accented with with a hint of hazelnut. Rich and complex tropical and citrus fruit flavors lead to a creamy finish balanced with crisp green apple tartness."

ABC Wines review: Floral aromas of citrus and grapefruit are exhibited by this wine. Full-bodied and almost creamy on the palate, the fruit flavors are accompanied by a brisk mineral-like character that lead into a tart, somewhat astringent finish. We enjoyed this food-friendly wine with chicken fajitas. Our score: One the high side of Average.

Winery website: Valley of the Moon Winery.