Bibi Graetz Bianco di Casamatta 2009

Bibi Graetz Bianco di Casamatta 2009

Origin: Toscana, Italy
Blend: Vermentino (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2012
Purchase Price: $3.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Medium- to dark-gold in color, this wine has aromas of apple and cider with strong notes of honey. The flavors on the palate are similar to the nose, with a significant cider-like character accompanied by some earthy bitterness. The finish is rather smooth, more so than would otherwise be expected.

Our rating: A note first about the price paid. This wine was specially priced when we purchased it, $5 off its regular $8.99 price. We appreciated the complexity exhibited by this wine, but simply didn't enjoy it. Most definitely a food-required wine, we served ours with roasted chicken and potatoes, not a bad choice considering. Still, we didn't care for the overall bitterness of this wine, which we simply could not get past. Vermentinos are meant to be consumed young, so maybe this example was simply well past its prime, but we rate it Below Average to Inferior and not recommended, even at the price we paid.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Colle Solato Grechetto & Vermentino 2009

Colle Solato Grechetto & Vermentino 2009
Origin: Umbria, Italy
Blend: Grechetto (50%), Vermentino (50%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Straw with silver highlights, this wine has a pleasing blend of tropical fruit aromas, including melon, banana, and papaya. There is little of those fruits on the palate though, the flavors having a watery character. The finish has some body to it but is otherwise unremarkable.

Our rating: We were slightly disappointed with this wine. It did improve, however, as it warmed, so it's possible our initial reaction was based on a too cold temperature. Or maybe it needed to breathe a bit. We served our bottle with a vegetable omelet, with which it paired adequately well. We think pasta would probably have been a better choice, though. Overall, we rate it about Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

La Cala Vermentino di Sardegna 2008

La Cala Vermentino di Sardegna 2008
Origin: Sardinia, Italy
Blend: Vermentino (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $13.99

Our review: Medium yellow in color, this wine has a gentle herbal fragrance with light floral notes of apple blossoms. Very fruitful on the palate, the dominent apple flavor, now complemented by other tree fruit flavors, is balanced with a mild acidity. The finish is fairly long, but doesn't have much depth or character.

Our rating: This is a delicious wine, and very food friendly. We chose to enjoy our bottle with a brunch of eggs, potatoes, grilled tomatoes, and fresh baked breads, with which it paired beautifully. It should also pair nicely with mild Asian cuisines, especially appetizers. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Color: Pale yellow. Aroma: Multidimensional aromas with notes of oranges, grapefruit, spice and roses. Flavor: Elegant and supple, this wine couples fullness of flavor with an underlying acidity."

Winery website: Sella & Mosca.

La Baronne Blanc 2006

La Baronne Blanc 2006
Origin: Vin de Pays Hauterive, France
Blend: Grenache Blanc 60%, Vermentino 40%
Alcohol content: 14.0%
Bottle closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: January 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: None found.

ABC Wines review: Golden yellow in color, this wine has aromas of citrus and honey with notes of orange rind. The palate is of light to medium body and adds a distinct herbal character to the fruit flavors. The finish is mildly acidic, fruity, and of reasonable length. Allowing this wine to breathe a bit seemed to slightly improve its overall complexity. Decidedly not one to serve as an aperitif, it is, however, a nice wine to pair with a chicken pasta dish. Our score: Average, maybe a touch better.

Winery website: Famille Ligneres.