Morgan Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Wine: Morgan Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Origin: Monterey County, California
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Bottle closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: October 2008
Purchase Price: $11.99

Taste profile from the winemaker "This medium-bodied wine features tightly focused flavors of green apples, citrus, and a light floral aroma, rounded out by sweet, grassy undertones characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc. Oak aging offsets overly aggressive flavors and adds an elegant texture. The 2007 Monterey Sauvignon Blanc would make a fine compliment to Caesar salads, assorted crustaceans, poultry, and light pork dishes."

ABC Wines review: This California sauvignon blanc has fresh aromas of ripe tropical fruit, notably pineapple, with notes of citrus. The wine is initially just ever so slightly sweet on the palate before a balancing acidity develops. The finish is quite long, smooth, and very fruitful, with little evidence of oak aging that is typical of the varietals from this region. Our score: One of the best California sauvignon blancs we've had in a long time. It is very food friendly; we enjoyed it with grilled chicken sandwiches accompanied by a fresh vegetable salad though we'd be happy to serve it at a fine dinner party. Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Winery website: Morgan Winery.

Don Giovanni Pinot Grigio 2007

Wine: Don Giovanni Pinot Grigio 2007
Origin: delli Venezie, Italy
Blend: 100% Pinot Grigio
Alcohol content: 12.0%
Bottle closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: October 2008
Purchase Price: $9.99

Taste profile from the winemaker (taken from the bottle label): "This beautiful pale straw pinot grigio displays aromas of peach, lemon-lime, pear and apple, accented with floral blossom. To the palate it maintains a perfect balance of fruit and acidity through its soft and lingering almond finish."

ABC Wines review: This very nice wine has floral aromas of tree fruit, notably red apple and pear, with some barely discernible notes of ripe tropical fruit. The palate is of medium body and has a moderate mineral base to it; the fruit flavors here lean more towards to the citrus. The finish also has a significant citrus character to it leaving the mouth clean and fresh. (We did not detect any of the almond flavors mentioned in the winemaker's taste profile.) Serve this wine at a luncheon buffet with cold fried chicken and vegetable salads. Our score: An impressive, food-friendly wine for under $10. Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Winery website: Giordano Wines.

Host a Murder Mystery Party: A Taste of Wine and Murder

Anything But Chardonnay ("ABC") Wine Reviews periodically provides our readers with current promotions that offer discounts or other incentives for purchasing wine or wine-related products and services through our partner websites. Or sometimes (like now) we highlight fun products or services that have a wine-related theme.

Host a deadly delicious evening of mystery for fellow wine lovers! Invite 6 to 8 friends to help solve the murder of Barry Underwood, a local vineyard owner, in Murder Mystery Party: A Taste for Wine and Murder. Invite your friends to dress up and play the roles of the devious suspects (each with his or her own character booklet with roles and background info): Otto Von Schnapps, Tiny Bubbles, Papa Vito, Marilyn Merlot, Ralph Rottingrape, Hedy Shablee, Bonny Lass, and Bud Wizer. This murder mystery party planner includes recipes, a menu, and music and decorating tips; 8 character booklets; 8 party invitations, envelopes, and place cards; 6 secret clues; and CD with an introduction, a summary of events, and the solution to the crime. (Looking for more mystery parties for adults, teens, and kids, or other host your own mystery evenings? Visit Games of Mystery for all the clues!)

Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Wine: Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Bottle closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: October 2008
Purchase Price: $8.99

Taste profile from the winemaker (taken from the bottle label): "Light yellow in colour, this wine has a distinctive Marlborough bouquet of ripe tropical and citrus fruit. The palate is crisp and zesty, with flavours of lemon, passionfruit, and melon."

ABC Wines review: This straw-colored wine has bright aromas of fresh grass, the zest of lime, and notes of kiwi and gooseberry. It is very, almost excessively, tart on the palate with distinct citrus flavors, notably grapefruit. The finish is lengthy but rather flat and undistinguished. Definitely not a wine to be used as an aperitif, it worked very well with our vegetable salad of tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers with a sun-dried tomato vinaigrette. Our score: Immediately recognizable as a New Zealand sauvignon blanc, this wine will not be to everyone's taste, but we found it as well Above Average. We thought last year's vintage was better, rating the Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Above average to Excellent.

Winery website: Nobilo - Discover Our Wines.

Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio 2007

Wine: Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio 2007
Origin: delle Dolomiti, Italy
Blend: 100% Pinot Grigio
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Bottle closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: October 2008
Purchase Price: $7.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Traditional white wine vinification at controlled temperatures of around 18-20°C; modern taste, straw-yellow in color, pleasant bouquet, delicate, fruity, dry in flavor, elegant, and well balanced."

ABC Wines review: This wine exhibits an herbal citrus blend of aromas. The fruit flavors on the palate are not particularly pronounced though there is a brisk acidity with some mineral character. The finish is reasonably long and smooth and just slightly overly astringent. Our score: A good Italian white wine to serve with a good Italian meal. Average, maybe a touch better.

Winery website: Mezzacorona - L'Eleganza dei Vini Trentini.

San Sebastian Reserva White Wine NV

Wine: San Sebastian Reserva White Wine NV
Origin: St. Augustine, Florida
Blend: Unknown
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Bottle closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: October 2008
Purchase Price: $7.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Blended to perfection this dry white wine showcases the best characteristics of several of Florida’s Hybrid Bunch grapes. This wine complements many types of fish and poultry dishes or possible just for sipping and relaxing."

ABC Wines review: This wine has a tropical fruit and honey blend of aromas. A bit crisp and slightly overly acidic on the palate, the fruit flavors lack any real balance or depth. The finish has a somewhat unpleasant woodsy characteristic possibly due to excessive oak cellaring. Our score: We served our bottle with Friday night sandwiches and chips, actually not a bad choice. Florida is not known for its wines, but there are far worse wines from far better known regions. On the low, very low, side of Average.

Winery website: San Sebastian Winery.

Lurton Pinot Gris 2007

Wine: Lurton Pinot Gris 2007
Origin: Valle de Eco, Argentina
Blend: 100% Pinot Gris
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Bottle closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: October 2008
Purchase Price: $7.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: None found.

ABC Wines review: This wine has aromas of tropical fruit and honey with some very pleasing spice notes. The palate has a brisk acidity that seems to mask the fruit flavors. The finish is quite astringent and though the fruit flavors increase in intensity here they taper off into something that is bitter and unbalanced. Our score: Not a bad wine by any means but somewhat disappointing nonetheless. Just Average.

Winery website: Jacques & Francois Lurton.