Fonseca Twin Vines Vinho Verde 2008

Fonseca Twin Vines Vinho Verde 2008
Origin: Portugal
Blend: "Made from a blend of native Portuguese grapes."
Alcohol Content: 9.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: Pale green with silver highlights, this lightly sparkling wine has aromas of apple with citrus notes. Slightly tart and crisp, the palate leans towards lime and other citrus flavors and minerals. Not surprisingly, there is little finish.

Our rating: Vinho verdes are terrific wines to serve as aperitifs, or with appetizers (which is how we enjoyed this bottle). Light and versatile, this "green wine" should be served young. We found this wine a little too tart to our liking, but overall rate it about Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: J M Fonseca Twin Vines.

Lucky Duck Sauvignon Blanc NV

Lucky Duck Sauvignon Blanc NV
Origin: Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $3.99

Our review: Light golden straw in color, this wine has a pleasing blend of tropical fruit and grass aromas, with slight herbal, almost honey, notes. The initial impression on the palate is one of highly unbalanced acidity, very tart and not the fruitful citrus kind. That quickly passes, leaving a slightly sweet, tropical fruit flavor behind. The finish has a honeyed butter character.

Our rating: We can locate no information about this label's very inexpensive line of wines. This particular varietal isn't all that great, but is rather unusual (and not necessarily in a good way), with a rapid cascade of flavors and sensations. It's not a bottle we'd serve to guests, but as an accompaniment to a quick meal, it's not all that bad. On the score sheet it rates Below Average to Inferior, but with a price of $4, its value score rates much higher.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Turning Leaf Pinot Grigio 2008

Turning Leaf Pinot Grigio 2008
Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: Pale gold in color, this wine has aromas of yellow delicious apples and peaches, with very slight citrus floral notes. Fruitful and ever so slightly sweet on the palate, a brisk acidity quickly develops that lasts into the finish, which is relatively brief and unremarkable.

Our rating: We're generally fans of this label's line of relatively inexpensive wines, of which this is typical: pleasant, not necessarily memorable, but eminently drinkable. It's ideal for a light lunch, and certainly priced right (especially when on sale, which it often is). Enjoy with sandwiches, salads, or even popcorn while watching a favorite movie at home on TV. We rate it on the high side of Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "It's refreshing, with aromas of ripe apples and lingering hints of pear. Enjoy with any light fare."

Winery website: Turning Leaf (E & J Gallo).

Rosenblum Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Rosenblum Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.8%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $12.99

Our review: Light yellow in color with gold highlights, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit and herbs, with distinct grassy notes. Quite tart on the palate, the wine's acidity overwhelms the subtle fruit flavors. Some heat develops into the finish (presumably from oak cellaring), though is dampened quite a bit to end very smoothly.

Our rating: We were initially put off a bit by this wine's somewhat unbalanced acidity, but when paired with our rich pasta meal, it worked quite nicely. Definitely not a sipping wine, it should hold up well with most boldly flavored dishes. Still, it seems priced a bit high for what it is basically an Average, maybe a tad better, wine.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Rosenblum Cellars. This wine is not mentioned on the winery website.

Arona Sauvignon Blanc 2009

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

Our review: Greenish-silver in color, this wine has aromas of lime with sweet tropical fruit and herbal notes. Quite fruity on the palate, the flavors are of pineapple and citrus, slightly sweet but with a nicely balanced acidity. The finish is relatively brief, but clean.

Our rating: This wine is less aggressive than many of this varietal from New Zealand, yet retains much of its distinctive character. It's quite pleasant, and likely to pair well with most poultry or seafood dishes. We served our bottle with roasted chicken and rice, a good choice. Overall, it rates Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Softer, instantly approachable and with more ripe fruit flavors to balance the traditional intensity of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The grapefruit nose opens to a full and fruity mouthful of passion fruit and pineapple."

Winery website: Barker's Marque Vineyards.

Kris Pinot Grigio 2008

Kris Pinot Grigio 2008
Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: December 2009
Purchase Price: $10.99

Our review: This light yellow-gold wine exhibits a fresh, pleasant bouquet of citrus and stone fruit with notes of apricot and melon. The palate starts very fruity, but quickly develops a mild acidity that is accompanied by an earthy, nut-like character. The finish is relatively long and brings out some additional mineral notes.

Our rating: This is a nice lunch wine. We served our bottle with grilled fish sandwiches and found it paired well. It should also work with grilled chicken. Not overly complex, but pleasing nonetheless. We rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Pale yellow in color with brilliant greenish reflections, enticing aromas of acacia flowers, citrus, tangerine, and hints of apricots and almonds. Kris is lean and refreshing on the palate with hints of blossom and honey."

Winery website: Kris Wine.

Alamos Torrontes 2008

Alamos Torrontes 2008
Origin: Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: December 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Aromas of white peach and flowers are exhibited by this pale golden wine. A bit of heat accompanies the fruit flavors with herbal character on the palate, which has considerable depth. The finish is lengthy and pleasant with a brisk acidity.

Our rating: We served this wine with appetizers and it was versatile enough to pair well with most. Though reportedly unaoked, there is a complexity present that is often associated with aged wines. We rather enjoyed this wine, and rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker (from the label): "Lively notes of citrus and peach fruit interwoven with delicate layers of jasmine blossom and fresh herbs. Light and fresh on the palate with excellent balance and finishing with bright, crisp adicity."

Winery website: Bodega Catena Zapata.