La Yunta Torrontes 2008

La Yunta Torrontes 2008
Origin: Valle de Famatina, La Rioja, Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: March 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Aromas of peach and candied fruit with significant spice notes, maybe even tea, are exhibited by this yellow-gold wine. Pleasant and smooth on the palate, the fruit flavors are, however, somewhat muted. A rather aggressive acidity develops then moderates into the finish, which is of considerable length and depth.

Our rating: This is a well-rounded wine that can be paired with a wide variety of dishes, but probably works best with lighter meals of poultry or even pork. Consider serving it with chicken satays, which is how we enjoyed our bottle. We rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Notably aromatic of green melon and white peach. It has balanced citrus flavor with a touch of French oak to provide a crisp yet lingering finish. Wonderful as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to seafood or poultry."

Winery website: Southern Wine Group (importers).

Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio 2008

Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio 2008
Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: March 2010
Purchase Price: $12.99

Our review: Light gold in color with a pleasing bouquet of apple and pear with bright honey notes. Very fruity on the palate, at first slightly sweet but quickly balanced with a brisk acidity. The finish doesn't have much depth, initially offering a touch of minerality that slowly fades.

Our rating: This is a pleasant wine, one that would be easy to pair with a wide variety of cuisines. It is probably best served with lighter meals, appetizers or salads, which is how we enjoyed our bottle. We rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Light yellow to sandy-coloured in appearance, with an unobtrusive bouquet, and hints of pear and candied fruit. The strong harmonious structure emphasizes its dry full bodied taste and round finish."

Winery website: Tiefenbrunner Castel Turmhof.

Meinklang Gruener Veltliner 2008

Meinklang Gruener Veltliner 2008
Origin: Burgenland, Austria
Blend: Gruner Vertliner (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: March 2010
Purchase Price: $10.99

Our review: Medium yellow-green in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (apples, pears) with similar floral notes. The initial sensation on the palate is of a crisp fresh apple, then a brisk, citrusy acidity develops. The finish is quite lengthy and slightly tart.

Our rating: This is an interesting wine, but one that requires consumption with food. It should be ideal with most seafood dishes, especially shellfish, or try pairing with vegetarian meals. The flavor profile improves if served just slightly chilled. We have somewhat mixed feelings about it, but it scores on the high side of Average. (Note: This wine was made with organic grapes.)

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Meinklang.

Castle Rock Pinot Gris 2008

Castle Rock Pinot Gris 2008
Origin: Monterey County, California
Blend: Pinot Gris (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: March 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Medium gold in color with aromas of green apple and spice, this medium-bodied wine exhibits a slightly sweet but well-rounded fruit flavor profile on the palate with nicely balanced acidity. The finish has considerable length and depth, almost as if it were cellared in oak for some period (though there is no indication this was the case).

Our rating: This is a somewhat surprisingly rich wine that should pair well with most poultry, fish, or even pork dishes. We served our bottle with roasted turkey and potatoes, a fine choice. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Crisp and light with good texture and acidity, offering delicate flavors of citrus, peach and apple."

Winery website: Castle Rock Winery.

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Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: March 2010
Suggested Retail Price: $13.99

Our review: A light silver-green in color, this wine has a very light citrus fragrance. The initial palate sensation is one of gentle lemon or lime flavor, which then develops into a more rounded, citrus fruit profile that has more than a hint of orange to it. The finish is fairly long and pleasant.

Our rating: We rather enjoyed this bottle, much more than last year's vintage (Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2008) that we rated just Average. There isn't much of a grassiness typically associated with this varietal from New Zealand; some might miss this, others not. We tend to like it, but this was so good we didn't miss it. Terrific for summer sipping on the deck, or to serve with a light lunch of fresh salad greens and tomatoes, which is how we enjoyed ours (though to be honest, it was half gone by the time we ate). We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "The flavors are integrated, delighting the senses with Meyer lemons, Key limes and a finish that awakens the appetite."

Winery website: Cupcake Vineyard.

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.