Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Selection Prestige Bordeaux Blanc 2009

Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Selection Prestige Bordeaux Blanc 2009
Origin: Bordeaux, France
Blend: Semillon (60%), Sauvignon Blanc (40%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: August 2010
Purchase Price: $12.99

Our review: Silver straw in color, this wine has a pleasing fragrance, with aromas of lemongrass, orange zest, with slight honey, almost spice notes. Somewhat tart on the palate, the citrus flavors take a moment or two to develop. It is nicely balanced and has a faint mineral character. The finish is clean, if relatively brief.

Our rating: This would make for an elegant dinner wine. Fairly light, we would suggest serving it with an early course, either the salad or the fish. With no particular dinner plans -- elegant or otherwise -- on our social calendar, we served our bottle with lightly seared tuna, a good choice. We enjoyed this wine, and rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Information about this wine cannot be found on the winery website.

Winery website: Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite).

Vignal Verduzzo NV

Vignal Verduzzo NV
Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Verduzzo (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Light golden yellow with an abundance of bubbles, this wine has aromas of peach and other tree fruit with distinct notes of nuts. Very light and initially slightly sweet on the palate, the fruit flavors emerge into the finish, which is on the dry side and a bit toasty.

Our rating: This very fine sparkling wine would be a perfect accompaniment to a brunch or to serve at a festive occasion. We, on the other hand, were in a mind for pizza, not a traditional pairing to be sure, but we enjoyed it just as much. This is our first sparkling verduzzo, but it certainly won't be our last. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent. (Note: the bottle image shown is somewhat different than the bottle we reviewed.)

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Colour: brilliant yellow. Fragrance: fruit-like taste. Flavour: pleasant, sapid and properly sweet."

Winery website: Vini La Delizia.

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Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde 2009

Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde 2009
Origin: Portugal
Blend: "Selected grapes of the indigenous Loureiro and Pedernã varieties"
Alcohol Content: 11.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Pale silver-green in color, this wine has bright aromas of citrus and green apple. The flavors are similar on the palate, with a grapefruit tartness dominating, accompanied by a little effervescence. Some minerality develops into the finish, which is brief and not all that memorable.

Our rating: These "green wines" are intended to be consumed as early as possible after bottling, so we appreciate that more of them are clearly dated. We recommend that vinho verdes be served as either an aperitif or with appetizers, which is how we enjoyed our bottle. Last year we rated the Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde 2008 Above Average, but we weren't as thrilled with this year's effort, being too dominant on a single flavor (grapefruit) and rating it just Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Very bright and clear wine with a pale, citrus-yellow hue. Its bouquet is intense and complex with a prevalence of citrus notes complemented by tropical fruit and floral tones. In the mouth it has lively acidity balanced by complex flavours that makes for a wine full of character. It has a fine body, an intense flavour, and a long, lingering finish."

Winery website: Sogrape.

Spier Signature Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Spier Signature Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Pale gold in color, this wine has aromas of grapefruit, lemongrass, and bell pepper with some very slight floral notes. Nicely fruitful on the palate, the slightly tart citrus flavors have a good balancing acidity. There isn't much finish, but it is clean and refreshing.

Our rating: Those who tend to enjoy New Zealand-style sauvignon blancs but are put off a bit by how aggressive they can be will likely enjoy this wine. It retains many of the characteristics of this varietal but softens them a bit. Likely to be very food friendly, we served our bottle with a salad course of tomatoes and marinated onions, an excellent choice. We rate it on the very high side of Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Green in colour with a yellow hue, the wine shows fresh tropical fruit aromas with figs, and grassy undertones. Layers of tropical fruit show on a well-structured and -balanced palate."

Winery website: Spier South African Wines.

Caposaldo Pinot Grigio 2008

Caposaldo Pinot Grigio 2008
Origin: Veneto, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: August 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Lemon yellow in color, this wine has bright aromas of peach and apple with significant floral notes. The fruit flavor profile on the palate is remarkably similar, clean and crisp, with a touch of minerality. The finish maintains its intensity for quite some time.

Our rating: This is a fine example of this versatile varietal. Readily served as a sipping wine or as an aperitif, it would pair nicely with most any seafood dish. We served our bottle with a crisp mixed green salad and fresh baked bread and found it delightful companion. A real find at this price point, we rate it Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Pale, straw yellow. Delicate white fruit and apple aromas. Flavors are offset by notes of acacia blossoms and almonds. The texture is crisp and vibrant with a well-balanced, bright acidity and a clean, fresh finish."

Winery website: Kobrand Corporation (Importer/Distributor).

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