Barefoot Riesling NV

Barefoot Riesling NV
Origin: California
Blend: Riesling (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: October 2009
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: Pale yellow with a very citrusy aroma, mainly lemon, and some light floral notes. Semi-dry to crisp on the palate, the flavor is similar in character to lemonade. The finish is brief.

Our rating: We're generally fans of Barefoot non-vintage wines, and this example is no exception. It's a light, fun wine, the natural sweetness nicely balanced with a brisk acidity. Choose this wine for a picnic or summer barbeque. We rate it on the high side of Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "This light-bodied and refreshingly sweet wine hits all the right fruit-filled notes: delicate orange blossom, juicy apple, and tangy lemon."

Winery website: Barefoot Wine and Bubbly.

Famega Vinho Verde NV

Famega Vinho Verde
Origin: Portugal
Blend: Avesso, Azal and Pedernã (percentages unknown)
Alcohol Content: 9.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: October 2009
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: Bright yellow in color with aromas of green apple, spice, and bell pepper, this wine is a bit fizzier than most vinho verdes. Dry and fruity on the palate, there is a refreshing mineral, almost flint character. Not much finish, nor is one typically expected, but there is a very slight sweet sensation.

Our rating: This is a very nice vinho verde (green wine), which we served at a brunch, though it would work equally well paired with appetizers or a spring mix salad. Usually consumed as young as possible, our bottle was dated 2008. We rate it slightly Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: None found.

Winery website: None found.

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Coyote Creek Symphony 2008

Coyote Creek Symphony 2008
Origin: California
Blend: Symphony (100%)?
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: October 2009
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: Golden yellow in color with tropical fruit (melon) and tree fruit (white peach) aromas, this light- to moderate-body wine is slightly sweet, but with a good acidic balance, though the fruit flavors are a bit muddled. The finish is rather flat, but has a nice spicy character to it.

Our rating: We're not entirely sure this is a varietal wine or a blend with symphony being the dominant grape. It's pleasant, but not remarkable. We'd recommend serving it with spicy Asian cuisines, with which it should pair nicely. About Average here, maybe slightly better.

Taste profile from the winemaker: None. There is no information about this wine on the winery website.

Winery website: Adler Fels Winery.

Santa Julia Organica Torrontes 2008

Santa Julia Organica Torrontes 2008
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: October 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Golden straw in color, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit (melon, pineapple, banana) with distinct spice notes. Of light- to moderate-body on the palate, the fruit flavors are expressive, and nicely balanced with a crisp acidity. The finish is equally pleasing, complex with depth of character.

Our rating: This is a wonderful wine, full of flavor and character. We served our bottle with broiled chicken and rice pilaf, with which it paired quite nicely. This isn't a common varietal in the US, but look for it when trying something different, and this winery in particular. We rate this wine Excellent.

We've enjoyed previous, non-organic, vintages almost as much, rating the Santa Julia Torrontes 2005 Above Average, nearly Excellent; and the Santa Julia Torrontes 2006 well Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Colour: Silver yellow with brilliant pale green reflections. Aroma: Notes of rose, orange peel, white peaches, fruits salad, chamomile and other aromatic herbs. Flavor: A fresh and balanced flavor."

Winery website: Familia Zuccardi.

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Carmen Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Carmen Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Curico Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: October 2009
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: Yellow-green in color, this wine has herbal aromas of lemongrass, with significant spice notes. Initially a bit tart and citrusy on the palate, the fruit flavors smooth out and are accompanied by a touch of minerality. The finish is clean but lacks depth.

Our rating: This is a nice, versatile wine, not exceptional but decent. We served our bottle with grilled fish, but we think it would work well with most Asian-inspired cuisines. We rate it about Average. Last year, we rated a previous vintage, the Carmen Sauvignon Blanc 2007, also about Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Bright greenish-yellow in colour with fresh and expressive varietal aromas. Deliciously crisp with fresh and juicy citrus and grapefruit, along with nettle and flint. Nice varietal typicity and a long finish."

Winery website: Viña Carmen.