Canaletto Prosecco Spumante Brut NV

Canaletto Prosecco Spumante Brut
Origin: Veneto, Italy
Blend: Prosecco (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: December 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Green apple aromas with distinct herbal notes are exhibited by this lightly sparkling wine. Initially very slightly sweet on the palate, a toasty flavor profile develops giving the wine a "champagne"-like character. There is also some minerality present. The finish is surprisingly long, unexpected for this varietal.

Our rating: Just in time for the New Year celebrations, this delightful prosecco will make a satisfactory, and much less expensive, alternative to more traditional bubblies. Serve very chilled and enjoy! We rate this wine Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Pale straw yellow with greenish shades. Fruity, with a rich scent of fruit, especially of unripe apples, lemons and grapefruits. It has a pronounced aroma of wisteria in bloom and acacia flowers. It has a pleasantly acid, fresh flavour. Full-bodied, it has a pleasant and harmonious taste characteristic."

Winery website: Canaletto Wines.

Sobon Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Sobon Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (94%), Semillon (6%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: October 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Light golden straw in color, this wine exhibits aromas of tropical fruit, honey, and spice. The fruit flavors on the palate have a smoky character, not unpleasant but distinctive. The finish has considerable length and is rather complex.

Our rating: This is a fairly typical California version of this varietal, a bit heavy on the oak, which tends to dominate the overall experience. Allowing the wine to breathe a bit seems to help diminish some of the oakiness. Serve with roasted chicken or grilled fish. This isn't a terrific effort, but isn't bad either; about Average. We rated the last year's vintage, the Sobon Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007 average as well.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Crisp and fruity, a perfect match for seafood and fowl dishes. The aromas are a captivating blend of floral and spicy tones with a hint of tropical fruit and toasted coconut."

Winery website: Sobon Family Wines.

Oak Leaf Sauvignon Blanc NV

Oak Leaf Sauvignon Blanc NV
Origin: California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $2.97

Our review: Greenish gold, this wine has aromas of grapefruit and lemongrass with a note of spice. The palate is a little bitter with not much fruit flavor, but does have a some vegetal (asparagus) character. The finish is brief and rather flat.

Our rating: Based purely on taste, we would rate this wine Below Average. But if one considers price, it really is not all that bad. Sometimes it may seem like an extravagance to break out a bottle just to accompany a simple sandwich, or even popcorn. An inexpensive wine, especially one that's eminently drinkable, is a perfect choice. We're not entirely sure we'd serve this wine to guests, but it's OK for an evening at home, snacking and just watching television.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Oak Leaf Vineyards. Oak Leaf wines can only be purchased from Wal-Mart.

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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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