Tasting- Peter Mertes Sweet Red

Name: Peter Mertes Sweet Red
Variety: Merlot 
Region: Rheinhessen

Country: Germany
Year: 2011
Price: $8

Winery review: A trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine.

My review: Sweeter than many red wines I have had.The cherry flavors standing out to me. The tannin flavors were definitely easy to pick up on. Overall, it was a pretty good wine.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Sutter Home White Merlot

Name: Sutter Home White Merlot
Variety: Merlot 
Region: California 
Country: USA 
Year: 2011
Price: $5

Winery review: A bright, light red color, and sweet cherry and raspberry aromas characterize this wine. Soft, round, juicy cherry and berry flavors form structure and a full, rich texture. Serve chilled as an aperitif, or as an excellent accompaniment to picnic and barbecue fare, seafood, poultry, ham, and spicy ethnic cuisines.

My review: A very pleasant wine. There was a raspberry smell and taste and other berry flavors, slightly concealed by the raspberry. I could pick up both the slight tartness and many sweet flavors, but a balanced combination. I would certainly get this again, a good wine at a very low price. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Beliveau Estate Winery Afternoon Delight (Vidal Blanc)

Name: Beliveau Estate Winery Afternoon Delight, Vidal Blanc
Variety: Vidal Blanc
Region: VA - North Fork of Roanoke
Country: USA
Year: 2011
 Price: $20
Winery review: A lightly oaked, dry Vidal Blanc with overtones of grapefruit and vanilla. Serving un-chilled presents a well rounded, full palate and a lingering finish. Afternoon Delight is well suited for pairing with seasoned pork, roasted poultry, heavy seafood such as salmon or mussels, peppermint, venison, lamb, and saged sausage. This wine really pulls out any Summer herbs, especially rosemary! Chilled it is a bright yet complex and crisp, refreshing white. Afternoon Delight is great with strong cheeses chilled or unchilled.

My review: A very sweet tasting wine. Definite flavors of grapefruit and some lighter berries. Smell contains much more of the light berry than the taste, when the grapefruit comes out. It is a sweet, yet slightly acidic flavor. A little bit sweet for my taste, but overall a good wine. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Beliveau Estate Winery Lover's Quest (Vidal Blanc)

Name: Beliveau Estate Winery Lover's Quest, Vidal Blanc
Variety: Vidal Blanc
Region: VA - North Fork of Roanoke
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $15

Winery review: A semi-sweet Vidal Blanc, Lover's Quest is perfect for those seeking a sweet, but not too sweet white. It pairs well with pork, quiche, pesto, and fresh fruits. The nose is fruit forward with hints of apple and peaches. This wine is a favorite of picnicking guests at Beliveau Estate.

My review: A white with plenty of pleasant sweetness, but not too much. Underlying flavors of strawberry and raspberry. Definitely filled with fruit aromas. A good wine that I would have again, I even bought a bottle. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Beliveau Estate Winery Silhouette (Cabernet Sauvignon)

Name: Beliveau Estate Winery Silhouette, Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Kluge (Trump) VA - North Fork of Roanoke 
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $20

Winery review: Our Cabernet Sauvignon is a cornucopia of light berry flavors topped with a spicy overtone. Medium body with nose to spare and a long finish. This "East Coast style" Cab pairs with steak, veal, and lamb, as well as chicken cordon bleu, pork with cranberry chutney, or your favorite ham & cheese. Strong enough to hold it's own, but delicate enough to not overpower your meal. Silhouette is also wonderful all by itself!

My review: A very dry, but pleasant wine. A hint of tart berry, similar to cranberry and a spice. It was a good wine, with wonderful aromas. I would try it again.  

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Beliveau Estate Winery Rainbow (Zinfandel)

Name: Beliveau Estate Winery Rainbow, Zinfandel
Variety: 100% Zinfandel
Region: Borra Vineyard, San Joaquin, CA 
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $26

Winery review: Rainbow is our "peppery" old-vine Zin. Along with the traditional aspects of Zinfandel, you will find that Rainbow is not too bold and will not overpower your food pairings. It pairs best with beef, lasagna, Italian sausage, stroganoff, red sauces, and burgers! One thing to keep in mind is that Rainbow will strongly enhance "saltiness" and "pepperiness", so it is especially great for folks who are cutting back on their sodium intake!

My review: A lighter Zinfandel with aromas of berries, such as raspberry. There was a slight peppery taste. Overall, a good wine.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting- Oak Vineyards Merlot

Name: Oak Vineyards Merlot
Variety: Merlot 
Region: California 
Country: USA 
Year: 2010 
Price: $5

Winery review: The dark-maroon Merlot is a fruity, easy-to-drink wine. Aromas of plum with hints of coffee and dark chocolate build up to bold, fruity flavors of fresh cherries, ripe raspberries, and currant

My review: A delicious red wine. Strong on the fruit flavors, especially a cherry. There was a hint of bitter, I'm not sure I would classify it as a dark chocolate flavor as above. It was lighter than many red wines I have had. I would definitely have it again.

I tasted this on its own with no food.