Tasting - Bera Asti

Name: Bera Asti
Variety: Moscato
Region: Neviglie, Piemonte
Country: Italy
Price: $9.95
Year: 2011

Winery Review: Bera is a soft and plush wine with creamy foam, lemony mousse and loads of fragrant peach blossom, honey and sweet almond on the bouquet. You’ll love the intensity of elegant,  fresh, rich flavours and vibrant acidity.

My Review: This was a sweet moscato and not one of my favorites. The nose was very floral and peachy. The fizzyness was very nice and refreshing and it hide a nice finish. Personally, I would not have this one again though.

I did not try this with food. 

Tasting - Tarima Monastrell

Name: Tarima Monastrell
Region: Alicante
Country: Spain
Price: $9.95
Year: 2013

Winery Review: Bright purple. High-pitched red and dark berry scents show good clarity and pick up a licorice nuance with air. Tangy and focused on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry and spicecake flavors with an exotic touch of candied violet. Closes spicy and long, with silky tannins building slowly and adding gentle grip. This is a fantastic value.

My Review: This was a very nice red. Dark berries come out strong on the nose. On the palate, there was raspberry and a bit wood and spice. It had a great finish.

I did not try this with food. 

Tasting - Coreto Tinto

Name: Coreto Tinto
Variety: Caladoc, Alicante Bouschet, Castellan, Pinot Noir, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional
Country: Portugal
Price: $6.95
Year: 2013

Winery Review: Great as an aperitif, is a perfect wine for the day-to-day. Excellent addition to dishes with meats, stews, roasts, barbecue, pasta, pizza, vegetarian dishes, Mexican food, Chinese, Thai and cheeses. Excellent with food or by itself. You can follow for example, roasts, barbecue, pasta and vegetarian dishes or made of cheese. Serve at a temperature of 14-16ºC which enhances the fruity, also being much more enjoyable in warmer weather, on a terrace or a party.   

My Review: This was a nice one. There was spice on the nose. It had a nice bite to it and the tannins really stood out. I got dark berries on the palate. It was dry and bold without being in your face.

I did not try this with food. 
 

Tasting - Dom de la Condemine Macon-Peronne "Le Clou"

Tasting: Dom de la Condemine Macon-Peronne "Le Clou"
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Burgundy
Country: France
Price: $19
Year: 2012

Winery Review: Sustainable agriculture: very low use of chemicals.  Their philosophy is to produce a wine in the traditional style of Mâcon, with minimal intervention and not use of Oak.  The soils is made of Clay and Limestone (Argilo-Calcaire) and the parcels are located right next to Viré Clessé Appelatio.  A light golden hue, floral aromas. Intense, clean and fresh on the palate. Citrus notes, bold acidity. Excellent match to seafood with butter or cream sauces or rich blue cheeses.

My Review: I really liked how different this one is from a typical Chardonnay. It had a fresh, floral nose. On the palate, I had a weird reminder of pizza which I'm sure was just me. However, I really enjoyed it and the lack of oak on the palate. It was bold and one I would definitely drink again.

I did not try this with food.