Name: Foster's Lager
Variety: Beer
Region: Australia
Country: Australia
Year: N/A
Price: $7.50 (on cruise)
Notes: N/A
My Review: Had this for the first time this past week on my cruise, and I understood why everyone was getting it. At under $8, it's almost twice the size of a normal beer can, and packed a big punch for it's buck. It was not as thick as I had expected from looking at the can, but rather, had the feel of a light beer. The flavors were clean and had a refreshing-ness to it, like a light beer. Overall, not a bad selectiion, and definitely glad I had the chance to have a few of these this past week.
Name: Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonna
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Washington
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $7.97
Winery Notes: "This well-crafted Chardonnay opens sharp and spicy, with light buy juicy fruit. Flavors of clean apple and pear run into hints of peach, then resolve with a creamy finish."
- Totalwine.com
My Review: On the nose, definitely got hints of pear and green apple, but not sour but more on the freshness side of things. It was a very pleasant nose so got me more excited to try it. The taste, however, was a little disappointing. I didn't get as much "fresh" flavors as I had expected, but more along the lines of what I was used to in a cheaper bottle of wine. There were still solid hints of pear and other nice subtle fruit flavors, but just not what I had hoped for. Overall, not a bad bottle of wine and something that I wouldn't mind having again for under $8.
Name: The Naked Grape Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Modesto, CA
Country: United States
Year: N/A
Price: $5.99
Winery Notes: "Unlike its big, bold, in-your-face counterparts, The Naked Grape Pinot Noir is the quiet-type –a soft, smooth red that's full of black cherry & blueberry aromas. Pair it with anything and this varietal will complement and enhance, then leave you with the perfect note. So Let's raise a glass and observe the greatness of the observant. Bare it all."
- The Naked Grape
My Review: Very interesting on the nose, flavors that I actually never got before from a wine, was berry-like but very different than what I'm used to. The taste was very smooth, again, not like what I was used to in red wines. The taste was initially cherries and blackberries, but that slowly shifted to more of a strawberry and raspberry-flavor-like smoothie, kind of like a berry smoothie from West End. Overall, not a bad bottle of wine. Pretty good for it's price and had nice strong and solid flavors to it.
Name: Valle Las Nencias Malbec Reserve
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2008
Price: $14.99
Winery Notes: "Vine growers for four generations, the Gaiola family (Angel and daughter María) have made another terrific wine from their old vines in the Uco Valley. Hector Durigutti continues to consult on this wine. As with all of Durigutti's efforts, the wine is fermented only with indigenous yeasts and the oak (8-12 months in two-year-old French) is very well integrated. Soft blue and purple fruits are pure, with just a hint of spiciness and violet floral notes, balanced nicely with fresh acidity. The fruit purity, weighty mid-palate and overall balance all speak to the Uco Valley, some of the best land in Argentina for making delicious Malbec with a true sense of place. Possibly the finest Malbec I've had all year (and yes, I do prefer this to its ever popular sister wine we recently emailed, also from the Uco Valley!)"
- K&L Wines
My Review: On the nose, this wine was very oaky and dark, with dark berries sticking out to me. It wasn't as dry as i expected the taste to be, but it was still solid. The flavors that really popped out were dark fruits, like cherries, black berries, etc. and had a spicy kick to it on the back end. Overall, this was a very good bottle of wine that I would definitely buy again. Solid all around.
Name: Barefoot Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: N/A
Price: $7.97
Winery Notes: "This is a fruit-driven style of Pinot Grigio with citrus and apple flavors. The finish is crisp and refreshing. Barefoot Cellars continues to put good juice in bottles for a very fair price."
- Totalwine.com
My Review: The reason why this wine cost a little more than a normal barefoot is because it's actually a larger bottle, so I wasn't expecting it to taste all the great either. Especially after trying the moscato. The nose was a little lighter than I'd expected it to be, with nice orange and lemon flavors popping out right away. The taste was very refreshing and actually had hints of apple and light grape flavors. Overall, not a bad bottle of wine, but not my favorite either.
Name: Barefoot Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: N/A
Price: $6.99
Winery Notes: “Barefoot Moscato is a sweet wine with delicious mouth watering flavors of juicy peach and apricot. Hints of lemon and orange citrus complement a crisp, refreshing finish. Barefoot Moscato is perfect with spicy Asian cuisine, light desserts, fresh fruit and mild cheeses.”
My Review: On the nose, this wine was very very sweet, and had touches of candy-like smells and notes. The taste, backed that up completely. It was a very sweet and tart tasting wine, a sweetness that you get when you're eating like a cherry lollipop or something. I thought this wine was too sweet for my taste, and was much too light for me. It definitely did taste the price, however, and most likely would not buy another one though.
Name: 2012 Banyan Gewurztraminer
Variety: Gewurztraminer
Region: Monterey County
Country: California
Year: 2012
Price: $14.99
Winery Notes: "Thai-American winemaker Kenny Likitprakong crafts this dry, light Gewurztraminer to go with the cuisine of his heritage. From the cool climate of Monterey County, it gives great complexity and finesse at a low price. A nose of lemongrass and citrus leads to a palate of lychee, lime, notes of watermelon and lemon zest, backed by bracing acidity and quartzy minerality. Drink it with green, red, or yellow curry, lemongrass chicken, or a plate of seasonal fruits."
- winfieldflynn.com
My Review: On the nose, this wine was very fresh and had a nice sweetness to the smell. The taste, however, was a little stronger, with hints of green apple and other sharp fruit flavors popping out. It wasn't an overly sweet taste, but a nice and strong fruit-flavor that gave this wine a nice touch. Overall, a solid bottle of wine and not bad in my opinion.
