Tasting- Moscato

Name: Castello del Poggio Moscato
Variety: Moscato bianco (Muscat)
Region: Asti
Country: Italy
Year: N/A
Price:  $10.50

Wine Review:  "This Moscato offers an appealing freshness and a taste that reveals the varietal characteristics of this wine. Its delicate sweetness and fine aroma make it an ideal match for desserts and fruit salads". - (Quote taken directly from label)

My Review: I think this may have be the best Moscato wine I've tasted. It was the perfect balance for me of light, sweet and fruity.

Tasting - Yellow Tail Shiraz

Name: Yellow Tail Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz (Syrah)
Region: Yenda
Country: Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $7.99

Wine Review: "Yellow Tail is everything a great wine should be.  It's approachable, fresh, flavorsome and has a personality all of its own". - (Quote taken directly from label)

My Review: I am not a huge fan of red wines in general, but this one was okay for me.  I could taste flavors of berries and cherry.  It was smooth and dry but I detected a but of spice in the finish.  Overall not a bad wine for the price.

Tasting - The Naked Grape Chardonnay

Name: The Naked Grape Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: Not available

Price: $20 (Box)

Wine Review: "Rather than overwhelm the taste buds with oak barrels, the “Naked” wines are fruit-focused and aged in stainless steel. This is a daring feat as every nuance of the wine making process is put front and center without the shroud of oakiness, and not one usually attempted by affordable wines. I’ve had some terrible lower shelf wines that taste like serious creamy oak juice in the past. Naked Grape does make it work, and you end up with a more fruit-forward Chardonnay." - CS Hsia 

My Review: Best chardonnay I have ever tasted. A little towards the dry side, medium-bodied, and well-balanced.  I really liked how fresh and crisp it tasted with hints of pineapple. It went down very smoothly as well. I did not pair this wine with any foods.

Tasting - Barefoot Malbec

Name: Barefoot Malbec
Variety: Malbec blended with Merlot
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Country: Argentina
Year: not available (Barefoot does not list year on labels)
Price: $6.99

Wine Review: "Barefoot Malbec is a luscious red wine with juicy  flavors of blackberry and currant. Aromas of caramel, spice and vanilla and hints of toasted oak complement the long, smooth finish." (Quote taken directly from wine label)

My Review: Reds are not my preference, but this is one of the better ones I've had thus far.  Full body and noticeable tannic structure. Tastes of black cherry and raspberry.  Did not pair with food.

Tasting- Barefoot Pink Moscato

Name: Barefoot Pink Moscato
Variety: Muscat Blanc (with possible addition of Merlot for color)
Region: California (specific region not available)
Country: USA
Year: not available (Barefoot does not include year)
Price: $6.99

Wine Review: "Barefoot Pink Moscato is a juicy and refreshing wine with ripe nectarine aromas and flavors. Layers of raspberry and pomegranate complement the lingering, sweet citrus finish." - (Quote taken directly from label)

My Review: Too sweet for my liking.  Very light, refreshing and slightly tart. Did not drink with foods but seems like it would pair well with sweet desserts.

Tasting- Black Box Pinot Grigio

Name: Black Box Wines Pinot Grigio
Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio (Gris)
Region: Madera, California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $22

Wine Review: "This wine expresses lovely aromatics of pear and honeydew, juicy flavors of citrus and apples lead to a finish that is bright and delicious." (quoted directly from Black Box label)

My Review: Decent wine for the price.  Noticed flavors of lemon, maybe granny smith apple.  Not too dry for my preference, and very refreshing.  I did not pair this wine with any foods.

Thus far, I have a decent amount of experience tasting different wines.  I have tasted wines ranging from expensive merlots in restaurants and cheap boxes of franzia.  My personal preference is definitely white wine, although I am open to trying more red wines as well.  With that said, I know what kinds of wine I prefer based on taste, but am not skilled in describing specific flavors present in each wine.  Through this course, I hope to expand my palette, learn about different flavors of wine, and also how to correctly pair wine with food.