Ken Forrester Reserve
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region:Stellenbosch
Country: South Africa
Year: 2007
Price: $8 by glass
Winery review: Golden hued and full bodied, with melon and spicy baked apple aromas. It is layered, with mineral notes enhanced by honeycomb and caramel flavors from lees contact. This wine is a great example of the harmonious balance which
can be achieved between fruit and delicate oak/vanilla flavors, as they combine to form complex, soft flavors with
sufficient body to enhance even spicy and full flavored meals.
My review: I found this wine to have too much of a kick and a bit difficult to drink with a meal. I was able to try this wine with my dinner. The spice mentioned was too much for me to handle.
A by Acacia Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Carneros, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $6/per glass
Winery review: Cool Pacific Ocean winds gave this wine a rich, lively tropical fruit, apple, pear, citrus, floral and mineral notes.
Beautifully balanced flavors first display bright acidity on the palate, and then turn rich and creamy on the finish.
My review: I found this wine to be light and fruity. I usually love Chardonnays and this just added itself to the list! I was able to taste this wine with a bit of food and I will definitely be getting it in the future. Overall, I enjoyed this light wine that had a slight kick in it.
Tocco Prosecco
Variety: Prosecco
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2007
Price: $9 by glass
Winery review: Prosecco may soon surpass the production levels of Champagne due to a recent surge in popularity. Tocco is a delicate, well-balanced Prosecco, showing a good blend of baked apple, sour lemon and grapefruit, with a lightly creamy mineral texture on the palate.
My review: I found this wine to be light and refreshing. I was able to taste this wine with my meal at a restaurant. Overall, the wine was exhibited a light lemon scent that was different and I enjoyed it.
Pacific Rim Wallula Vineyard Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Country: USA
Year: 2007
Price: $9
Winery review: "From a dramatic vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills not far from the Wallula Gap, this riesling is as transparent as any in Washington. Its white flower scents meet fruit that falls quietly between pear and peach. The texture is riveting: the wine's purity enhanced by a racy nervous energy."
91 Points
Wine & Spirits
My review: I found this wine to be light and smooth. The wine went well with my meal and the hint of fruit was refreshing. There was definitely a spark to this wine. As for the color it was a light, brisk yellow, as most whites. I was able to try this wine with my dinner.
Clawson Creek 'Angela' Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Oregon
Country: United States
Year: 2008
Price: $10/glass
Winery review: 13.5% alc., $45. A tall, very heavy bottle. Clones 777, Wädenswil and 115. The winemaker is Ken Wright. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Savory nose offering aromas of mushrooms, wet leaf, oak and pharmaceutical notes with dark red cherries and berries in the background. Redder fruits are featured with a touch of blueberries, pomegranate and spice. Fairly silky on the palate, but exhibiting firm prodigious tannins, finishing juicy with a bright nerve of acidity. The fruit is buried in the tannins at present. Good. Reviewed January 12, 2012 ARTICLE »
My review: Overall, I found this wine to be too thick for my taste. The heaviness of the wine does a good job covering the taste of the alcohol. but the heavy oak taste was not to my liking. I was able to try this wine with food and found it to be more of a wine that you drink without any food being coupled with it. I would not recommend this wine. I even left like the mid palate was overwhelming.
Tiamo Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2008
Price: $8/per glass
Winery review: Here’s an informal Pinot Grigio made with organic fruit that would work well at outdoor lunches or picnics. The wine is redolent of sweet citrus and chopped mint, and there is a distinctive mineral note at the end. This is an easy, no-fuss Italian white. M.L. (4/1/2010) — 84
My review: I had this wine with dinner the other night. I was able to try the wine with a salad and pasta and it paired well. I found the wine to be light and have a light peach/apple taste to it. Overall, I enjoyed the wine and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys a nice Pinot Grigio.
Matthew Fox
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: California
Year: 2005
Price: $4
Winery review: This is a family of wines only available at Marc's stores, a chain of discount stores in Ohio. As of this writing, they are $3.29 a bottle and have been at this price for a full year. I hesitated before subjecting myself to such a "cheap" wine but it is surprisingly good! Now I drink it regularly by myself, and occasionally serve it to guests. Most turn up their nose at the idea of three buck wine, but those who try it are pleasantly surprised! This won't be your favorite wine, but it is eminently drinkable. It is smooth, not sweet, and has a very mild grapey palette.
Available for $35 a case if you are driving into Ohio just to get some --which might be worthwhile from neighboring states!
This wine has made me a dedicated "Marc's-ist"!
My review: For a wine from Food Lion, I enjoyed this wine. It was a burst of red fruity tastes that had me indulging from the start. The smell was fruity and masked the alcohol well. It was thick and rich and paired well with my Italian meal. I was able to try this wine with food and would recommend it.
