Wiseman IQ Riesling

Wiseman IQ Riesling is everything a Riesling is expected to be: a well balance of tart apples and citrus, with a delicate sweetness that is not sugary.  It is crisp, clean and refreshing. 

I say Wiseman IQ Riesling is everything a Riesling is expected to be as it fits the Riesling stereotype. Rieslings are often thought to be a “sweet” wine.  In reality Rieslings are quite variable. Rieslings are often high in acidty, low to medium alcohol levels, and flavors range from fruity to flowery to earthy. Many are dry as indicated by the word trocken on German Rieslings. German Rieslings are often marked with a QbA or QmP to indicate a grower's reputation.  Wines without such distinction maybe mass produced.  The more prestigious of wines are given a Pradikat.  There are six levels of Pradikat which range from least ripe to ripest: Kabinett, Spatlese, Auslese, Beernauslese (BA) Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA).  The three highest levels of Pradikat are an indication of the amount of sugar at time of harvest, and directly indicate sweetness.  However, one cannot assume the degree of sweetness between the three lower levels.

Varietal: Riesling 

Producer/Importer: Wiseman IQ    

Region: Mosel Germany

Vintage: 2010

Price: $9.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): light straw yellow

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): musty earth

Taste (acidity, balance, body): tart, clean, crisp, sweet but not sugary

Overall rating (1-10): 9

Date consumed: March 14, 2012

Comments: 9.8% abv

Risata Il Rosso

Risata Il Rosso is a blend of 70% Brachetto and 30% Malvasia Rosso from the provinces of Asti and Alessandria located in Piedmont, Italy. The grapes are harvested in late September to maximize ripeness and bring forth the sweetness of this wine. The grapes are separated from the skins after a brief 48 hours before finishing the fermentation in pressurized steel tanks.  During the fermentation the grapes warm to 65˚ F, capturing all CO₂ to give the wine a Frizzante style (soft bubbly).

Risata Il Rosso has a rose and strawberry filled aroma.  The berry flavors of the Brachetto balances well with the floral Malvasia Rosso to fill your mouth with a bubbly giggle. Risata Il Rosso is sweet and balances flavor with acidity well.  As the name Risata implies, this is a great wine to share a few laughs with good friends.

Varietal:  il Rosso-Brachetto and Malvasia Rosso

Producer/Importer:  Risata 

Region: Piedmont, Italy

Vintage: none

Price: $9.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Dark rose’

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): sweet strawberries and roses

Taste (acidity, balance, body): sweet raspberries

Bottle presentation: Black bottle with Risata signature vine in red.

Comparisons: Very similar to Rose’ Regal

Overall rating (1-10): 9

Date consumed: March 14, 2012

Ruffino Orvieto Classico

Ruffino Orvieto Classico is a white blend that comes from the Italian region of Umbria, sub region Orvieto.  It is comprised of 40% Grechetto, 20%P rocanico (sub-variety of Trebbiano), 40% Verdello and Canaiolo Bianco.  It is a light and somewhat complex white.  It starts with a sweet honeysuckle flavor and finishes dry and spicey with a little bit of a petrol aftertaste. We found this wine to lackluster in flavor-a little too light.

Varietal:  Orvieto White-  Grechetto and Trebbiano

Producer/Importer:  Ruffino

Region: Orvieto Italy

Vintage: 2010

Price: $9.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): deep straw yellow

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): musty earthy

Taste (acidity, balance, body): starts sweet, finishes dry and spicy, although bland

winemaker's notes: “Brilliant straw yellow. The bouquet is very plesant and fragrant, characterized by neat sensations of citrus ftuits and golden apples, on a flowery background that reminds fresh hints of meadow flowers and a persistent vegetal note of sage.

At the palate firstly stands out an excellent freshness, well balanced by a pleasant roundness, featured by notes of meadow flowers and golden apples. The aftertaste is long and fragrant, with hits of fresh almond.”

Overall rating (1-10): 7.5 because of the lackluster flavor

Date consumed: March 14, 2012

Comments:  abv 12%

Folonari Chianti

Chianti is a blend style of wine originating in Tuscany, Italy.  It consists of a minimum of 70% of the Sangiovese grape while the more prestigious Chianti Classico DOCG must have a minimum of 80% of the Sangiovese grape.  In addition to Sangiovese, a Chianti will have one or more of the Italian varieties Canaiolo (being the next most commonly used variety), Colorino, Ciliegiolo, or Mammolo which is used to soften the blend.  Prior to the 21^st centry, Chianti wines were typicially bottled in the iconic Italian round straw-covered wine bottles.  Today you will find Chiati with a more refined bottle image.

Folonari Chianti is 100% Sangiovese fermented in stainless steel tanks.  It is nicely balanced with light tannins and good acid. It starts out with big fruit and bitter cherry flavors and has a nice round lingering finish with a hint of tobacco.

Varietal:  Chianti

Producer/Importer:  Folonari          

Region: Tuscany Italy

Vintage: 2009

Price: $8

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Medium red with a brownish hint

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): Big fruity

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Big fruit to start nice lingering Chianti finish with a hint of tobacco

Overall rating (1-10): 8

Date consumed: March 14, 2012

Apothic White

We loved Apothic Red, We love Apothic White!  A blend of Chardonnay, Riesling and Moscato gives this white blend something for everyone and is sure to satisfy almost all palates.  This wine starts out with the sweet honey and fruit flavors of the Moscato.  The Riesling gives you a crisp, clean and refreshing flavors of citrus and apples.  The smooth buttery chardonnay finishes this wine nicely. 

Varietal:  White blend: Chardonnay, Riesling, and Moscato

Producer/Importer:  Apothic White

Region: California

Vintage: 2010

Price: $9

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): straw yellow

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): vanilla

Taste (acidity, balance, body): hot totti- lots of honey, hint of citrus and tropical fruit, smooth buttery finish of a chardonnay.

Bottle presentation:

Label description:

Comparisons: Sweet like a moscato and Riesling but finishes dry like a chardonnay

Overall rating (1-10): 9

Date consumed: March 14, 2012

Comments: Would pair well with brie with walnuts, 12.0% ABV