Tasting: Dancing Lights

Name: Dancing Lights

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: N/A
Country: Italy
Year: 2021
Price: $0

Winery review: Sometimes all you need is two grapes to make a wine that shines. After a glass of Dancing Lights, you might be feeling like all you need in this life is this dynamic duo: Trebbiano and Chardonnay. These two grapes complement each other in ways that prove they are soulmates. Trebbiano is typically used to make brandy but also makes a crisp, clean white wine while Chardonnay brings ripe fruit to the table. Together, they make a wine that is dry, medium-bodied, and brimming with citrus, stonefruit, and tropical fruit. (Holiday Magic Wines)

Wine Folly: pg 288, CA Chardonnay: The best Chardonnay grows mostly in coastal regions and valleys up and down the coast that receive cooling breezes and morning fog from the Pacific. Wines offer a richer body, with flavors of pineapple and tropical fruits that are often complemented with tasty oak. (FW: Yellow Apple, Pineapple, Creme Brulee, Vanilla, Caramel)

My review: (Served chilled) On the nose this one is immediately MUCH lighter and almost emptier than the Cabernet Sauvignon, but I intentionally drank them in the "wrong" order to see what would happen. On the palette I get hit with an overwhelming sense of light apple crisp, but not much else. Overall a very enjoyable experience and a nice light counterpart to the Cabernet Sauvignon. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting: Handle With Care

Name: Handle with Care

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Thracian Lowlands
Country: Bulgaria
Year: 2021
Price: $0

Winery review: Handle With Care shows you what Bulgarian Cab is all about: dry and restrained with black cherry and currant aromas followed by tobacco leaf and dried herbs. (Holiday Magic Wines)

Wine Folly: pg 88, The world's most popular wine is a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc that originated in Bordeaux. Wines are concentrated and age worthy. The rich flavor and high tannic content in Cabernet Sauvignon make it a perfect partner to rich grilled meats, peppery sauces, and dishes with high flavor.  

My review: (Served Room Temperature) On the nose, EXTREMELY sweet, and on the tip of the tongue wildly sugary as well. However this is immediately contradicted by the dry and heavily tannic finish. Strong notes of cherry in both smell and taste and definite hints of tobacco leaves in the aftertaste but I don't get much else of the currant or dried herbs. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting: Winter Getaway

Name: Winter Getaway

Variety: Red Blend
Region: N/A
Country: Portugal
Year: 2021
Price: $0

Winery review: Winter Getaway packs a punch and leaves you feeling dreamy like you’ve just gone into vacation mode. Hey, you deserve it! Embrace your new mood with this dry, powerful, larger-than-life red blend that doesn’t hold back. You’ll find jammy red fruit and blackberry, smooth tannins, and a mocha finish from a touch of oak. Pair it with decompressing from a long family visit, true crime marathons, and dancing around your kitchen. (Holiday Magic Wines)

Wine Folly: pg 288, CA Blends: You can find great Syrah all over the state, but the Central Coast is by far the most dedicated to Rhone varieties. The best wines have deep black fruit, peppery flavors, and dusty minerality. Santa Barbara and Paso Robles are great places to start looking. (FR: Blackberry, Blueberry Pie, Cracked Pepper, Mocha, Bay Leaf). 

My review: (Served Room Temperature) On the nose, smells very buttery and sugary, surprisingly like cookies. On the palette, however, it was quite tannic and dried my mouth out almost immediately. Despite all of this the wine still had a nutty aftertaste and reminded me a lot of a buttery macadamia style cookie.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting: Through the Forest

Name: Through the Forest

Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: N/A
Country: Hungary
Year: 2021
Price: $0

Winery review: Through the Forest is giving you distinct stone fruit and warming spices. Dry, medium-bodied, with fresh acidity, this wine is made for date night and girls' nights alike. (Holiday Magic Wines)

Wine Folly: pg 149, Pinot Gris: Pinot Gris (aka Pinot Grigio) is a pink grape mutation of Pinot Noir that's most famous for its zesty white wines that range in style from dry to just plain sweet. Pinot Gris makes an excellent pairing with white meats, seafood, and food with a fruit element, such as lemons, oranges, peaches, or apricots. 

My review: (Served Room Temperature) Despite being served room temperature, this white was noticeably quite smooth. On the nose, lots of hints of sweet citrus very reminiscent of pineapple. On the palette has a very sweet but tart finish. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting: Apothic Red Blend

Name: Apothic Red

Variety: Red Blend
Region: California
Country: Modesto, USA
Year: 2020
Price: $11

Winery review: Critic tasting note: (2020 vintage) "This sweet-tasting wine offers lots of chocolate, cherry and vanilla flavors on a soft, thick texture. It's aimed at sweet-wine lovers. Jim Gordon" - 86/100, Wine Enthusiast

Wine Folly: pg 288, CA Blends: You can find great Syrah all over the state, but the Central Coast is by far the most dedicated to Rhone varieties. The best wines have deep black fruit, peppery flavors, and dusty minerality. Santa Barbara and Paso Robles are great places to start looking. (FR: Blackberry, Blueberry Pie, Cracked Pepper, Mocha, Bay Leaf). 

My review: (Served Room Temperature) On the nose, it's very nutty and almost gummy smelling. On the palette it feels very velvety and has strong notes of oak and chocolate. It's not super tannic but definitely still has SOME thats there and drying the mouth out. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Cupcake Vineyards Pinot Grigio

Name: Cupcake Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2021

Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Italy, Veneto, and Alto Adige, Trentino
Country: USA
Year: 2021
Price: $9

Winery review: Cupcake Pinot Grigio wine is refreshing. At the same time, however, it is also incredibly creamy. Aromas of honeysuckle and fresh green fruit unearth as they drive to flavors of exotic and stone fruits, like pineapple and cantaloupe on the palate. A crisp acidity also appears, and it is super enjoyable. The finish is brisk and lingering with an intriguing chocolate aftertaste. Tasty, approachable, and creamy, Cupcake Pinot Grigio is really distinctive and compelling. It is fun as in the purest form and keeps things interesting from the first sip across the last. Coming from Italy, Cupcake Pinot Grigio has enough tropicality to satisfy everyone. It is a wine destined to be enjoyed poolside cabana. (WinePros.Org)

Wine Folly: pg 149, Pinot Gris: Pinot Gris (aka Pinot Grigio) is a pink grape mutation of Pinot Noir that's most famous for its zesty white wines that range in style from dry to just plain sweet. Pinot Gris makes an excellent pairing with white meats, seafood, and food with a fruit element, such as lemons, oranges, peaches, or apricots. 

My review: (Served Chilled) On the nose, very sweet with lots of fruit immediately hitting you. On the palette, it's quite fruity and sweet with lots of pineapple and melon being very noticeable. Despite the scales we've found calling it very dry, I find it much more on the sweet side. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.