Argento Pinot Grigio 2013

LCBO#: 620492
Price: $9.95
Made in: Mendoza, Argentina
By: Argento Wine Company
Varietal: Pinot Grigio
2013

This Argentinian Pinot Grigio smells quite sweet at first, but not the typical fruitiness of this style. After breathing, it does get pretty close to the aromas of a Pinot Grigio. The taste is pretty good right of the top. Slightly dry, fruity, sweet and with a little sourness in the finish. Very, very drinkable for the price.

Rating: 3.7/5

Perlage Canah Valdobbiadene Prosecco Brut

LCBO#: 358390
Price: $19.95
Made in: Farra di Soligo, Italy
By: Perlage SRL

Written 100% Glera grapes on the back label, AKA Prosecco grapes, for this Italian Sparkling. The nose is mild, but very well-balanced between the sweet fruits, the sourness and the hints of yeast. The taste is stronger, with some apples and notes of pears, all mixed with light sourness in the middle, a fruity sweet finish with some blended bitterness, adding dryness. Yeast eventually lingers in the aftertaste. Overall, a pretty good, easy-drinking Sparkling. Just wish there would be less yeast in the end. Beautiful aromas though. and bottle.

Rating: 3.7/5

Amalaya “Esperanza por un Milagro” White Wine

LCBO#: 270470
Price: $10.95
Made in: Calchaqui Valley, Salta, Argentina
By: Hess Family Estates
Varietal: Torrontes and Riesling
2012

This Argentinian white wine is composed of 85% Torrontes and 15% Riesling (written on label – 90/10 on site). Beautiful fresh fruity and floral aromas with exotic fruits (pears as well) and grassy herbs (even slight mint). The taste is definitely milder. Way milder. Notes of sweetness and citrus (getting better as it breathes) with some alcohol. Much better with food, and could be a good summer wine when you want something lighter, refreshing and fruity. Well worth the price.

Rating: 3.6/5

Costa Farnel Prosecco

LCBO#: 358382
Price: $19.95
Made in: Pescara, Italy
By: La Canosa SRL Agroforestale

This Italian Extra Dry Prosecco Sparkling starts off on a wrong note with the cork breaking at the bottom and leaving some pieces around the opening. The bottle is wider than most, so it holds well, but it pours all over. It does smell like cork a bit, but the yeast helps out. Sweet grapes with a little sourness. Even candy strawberries and vanilla after breathing. Pretty much the same for the taste. Not very dry, so goes down easily, but lacking a little blending between the sweetness, fruitiness and the light sourness. And the wood hints from the cork (even though not super corked) are not very pleasant.

Rating: 2.3/5

Vampire Cabernet Sauvignon

Total Wine #: 99932750
Price: $8.99 (US)
Made in: Central Coast, California
By: Vampire Vinyeards
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

Purchased for the label and subject title at Total Wine in Vegas. Mild aromas at first but they seems to get stronger with time. Wet mouthfeel with not much tannins. Light cherry taste with blackberries. Nothing bad, but a little too watered-down overall.

Rating: 2.7/5

Rondel Brut Cava

Total Wine #: 60170750
Price: $8.99 (US)
Made in: Cava, Spain
By: Rondel

Purchased at Total Wine, as we noticed Wine & Spirit had rated it 90 points. Enjoying it in Vegas. Head dissipates very quickly and the nose is like bad water. After breathing a while, it becomes much better. Aromas of apples, creating some sourness, and even hints of vanilla. The taste is nicely balanced between sweetness and sourness. Mild yeast lingers in the aftertaste. So, not a 90 points, but an easy- sipping inexpensive bubbly found in the States.

Rating: 3.2/5