2008 Banyan Gewurtztraminer Monterey County for around $15 at Vintages

I thought this wine went very well with spicy chicken tacos, my better half thought it was heartburn wine. I thought it was good, but it put me right to sleep. My better half is burnt out on wine currently, so I have not been drinking as much lately. My peanut has to go into surgery so maybe I will feel like drinking later in the month.

2008 Cabernet Ice Wine by the Reif Estate Winery for 200 ml at $30 from Niagara, Canada

This wine was pure sugar, I could not taste fruit at all. I thought this wine had no depth and tasted like syrup. I had my friend since she was going to Canada to pick me up ice wines based on price, thinking that I would like them, but never again, I will not spend big money on a wine that I have not tasted before.

Kiwi Peach Wine by Lynfred Winery for $13 at the winery

I was really optimistic about this wine. We have determined that kiwi flavoring in wine tastes like beets to me and even with the addition of the peach wine the wine still has the beet flavoring to me. I am just super surprised, others have described this flavoring as tropical and I just can't get it. This same beet flavor came through to me on the Kiwi rose' also and we returned this bottle due to this issue. I generally love the fruit wines from Lynfred and really like the Strawberry Rhubarb which is new, so I just learned something about kiwi and will refrain from buying this kiwi again.

Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Gris Willamette Valley 2009 for around $12 at Vintages

This white wine is very crisp and clean, but way too acidic for me. This wine pairs better with cheese that on its own. I find this wine to have some lime and grapefruit flavors, but it is too much on the Sauvignon Blanc type of wine for me. This wine needs food, at least for me, but I will be taking a break from the Pinot Gris for a while, will stick with the Rieslings and white wine blends.

2009 St Christina Weinkelleri Mosel Piersporter MIchelsberg Riesling Spatlese for $9.99 at the wine shop in Lake Geneva

This wine is a semi-sweet Riesling that is a perfect summer wine. Chill this wine, buy it by the case and have a party. I really like Rieslings and this Spatlese is the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity to make it good on its own versus paired with food. This wine is a great summer wine and beginner wine for those who believe all wines are dry. This wine is a great price and good fruit, not too much acidity, and could be a house wine for me.

2008 Pacific Rim Gewurtztraimer for around $13 at Vintages in Arlington Heights

This wine is a pretty gold color made with 83% Washington grapes and 17% Oregon grapes. This wine was on the recommendation of Robert, he said it was off dry and not acidic to the point that it caused heartburn. My better half actually liked this wine a lot more than me, I found this wine to be too acidic with a touch of sweetness. I probably just need to stay away from a Gewurtztraimer since this wine tends to give me heartburn.

Cocoa Razz 375 ml by Village Vintner for under $20 at the winery

This winery makes my favorite Port and this Port with some infusion of chocolate and raspberry is also very good. I paired this wine with chocolate and it was a perfect dessert wine. This wine smells of black cherry and tobacco and tastes like a chocolate covered cherry and raspberry. I really liked this wine as did my better half and we finished off this half bottle of wine while watching a new show. I would recommend this wine if you like Port and would definitely pair it with dessert for a dinner party.

2009 Lindemann's Moscato out of Austrailia for $4.50 at Jewel

This wine tastes like pineapple. This Moscato was a huge hit and only last 2 days. This wine is from Austrailia and generally Austrailia does not make a lot of Moscato's, but this one was truly tropical. This wine is perfect for the warm summer days. This wine is totally fun, and would be a huge hit for any type of party without breaking the bank.

Pere et Fils Laurent Miquel Chardonnay Viognier for around $15 at Vintages

Rob, one of the most informative wine shop owners, described this wine as buttery peaches. Generally, I do not like Chardonnay especially after has been oaked. This wine was a casualty after a very bad day of work. I drank the first 2 glasses and thought not bad, a little buttery, but with enough good balance between acidity and oak to allow to be drank on its own. However, after a cheeseburger and fries this wine lost its muster. I finished the bottle, and the first 2 glasses really hit the spot, I think it would make a good wine to pair with a fish or white sauced pasta dish, and my guess don't get any where near this wine after a cheeseburger and fries.

Sweet Red by Sutter Home for $4.50 at Jewel

This wine is combination of Merlot and Zinfandel and Moscato. This wine is a semi-sweet wine, not sweet like the label describes. I thought this wine was ok, a great value. I did not require food for this wine, but my better half felt the wine needed food. I think this wine is a great barbeque wine and party wine when it is more about quantity versus quality.