Tasting - Chateau Morrisette Sweet Mountain Laurel

Name: Chateau Morrisette Sweet Mountain Laurel

Variety: White Blend

Region: Floyd, Virginia

Country: USA

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $10.99

Reviews: 

"A unique and refreshingly sweet dessert style wine made from native American grape varieties. Firm acidity balances the sweetness, producing a crisp finish with aromas of freshly picked grapes. Pour over fresh berries and sponge cake or blend with vanilla ice cream and fruit for a creamy dessert smoothie."

--- Vineyard notes

My review: 

This wine has a light golden color. It has a nice and light, fruity, floral aroma. This is a pretty sweet white wine that tastes fruity with the same floral aspect that is picked up on the nose. The back label says this is a "sweet white table wine" and I was expecting it to be overwhelming sweet. The sweetness is nicely balanced by the acidity, giving it a crisp finish. Although it is not marketed as a dessert wine, this would make a good one.

Tasting - J. W. Lees Harvest Ale Limited Edition

Name: J. W. Lees Harvest Ale Limited Edition

Variety: Ale from Barley

Region: North Manchester

Country: England

Year: 2010

Price: Regularly $8.95

Reviews: 

"We´ve selected only the very finest malted barley and the choicest East Kent Goldings hops. Harvest Ale is brewed by traditional methods in open copper fermenting vessels to a very high original gravity, and fermented with our excellent Cervisiae yeast to produce a very special ale. Harvest Ale is then stored to impart excellent keeping qualities and to ensure that it will mature and improve with age. The result is an excellent full bodied beer that can be enjoyed by itself or as an accompaniment to a meal." --- Brewery notes

My review: 

The bottle says it is a "barley wine style ale." I have not had any experience with barley wine and I was not sure what I was getting myself into, giving something new a try. This ale poured a murky, reddish-brown color with a very small, white head and sediment settling to the bottom. It has a very strong, distinct aroma of molasses yet with the salty smell of soy sauce. Has a thick, syrupy mouthfeel. I taste a little bit of sweetness but it is overwhelmed by what I can only describe as soy sauce. I'm not quite sure how a barley wine is supposed to taste, but this ale is definitely not for me.

Tasting - Castello del Poggio Moscato

Name: Castello del Poggio Moscato

Variety: Muscat

Region: Lombardy

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $9.99

Reviews: 

"Castello del Poggio Moscato is made from the muscat grape and originates from the Piedmont region of Italy. This wine, which means Castle on a Hill, is lightly sparkling, with lush notes of apricot and honey. On its own or paired with a dessert, the wine offers a sweet finish to any meal."

--- Vineyard notes

"This spicy moscato tastes fresh and cool. It feels full and rich, but not sugary — the fruit is what lasts, with hints of nectarine and kumquat. Delicious chilled on its own or with hazelnut biscotti." 90 pts. Wine & Spirits: December 31, 2010

My review: 

This wine has a very fruity, sweet aroma. Tasted similar to how it smelled, extremely sweet and similar to a sparkling apple cider. I had this wine with dinner, but it did not go real well with the meal. Although it would probably serve as a nice dessert wine for a light finish to a heavy meal.

Tasting - Ommegang Witte

Name: Ommegang Witte

Variety: Wheat Ale

Region: Cooperstown, NY

Country: USA

Price: $2.65 for single bottle

Reviews: 

"Imagine...

High, white, fluffy summer clouds. A soft breeze through a citrus grove. A heavenly bite of orange chiffon cake. All of these come to your mind as you lift our pale golden wheat ale to your lips. It's so soft, so light on your tongue, you think, as the tart lemon, bitter orange, and subtle spiciness of coriander arrive to round out the intriguing delicacy of this delicious ale. You smile, knowing you have more in the fridge."

-- notes from the brewery

"Wonderfully cloudy, exceedingly pale, and with a fast, noisy head, this beer gets off to a good start. The invitation of the aromatics gathers strength from the delightful spice package, culminating with the traditional low-level tartness on the palate and spicy notes as it glides down one’s throat. A fine breakfast beer to fortify one for the rigors of mowing the lawn."

-- FRED ECKHARDT, author of The Essentials of Beer Style and Sake (USA).

My review: 

I was initially drawn to this beer because it is named after me, plus I absolutely love wheat beer. It has a deep golden color and cloudiness from yeast sediment. Has a pleasant citrus aroma with a hint of orange peel. Very smooth and refreshing with a nice balance of the citrus flavor. I found the coriander to be extremely subtle so as to remain light and refreshing and not be overwhelmed by the spice. Very refreshing, definitely a beer I would enjoy again.

Tasting - Cantine Volpetti Frascati Superiore

Name: Cantine Volpetti Frascati Superiore

Variety: 50% Malvasia, 40% Trebbiano, 10% Greco

Region: Latium

Country: Italy

Year: 2009

Price: $8.95

Winery review: Vinification at controlled temperatures from grapes that are all traditional to the Frascati area. Straw yellow in color with a soft, delicate perfume, fruitful flavor, dry and harmonious taste. Perfect with appetizers, soups, fish" --Winery notes

My review: 

This Italian wine is a white blend and has a floral and fruity aroma, with a slight touch of citrus and melon. Although it smells fruity, this is a dry wine. It has a soft mouthfeel and is not too acidic. It is very aromatically pleasing but the flavor is not that exciting or complex and it is a little on the bitter side. For $8, this is a decent wine that would pair nicely with a light meal. I tasted this wine first without food but then again later with dinner and I found it to be a nice complement to chicken.