Gabbiano Chianti

Let me just start by saying that I love Italian wines in general and chianti in particular. Gabbiano is a lovely red to sip the day away.

I am a fan of big, bold, flavorful reds and Gabbiano does not disappoint.

For dinner I had brussel sprouts steamed with bacon and flank steak wrapped in spinach and feta. Gabbiano's chianti made a lovely companion to the meal, evening out the flavors and pairing nicely without detracting or contrasting in any way. It is not an overly complex wine, and with an even body and finish, this actually makes this wine a great companion to most red meats.

Bold dry chiantis. although often enjoyed with pastas and red sauces were made for well seasoned steaks. Gabbiano has a lovely even smoothness that makes it go down easily, but with a hint of spice and dark red fruits. Cranberry, red currant and cherry dominate at the finish of this wine.

I'd suggest having a few bottles on hand if you're entertaining company.

I could sit, write, listen to music and drink this chianti all day long. It is a staple of my wine cabinet. If you like red meat and a reliable wine to have with it, Gabbiano will find its way onto your regular rotation as well.

Faustino VII

Indicative of what I've come to expect from Spanish reds, the flavor hits you immediately. A full bodied, forward flavored red. Full of flavor and spice, this Tempranillo will pair excellently with your biggest, most flavorful meats. Pork tenderloin, rib eye, and hearty burgers. This wine goes great heavily seasoned red meats.

There is a hint of fruitiness, vanilla and spice. This mixture blends well with a variety of heavy spices. Heavily seasoned peppers, mixed vegetables and spicy food will go great with this wine.

This is a staple in my house. It goes great with your heaviest red dishes. It's powerful flavor will go great with grilled meats. It may be a little bit much for meats without a strong presence and a good amount of seasoning.

But if you are having or hosting a well seasoned red meat dish or pork, this is an excellent wine to have on hand. It tastes like a much more expensive wine, on par flavor wise with Prisoner and your heavier Chiantis.

Sterling Vitner's Reserve Chardonnay

This was enjoyed over a cheese plate with some friends this evening.

I've read about hints of creme brulee, vanilla custard and green tea in this wine. I honestly have no idea what these other reviewers are talking about.

Yes, there's a definite citrus and apple flavor. The cheese tray was a spread of double cream blue cheese, Irish whiskey cheddar, drunken goat, and smoked gouda.

This crisp, citrus chardonnay paired very nicely with the double cream blue and the drunken goat. It doesn't have the richness or heavy oak that I am used to with other chardonnays. Thus I found this to be a little vibrant and citrussy to fully enjoy with the cheddar or the gouda.

This drinks almost like a Sauvignon Blanc. It is a lovely wine to enjoy with some light cheeses, almonds and sliced apples on a warm summer day.

Bolla Valpolicella

Bolla Valpolicella – a lovely, tart, vibrant red. Enjoyed with Mellow Mushroom's Mystery Mushroom pizza. So a blend of jalapeno, pesto, feta and mozzarella. The wine blended quite well with the smoothness of the cheese and the spice of the jalapenos. The pesto and the wine played well off each other, each bringing out the nuances of flavor in the other. Pesto's earthiness contrasts pleasurably with tart and vibrance of these grapes.

Spice plays well off the black cherry undertones.

Because I'm a filthy heathen, and just must have my red sauce, I got some on the side for dipping.

Now I'll admit, this wine is a little too tart a regular drinking wine. But it pairs well with white cheeses, red sauces, pesto, and spicy food. Which is not a bad range overall.

The tartness pairs well in opposition to the cheese. It mixes well with the red sauces. So you have a range of enjoyment with this wine. Have fun!

Bogle: Sauvignon Blanc

A lovely wine with a vibrant, open flavor. I can definitely taste the boasted lemongrass and lime. The acidity is indicative of what I love in Sauvignon Blanc.

I tried this with a meal of seasoned chicken, sauteed onions and a tossed salad with blue cheese dressing.

The wine paired quite well with the chicken and made a lovely drinking wine for the rest of the evening. This wine is extremely full with flavor.

This pairs well with a plate of mixed berries, citrus flavorings and earthy seasonings.

For the price, you can't beat the flavor.