BAGLIO DI PIANETTO - FICILIGNO

Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $18
Producer: Baglio Di Pianetto
Region & Country: Sicily, Italy
Grape Variety: Ficiligno (Viognier 50% / Insolia 50%)
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 7/6/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 7/30/2009

Appearance: Very light in color; full-bodied; color similar to the pulp of a lemon
Nose: Smells ashy like champagne; chalk, apple, floral
Taste: Sweeter than the scent; lots of sweet fruit flavor; slightly acidic with a vague champagne taste
Finish: Dry, but the sweetness lingers in a good way
Overall Impression: If you have never liked champagnes that much, but enjoy a white wine, this is for you. The smell, color and some taste is exactly like a champagne, but without the bubbles! It also has a yummy sweetness and not that ashy taste that most champagnes tend to have.

Overall Rating: 92/100
Overall Value: **.5 / 5 Stars

CLARA C - PROSECCO

Vintage: ~
Price Range: $15
Producer: Clara Carpene
Region & Country: Valdobbiadene, Italy
Grape Variety: Prosecco
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 9/12/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 9/13/2009

Appearance: Lots of bubbles; full-bodied and pale gold
Nose: Floral with tropical fruit scents; slight scent of peach and pineapple
Taste: Very light and clean; there are hints of tropical fruits and you can taste the pineapple; good amount of bubbles - not harsh
Finish: Soft perfume on the palate; slightly creamy
Overall Impression: You gotta love a wonderful Prosecco and this was definitely one of them. It was very exotic with the tropical tastes and scents. It was delicious with a great finish.

Overall Rating: 95/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars

BAGLIO DI PIANETTO - RAMIONE

Vintage: 2004
Price Range: $18
Producer: Baglio Di Pianetto
Region & Country: Sicily, Italy
Grape Variety: Ramione (Merlot, 50%; Nero D'Avola, 50%)
Recommended By: WineClub

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 5/4/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 5/30/2009

Appearance: Deep purple, very opaque; full-bodied
Nose: Berries, spices and floral scent
Taste: Soft on the tongue with berries, but after it has a bold, slightly dry kick
Finish: Lingers slightly, smooth; the berry taste returns in the very end
Overall Impression: This wine was so well-developed and balanced. It had a great, mature taste. This was a great blend of grapes and went well with spiced steak. I would get this wine again and again!

Overall Rating: 93100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars

NOTORIUS - GRILLO

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $15
Producer: Duca di Castelmonte
Region & Country: Sicily-Marsala, Italy
Grape Variety: Grillo
Recommended By: Wine Tasting

Place & Date Purchased: WholeFoods, Evanston, IL - 1/31/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 4/22/2009

Appearance: Golden yellow; Full-bodied
Nose: Herb scent with grass
Taste: Herb and lemon, but has a perfumey type of taste
Finish: Creamy
Overall Impression: I don't really have much to say about this wine, because the only thing good about it was the finish. I don't know what it is. It tasted so much better at the wine tasting and that's why I bought it. It just wasn't as pleasant this time around. It certainly didn't live up to its name, but it would be a great name for a perfume. Maybe that's why it tasted that way...

Overall Rating: 85/100
Overall Value: **.5 / 5 Stars

JEIO BISOL BRUT - PROSECCO

Vintage: N/A
Price Range: $16
Producer: Bisol
Region & Country: Valdobbiadene, Italy
Grape Variety: Prosecco
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: In Fine Spirits, Chicago, IL - 4/5/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 4/5/2009

Appearance: Very bubbly & brilliant; straw yellow
Nose: Fruity and floral scent; lite, yet has that bubbly sharpness
Taste: Green apple and pear; crisp and clean
Finish: Cherries and sweetness, but not too acidic
Overall Impression: Delicious! I don't think you can go wrong with some Proseccos. I would definitely get this one again. This is the perfect wine to bring to a Sunday Brunch with friends. Also, it has a great value, so you can't go wrong with that. It has the perfect combination of fruit, flowers and sweetness.

Overall Rating: 95/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars

TOSCOLO - CHIANTI

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $10
Producer: Neil Empson Selections
Region & Country: Milan, Italy
Grape Variety: Chianti
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 12/05/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 02/04/2009
Dinner: I'm not proud, but I will admit that I had Taco Bell. Nachos, Burrito, Quesadilla, etc.

Appearance: Deep cherry red; full-bodied
Nose: Earthy tones, berries with a sweet scent
Taste: Little bitter, acidic and a little lemony
Finish: Slightly dry with tart aftertaste
Overall Impression: There's only so much of a dry and acidic wine I can take. It wasn't so bad, but after a couple of glasses I felt as if I had been eating a sweet tart. I'm sure this Chianti would be excellent in a red wine vinaigrette or maybe for cooking. ** One day later, it tastes better than last night, but still has that dry after taste.

Overall Rating: 84/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars

BOLLICINI - PROSECCO

Vintage: N/A
Price Range: $12
Producer: WP SRL Crocetta
Region & Country: Montello, Italy
Grape Variety: Prosecco
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: World Market, Evanston, IL - 12/07/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 12/07/2008

Appearance: Light, medium bubbles and very pale gold
Nose: Fruity, yet somewhat chalky; scent of apples
Taste: Light, but dry; Sweetness is subtle
Finish: Sweetness stays; acidic - bubbles linger
Overall Impression: I think this Prosecco was reasonably priced. Actually, it was bought for about $9, so I think I got an excellent deal for the taste. I would bring this to your New Year's Eve party and get popular quick! The best part is that it's not overly sweet, not too dry. It's just right.

Overall Rating: 89/100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars

GELISI ANTONIO - MOSCATO DOLCE

Whoever said that wine should not be enjoyed for breakfast has never had Gelisi Antonio. As most friends will tell you, I'm not a fan of white wines, but this one... oh man, I could have just had that for breakfast and been happy.

Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $8
Producer: Gelisi Antonio Vineyard
Region & Country: San Quirino, Italy
Grape Variety: Moscato Dolce
Recommended By: Raymond Hamilton

Place & Date Purchased: N/A
Place & Date Tasted: Raymond Hamilton's home, Rattelsdorf, Germany - 08/15/2008
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits and jelly

Appearance: Light gold
Nose: Light, sweet and fruity
Taste: It is light, but there is a lot of sweetness.
Finish: Sugary, candy sweet that dissolves away
Overall Impression: This moscato dolce was not too over-powering. It was very smooth. I liked that it wasn't tart like a lot of whites I come across are. I definitely enjoyed it.

Overall Rating: 95/100
Overall Value: ??? / 5 Stars

ZONIN DOLCE - ASTI

Vintage: ???
Price Range: $11
Producer: Zonin U.S.A.
Region & Country: Portacomaro D'Asti, Italy
Grape Variety: Asti
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 05/24/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 05/25/2008

Appearance: Very light yellow
Nose: Light pear scent
Taste: Sweet pear flavor
Finish: Buttery; Fruity melt-away
Overall Impression: This asti was very good. You'll give it "Two Thumbs Up!"

Overall Rating: 90/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars

MEMO - SANGIOVESE

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $9
Producer: Mario Ercolino
Region & Country: Torino Di Sangro, Italy
Grape Variety: Sangiovese
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 04/15/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 04/21/2008

Appearance: Dark, cherry red
Nose: Oakey and spicy
Taste: Juicy, wet and oakey; has a little bit of a tang to it
Finish: Hint of lemon and cherry
Overall Impression: I thought Memo's Sangiovese was pretty average, but it was a great price. I definitely liked Memo's Red Wine so much better.

Overall Rating: 86/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars

MEMO - MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $10
Producer: Mario Ercolino
Region & Country: Torino Di Sangro, Italy
Grape Variety: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 03/18/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 03/30/2008

Appearance: Deep, dark purple
Nose: Deep, fruity grape & other fruits
Taste: Smooth, with a good spiciness
Finish: Warm
Overall Impression: This was a very good wine. I liked how it was spicy, yet fruity. This wine really surprised me and I would definitely get it again and recommend it to many.

Overall Rating: 92/100
Overall Value: ****.5 / 5 Stars

GAGLIOLE - CHIANTI

Vintage: 2002
Price Range: $20
Producer: Anthony Terlato
Region & Country: Chianti, Italy
Grape Variety: Rosso Red Wine
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 01/15/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 01/30/2008

Appearance: Nice, dark red
Nose: Fruity, yet slightly hot
Taste: Fruity, citris, but too sugary
Finish: Tangy and sour; slightly bitter
Overall Impression: I think it's a little tart. It's a good sipping wine if you want something to take your time with. I think it would be good with spicy food. I also think the price is steep for the taste.
Fun Note: While drinking this wine, I was playing the SNL Edition of Trivial Pursuit.

Overall Rating: 85/100
Overall Value: ** / 5 Stars

GARNACHA DE FUEGO - RED WINE

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $10 (Gift)
Producer: Jorge Ordonez
Region & Country: Calatayud, Italy
Grape Variety: Red Wine
Recommended By: Gift given by Tom Shure w/ Elite Appraisals

Place & Date Purchased: 12/14/2007
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 01/13/2008

Appearance: Deep red
Nose: Hot, black pepper, spicy
Taste: First hot and then spicy; slightly acidic
Finish: Nice fruity and smooth aftertaste
Overall Impression: Even though it started off a little hot, the spiciness of it was great. The finish of it was good too.

Overall Rating: 89.5/100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars

MONTE ANTICO - RED WINE

Vintage: 2004
Price Range: $9
Producer: Neil Empson
Region & Country: Milan, Italy
Grape Variety: Red Wine (85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot)
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: World Market - 01/01/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Adil Mansoor's Lovely Evanston, IL Apartment - 01/01/2008

Appearance: Blood red
Nose: Light and slightly oakey
Taste: Wet, watered down and weak
Finish: There is nothing there. No finish.
Overall Impression: This wine was very weak and not very flavorful.

Overall Rating: 72/100
Overall Value: **/ 5 Stars

ROERO ARNEIS - ANTERISIO

Vintage: 2003
Price Range: $20
Producer: Cascina Chicco
Region & Country: Canale, Italy
Grape Variety: Anterisio (white)
Recommended By: Alex w/ WineStyles

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 11/10/2007
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 11/10/2007

Appearance: vibrant gold
Nose: Fruity, pear scented and healthy aroma
Taste: Very clean and smooth
Finish: Crisp, fresh and relaxed
Overall Impression: I thought it was a very good white. It wasn't too sweet and it had a clean after taste.

Overall Rating: 92/100
Overall Value: ***.75 / 5 Stars