Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #14

I'm a big fan of country wines, probably due to getting... How to put this... BORED with grape wines... So here's one made with kiwifruit! Oh, and I should probably mention that this wine, unlike Redwood Cellars' other variety, is still, not sparkling.



Redwood Cellars Kiwifruit Wine
750mL bottle at 12.0% ABV
Appearance: 6/10 (C-)
With all the color of an ice wine but the thickness of a sauvignon blanc, I really don't know what to make of this wine's appearance. I guess maybe I expected it to be... Greener.
Aroma/Nose: 6.5/10 (C)
Incredibly sharp and piquant, this wine has an unusually bizarre aroma, not unlike strong white vinegar, though not painful, if you get my meaning.
Mouthfeel: 8.5/10 (B+)
Incredibly smooth and with a tingly sensation on the tongue, this is very unlike any other drink I've ever had. I do not, however, recommend gargling. That hurts. And was completely unintentional.
Flavor: 9/10 (A-)
With a medium sweetness and a ticklish taste of young, green kiwifruit, this wine is very light on the palate, and finishes clean and dry, with yet another flavor I cannot describe.
Overview: 7.5/10 (B-)
A light, crisp wine that would go well with almost any meal, but is more suited to light but flavorsome foods, such as chicken parmigiana. Redwood Cellars delivers once again.

Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #12

I've been curious about foreign wines, and so decided to pick up something cheap the other day. It happened to be a chianti. I wasn't really sure what to do with it, so I served it as I would any other red wine. In my taste-testing, I paired it with Dutch goat's milk Gouda, which was perhaps not the best idea. It brought out the acidity and tannins in the wine, while masking the other flavors.



Fontella 2009 Chianti
750mL bottle at 13.0% ABV
Appearance: 7/10 (C+)
An extremely dark wine, so much so that at first I thought it wasn't clear - but it is; crystal. Lacing indicates a medium sugar content, which is consistent, and so I'm happy to give this wine a reasonable score.
Aroma/Nose: 6.5/10 (C)
A predominantly acidic wine, this chianti has the scent of cherry and oak, with an underlying tone of what appears to be a tannery. Not unusual for a chianti, but perhaps not acceptable for most drinkers.
Mouthfeel: 6/10 (C-)
Smooth and plain, this wine isn't particularly impressive, though it does have a nice tingliness in the mouth, with just a bit too much dryness. There is a very faint, albeit very long lasting tail, too.
Flavor: 5.5/10 (D+)
Though mildly sweet, this wine has a strong tannin flavor to it and is only for those that enjoy dry wines. The blend of flavors is decent, matching with the aroma, but including the undertones.
Overview: 6.5/10 (C)
An above average wine, and its profile means it can be matched best with red meats. For general drinking, however, it may be a bit too coarse. Given that it was also very cheap, I would recommend it as a good cooking wine.

Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #6

I always like a good mulled wine, especially if it's made with something other than grapes. This particular brew, made with boysenberry and apple, is no exception. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, mulled wine is a method of serving wine by heating it with spices and sometimes sweetening it. It was traditionally done as a way to extend the usable life of wine, and tended to be done with wine that was on it's way to becoming vinegar.



Redwood Cellars Mountain Thunder Apple-Berry Glühwein
1250mL bottle at 12.0% ABV
Appearance: 6.5/10 (C)
Dark and opaque, but not cloudy, this wine is definitely a strong one, and is unusually clear for a mulled wine. Of course, it's also bottled, so that's to be expected.
Aroma/Nose: 8/10 (B)
With hefty tones of crisp apple and sweet boysenberries, contrasted by soft tones of cinnamon and cloves, this wine also packs a punch. It's not something you want to sniff too much though, since it's hot.
Mouthfeel: 7/10 (C+)
With a certain spice and a definite warmth to it, this wine flows down smoothly and heats you from the inside out. It can go up your nose a little, though.
Flavor: 5.5/10 (D+)
Definitively sharp apple flavors and tones of boysenberry dominate this wine, complemented by a spiciness throughout, and a tail of what is perhaps nutmeg. Though medium to sweet, it's also rather tart, and may not be to everyone's tastes.
Overview: 7/10 (C+)
Definitely worth the bang for the buck, since it comes in a big bottle, and it's definitely a winter warmer to enjoy 'round the fireplace or out on the field watching winter sports.