Italy

Because there's really not much else I can do right now, I decided to knock this out! Apparently my calculations went the opposite way this time-- I started with lots of decimals and then just gave up and used whole numbers at the end. Definitely some high rankings, and even our first negative with this group. Thank you Michelle & Jen B. for hosting us in your lovely home!

A. The Sopranos Chianti 2008 - more info

Appearance: Ruby red, cranberry

Nose: 3.8

Intensity: 3.14

Balance: 4

Complexity: 2.5

Finish: 2 – Bitter

Comments: Cranberry, smoky, pretty light, not fruity, a good “anytime” wine. “Better than I thought it would be for an HBO wine.”

B. Da Vinci Chianti 2010 - more info

Appearance: Crimson, darker, blood red

Nose: 3.2

Intensity: 1.1

Balance: 4.5

Complexity: 3.33 (I couldn’t find a way to put a macron on top to truly indicate 1/3!)

Finish: 3.33

Comments: More drinkable, good table wine, not a good cheese wine overall, but good with ricotta. “Not what I was expecting.”

Jen’s favorite red

C. Corte Giara Pagus Soave 2008 - more info

Appearance: Yellow, “golden apples”

Nose: 3.8

Intensity: 1.3

Balance: 3.5

Complexity: 1 - Apple

Finish: 3

Comments: Smells like apple juice, tastes like apple juice, tingles, apple juice finish.

Haley and Dan liked this one

D. Kiwi Cuvée Pinot Grigio 2010 - more info (2009)

Appearance: Very light, straw, pale gold

Nose: 4 - Plum

Intensity: 2 - Tickles nose

Balance: 5 - “Ooh!”

Complexity: 2.5

Finish: 3.4 - Better flavor on finish, strawberry

Comments: Good with pasta or fish, very drinkable.

Jen’s favorite white; Haley liked this one, too.

E. Clara C Fiori di Prosecco Cuvée NV - more info

Appearance: Like champagne, clear

Nose: 4

Intensity: 1.5

Balance: 5

Complexity: 2.1

Finish: 2 - Sparkle kills finish

Comments: Leaves an appropriate amount of vagueness.

Michelle’s favorite.

F. La Marca Prosecco NV - more info

Appearance: Also clear

Nose: 3 - “Smells silly” - Lucas, age 2

Intensity: -.5

Balance: 5

Complexity: 3.2

Finish: 4.7

Comments: Better than the last one, honey, peachy, very good!

Mike and Jen B.’s favorite.

G. Bartenura Moscato 2010 - more info

Appearance: Very, very slight golden tint

Nose: 3 - Kind of spicy

Intensity: 3

Balance: 2 - Very fruity, sweet

Complexity: 2

Finish: 3

Comments: Very sweet, even more so than the apple juice Soave, sugar in a glass, peachy, tastes like peach ring candy, definitely moscato.