Cantina Zaccagnini Il Bianco di Ciccio 2010 (about $17)

About the Wine:Cantina Zaccagnini is an Italian winery known for their citrusy Pinot Grigio and robust Montepulciano.  This wine is a white blend.

About THIS Wine:  In the glass the wine is hay colored with no distinct rim.  Sharp pineapple dominates the nose.  The palate is very tart with strong citrus and pineapple notes.  The finish is fairly complex, with continuing citrus and pineapple along with hints of banana.

Drinking This Wine:  I would have it with seafood, either salmon or perhaps a seafood jambalaya.  The palate is a bit sharp for a sipping wine.

Overall Impression:  This is good wine for anyone who loves bold whites.  That said, it could be a few dollars cheaper.  It is good, but a little overpriced.

Apaltagua Pinot Noir 2010 (about $11)

About the Wine:  Chilean wine country is divided up according to its valleys.  I have had wines from Maipo and Colchagua valleys and the taste varies noticeably by region.  This is my first Tricao Valley wine, so it is a learning experience for me.

About THIS Wine:  A pink rim surrounds a garnet center.  Sour cherry is prominent on the nose along with, oddly, the smell of roast duck.  The sour cherry is sharp and strong on the palate, followed by a spicy finish.

Drinking This Wine:  A good sipper for anyone who likes sour drinks.  This wine would also make a good pairing with roast duck.

Overall Impression:  The wine is decent and the price is low.  This is good for the price.

90+, or Ninety Plus Old Vine Malbec 2010 (about $11)

About the Wine:  The idea behind this brand is that they repackage wines that have been rated 90 or higher by one of the more respected publications that rate wine on the hundred point system.  This repackaged wine is essentially overstock that is sold for a much lower price than the original brand.

About THIS Wine:  It is red in the center with a garnet rim.  This coloring is unusually light for a Malbec.  Earth, red fruit, and spice combine to make up the nose and all of these deliver on the palate.  The finish is very tannic.

Drinking This Wine:  I can't really see anything this tannic as a sipping wine.  It would be very good with beef and noodles or some other hearty pasta dish.

Overall Impression:  Nothing too impressive here, but the wine is decent and it is cheap.  It is good for the price.

Angove Shiraz 2010 (about $18)

About the Winery:  Angove is one of the oldest wineries in Australia, having been in operation for over a hundred years.  They are family owned and produced many of their wines organically.  Sadly, many of their grapes are sourced from other vineyards so they do not qualify as an estate winery and it is impractical for their entire line to be certified organic.

About THIS Wine:  A deep, rich red center is rimmed with garnet.  Jammy red fruit is prominent on the nose along with clove and pepper notes.  The front palate tastes of licorice, followed by heavy red fruit and fairly sharp tannins.  All of this gives way to a finish of fruit leather.

Drinking This Wine:  It made me hungry for a nice, juicy burger.  Could work with any red meat and bread dish.  The taste is fine for sipping, but I think it is better with food.

Overall Impression:  I'm a little conflicted here.  The wine is very good.  It is also eighteen dollars.  I will settle on it being reasonable for the price.

J Pinot Gris 2010 (about $16)

About the Wine:  J is an iconic winemaker known for a variety of products including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wine.  The Pinot Gris is the least expensive of their offerings, which can go for upwards of thirty dollars.  Pinot Gris is made from the same kind of grape as Pinot Grigio and some say there is no difference.  However, Pinot Gris is grown and processed in a different way in the hopes of creating a distinctive style of wine.

About THIS Wine:  The color is a light yellow.  Peach is heavy on the nose with hints of orange.  The palate is a mix of citrus, lemon, and peach (yes, I know lemon is a citrus, but lemon has a smell distinct from other citrus fruit.)  Acidity lingers on the finish.

Drinking This Wine:  Classic dry patio pounder.  You can have it with chicken or fish, but I think it is best by itself.

Overall Impression:  This is a remarkably good wine at a reasonable price.  It is a good value.

New Age, no vintage on the bottle (about $12)

About the Wine:  South America is mostly known for its bold, full flavored reds.  They do also make whites but for some reason those have never really caught on.  This wine is a white blend from Argentina.

About THIS Wine:  In the glass it is so light that it is almost clear and it is slightly bubbly.  The nose could easily be mistaken for that of Moscato due to the strong smell of peach, though there are floral notes here that Moscatos do not generally have.  On the palate the wine is crisp, slightly sweet, and tangy with a lot of citrus flavor that evens into a lemon finish.

Drinking This Wine:  This is a classic patio pounder.  It would do well with spicy or salty foods and it would also be fine by itself.

Overall Impression:  Not a wine that will impress most aficionados, but for a cool summer drink this is a good value.

Jam Jar Moscato 2011 (about $10)

About the Wine:  Jam Jar is a brand best known for their Sweet Shiraz.  The Moscato is their offering for those who prefer white.  There is no word on whether they are planning any dry offerings, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

About THIS Wine:  The wine is a very light yellow with no distinct rim and has a nose of sweet citrus.  The palate is medium sweet and a bit tangy with an acidic finish.

Drinking This Wine:  This is a classic wine to enjoy while sitting poolside.  It would also go well with salty or spicy food.

Overall Impression:  I am not really impressed, but the wine is decent and it is cheap.  Jam Jar Moscato is good for the price.