Vintjs Pinot Gris (2010)
$5.99@Trader Joe's
Brian sez: I love Pinot Gris. But not this one. This grape comes from the Willamette Valley, an area known for some great Pinots, but this one just fails to show up. To me, Pinot Gris should be Pinot Grigio's cowboy American cousin but the Vintjs doesn't bring any of the mineral or smoke that I love in a Pinot Gris. Oh well.
Julia sez: Eh. Bland.
Binary rating: 0
New Age Torrontes/Sauvignon Blanc (NV)
$5.99@Woodman's
Brian sez: I needed a wine to make a white sangria. This was cheap and mostly Torrontes, a favorite of mine. Little did I know it was also slightly effervescent. Take 6 tbsp hot water, mix in 1/2 cup sugar and some mint leaves (I used a combination of mint and peppermint) and muddle. Add half a cup of brandy and two bottles of New Age. Chill. Enjoy.
Julia sez: Makes a delicious white sangria.
Binary rating: 1
2009 Green Fin Cabernet Sauvignon
$3.99@Trader Joe's
Brian sez: Utterly unremarkable yet not in any way offensive. I wouldn't have told you this was a cab, but after reading it on the label, I guess it does have some spice and vague oakiness. A little red fruit as well. If this were any more than $4 I would be disappointed, but this is a perfectly adequate Tuesday night wine.
Julia sez: Tastes great after a couple beers. I bought it for the label and the price. I like cab. Flat bottom.
Binary scale rating: 1
2009 Green Fin Table White
$3.99@Trader Joe's
Brian sez: Huh. This is quite good. I wasn't expecting much for the price, but this is a great little summertime bottle of white. Properly chilled, it's refreshing with tart crispness. Kinda tastes like green pears. A little acid and mineral rounds it out.
Julia sez: Perfect for a 40 degree Wisconsin Spring night. Pairs well with tonight's artichoke appetizer.
Binary score: 1
Seven Red Table Wine (NV)
$15.99 (3L) @ Copp's Grocery Store
Brian sez: Bodegas Osborne (pronounced os-BOR-nay by Iberians), long-famous for producing sherry, is also responsible for placing the iconic bull silhouette billboards that dot the Spanish landscape. However, since the Spanish government banned advertising alcohol on billboards some years back, Osborne was forced to remove their company name from them, leaving most tourists to assume they are simply decoration.
Seven is made by Octavin (possibly rhymes with "octagon"?)-- you might already be familiar with some of their other grocery store wine offerings, e.g. Pinot Evil, Big House and others. Between having had decent experiences with Octavin products in the past and knowing Osborne's reputation for producing a solid product, I figured I'd give Seven a shot.
A blend of seven different grapes (I see what you did there, Osborne...), Seven is reminiscent of a young, red-fruit-forward Crianza that you could pick up for a couple Euros in any Spanish taps bar.
At this price point, it's no surprise that it doesn't have much complexity on either end and as we found out last night it doesn't hold up to chili, but it makes a perfectly adequate Triscuits and cheddar accompaniment and I wouldn't turn down a second (or third) glass if you served it to me at your holiday party.
Julia sez: It's okay.
Binary scale rating: 7. I mean 1.
2010 Yellowtail Pinot Noir
$5.89@ Copp's Supermarket
Brian sez: Okay, maybe not Pi-yes, more like Pi-sure. It doesn't really even *taste* much like Pinot, but it's got some round red fruit and an easy finish. I bought it to make boeuf bourguignon since it was the cheapest (semi-) respectable Pinot the store had, and was pleased to discover it's actually drinkable.
Julia sez: I want more.
Binary score: 1
