Would you like some cheese with that...

As promised, per my New Years Resolution, here comes two more wine reviews for your reading pleasure. Unfortunately for me, the wines were less than a pleasure to drink. These two definitely weren't awful (and I've had some awful wine...), but they were more...well, let's allow my review of them speak more of my mind...


First up, a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Turning Leaf winery in California. It has a very rich red color and a very dry nose (not always a good sign for me...) and it's flavor matched it. While in most cases this would be a plus, in this Cab Sauv, not so much. The dryness and oakiness overtook the fruit flavors that lie beneath it, leaving it tasting like a generic dry red wine than an individual. However, after a few days uncorked and breathing, it developed a much richer flavor, balancing out the dryness and making the drinking much more pleasurable. Turning Leaf gets points for presentation (nice label and all...) and having a wine that improves with some time, but this will not be a wine I will be revisiting often. Not a fan of many dry reds, anyways...


Next, a 2008 Pinot Grigio from the Lumina winery in Italy (my second European wine...). Like many Pinot Gris I've tried, this has a fresh and fruity nose. However, like the Cab Sauv I just mentioned, it's flavor fell into the realm of the generic. Nothing really stood out other than tasting like 'wine'. In its defense (also like the Cab Sauv...), a day or two open and a more unique flavor came forward. An interesting note: this Pinot Gri has a screw on top rather than a cork. I wonder if this (as with some others I've tried...) affects the taste and longevity of the wine or if it's all in my head. Either way, this particular wine will take a back seat to my preferred ones. Nice try, Lumina...

Now, despite my earlier mentioning of not enjoying dry reds too often, the next review contains at least one if not both wines being red and dry (I haven't broken into wine #2 yet...). Reason: these wines, more than any other, are ones that I need to slog my way through to find the gems. Thankfully, the first is a keeper, so that's something. Till then, it's always a fine time for wine...