Tasting- Bold Rock VA Apple Hard Cider

Name: Bold Rock VA Apple
Variety: Hard Cider
Region: Blue Ridge Mountains/ Wintergreen, VA
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $10.99 for a 6-pack
Wine Critic Review:  "light, sweet, tart, with strong flavor of green apple"
My Review: tart, crisp taste; very strong green apple flavor, slight citrus tints, I could taste lemon as well.  This was a very smooth, light cider that was refreshing and enjoyable by itself.  I did not eat anything with this cider.  A great local cider that I would recommend to anyone.

Tasting- Arbor Mist Blackberry Merlot

Name: Arbor Mist Blackberry Merlot

Variety: Merlot

Region: New York

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $10.99

Wine Critic Review: The smell is sweet, sun-ripened blackberries with a bare hint of alcohol. There are flavors of blackberry and subtle raspberry.  It is a delicious blend of full bodied Merlot wine and natural blackberry flavor, which makes it an idea beverage for casual dining, festive celebrations, and a quiet evening at home.

My Review:  The nose was very alcoholic and acidic.  The first taste was dark, sweet, but surprisingly not very full.  I could taste blackberry, raspberry, and hints of green apple.  It was a very smooth wine.  I drank this wine with a pasta dinner which made it taste less fruity, more tangy, and stronger flavors of raspberry. Delicious, sweet wine for a very reasonable price.

Tasting- Barefoot Chardonnay

Name: Barefoot Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $6.99
Wine Critic Review: Barefoot Chardonnay is a delightful wine with tempting flavors of green apple and peaches. Hints of honey and vanilla enhance the buttery finish. Barefoot Chardonnay is perfect with seafood, poultry, fresh fruits, white pasta sauces, and mild cheeses.
My Review: My first taste of this wine was a little bitter, tart, and lacking a lot of flavor.  With later tastes I could taste pear and hints of apple, very little fruit flavor.  I drank this wine with a pasta meal, which made it taste fuller bodied, sweeter, and less acidic.  It did not overpower the food and was a good choice with dinner.  Overall I did not really enjoy this wine, and will try a different brand of chardonnay in the future.

Tasting- Vinho Verde Arca Nova

Name: Vinho Verde Arca Nova
Variety: Branco/ White
Region: Minho Province, northern region of the country 
Country: Portugal
Year: 2012
Price: $9.00
Wine Critic Review: Light bodied, dry, medium-high acidity, light-moderate intensity, short-medium finish, lemon, peach, green apple
My Review: This was a very sweet and smooth wine that tastes like sweet pear and apple.  I could also taste a little orange peel.  This was a very good wine that went well with the chocolate dessert we were eating.  Great wine that I had never heard of before! I hope to get it again.

Tasting- Rex-Goliath Pinot Grigio

Name: HRM Rex-Goliath Free Range Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $6.99
Wine Critic Review: This pinot grigio expresses abundant citrus and lemon-lime aromas with layers of fresh stone fruit sprinkled with intense floral and lavender notes. Bright and racy acidity is beautifully balanced with fresh citrus leading to a crisp, refreshing finish.
My Review: This wine was thin, acidic and very tart,  It tasted strongly of citrus and was hot to the taste.  The more I drank it the sweeter it was.  It tasted really good with spicy food, I drank this wine with a spicy buffalo chicken dip.  This was the first wine I drank from this brand and I really enjoyed it.  I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cheap pinot grigio.

Tasting- Bold Rock Virginia Draft Hard Cider

Name: Bold Rock Virginia Draft Hard Cider

Variety: Cider

Region: Blue Ridge Mountains/ Wintergreen,VA

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $10.99 for a six pack

Wine Critic Review: strong apple flavor, no tannins, low acidity with aromas of fresh apple, pear, and cherry.

My Review: very bubbly which I wasn't quite expecting.  Almost a spicy flavor, strong apples, especially a tart apple flavor similar to Granny Smith, some blackberry.  This cider was drank with Mac & Cheese which made it taste much sweeter, less tangy, and in my opinion made the food taste better.  This is a great local cider made in Virginia that is very drinkable and I would recommend to anyone.

Tasting- Barefoot Moscato

Name: Barefoot Moscato
Variety: White Wine
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $6.99
Wine Critic Review: This is a sweet wine with delicious mouth-watering flavors of juicy peach and apricot.  Hints of lemon and orange citrus complement a crisp refreshing finish.
My Review: My first taste of this wine was very sweet, tangy, and reminded me of citrus and raspberries.  The first few tastes almost had a little bit of a sour tinge to it.  I could pick up on the citrus tastes but did not get any peach or apricot from this wine.  I drank this wine while eating chocolate and the food made it taste fuller and less tangy and acidic.  The sweet flavor came out more and complimented the dessert.  This is a very smooth wine that goes well with light appetizers and desserts, and I would recommend it to someone who has never tried wine before.