Table / Blend

So bitter sweet; It has the basis to be great, but never follows through. Possibly it was a bad year for the grape? Use on an impure maiden or just to swill the night away.

Sacré Dieu! If she wears panties, this will remove them. Be she a zitella or a water sprite, she will quaff heartily of this sublimely balanced nectar. Serve alone or with most any food. If you're a foul rogue who desires a single nights acquaintanceship, serve slightly chilled and by itself. For those of us who prefer lasting friendships, serve with pleasant and tasty snacks. She will be yours, it is your choice as to how long you shall keep her in your good stead.

It’s a nice blend – a very nice blend – from South Africa. It manages to hit all the right notes for me and perhaps you too. Try some today, as the price is certainly right. This is the 2nd wine from these guys I’ve given a good grade too. Maybe I’m slipping. This is one of those wines you wonder what might taste like in another year.

Tastes like crap. But, after the first half glass it becomes pretty tasty. Just remember to not eat or drink anything else when drinking it or you'll have to choke down a half glass again to dull the senses. But hey, it's cheap.

Good for both refined sprites and unselective nymphs. It occasionally has enough of a bite during its finish that you'll want something sweet around when drinking it. If you're just drinking with the boys, find something cheaper.

'Eh, it'll do. It isn't that good, but it's not drek. It's a boxed wine and for being served out of a plastic bag, it's better than any other that I've ever tried. Good for low end partying or casual drinking, but it's not good enough that I'll buy it again.

Another cheap French wine, another satisfied customer. It's not complex, but it does hit the spot. Goes well with pistachios, but with it's neutrality and table red base, it would probably go decently with almost anything with a bit of flavor or spice. I wouldn't suggest drinking this with either pairs or apples.

It’s a better red wine for dinner perhaps than for just sipping. Letting this wine breath 20 minutes before imbibing will help, but may not totally overcome all its issues.

Bob is off having his tail chased, or was that chasing tail? Either way, he won't be joining us tonight for this review. So, work with me here and in my best Bacchus voice:

Yes, this has very little leggings. With a very nice deep ruby colour. I do smell some soft berry notes, but can't identify which ones. After tasting, I'm unable to taste the berries, so I still can't identify what berry it might have been. It is harsh, a bit bitter, and if I didn't usually just swill wines I might be able to tell you if it was tannins or turpentine for a finish. Frankly I thought the Italians did better than this. Okay, enough of trying to do Bacchus' job, I don't think I have the pallet.

Another “All Hallows Eve” wine (aka Halloween). It is one of a pair of wines, the other being “Treat.” In a word, the wine is unspectacular. Consider “haunting” another wine instead.

For the modest, and I mean modest price ($7 for 1.5L), better than I expected, but not spectacular. A surprise considering I’ve gotten some spotty results from Chile lately

It is a trio of Zin, Merlot and Cab grapes. Not a bad sipping wine, but serve it slightly chilled (the Zin part might need this more), decant and let it breath for 15 minutes or so, as it was much better.

This review is just in time for Passover. Labeled as “America’s Classic Wine” I’m again forced to ask the question, classic how? Other flavor variations exist, but frankly, who still drinks this stuff anyway, and why? Like some wines in this price range, the label suggests you server this wine chilled. I’d go with really chilled (like the freezer). But it does have an easy to open screw top cap.

Formerly know as Mad Dog 20/20, this “wine” is being repositioned in the market place. They’ve gone somewhat upscale by creating a plethora of fruit flavored variations – think a really bad version of the Arbor Mist group and you get the idea. I’ll only be testing the one original Red Grape “wine” version, thank you very much. Like its cousin, Thunderbird, this “wine” is built (in a giant steel vat probably), not crafted then carefully aged in oak. And like Thunderbird, the maker suggests serving this one cold. A couple of minutes in liquid nitrogen should just about do it. Easy to use screw top cap: a plus.

Another “find” at the tasting counter of a local grocery store. It’s nicely drinkable, by itself or with a dinner.