Kanonkop Kadette Red Meritage'08, South Africa

This complex wine might surprised more than one consumers for its boldness and rich flavors but it is considers a very classic style meritage in the Stellenbosch region in South Africa.

Technical Data: 45% Pinotage, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. Aged 6 months on oak.

Description: Ruby red color. Fruity aromas of ripe black cherries layered with spice, herbs and tobacco. The wine is full-bodied and surprisingly complex, displaying a wide array of elegant flavors mingled together, from red berries and ripe cherries to spices, cedar, tobacco and toast, all and all very pleasing. Supple velvety tannins with a clean long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service: This wine will benefit to being open about 10 to 15 minutes prior consumption, served at room temperature. Will accompany well a chili bowl or anything with beef or pork. Will also delight you with hearty pasta dishes or a slice of pizza.

Score: 7/10.

Ageing Potential: Up to 8 years. Can definitely age but try it out now as well and you'll like it all the same!

Price as seen on MD shelf: $14.99

Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage'09, South Africa

A "juicy" fruit forward and easy going wine with a round palate from the Stellenbosh Region in South Africa. You just found your everyday wine meal!

Technical Data: 100% Pinotage harvested fully ripe. Cool fermented after a cold maceration on the skins and pressed off early, before the development of hard tannins. Reminder: Originally, Pinotage was a cross-breed of Pinot Noir with Cinsault, nowadays, it is considered a grape on its own.

Description: Dark plum color. Classic Pinotage nose for this wine displaying ripe plum, cedar and oaky aromas back up by chocolaty nuances. A juicy wine, easy going on the palate, medium bodied, with very subtle tannins and a delicious fruit concentration of plum, dark ripe cherries as well as a little bit of smoky flavors.

Food Pairing & Service: This "Juicy" unwooded wine can be served with a generous slice of pizza or a BBQ, ideal with Turkey as well. Perfect with almost any casual occasion!

Score: 7/10.

Price as seen on MD shelf: $12.99

Teliani Valley Unfiltered Saperavi 2007, Kakheti, Georgia (Rep. of)

A full bodied Saperavi dry wine from the Kakheti Region in Georgia in Eastern Europe. Great find, try something new and while you are at it, stack it up for the year around!

Technical Data: Made from 100% hand-selected premium Saperavi grapes. Unfiltered. Probably aged a bit on oak because of the smoky flavors this wine boasts but did not find any "sure" information about it.

Description: Deep ruby color with purple hues. Powerful nose showing off red and black fruits entangled with smoke, dry herbs and leather aromas. Full bodied wine expressing dark ripe cherries, plum and black currant flavors. Also present, are some dry earthy tones and a hint of cedar and roasted coffee, the leathery flavors kicks in at the very end of the palate .This wine has a nice spiciness into it, kind of reminiscent to me to a big bold Zin or a spicy Syrah/Shiraz. The tannins are ripe and velvety, leading to a long lasting smooth finish.

Food Pairing & Service: This wine is food-friendly and more particularly will accompany well a big steak on the BBQ.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Up to 8 - 10 years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: Around $11.99 - For those of you whom will ask me where to find it, I know Schneider's of Capitol Hill as it, has I bought one from them.

Saperavi Grape

The Saperavi grape is the main red grape from the Republic of Georgia, it can be found alone or blended and it produces from semi-sweet to bold full bodied and a bit spicy wines. A good example of the dry wines made out of Saperavi is the Teliani Valley Unfiltered Saperavi I tried out not so long ago. Check out my description of it in the Georgian Wines section.

Georgian -Eastern Europe - Wines

Georgia is historically recognized has being the first country producing wines in the world. This Country is producing wines from incredible indigenous grapes not well known world wide, hopefully a lot more of these wines will come soon our way into the USA for us to try and be charmed!

Pölka Dot Crisp Riesling'08, Germany

A Crisp (meaning medium-dry) Riesling from the Pfalz Region in Germany, known to be the best one for the production of Riesling!

Technical Data: 100% Riesling . Aged in Stainless Steel Tanks to preserve its freshness.

Description: Light bright gold color with green hues. Strong green apple aromas followed up by pear and lime. Refreshing medium bodied crisp wine, showing off a nice acidity and a complex palate. Flavors of white flowers, orange blossom, lime and green apple are entangled as well as a hint of caramel. Long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Very versatile wine, it can be drunk by itself or pair wonderfully spicy dishes in general. Good pairing with Asian Style dishes or Latino dishes. This wine will stand proudly against grilled fish or even poultry. Serve chilled not frozen!

Score: 7/10. Great find, stack it up for the year around!

Ageing Potential: Up to 3- 4years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $14.99

Pölka Dot Pink Riesling'08, Germany

A sweet Riesling from the Pfalz Region in Germany, known to be the best one for the production of Riesling!

Technical Data: 100% Riesling . Aged in Stainless Steel Tanks to preserve its freshness.

Description: Light bright gold color. Delightful and refreshing wine showing off blossom and stone fruits aromas. On the palate, lots of pear at first, then there is an explosion of flavors well mingled together tangerine, apricot and orange blossom finishing by a hint of honeysuckle and white flowers. This wine is medium sweet, have a nice acidity and is long lasting.

Food Pairing & Service: Very versatile wine, it can be drunk by itself or pair wonderfully spicy dishes in general. I tried it with Asian food and it was a keeper! Any dish served with saffron rice will do too. Serve chilled not frozen!

Score: 8/10. Great find, stack it up for the year around!

Ageing Potential: Up to 3- 4years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $14.99