Our wine-tasting duo discuss their favorite wines and why they like them. Do you know your favorite wine and why you like it? Do you know the characteristics of your favorite wines? Why do you like a certain wine?

This episode will help you make better buying decisions, find alternative varieties, and understand why you like the wines you do.

Tonight, we are tasting:

1. Denise’s favorite wine is the 2022 Gerard Bertrand Cote de Roses. We bought this wine at Costco for $12.99. It is a Rose’ Wine blended with Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault grapes. It comes from the Languedoc region of France. Aromas of red fruits, black currant and red currant. Palette - floral notes of rose, citrus and grapefruit. Fresh finish with notes of English candy.

2. Dennis’ favorite is the 2016 Rivallana Rioja Reserva. We purchased this bottle at Costco for $9.99. The Wine Spectator rated this wine a 92 and the Wine Enthusiast a 90. It is a blend of 90% Tempranillo - 5% Mazuelo -3% Graciano - 2% Garnacha. Inky garnet in the glass, this wine has a nose of black currant, purple plum, rosemary and oregano. It is soft at first sip, then tannins build in volume, mingling with flavors of cassis, blackberry, dark chocolate, coffee bean, and salted almonds. There is a touch of salinity on an otherwise bright finish.

Next week our tasting will include:

1. 2021 Yulumba Barossa Shiraz. We purchased this wine from Wall to Wall Wine for $19.99.

2. 2019 Greg Norman, Limestone Coast Shiraz from Wall to Wall Wine for $15.50.

3. 2022 Yellow Tail Shiraz from Walmart for $5.99.

Dennis and Denise have a budget-friendly show tonight, with each wine costing less than $10. We randomly selected and tasted three white wines. Also, see if you can catch ten references to different songs.

See if Dennis and Denise can figure out what wines they are drinking tonight.

Tonight, our three wines include:

1. 2022 Bouchard Aine & Fils, Chardonnay, purchased at Costco for $9.99. Wine Enthusiast scored it a 92. It has between 11% - 14% alcohol. Floral notes on the nose, Palate is rich with vanilla, lemon, and peach notes.
2. 2023 Famille Perrin, Cotes Du Rhone Reserve, from Costco for $9.99. 13.5% alcohol. Made from Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viogneir. Nose – floral, apple, and peach. Clean and balanced with minerality. Serve with Mediterranean food, white fish, white meat, and Asian food. Serve at 50 degrees.
3. 2023 Vignobles Lacheteau. We purchased this 100% Sauvignon Blanc wine at Trader Joe’s for $6.99. It is fermented in stainless steel tanks with 11.5% alcohol. According to Blonde Voyage Nashville https://www.blondevoyagenashville.com, it has a pale/medium straw color, lemon, peach, green apple. It has slight grassiness on the nose with moderate acidity. Serve chilled. Perfect with cheddar, Gouda, or Havarti cheese. Also pairs with seafood.

Next week we will have something a little different. The Episode is called “What is Your Perfect Wine?” The two wines we will taste include:

1. 2022 Gerard Bertrand Rose. We purchased this wine at Costco for $12.99.

2. 2016 Rivallana Rioja Reserva that was purchased at Costco for $9.99.

Tonight, our wine-tasting duo takes part in our first-ever head-to-head challenge. We will examine the differences between the two wines and help you decide which wine is right for you.

Pinot Noir is the wine that made Burgundy France famous, but what about Pinot from the New World, specifically, California and Oregon.

Oregon is known for its Pinot, and its cooler climate has perfect growing conditions. Oregon Pinot is known for its earthiness, minerality, and fruitiness.

California Pinot is often a slightly heavier body, darker, and more fruit-forward wine.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2019 Talbott, Kali Hart Pinot Noir. https://www.talbottvineyards.com/ Purchased from Costco for $17.49. James Suckling gave this wine a 93. Wine Enthusiast rated it a 92. It comes from Monterey, Central Coast, California. Estate-grown, fruit-driven with just a touch of French Oak. Wine Enthusiast said aromas of cedar, grilled strawberry, and cracked pepper. Flavors of mace and cumin.

2. 2021 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir. https://www.wvv.com/ Purchased from Costco for $17.00. This wine comes from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. The Vineyard has iron-rich volcanic soils. They thin the grapes to increase the intensity of the grapes. It has raspberry, strawberry preserves, cardamom spice, and earth aromas. Another source says aromas of dried dark cherries, cinnamon, and cranberry. Taste of cherry, leather, tobacco, and fresh acidity. Ph of 3.33 - 3.50. Stainless steel barrels are used for fermentation.

Next week we will have a Bargain Hunt Show looking for great tasting white wines under $10. The wines will include:

1. 2022 Bouchard Aine & Fils, Chardonnay, purchased at Costco for $9.99.

2. 2023 Famille Perrin, Cotes Du Rhone from Costco for $9.99.

3. 2023 Vignobles Lacheteau, Sauvignon Blanc purchased at Trader Joe’s for $6.99.