As promised - the wine reviews

I've decided to try my hat at wine reviews. Here are my impressions of some recent bottles I've been drinking--at the Big Fat Greek Dinner and at some informal get-together. If applicable, I've talked about where I got the wine, when I drank it, and if there were any food pairings.

Espiral Vinho Verde - Picked this up at Trader Joe's for less than a Starbucks Frappuchino. Very (but pleasantly) surprised when I opened it to find it was bubbly. Limes on the nose. Very acidic, fruity, maybe just a touch sweet. Served with Saganaki (flaming kasseri cheese). Was great as an aperitif. Going back to buy more of this.

Garnacha de Fuego - Medium-bodied red wine. Very smooth, mild tannins, good fruit, some nice spicy, peppery flavors. This was good on its own, and simply amazing with the lamb. A wine with broad appeal.

Boutari Retsina Wine - A white wine, from Greece! Apparently, this is a very old style of wine that was traditionally aged in containers (casks, bags) that were sealed with pine resin. As oak is to French wines, pine is to Greek wines. It's, uh, certainly piney. I'm not sure if I liked it. The pine pretty much overpowered everything else in the wine. I don't see this pairing well with food. Good wine for a sense of terroir, and an adventurous palate.

Verimonte Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Reserva - Fun and fruity. Like drinking a tropical fruit salad. Lots of grapefruit and tropical fruits on the nose. Nice and acidic. A Juicy wine, got my mouth watering while drinking it.

I don't know if it's because the weather has been so cold or if I just like the style, but I'm learning that I really enjoy dry or off-dry, tart white wines with a bunch of fruit flavors to balance them out. I'm definitely a bit tired of Chardonnay right now, especially if it's oaked.