White – California
Grgich Hills Estate Fumé Blanc, 2014 (Napa Valley); $31
Aromas of Granny Smith apple, lime zest, lemon and delicate grapefruit; vivid, bright and tartly crisp on the palate, with tangerine notes and a long, full-flavored finish.
White – Greece
Artemis Karamolegos Santorini PDO, 2014; $21
Spicy, mineral aroma with a hint of apple; very flavorful, with crisp acidity and notes of pineapple and honey.
White – Italy
Sperone Spumante Brut Prosecco DOC, NV; $4.99/187ml
Delicate aroma of apple, citrus and florals; fine mousse and bright, clean, fruity, pleasant flavor.
Rosé – California
Chateau St Jean Bijou Rosé, 2015 (California); $13.99
Strawberry, cherry aroma with a whiff of vanilla; delicious and very flavorful with notes of cherry skins and a touch of spice.
Rosé – France
Ferraton Pere & Fils Samorëns Côtes du Rhône Rosé, 2015; $14
Creamy strawberry aroma with a hint of Red Delicious apple; clean, crisp flavor of raspberry and red plum.
Haut Vol Rosé, 2015 (Vin de France); $13.99
Fresh strawberry and rose petal aroma; bright berry flavor with racy acidity and a crisp, citrusy finish.
Rosé – Italy
Franco Serra Rosato Piemonte DOC, 2015; $9.99
Delicate berry aroma; clean and refreshing with tart strawberry, cherry and cranberry flavor.
Red – California
Mark West Pinot Noir, 2014 (California); $10.99
Smoky aroma with notes of eucalyptus, plums, earth and subtle cigar; firm tannins, smoky cherry flavor and a peppery finish.
Mark West Pinot Noir Black, 2014 (Monterey County); $13.99
Aroma of dark plum and currant with a touch of sweet earth; fruity, juicy flavor of smoky black cherry with tobacco notes on the finish.
Run Riot Pinot Noir, 2014 (Central Coast); $16.99
Aroma hints of eucalyptus and dark chocolate laced with red currant; juicy, full fruit with notes of vanilla, dark cherries and cocoa.
Red – France
Domaine du Théron Cuvée Prestige Malbec, 2011 (Cahors); $18
Rich cassis aroma with a hint of violet; pronounced tannins and concentrated dried fruit flavor with a touch of leather.
Red – Germany
Carl Ehrhard Rüdesheim Kirchenpfad Spätburgunder Trocken, 2013 (Rheingau); $15.99
Violet and tea leaf aroma with hints of wild berries and freshly ground pepper; nicely balanced, with ripe Bing cherry flavor and good tannic backbone.
Red – Italy
Frescobaldi Rèmole, 2014 (Toscana IGT); $10
Bright cherry aroma with a touch of chocolate and vanilla; ripe, tart, fresh fruit flavor, moderate tannins and a clean finish. Great value!
Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Rosso DOC, 2013; $21 (2)
Complex, inviting aromas of earth, black licorice, cocoa and baking spice; delicious, with rich, ripe chocolaty fruit and lingering, bright finish.
Prices may vary.
Can a Can Be Good?
Yep. That’s what we concluded after tasting MANCAN wines – a white, a red and a white fizzy. The brainchild of Clevelander Graham Veysey, the non-vintage blends are made in California using California grapes and come in 375 ml cans – the equivalent of a half bottle. The 4-packs sell for about $19.99. The wines, say the company’s PR materials, are “based on the easy-drinking flavors we wish all wine had.” We’ll follow the directive printed on the side of the can: “Just do us a favor and don’t talk about the ‘aroma.’”
So we’ll just say MANCAN tastes good. Even if you’re a woman.
Prices may vary.
