20 Best Wine For Date Night (2023 Updated)

I ordered the Chardonnay 11. 5% Kit last November 2019. Everyone thinks it’s the best they’ve ever *****. Ok they usually buy less than $10 per bottle of wine, but still, they aren’t ones to give out compliments.

How did I do it. I created a lalvin D47 yeast slurry the day prior using a quart of apple juice (do not use diet or juice with preservatives) and D47 yeast(1/2 of the apple juice bottle). Prior to opening the chardonnay grape juice bag I mixed the bentonite mixture and let it sit.

I then poured the chardonnay grape juice out of the bag that came with the kit into a 6. 5-gallon bucket. I kept adding spring water until I hit my target Specific Gravity. I then transferred 1/2 of the chardonnay juice using a sterilized mixing bowl into another sterilized bucket.

I did this to avoid any foam over during initial fermentation. Plus easier to carry and lift. I mixed the bentonite mixture once again and it was ready, I poured 1/2 into one bucket and 1/2 into the other bucket and mixed the buckets.

I poured 1/2 of the D47 slurry into one bucket and the other half of the slurry into the other bucket. The slurry was one quart and I added the leftover apple juice into the almost empty slurry bottle and added that to the juice buckets (1/2 gallon in all).

I snapped on the lids and put the buckets in a dark area until SG reached 1. 000. I then racked both buckets into a 5-gallon carboy and a 1-gallon jug. The wine was stored in a 60-degree area and cleared in a few weeks later on its own.

After which I racked once more, that cleared even quicker. I ended up racking 5 bottles out of the 1-gallon jug after several more months of aging. The 5-gallon carboy is aged a year and collected a dusting of sediment at the bottom, it is super clear.

So I will rack once more and let sit for a couple of weeks and then bottle the 5-gallon carboy. I used the D47 yeast because of the body and mouthfeel it’s supposed to bring to the wine. It worked. I could have added the dry yeast into the buckets, but I wanted to make sure the wine had a good start.

My tester bottles were from the 1-gallon jug. Maybe I will add oak chips to the 5-gallon carboy when I rack in again. The wine was ready to drink within 6 months, based on my tester bottles, but as they aged each one was better than the last.

It was fun, as usual, one of their wonderful kits, and a pleasant surprise after tasting a batch of CALif. Cab after 30 days, as it was fine, but got totally unreal wonderful after a couple more months maturing.

Reminded me of tasty real expensive Cabs I drank at wine tastings. The concentrate arrived super secure in double boxes and padding, ready to pour into the filtered pure water at 75 degrees, yeast, and I’m cookin.

Ha Ha. Nice tasting, about 11-12 alcohol, and deep beautiful color. I recommend.

I’ve been purchasing assorted kits from Wine Lovers regularly for a number of years, and have enjoyed their offerings immensely. I understand there are good and bad grape years though. This wine was a mild disappointment.

It basically had no bouquet, coated my tongue with the taste of the grape skin, and left a slightly sharp after-taste. My family described it as drinkable. That’s not what I want to hear 🙂 I did, however, find that in (in glass) blending it with a heavy tannin red (read Merlot), it made for a great semi-blush.

Yes, it came in at the expected ABV.

I am a sweet, semi-sweet wine lover. That is what I always buy. I expected to like the Stella Rosa Pink as it is labeled “semi-sweet”. It is not. To my taste, the wine is so sweet it’s almost syrupy.

Tried adding club soda to cut the sweetness, but it’s just too sweet. Maybe my taste buds are off, but it is much to sweet and almost undrinkable. I bought 3 bottles if the stuff! Will get rid of it, unles I can find a way to make it more drinkable.

Recommend this only if you like syrupy, honey sweet wine.

The product description for this wine is spot on. It is rich, full, and scintillating. The palate is mouthwatering and smooth with a hint of chocolate. The finish is voluptuous with soft, velvety tannins.

It paired well with a rich plate of fettuccine carbonara with Italian sausage. In my opinion, it is better than the Macchia Mischievous Zen which I have been drinking for a few years. I will definitely buy more Saldo.

It tastes much better than a $25 bottle of wine. Salud to Saldo!!!.

Saldo Zin has always been a favorite, and we are glad that we have a goodly amount of the 2017 and 2018 in our cellar. We bought 6 of what several retailers called “Saldo 2019” although the year 2019 is nowhere on the bottle.

Our mistake for buying a non-vintage! Saldo has quickly de-volved from a once-great wine to a wine that is barely drinkable, but with no pleasure in doing so. We are done with Saldo. When we need a cheap Zin we will go to Bogle Zin and get 3 bottles instead of 1 Saldo NV.

I admire Prisoner mostly for their blending chops. My faves are the classic red blend and Blindfold, which I love. So it’s nice surprise to see great execution on a single varietal. With Zin being the backbone of the Prisoner oeuvre, this wine provides a great window of the quality of Zins that forms their foundation (count ’em – mixed four metaphors and it’s only lunchtime).

I do not drink wine usually because I don’t care for most of it. When I do it’s usually a Prosecco. This was so good! It’s light, obviously bubbly, sweet but not overpowering sweet. It didn’t dry my mouth out and it’s very affordable.

If you are hesitant to buy wine because you don’t know what to buy and don’t want to waste money. give this a try. Good to have on date night or a casual get together.

This wine is definitely the grab when you have guest over and don’t want to open your expensive bottles. (Inlaws for instance jk lol) But nevertheless everyone always wants more including yourself. Tasty and definitely makes you want more.

Especially if your on budget because the kids stay in your pockets and leave you with little to enjoy at night from all the hard work you did in a day lol. But get it and try.

I tried this at BJ’s Restaurant in Harbison and I’ve been in love since that first sip. The flavors change as you drink, honey, citrus, peach and apricot. Its smooth, refreshing and sweet. I enjoyed a steak with some berry cider as my entree and then I ordered a glass of this wine as my dessert.

It was a wonderful a choice and I went straight to total wines and bought three bottles.

1st time I ever had this wine was at Maggianos 5 years ago. It was so good! After I went on a quest to locate it for the following weekend. We end up drinking this in the bridal sweet on my best friends wedding day while getting ready instead of champagne.

I always recommend or gift it to some I know that prefers sweet to dry wines.

Admittedly, I’m not a deep red Cab kind of wine fan. Give me a tawny port, and life is good. But Saracco is my go to favorite. Not super sweet like some, but don’t get me wrong. It’s a sweet wine. But not syrup like some moscatos.

Light. Crisp. Bubbly. And normally $13-$15. We serve it at the holidays by the case. It’s great to mix with orange juice for a sweet mimosa. (Add a little grand marnier!) Works well with cranberry too, or just as breakfast bubbly.

And it’s only 5%-6%, so super light and great for those new to wine. It’s literally been my favorite moscato for over 20 years. Enjoy!.

I honestly don’t like the taste of alcohol, but this one is a refreshingly sweet, fruity, and lightly bubbly white wine that has hardly an alcohol taste and is my new favorite. My friend introduced it to me as a dessert wine.

I am definitely not a wine connoisseur and I have not tried any other Moscato d’Asti, but if you like the sound of what I described, then you will like this one by Saracco. I found that Total Wine has the best local price for it and an even better deal if you purchase 6 or more.

It’s a very sweet and soft white. It goes down smooth and leaves your taste buds wanting more. I paired this with my favorite dinner; it made the overall meal and ambience better. Definitely recommend!.

My new favorite wine in the world!! I tried this off the Disney Cruise Line where it goes for $51 a bottle. Even at that price I loved it. Imagine how thrilled I was to come home and find out with the pick 6 at Total Wine I can get it for less than $17 a bottle/ Oh so delicious and special.

Perfect to celebrate love, birthdays or anything else your heart desires!! Sweet without that sickening sweetness too many wines that call themselves “Sweet Red” have. Pure wonderfulness!! Good cold or at room temp.

Good with chocolate and with birthday cake!!.

This is one of my FAVES. First tasted at the Rose Mansion in NYC, and was immediately like “Yes. Take my money” Fruity but not overbearing, sweet but not sugary. A really good blend when it’s a girls night and you’re not sure what bottle to bring.

My taste for wine is Josh wines Cabernet Sauvignon, and to me, this is a sparkling, slightly sweeter version.

Quite bubbly like champagne. Dark ruby in color but sweeter than expected. Smooth beginning with dark ripe fruit finish. Flavors of black cherry, caramel and raspberry. Light sipping sparkly wine.

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I was given the opportunity to review the Bar Dog Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 California wine. The overall aesthetic of this bottle is very pleasing to any dog lover. It features a dog wearing a gold monocle.

It’s cute. it’s quirky. It catches your attention. This is a great conversation starter if you’re sharing this bottle of wine with a new acquaintance or a first date. Something I also like about this wine is that it is moderately priced.

It is not the cheapest wine. It is not the most expensive wine. This is a nice wine that you could pick up on a regular basis without breaking the bank. Any dog lover will definitely want to support this particular brand if you love dogs and wine, because not only does this actually have a very full body and rich taste, but they also make an annual donation to the local Wine Country Animal Rescue.

Any time I can indulge in food or drink that also gives back to a great cause, I’m in. The wine pairs perfectly with pizza – my selection would be the classic pepperoni pizza. The spice that is in the Cabernet Savignon is well balanced.

It’s not underwhelming; and it’s not overwhelming. I detect fruity notes, but I don’t know the exactly the notes that they have included in their particular recipe of Cabernet Savignon. At first sniff, I detect a rich cherry scent followed by a well-balanced spice scent.

This wine is readily available at Target stores, so you won’t have problems finding it as long as you are near a Target location. If you’re in a rush, you’re also able to order this wine in advance and simply pick it up or have them bring it out to curbside delivery.

I’m so happy that I have given Bar Dog Cabernet Sauvignon wine a try, because I know that this will now be a new addition to my wine library.

This was my first experience with The Bar Dog brand and I have to say I’m pretty satisfied with my experience! The smooth yet subtle taste of blueberry and cocoa work really well together in this red wine.

It’s easy to drink and from personal experience pairs nicely with a juicy steak. The price point is completely reasonable and after having such a pleasant experience with this Cabernet Sauvignon I look forward to trying other wines made by the brand and will also be purchasing this one again in the future.

This was my first tasting The Bar Dog brand and I love it! It is delicious. It has a smooth yet subtle taste of blueberry and cocoa, which work really well in this red wine. It paired perfectly with my steak.

The price point is also very attractive and reasonable. As a dog owner, I also absolutely love the brand name and the aesthetics on the label.

Hopefuly it will taste as good as the bottle looks😉😍

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Ok so. we’ve gone through the gamete , trying this and that. I’ve settle on Merlot wines. Its been a very long time since I bought a wine. Prices, not really happy with it, “too heavy”. What do I know about wine, not much.

A few years later, I was in Spouts felt lucky and really wanting a nice wine. I stared at the selection for a long while. I thought what the heck this bottle is talking to me. I made a shrimp,green bean, tomato on pasta dinner, lots of butter and garlic plus herbs.

Of course the bottle of Josh Merlot was airing out in my favorite decanter. It hadn’t seen the day of light in years. I through caution to the wind and pour a heavy two glass plus fill in the decanter.

When it all came together you can’t imagine the joy. I lost my husband suddenly may 2020. I began to eat my delicious dinner with gusto, when I tasted this wine I stood up and said “OH MY GOD” it was soo good.

I was so delighted and finished the decanter. It was not “heavy” surprise to me. So yummy until the last drop. When you have a moment like that you want to share it. I think this my wine to go to. Sweet Moments Of Life.

As far as domestic wines coming from the mass production vineyards of California go, it’s not bad. It’s dry and with some very high oak notes coupled with some vanilla sweetness from the aging process.

I would not go so far as to call this complex or layered. It tastes pretty much like every other California cabernet. More sweet than earthy. But hey the price is right and you can put it on the table in mixed (friendly) company and not be ashamed of the label.

Especially if any of your guests watch PBS because this vineyard sponsors pretty much every cooking show. I’d probably use this more for cooking and braising than drinking in the future.

This wine will never receive an award at a Paris tasting. No problem. This wine is excellent for your every-day quaff with food or by itself. For the price-point, you can’t beat a reliable name like Robert Mondavi.

Red fruit forward on the nose, with strawberry and cherry, cherry cola, and red licorice. Similar on the palette, along with hints of oak, vanilla, and chocolate, with a creamy texture that doesn’t overpower.

This is not a super complex wine, but it satisfies the taste buds and does what it’s supposed to do. like a white T-shirt that fits just fine. It won’t turn the fashion industry upside-down but it serves its purpose.

My first experience with wine aged in whisky barrels. The nose is slightly smoky, with dark fruit and then the distinct smell of bourbon. It’s medium bodied in the mouth with, berries, oak and then the bourbon finishes.

I was pleasantly surprised with how smooth this is. Can’t decide if itsit’s whisky or wine kind of evening? Try some of both.

They only sell small bottles so you have to buy two to get a normal volume. I tried this for the first time at a Brazilian steakhouse in Myrtle Beach and fell in love. Before TOTAL Wine opened I had to order it to be shipped.

Mind you I am not a big drinker in general, and when I do drink I never finish what I get, but this wine! This wine I will finish two bottles in a weekend! It’s that good!.

I’ve tried many moscatos, and this one is the best I’ve tried. It’s balanced beautifully. It’s sweet but not cloying, smooth in both flavor and texture, and goes down very easily! Perfection.

We lean toward dessert wines to accompany a light meal. Been experimenting with ice wine, fortified muscats and sparking moscato de asti. Was introduced to this simple, still Italian moscato at a restaurant.

Price was right and the flavor was divine! Bottle price at Total Wine was even better, especially doing an in-store pickup of an on-line order– found it, ordered it and picked it up, all within three hours.

This is the way to shop!.

I bought this on recommendation from some friends, who apparently love it. This is what happens when a winemaker doesn’t want you to taste their grapes. Chardonnay can be beautiful, but this is just an obscene representation of how much new oak and malolactic acid can be pumped into a bottle.

If you like buttery oak bombs, this is probably right up your alley — but it can hardly be called wine.

Chardonnay should have a buttery texture, not flavor. Something obviously got lost in translation aams California Chardonnay’s all have an artificial butter flavor. Like microwave popcorn. It is supposed to be texture, not flavor.

Absolutely disgusting.

The nose of this wine is like a breath of bracing, perfumed coastal air. If you tried to separate the complex flavors, with a little focus lemon and mango can be detected, along with lovely hints of butter and vanilla.

There is a weighty roundness of texture, accented by a gentle smack of delicious acidity bringing the multiple components together, and ultimately closing out the lengthy finish. Good by itself or properly paired with food.

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