This was No-Brand Night. Wines were selected for their uncommon sources, for the grapes that didn't come from the usual categories, the chardonnays, the merlots, the cotes du rhones and the like. Several wines appeared from countries other than the usual France/Italy/Australia countries, and several new good wines were uncovered.

Wines tasted in the following order:

Villardi Quartu - Vermentino di Sardegna 2001 - white, Sardinia - $16.95
- tasted strongly like sherry
- had a yellowish/rose color (was it off or not?)
- the cork was brittle and broke
- antiseptic aftertaste
- tasted better married with meat and/or olives

Masi Soave 2002 - white, Italy - $11.95
- a light, summery wine
- sweet with lemony overtones
- somewhat flinty finish
- probably best served very chilled

Marques de Riscal Rioja 1999 - red, Spain - $20+
- medium body
- raspberry flavor
- lively character
- taste very similar to a chianti

Torres Coronas 2001 - red, Spain - $10.95
- cherry flavor
- soft and well rounded
- arguably the second best wine of the evening

Pinotage 2002 - red, South Africa - $18.95
- full bodied
- fruity with predominant blueberry taste
- effervescent
- arguably the favorite of the evening

Chateauneuf du Pape - Clos de L'Oratoire des Papes 2001 - red, France - $37
- spicy/fruity bouquet
- lacked finish

Quinta de Abrigada - Alenquer 2000 - red, Potugal - $16.95
- thin, rather ordinary
- dry
- lacked flavor and character

Medoc Bordeaux 2002 - red, France - $14.95
- good bouquet
- peppery
- oaky

Travaglini - Gattinara 1998 - red, Italy - $31.00
- lean somewhat astringent
- lacked finish although good up front
- cherry/herbal flavor
- unique taste
- group was split on its value

Heritage Clone Zinfandel 2001 - red, California - $23.00
- strong berry flavor
- full bodied, balanced
- soft
- oaky with leather overtones

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