Reviews and Awards             Wine Blogs and Chats
	WINES
Augey	White Bordeaux 2003 82 "Recommended" Beverage Testing Institute, 11/04 Red Bordeaux 2003 84 "Recommended" Beverage Testing Institute, 11/04
Beviamo	Beviamo NV  Silver Medal, 2007 Grand Harvest Awards   Silver Medal, 2007 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo`s Wine Competition   Silver Medal 86pts "Highly Recommeded", 2006 World Wine Championship
Casa di Rocco	Prosecco 91 Mid West Wine Connection 12/06 Gold Medal 2007 Grand Harvest Awards Pinot Grigio 2005 86 "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 6/06 Pinot Grigio 2004 86 "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 2/06 Bronze Medal American Wine Society 2005 Silver Medal Florida State Fair Intl. Wine Competition 2006 Chianti 2004 4-corks "Very Good" Midwest Wine Connection 10/05 Silver Medal Florida State Fair Intl. Wine Competition 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva 1999 Silver Medal American Wine Society 2005 Silver Medal Florida State Fair Intl. Wine Competition 2006
Collection des Chateaux	Bronze Medal, INDY International Wine Competition 2006
Conquista	Conquista 2005 #9 of the "Top 100 Best Buy Wines of 2007" Wine Enthusiast 12/07   89 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 2/07 89 pts, Midwest Wine Connection 12/06 Bronze, 84 pts, "Recommended" Beverage Testing Institute, 2006 World Value Wine Challenge Conquista 2004 84 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 11/15/05 Silver Medal Grand Harvest Awards 2006 Silver Medal Florida State Fair Intl. Wine Competition 2006 Bronze Medal American Wine Society 2005 Featured, "It`s balanced, with a touch of spice, and is also a great value", Mpls St Paul Magazine www.msp.com 2006
Chateau Grand Duroc Milon	Silver Medal, INDY International Wine Competition 2006
Chateau La Fleur	Bronze Medal, INDY International Wine Competition 2006
Cuvee Anne Laure	Rielsing 2005 Silver Medal, 2007 Grand Harvest Awards                                                                  Rielsing 2004 Top Value from Alsace Wine Spectator 10/28/06 89 pts, "Very Good" Wine Spectator 10/15/06 Riesling 2003 "Top 100 Best Buy Wines of 2005" (#76) Wine Enthusiast 12/31/05 88 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 11/1/05 Featured "elegant mineral notes...compares favorably to more expensive Alsatian Rieslings." Wine Finds. Des Moines Register 11/17/05 Bronze Medal, San Diego Intl Wine Competition 2005 3+1/2 corks "Very Good" Midwest Wine Connection 8/05 Pinot Blanc 2004 Concordance Gold Medal, INDY International Wine Competition 2006 83 pts, "Good" Wine Spectator 10/15/06 Gewurtraminer 2004 85 pts, "Very Good" Wine Spectator 10/15/06 Bronze Medal, INDY International Wine Competition 2006 Gewurtraminer 2003 86 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 11/1/05
Enciro	El Bully Monastrell-Merlot 2004 86 pts., "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 11/1/05 84 pts., Wine Spectator 04/30/05 Gold Medal, Florida State Fair Intl. Wine Competition 2006 Bronze Medal Sandestin Wine Fesitival 2006 84 pts, Wine & Spirits 10/05 Bronze Medal American Wine Society 2005 "Taster`s Choice" 3 stars Mpls Star Tribune 9/8/05 84 pts, "Recommended" Wine & Spirits 10/05 "Very Good" Midwest Wine Connection 7/05
Famenco	Tempranillo 2004 84 pts, "Recommended" Wine Spectator 8/31/05 Gold Medal, International Eastern Wine Competition 2005 Chairmans Award (unanimous Golds), Riverside Intl Wine Competition (CA) 2005 Named one of "Top 7 for $7," Midwest Wine Connection 4/05 Bronze Medal, Los Angeles County Fair Wines of the World Competition 2005 Recommended Sante 9/05
Gionelli	Pinot Grigio 2004 Bronze Medal, Florida State Fair Intl. Wine Competition 2006
Hoshi	Not yet rated.
IQ	Riesling 2004 Silver Medal American Wine Society 2005 Bronze Medal Institute German Wine Challenge Beverage Testing Institute 2005 Riesling 2002 Bronze Medal, American Wine Society Competition 2004 Featured in Fort Myers, FL News-Press 11/10/04 & Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) 11/21/04; 83 pts, "Recommended" Wine Enthusiast 11/1/04; 3-cork "Good" rating Midwest Wine Connection 7/04
J.J. Muller	Riesling 2003 3-cork "Good" rating Midwest Wine Connection 2/05 82 pts, "Recommended" Wine Enthusiast 11/1/04
La Joya	Cabernet-Shiraz (Box) "Hot New Wine," "Very Good" 4-corks: "...silky smooth...Quite lively and intense." Midwest Wine Connection 8/05 Cabernet-Carmenere (Box) "Hot New Wine," "Very Good" 4-corks: "...with depth and strength...Quite lively and intense." Midwest Wine Connection 8/05 Carmenere 2003 Gold Medal, Annual Wines of Chile Awards 2005 Carmenere 2002  "Top 5 Wine Values of 2005" Midwest Wine Connection 12/05 Silver Medal Concours Mondial (Brussels) 2004 Chardonnay 2006 Silver Medal, 2007 Grand Harvest Awards Chardonnay 2004 Named one of "$7 Winners," Midwest Wine Connection, 4/05 Sauvignon Blanc 2004: Named one of "Top 7 for $7," Midwest Wine Connection 4/05 Reserve Carmenere 2004 87 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 3/06 Reserve Carmenere 2001 Bronze Medal, New World Intl Wine Competition 2005 84 pts, “Recommended” Beverage Testing Institute 8/04 Bronze Medal International Wine Challenge 2004 Reserve Carmenere 2002 " Wine of the Month" 4-cork "Very Good" rating Midwest Wine Connection 2/05; Silver Medal Concours Mondial (Brussels) 2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 #24 "Top 100 Best Buy Wines of 2006" Wine Enthusiast 12/31/06 89 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 5/06 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 87 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 12/15/05 84 pts, “Recommended” Beverage Testing Institute 8/04 Reserve Cabernet Malbec 2004 85 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 5/06 Reserve Merlot 2003  "Top 100 Best Buy Wines of 2005" (#44) Wine Enthusiast 12/31/05 88 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 12/15/05 Silver Medal, New World Intl Wine Competition 2005 Bronze Medal, Florida State Wine Competition 2005 Silver Medal Catador Hyatt Wine Awards 2004 Reserve Gewurztraminer 2004 Gold Medal Catador Hyatt Wine Awards 2004 4-cork "Very Good" rating Midwest Wine Connection 12/04 Sauvignon Balnc Reserve 2006 Grand Gold Medal, Catador Grand Hyatt 2006 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2004  84 pts, Wine Enthusiast 3/06 Silver Medal, New World Intl Wine Competition 2005 Bronze Medal, Florida State Wine Competition 2005 Reserve Shiraz 2004 86 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 3/06 Reserve Shiraz 2003 82 pts, Wine Enthusiast 12/15/05 Reserve Syrah 2002 Gold Medal Vinalies Internationales (Paris) 2004 Bronze Medal International Wine Challenge 2004 Gran Reserve Chardonnay 2004 87 pts, Wine Enthusiast 12/31/06 Gran Reserve Chardonnay 2003 85 pts, Wine Enthusiast 12/15/05 Gran Reserve Chardonnay 2002 "Best Value," Twin Cities Food and Wine Experience 2005 Gran Reserve Merlot 2002 86 pts, Wine Enthusiast 5/06 Gran Reserve Cabernet 2002 85 pts, Wine Enthusiast 12/15/05 Gran Reserve Carmenere 2002 88 pts, Best Buy Wine Enthusiast 12/15/05 Gran Reserve Carmenere 2003 89 pts, Best Buy Wine Enthusiast 3/06
Le Grand Noir	Pinot Noir 2005 Twin Cities BEST VALUE Pinot Noir, Twin Cities Food & Wine Expiriance 2007 88 pts, "Very Good" Midwest Wine Connection 8/06 Silver Medal, INDY International Wine Competition 2006 Featured in Des Moines Register “Wine Finds” 3/02/06:  "...warm, spice-tinged wine with deep cherry notes - a distinctive sip for the price…” Chardonnay Viognier 2004 Silver Medal, Sandestin Wine Fesitival 2006 85 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 11/15/05 Bronze Medal, Intl Eastern Wine Competition 2005 "Wine of the Week" feature, Winnipeg (Canada) Free Press, 6/22/05: "...a winning combination of mineral and ripe Chardonnay and of white peach-scented Viognier." Bronze Medal, Florida State Fair Intl. Wine Competition 2006 Chardonnay Viognier 2003 Bronze Medal, American Wine Society Competition 2004 Cabernet Shiraz 2003 87 pts, "Best Value" Wine Spectator 8/31/05 84 pts, Wine Enthusiast 11/15/05 Bronze Medal, Florida State Fair Intl. Wine Competition 2006 Cabernet Shiraz 2002 Bronze Medal, Florida State Fair Wine Competition 2005 Bronze Medal, American Wine Society Competition 2004 2+1/2 stars "Recommended" rating Minneapolis Star Tribune 7/29/04 "Top 5 Wines of 2003" Midwest Wine Connection
Luccio	Chianti 2002 84 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 4/05 Chianti Classico 2002  Silver Medal, American Wine Society 2004 Pinot Grigio 2005 Bronze Medal, 84pts "Recommended" 2006 World Wine Championships Beverage Testing Institute Pinot Grigio 2004 Recommended Sante 11/05 Pinot Grigio 2003 Named one of "$7 Winners," Midwest Wine Connection, 4/05 Moscato N/V Silver Medal, 89 pts, "Highly Recommended", Beverage Testing Institute, 2006 World Value Wine Challenge 87 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 11/15/04 Recommended Sante 3/06 85 pts, "Best Buy" Beverage Testing Institute 8/04 Featured in Winona Daily News “Wine Wise” 3/2/05: “Lush, ultra-smooth, lively and mellow, upfront fruit…lovely lush aperitif and dessert wine…” Featured in Des Moines Register “Wine Finds” 2/10/05:  “…go for the lavishly fruity, slightly fizzy Luccio Moscato d’Asti…” Named one of "Top 5 Sparklers of 2004," Midwest Wine Connection 12/04 Asti N/V 86 pts, "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 12/15/04
Manyana	Tempranillo 2005 Silver Medal, 88 pts, "Highly Recommended" "Exceptional Value" Beverage Testing Institute, 2006 World Value Wine Challenge Tempranillo 2003 82 pts, Wine Spectator, 09/30/05 Recommended Sante 3/06 Bronze Medal, Riverside Intl Wine Competition (CA) 2005 Bronze Medal, Grand Harvest Awards 2005 Bronze Medal, Florida State Wine Competition 2005 Bronze Medal, American Wine Society 2004 Recommended Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 1/16/05 Named "Best of the City" in Las Vegas Life Magazine 12/04 Named "Original Great Gift Wine for 2004" Midwest Wine Connection 12/04 Crianza 2004 Silver Medal Grand Harvest Awards 2006 Crianza 2001 84 pts, Wine Spectator 04/06 Silver Medal, Florida State Fair Intl. Wine Competition 2006 94 pts "Outstanding" Midwest Wine Connection 12/05
Nachtgold	Nachtgold Bronze Medal, INDY International Wine Competition 2006
Overstone	Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Gold Medal 2007 San Francisco Wine Competition Silver Medal, 87 pts, "Highly Recommended", Beverage Testing Institute, 2007 World Wine Championships Sauvignon Blanc 2007 88 pts "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 12/07
Pago del Vostal	2004 4-corks "Very Good" Midwest Wine Connection 9/05 Crianza 2002 83 pts Wine Enthusiast 2/06 4-corks "Very Good" Midwest Wine Connection 9/05 Reserva 1998 4+1/2-corks "Excellent" Midwest Wine Connection 9/05
St. Gabriel	Riesling (Boxed) "...a real crowd pleaser."  Wine Finds. Des Moines Register 11/17/05 Riesling (Boxed) "Hot New Wine," Midwest Wine Connection 8/05 Recommended: "handy, good value" in "Wine Wise" Winona Daily News 7/19/05 Riesling (Blue Bottle) 2003 84 pts, “Best Buy” Wine Enthusiast 11/1/04 Kabinett Riesling 2003 Recommended in "Wine Wise," Winona Daily News, 7/19/05 Kabinett Riesling 2002 Recommended Winona Daily News 11/24/04 83 pts, Wine Enthusiast 11/1/04 3-corks "Good" Midwest Wine Connection 7/04 Spatlese Riesling 2005 Double Gold Medal, 2006 San Francisco Wine Competition    Gold Medal 2007 Grand Harvest Awards Spatlese Riesling 2004 Bronze Medal German Wine Challenge Beverage Testing Institute 2005 Spatlese Riesling 2002 Recommended Winona Daily News 11/24/04 84 pts, “Best Buy” Wine Enthusiast 11/1/04  One of Top “5 Rieslings to Watch" Midwest Wine Connection 7/04 Auslese Riesling 2005 86 "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 6/2007                                   Gold Medal 2007 Grand Harvest Awards Auslese Riesling 2002 "Top 100 Best Buy Wines of 2004" (#63) Wine Enthusiast 12/31/04 "Best Buy" Wine Enthusiast 12/15/04 One of Top “5 Rieslings to Watch” Midwest Wine Connection 7/04 Piesporter Michelsberg Recommended "Wine Wise" Winona Daily News 7/19/05
Starling Castle	Riesling 2006  Silver Medal, 88 pts, "Best Buy" Beverage Testing Institute, 2007 German Wine Challenge Riesling 2005  Silver Medal, 86 pts, "Highly Recommended" Beverage Testing Institute, 2006 World Value Wine Challenge Silver Medal, 2007 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo`s Wine Competition 88 pts, "Very Good" Midwest Wine Connection 8/06 Silver Medal, INDY International Wine Competition 2006 Riesling 2004 84 pts, Wine Enthusiast 2/06 Bronze Medal, Florida State Fair Intl. Wine Competition 2006 Bronze Medal American Wine Society 2005 4-corks "Very Good" Midwest Wine Connection 8/05 Recommended "Datebook Diner" Des Moines Register 7/21/05: "...a lightly sweet German that I loved...fresh, fruity appeal...a patio pick."
Porto Cruz	Tawny Gold Medal Concours Mondial (Brussels) 2003 Silver Medal Japan Wine Challenge 2003 Gold Leaf Award Wine Masters Challenge (Portugal) 2002 Special Reserve Gold Medal Concours Mondial (Brussels) 2003 Gold Medal Vinalies Internationales (Paris) 2003 Gold Medal International Wine Challenge 2003 Silver Medal International Wine Contest (Brussels) 2003 Vintage 1989 Gold Medal Concours Mondial (Brussels) 2003 Gold Medal Vinalies Internationales (Paris) 2003 Gold Medal Mundis Vini (Germany) 2002 Gold Medal Les Citadelles du Vin (Portugal) 2002 Gold Medal Bacchus de Plata (Madrid) 2002 Gold Medal Consurso Nacional de Vinhos (Lisbon) 2002
Temple	82 pts, "Recommended" Beverage Testing Institute 10/04
Vega del Rio	Rioja 2003 82 pts, Wine Enthusiast 2/06 One of "Top 4 New Wines to Watch and Taste," 4-corks "Very Good" Midwest Wine Connection 8/05 Crianza 2002 Bronze Medal American Wine Society 2005 Bronze Medal, INDY International Wine Competition 2006
Vina Vilano	Vina Vilano Rosado 2005 88 pts. "...packed full of strawberry flavors and easy to sip, this is a perfect summer quaffer." Midwest Wine Connection 06/06 Bronze Medal, INDY International Wine Competition 2006
Zeal	Zeal 2006 Twin Cities BEST VALUE Sauvignon Blanc, Twin Cities Food & Wine Expiriance 2007 89 pts, Wine&Spirits Febuary 2007 Zeal 2005 Gold Medal Grand Harvest Awards 2006 Sliver Medal, Florida State Fair Intl. Wine Competition 2006 84 pts, Wine Enthusiast 5/06 Bronze Medal, INDY International Wine Competition 2006 Zeal 2004 93 pts "Outstanding" Midwest Wine Connection 12/05
SPIRITS
O`Reillys	Irish Cream Gold Medal, 90 pts., "EXCEPTIONAL" BEST BUY 2006 International Review of Spirits BTI Silver Medal (Best in Class) Intl Wine & Spirits Competition (London) 2005 White Chocolate Gold Medal, 91 pts., "EXCEPTIONAL" BEST BUY 2006 International Review of Spirits BTI Silver Medal Intl Wine & Spirits Competition (London) 2005 Mint Chocolate Gold Medal, 91 pts., "EXCEPTIONAL" BEST BUY 2007 International Review of Spirits BTI