The Wine Guide

Take a trip down memory lane and remember the highs and lows discussed during each episode of VinoVolley. This page will be a catalog of each wine consumed during the podcast as well as the price, score, and tasting notes provided by Ryan and I. All the wines we rate are opened, poured through an aerator, and site for about 5 minutes before our first sip. Each wine is linked to Vivino to assist with finding the bottle if you wish to try it for yourself.

Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga focuses on holding passive poses for extended periods, promoting relaxation and reducing stress by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system.
Duration: 45 minutes

Episode 1: Clean Start
Wine: Vale Do Bomfim
Ryan's Score: 6.7
Mike's Score: 6.9

Episode 2: The Dark Arts
Wine: Maggio Family Vineyards Petite Sirah
Ryan's Score: 7.6
Mike's Score: 7.7

The first episode of VinoVolley started off with a rocky start with our consumption of the Dow winery's Vale Do Bomfim. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Barroca came in with an average score of 6.8. Average price around $14 this field blend had strong notes of cherry and vanilla with a dry/peppery finish. If you find yourselves in the mood we do recommend popping that cork, decanting, and then walking away from it for a good twenty minutes to maximize what this wine has to offer.

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Episode 3: The Lighter Side
Wine: Beaujolais
Ryan's Score: 7.8
Mike's Score: 7.2

This episode we took a deep dive into the darker tactics in soccer and thus had ourselves one of the darkest grapes around. The Maggio Petite Sirah came in with a solid 7.6 on the VinoVolley scale. A screw top with a gentle yet acidic first sip. It is for sure a bold wine with an alcohol content of 13.5. I did encounter a slight burn on the first taste, but again that could have been due to the vicious respiratory infection. Don't let the nose deter you as notes of chocolate and raspberry make this wine a must try at an average price $11.

Discussing the lighter side of soccer brought us to the Gamay grape and a Louis Jadot Beaujolais which is the lightest red wine grape you can try. Priced at around $13 a bottle this wine was light, easy drinking, with a dry finsh and strong Strawberry notes on the nose and lips. The score is an average of a 7.8 (Ryan) and a 7.2 (Mike). If you are looking for a easy drinking summer red this is the wine for you.

Episode 4: The Saudi Impact
Wine: Massaya
Ryan's Score: 7.9
Mike's Score: 7.6

Finding the closest Country to Saudi Arabia Ryan and I partake in our first Lebonese wine. A combination of Granache, Tempranillo, and Cinsault this red blend held up to its description as a light easy drinking wine. Don't be fooled by how light it is though as this wine packs a punch at 14.5%. This wine had a very fruity nose, little in the legs department, a fruit forward taste of tart bluberry, and a dry finish. If you have never had Lebonese wine we recommend you give it a try!

Episode 5: Coaching in the Modern Era
Wine: Vina Zorzal
Ryan's Score: 8.0
Mike's Score: 7.5

First Spanish wine in the books with the Vina Zorzal Graciano. Although we did not pick up any floral or dairy notes it was a deliciously dry and tannic wine with strong hints of apple, grapefruit (confirmed off air by Ryan), and berry. Priced at roughly $15 this wine definitely punched above its weight and was a joy to drink.

Episode 6: History of the Scarf
Wine: Le Grand Noir GSM
Ryan's Score: 7.7
Mike's Score: 7.5

Felt this wine deep down in our plums! Strong hints of Blackberry on the nose. Ripe Plum and Blackberry complemented by a minerally dry finish. Medium bodied wine that does not disappoint at an average of $11.

Episode 7: Soccer in Cinema
Wine: Coppolla Wine Diamond Collection Cabernet Sauvignon
Ryan's Score: 8.1
Mike's Score: 7.7

And the Oscar goes to.......Coppola Wine for their product Diamond Collection Cabernet Sauvignon. At $20 a bottle this easy drinking cab is well worth the price. With rich notes of Cherry, BlackBerry, Vanilla this medium bodied wine is both light and bold at the same time.

Episode 8: Winter Break
Wine: Spice Road
Ryan's Score: 6.9
Mike's Score: 7.5

Looking to spice things up this Winter? If so this is the wine for you. At an unbelieveable price of around $11 this wine offers strong notes of plum and dark chocolate with hints of pepper and spice on the nose. A well rounded wine and nice addition to the Silk and Spice collection.

Episode 9: Romance in Soccer
Wine: Corte Alla Flora Toscana
Ryan's Score: 9.3
Mike's Score: 8.4

Love is in the air and in the bottle with this fabulous and full bodied Tuscana. This wine promotes notes of Blackberry, Cherry, Licorice, and Candy Apple. At an average price of $35 this wine is priced higher than anything we have drank to date on the podast, but is more than worth spending the extra bucks to enjoy this fabulous wine.

Episode 10: The one that got away
Wine: Salice Salentino Doc Reserva
Ryan's Score: 8.4
Mike's Score: 7.9

Finally Ryan and I get to sample the wine that go away early in our Podcast career. With hints of plum, blackberry, and tobacco on the nose this Italian red promotes tastes of red fruit on the palette. With strong raspberry and candy apple elements this wine is rounded it nicely by its smooth and somewhat dry finish. At just around $15 this wine is not one to be looked past at the liquor store.

Episode 11: Women in Soccer
Wine: Canaan Red
Ryan's Score: 8.3
Mike's Score: 7.8
Jamie's Score: 7.8
Matt's Score: 7.3

Israeli wine did not disappoint as Canaan Red by Dalton came up swinging with a beautiful jammy smell and taste. Some hints of wood on the palette with a slightly dry finish. This wine is well worth the $20 price point with its smooth and well balanced taste.

Reformer Pilates

This class is conducted on the reformer machine and focuses on core strength, flexibility, and overall muscle tone through controlled movements and resistance.
Duration: 1 hour

Episode 12: Women in Wine
Wine: Hot Ice (Homemade blend not available in stores)
Ryan's Score: 9.2
Mike's Score: 8.6
Christina's Score: 9.0

Hot Ice, The Big Easy, Velvet Midnight. These are all names that aptly describe this homemade wine that has yielded the highest score on the show to date. Notes of sweet plums and cherry, strawberry, light oak that does not overpower fruit with medium body and acid, good mid palette, jumps out of the glass with a hint of golden raisins. Sweet fruit and complexity. Drinks more mature for its age. These notes were all from the mouth of the wonderful Christina Musto who graced us with her time and knowledge of wine. Although this wine cannot be found in stores, know that it can be given out to those who truly appreciate it.

Episode 13: The Messi/Ronaldo Effect
Wine: Breca Garnacha
Ryan's Score: 8.4
Mike's Score: 7.8

A Sensual red nostalgic of muscle cars and heavy metal this wine was bursting with flavors of black pepper, strawberries, cherry jolly rancher. Hints of tobacco with a mild dry finish. Not for the feint of heart as this wine comes in at a whopping 15% ABV. Goes well with grilled or barbequed meats. This wine was definitely one that hit above its weight at a modest $20.

Episode 14: VAR
Wine: Alexander Valley Sin Zin
Ryan's Score: 0.6
Mike's Score: 3.1

We knew it would happen at some point, but did not expect it with this wine for sure. Although beautiful to look at with a rich ruby color and thick legs this wine was tough to swallow. With strongs tart almost too sour bluberry flavor this wine was tough to get through. But hey if really sour stuff is your jam this wine is a bargain!

Episode 15: Best and Worst Haircuts
Wine:Tenuta Di Ceppaiano Toscana
Ryan's Score: 7.4
Mike's Score: 7.1

Back up on the horse with this Super Tuscan and it was just what the doctor ordered. With strong notes of red fruit, white chocolate, and vanilla. Definitely a medium body wine, but still a solid choice for those folks out there who enjoy a nice Super Tuscan.

Episode 16: The Beauty and Agony of Relegation
Wine: Grand Barossa Shiraz
Ryan's Score: 7.5
Mike's Score: 7.1

A powerhouse to behold this wine packs a punch. With a deep purple color and fruity aromas this wine is not for the weak of heart. Packed with a flavor profile that includes red berries, vanilla, and spice this wine will get you where you need to go, if where you need to go is to no pants town. At almost 15% this wine was tasty, but constantly reminded you of its power by its hot finish.

Episode 17: Love and Hate (Player Edition)
Wine: Love you bunches
Ryan's Score: 7.7
Mike's Score: 7.5

Floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee with this light, tart, and dry Sangiovese! Coming in at an easy drinking 12.5 % ABV and promoting a light rubyish/plum color. Transparent, decent legs, with notes of raspberry lifesaver and a mild dry finish. Recommend serving chilled to enhance the overall experience.

Episode 18: USMNT
Wine: Borne of Fire Cab
Ryan's Score: 8.1
Mike's Score: 7.3

To quote the man Johnny Cash "I fell into a burning ring of fire" with this powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Packing a punch up front with strong notes red berry, vanilla, and a savory spice dry finish. A medium bodied wine with a hot finish. At 14.5 ABV I wish this wine had smoothed out a bit at the end, but was still a solid wine for the price.

Episode 19: Does Soccer have the most violent/passionate fans?
Wine: Founders Reserve Ruby Port
Ryan's Score: 6.3
Mike's Score: 5.9

With a very fruit forward and sweet flavor this Port was everything it was described to be. A model that all cough medicine should emulate as the sweetness was blended perfectly with how smooth it was. Make sure to keep an eye on how many you have as this Port comes in at around 20% ABV.

Episode 20: The Lost Art of the Logo
Wine: Silk and Spice: Silk Route
Ryan's Score: 9.2
Mike's Score: 8.4

At just around $12 a bottle this red blend is hard to beat. Packed with a powerful array of red fruit this wine goes down easy with a silky finish giving credit to the name. A true wine that punches way above its weight and a welcomed addition to any wine collection.

Episode 21: Fantasy Soccer is Punny
Wine: Petite Petit
Ryan's Score: 6.7
Mike's Score: 8.3

This wine will not go quietly into the night. Its going to let you know its there the whole ride with a 85%/15% combo of Petite Syrah and Petit Verdot. Showcasing great legs, super inky color, and a jambleberry of dark fruits that hit on the nose and tongue. Dark Cherry, Blueberry, Blackberry, and Oak are the main players in this game and at just around $16 a bottle this is not a wine to pass up for our bold wine drinkers.

Episode 22: Fresh Start
Wine: Dry Rosé Of Sangiovese
Ryan's Score: 8.1
Mike's Score: 7.9

Wake up and smell the Rosé! This Sangiovese boasts a crisp and refreshing cacophony of flavors including peach, grapefruit, and melon. With a balanced sweet and tart combo this refreshing rosé has made its mark on this once strictly red wine drinker.

Episode 23: Accessibility of Soccer in Media
Wine: Chateau Roc De Segur Bordeaux
Ryan's Score: 7.9
Mike's Score: 7.9

The VinBin strikes again with another big winner in the eyes or Ryan and yours truly. With a cacophony of flavor and smells this wine is not one to miss. At a light 12% ABV you can rest easy knowing that overindulgence will not see you hurting the next morning. A VinoVolley first as Ryan and I scored this wine the exact same!

Episode 24: Moments in Soccer that crossed the line
Wine: Guidobono Barbera D'Alba
Ryan's Score: 8.0
Mike's Score: 8.2

With a delicate balance of sweet, tart, dry, and juicy this Barbera is not one to walk past. At an easy drinking 14%ABV this wine hits you up front with strong and sweet fruity aromas. Bolstered my an almost jolly rancher esque flavor right out the gate. This wine not only tastes great, but won't break the bank coming in at around $17 per bottle.

The Wine Guide

Restorative Yoga

Episode 1: Clean Start Wine: Vale Do Bomfim Ryan's Score: 6.7 Mike's Score: 6.9

Episode 2: The Dark Arts Wine: Maggio Family Vineyards Petite Sirah Ryan's Score: 7.6 Mike's Score: 7.7

Episode 3: The Lighter Side Wine: Beaujolais Ryan's Score: 7.8 Mike's Score: 7.2

Episode 4: The Saudi Impact Wine: Massaya Ryan's Score: 7.9 Mike's Score: 7.6

Episode 5: Coaching in the Modern Era Wine: Vina Zorzal Ryan's Score: 8.0 Mike's Score: 7.5

Episode 6: History of the Scarf Wine: Le Grand Noir GSM Ryan's Score: 7.7 Mike's Score: 7.5

Episode 7: Soccer in Cinema Wine: Coppolla Wine Diamond Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Ryan's Score: 8.1 Mike's Score: 7.7

Episode 8: Winter Break Wine: Spice Road Ryan's Score: 6.9 Mike's Score: 7.5

Episode 9: Romance in Soccer Wine: Corte Alla Flora Toscana Ryan's Score: 9.3 Mike's Score: 8.4

Episode 10: The one that got away Wine: Salice Salentino Doc Reserva Ryan's Score: 8.4 Mike's Score: 7.9