Crane Lake California Moscato 2010

A warm, late-spring Saturday afternoon in Brooklyn is perfect for a low-key open house art exhibit with friends in the backyard. Brand-new paintings by a talented friend (a few still wet!), fresh-cut flowers, drinks and snacks, conversation about art and music, and a few songs on the acoustic guitar.

The wine, Crane Lake California Moscato 2010: Tastes like sweet oranges and peaches -- oh my god is it sugary sweet! -- with a tiny hint of burning, vomity aftertaste. Whole body twitches/spasms as it goes down. A stunning experience.

Cork top. Alcohol content 10%. Price about $6. Blechs 3/5.

Frontera Chardonnay 2011

Out late night with friends: Dancing after midnight to a cool, sexy, hard-rocking band in Williamsburg. Once that winds down, we slip outside and then to a bar next door where we can sit, have drinks, and chat in a place where we can actually hear each other.

Frontera Chardonnay 2011: Smells like turpentine. Bitter as hell, bitter on the tongue, then burns worse going down the throat. With a hint of almonds.

Screw cap. Alcohol content 13.5%. Price about $7. Blechs 4/5.