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Forest Glen Oak Barrel Selection 2000 Shiraz
Region:
CA
Varietal: Shiraz
Cost:
about $8
Forest
Glen provides great value for the money. Always, ripe, fleshy and fruit
forward – their wines are perfect summer entertaining choices. This is
lush and pepper laden with forward, ripe plum and blackberry overtones.
Hints of allspice in the finish. Burgers or spicy Italian sausages on
sourdough rolls. Ah… the joys of summer. |
Tommasi Le Gosse Pinot Grigio 2000
Region:
Valdadige, Italy
Varietal: Pinot Grigio
Cost:
about $8
This is
a wine region that definitely produces many a stellar white. Last years
vintage was great, this year's is another perfect example. Pinot Grigio
with layers of flavor and backbone. Hailing from the "Etschtaler" as the
German Italians call it, region in Italy it's perfect drinking for the
98°days we've been having. A peach, citrus and almost floral nose that
bursts on your palate with the most refreshing sonata of tastes. Poached
salmon with dill and creme fraiche, pickled shrimp. Brava!
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Ch
Valcombe Nimes Cuvee Prestige 2000
Region:
Provence, France
Varietal: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre
Cost:
about $14
This is
a purely delicious elixir. Perfect for those last days of summer
grilling and chilling. Beautiful garnet color and smooth velvet on the
palate. Notes of brambleberry, leather and some smoke. Tannins that
are present but not obtrusive. Magnifique! |
Lolonis Fume Blanc 2000
Region:
Redwood Valley, CA
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Cost:
about $11
Absolutely delicious summer wine made by a family estate. It has acidity
but flows across the palate and tickles your tastebuds. Charming! Notes
of Meyer lemon, heirloom pears and granny smith apple. An added bonus is
that it’s organic. Was heavenly with a grilled seafood brochette and
orzo and chickpea salad
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Concha y Toro Marques
Cabernet 1999
Region: Maipo Valley,Chile
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Cost: about $14
This wine shows the value you
can still find (who knows for how long) in Chile. Granted it's produced
by a behemoth of wineries however, winemaker Marcelo Papa has really
tried to create something special. By Jove, he's done it! A big red with
woodsy, cedar notes that blend into chocolate, blackcurrants and
leather. Call me crazy but it was wonderful with chocolate
gingerbread cake.
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Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde
Region:
Portugal
Varietal: Blend of white grapes
Cost:
about $7
Charming, bright and distinctive. The idyllic white to open one's palate
with or serve with grilled calamari or shrimp delicately seasoned with
garlic, parsley and a fruity olive oil. Could also work with a main
course of citrus flavored swordfish or red snapper. |
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Bogle Petite Sirah 2000
Region:
Napa, CA
Varietal: Petite Sirah
Cost:
about $12
Petite
Sirah has nothing to do with its French counterpart and noble grape -
Syrah. The only thing these two share is a similar sounding name and the
fact that they are both red, actually Petit Sirah true to form is often
more of a deep blackberry color. Rich and meaty with a pepper finish
and a hint of cedar. Perfect black and blue burger wine. Fire up the
grill! |
Ferrari Carano Sauvignon
Blanc 2000
Region: Sonoma, CA
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Cost: about $14
The three G's are here:
grapefruit, gooseberry and faint grass. Delicious SB ever the more so
for a light touch of oak bringing out fig, honey and melon notes that
bring out a richness in the wine perfectly balancing the acidity.
Very versatile, absolutely wonderful with heirloom tomato cobbler with a
Parmesan cheese crust. |
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Finca Luzon Merlot Jumilla 2001
Region:
Jumilla, Spain
Varietal: Merlot, Monastrell (Mourvedre)
Cost:
about $10
The
Jumilla wine-growing region encompasses a large area in the province of
Murcia and Albacete in south-eastern Spain.
Merlot
from Espana? Think outside of the box on this one. Good forward
chocolate, raspberry and plums. Full and velvety, quite pleasing
actually. Bisteca a la plancha (grilled steak) y patatas bravas (french
fries). Bon provecho!(Enjoy!) |
Robert Mondavi Moscato
D'Oro
Region: Napa, CA
Varietal: Moscatto
Cost: about $15
Dessert wines are one of the
hedonistic pleasures of the wine world few dare to indulge in. This
moscato is lush, fruity with notes of honeyed pear, almond and quince.
Makes a perfect pairing with pear and frangipani tart at the end of a
sumptuous meal. |
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Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone Village 2000
Region:
Rhone, France
Varietal: Syrah, mourvedre, and a powerhouse of other regional red
grapes
Cost:
about $12
A
bright, fresh and red from the region often known for heavier wines.
Notes of tobacco, earth, mineral and bright fruit. Delightful.
An
easy and satisfying red to pair with spicy sausages, a tossed salad and
some crusty bread. |
Vichon Chardonnay Sieur d'Arques 2001
Region:
Southern France
Varietal: Chardonnay
Cost:
about $8
This is
good, quaffable, quite enjoyable for the price Chardonnay. Classic pear
and granny apple flavor profile with notes of nutmeg and butter.
Great with your steamed shrimp or lobster (hold the Old Bay please) and
lots of drawn butter. Easy drinking |
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Forest Glen Merlot 2001
Region:
Sonoma, CA
Varietal: Merlot
Cost:
about $6
Merlot
that's easy, uncomplicated and good for quaffing or cooking. Some oak,
but not to the point to annoy the palate. Chocolate, warm berry compote
and good tannin make this exceptionally pleasant to sip on its on. If
you must, add a pizza and dinner is served.
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La Vielle Ferme Blanc 1999
Region: Rhone, France
Varietal: Roussane,Grenache Blanc,Ugni
Blanc
Cost: about $8
Available in a larger bottle as well
($12), one of the best values on the shelf these days. Crisp, fruity and
oh so pleasing after a hard day at work.
Great white to entertain with, cook with,
offer to guests before or during a simple summer meal.
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Canaletto Primitivo 2000
Region:
Puglia, Italy
Varietal: Primitivo
Cost:
about $8
O.K. I
could start a cerebral dissertation on if Primitivo really is the
ancestor of the great Zinfandel (of California fame) but I’ll save you
the brainwork…. Is it? Possibly, is this important to know to enjoy this
wine? No way… White pepper on the nose, fruit forward with hints of
chocolate, brambleberry and leather. Yummy, easy drinking – order
pizza and you’ve got a meal.
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Davilla Albarino 2001
Region:
Rias Baixas, Spain
Varietal: Albarino
Cost:
about $12
Wonderful, aromatic, peachy overtones white from the Northwestern Spain.
Refreshing and the perfect match for pasta with shrimp, feta and
orange zest. |
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Chateau Valcombes Nimes Cuvee Prestige 2000
Region:
Provence, France
Varietal: Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache
Cost:
about $14
Nimes
is a beautiful place, charming and the food is fabulous. Stands to
reason the people make beautiful wine. Dark, enticing and ruby colored.
Rich velvet, it fills the tongue with flavors of late summer berries,
smoke and a hint of spice. Gorgeous on it’s own, paired with crusty
bread, pate and some cheese absolutely magnifique! |
Canaletto Pinot Grigio
Region:
Veneto, Italy
Varietal: Pinot Grigio
Cost:
about $8
Pinot
Grigio – did you know it’s quickly becoming America’s favorite white?
That’s a welcome change from Chardonary… no? Why is Pinot Grigio so
poplular? Well, it’s light, refreshing, extremely quaffable and
affordable. Any more questions? Grab a light seafood salad, roasted
pepper bruschetta – make it easy and this wine will make it easy going.
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Greg
Norman Shiraz 1999
Region:
Australia
Varietal: Shiraz
Cost:
about $12
This
guy has a great handicap when it comes to golf but no handicap when it
comes to picking wine makers to make great wine at reasonable prices.
Chris Hatcher has done a fine job here. Myriad of various berries cross
your palate and waft up to your nose inviting you to take another sip.
Good tannins and enough complexity to pair with a posh entrée such as
a pepper crusted grilled Prime rib. |
HENRI PERRUSSET MACON VILLAGES 2000
Region:
Burgundy, France
Varietal: Chardonnay
Cost:
about $12
You’ve
read it before, here I go again. This is what Chardonnay should, can,
and must taste like. There’s oak but noone is hitting you over the head
with it, this means you actually are able to get a variety of flavors
and nuances: Bosc pears, granny smith apple, fresh hay warmed by the
sun. Well balanced with good acidity and just enough richness to
drink on it’s own or pair with poached salmon in tarragon cream sauce if
you must. |
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Hahn
1998 Cabernet Franc
Region:
Monterey, Ca
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Cost:
about $12
One of
my new favorites. Cab Franc is most often used to make reds on it’s own
in the Loire valley in France and as a blending grape in Bordeaux. Very
few manage to do well with the grape outside of those two regions, let
alone affordably. Hahn Estates has done a fine job. Gorgeous depth of
flavors on the palate and a great bouquet. Perfect to sip or with
food. Went well with simple pasta and a rose cream and pancetta sauce. |
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