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WINE OF THE WEEK
Beaujolais -- the real stuff, not Beaujolais Nouveau, which is an entirely different animal -- makes perfect warm-weather drinking. And this Cote de Brouilly from Nicole Chanrion's Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes is a fabulous summer wine. Old-fashioned Gamay Noir with a distinct earthy quality and beautiful balance and texture. Tasting of blueberries one moment, cherries the next, it is pure pleasure to drink. Put it in a Burgundy glass and it takes on the weightier character of a serious wine.
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WINE OF THE WEEK
Everything you want in a Central Coast Syrah -- ripe, beautiful fruit, wonderful balance and structure, flavors of dark, juicy berries, wild herbs and a touch of smoke. Adam Tolmach's 2006 Santa Barbara County Syrah is a stunner. One of the original Rhone Rangers, he's no newcomer to Syrah and has distilled everything he knows about the grape into his wine. A true artisanal winemaker, for the past few vintages, he's been blending the Syrah with a touch of Mourvèdre and Grenache to terrific effect. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
A truly lovely Pinot Noir from Stoller Vineyards in the Dundee Hills of Oregon. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
This is classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that practically jumps out of the glass. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
Come summer (which is now here, rain or shine), you can never have too many rosés stashed away for the aperitif hour. Here's one more for your collection: Domaine Les Aphillanthes' beautiful dry rosé from the Côtes du Rhône is scented with rose petals and strawberries. Made from a blend of Cinsault with Grenache, Counoise (one of the more obscure grapes that goes into a Chateauneuf-du-Pape blend) and a touch of Mourvèdre, it is full-bodied and delicious -- and finishes really dry. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
Crisp and minerally, the 2007 Pinot Blanc from Alsace producer Albert Mann still has some flesh on its bones. Lightly scented with white peach, it has a surprisingly lush texture for a Pinot Blanc. A summer white with character and finesse. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
This is an astonishing Bordeaux-style wine from the Napa Valley. Supple and lush with loads of ripe fruit and undertones of leather and tobacco, it's half-French, half- California in style. White Rock Vineyards was established as early as 1870 and brought back in the late '70s by the Vandendriessche family. Made from a classic blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot, the 2004 Claret is a splendid wine for the price. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
Classic Mosel Riesling from renowned German vintner Willi Schaefer. This, the most basic of his Rieslings, makes perfect summer drinking. The 2007 is scented with apricot and lime blossom. On the palate, it's soft, lush, flowery, the sweetness balanced by a crisp acidity. >>
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In the Roussillon, Jean Gardiès is known for his intense and pure Syrah, Mourvedre and old-vines Grenache. But he also makes a lovely Muscat Sec, or dry muscat, which makes a terrific summer aperitif wine. Fragrant and sweet with the scents of white peaches, lychee and melon, this dry white has a silky texture and a real snap of freshness to it. A terrific summer wine that comes in at the right price from an estate to watch. >>
2007 Helfrich Gewurztraminer Vin d'Alsace >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
Barolo producer Enzo Boglietti has spectacular vineyards in the hills of La Morra outside Alba. Known for his Barolo crus, especially "Brunate," he also makes some terrific Barbera. Rich in color and fruit, the 2007 is one smooth customer with a velvety mouth-feel and the taste of ripe, dark berries in the mouth. With its higher acidity, Barbera is a nice partner to fatty salame, pasta with ragu and, of course, pork chops and ribs thrown on the barbecue. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
Hail the 32nd vintage(!) of Brander Sauvignon Blanc. Made from fruit grown in the Los Olivos area, the 2008, like all the vintages before it, is a summer classic. Crisp and minerally with a touch of grapefruit rind and grass in the perfume, this is a California Sauvignon Blanc that's closer to Sancerre than some of the overly oaked fruit bombs around. And at under $15 -- sometimes well under, it's a basic for warm-weather drinking. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
When I tasted this wine and then looked at the price, the two didn't match up. This gorgeous and elegant red from Terra de Verema in the Vilella Baixa del Priorat region of Spain could easily cost twice the price. Instead, for about $30, you get a stunning Carinyena (Carignan) with a touch of Garnacha and Syrah. Spicy and lush, the 2006 Triumvirat is beautifully balanced, even elegant. And it's smooth as silk, almost Burgundian in style. Break out a bottle for that spring leg of lamb, for ribs grilled over the fire, for a nice tri-tip or flank steak. This is a label to watch. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
Bring a bottle of this Grüner Veltliner to a dinner party and guaranteed it won't disappear without anybody noticing it, the way an oaky Chardonnay or an indifferent Sauvignon Blanc might. Racy and full of life, the 2007 Kurt Angerer "Kies" has the wonderful green apple and white peppercorn note of the best Grüners. This one comes from Kamptal and a vintner whose family has been in the wine business for 150 years. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
A giant figure on the wine scene in Australia's Barossa Valley, Dave Powell makes a whole slew of terrific wines, but my favorite has to be "The Steading." The name is a term for the collection of barns, stables and outbuildings on a farm. Taste the 2006 and its wallop of fruit, layers of spice and plums and dark berries, along with its depth and complexity, pull you right in. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
To go with that pizza of your dreams, you need, of course, an Italian wine. And why not the 2006 Grilli del Testamatta from one of the rising young stars in Tuscany, Bibi Graetz? OK, admittedly, his name doesn't sound so Italian, but he actually grew up in Florence, the son of a Norwegian painter. And his vineyard, planted 38 years ago, by his parents, is in the hills of Fiesole overlooking the city of Florence. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
To find a fresh, crisp, minerally Gavi for less than $20 is something of a miracle, especially one as good as this one from Castellari Bergaglio. The Cortese di Gavi grape doesn't always produce such a beauty, but the Castellari family is picking its grapes from a vineyard that's more than 80 years old. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
This Cabernet from Once Wines, which makes private-label wines for some of the country's top restaurants, is part of their Sommelier Series. In 2007, Daniel Johnnes, wine director for Daniel Boulud's restaurants, challenged the sommeliers in town for his annual "La Paulée de New York" tasting to blend a perfect, food-friendly Cabernet. This is the wine that scored highest with the judges: a master sommelier and two of the biggest names in Burgundy. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
What a little beauty of a Syrah from Jonathan and Susan Pey of Spicerack Vineyards. Their "Punchdown" Syrah comes from two cool-climate sites on the Sonoma Coast. Rich and spicy with scents of cassis, black pepper and wild herbs, this is an elegant, moderately priced Syrah, a great buy for the price and a California Syrah that plays well with food. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
Domaine des Escaravailles is known for its fine Rasteau. But Gilles Ferran, grandson of founder Jean-Louis Ferran, also makes a terrific Côtes du Rhône called "Les Sablières," which is mostly Grenache blended with 20% Syrah and 10% Carignan. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
What a terrific find -- a Viognier from Washington's Columbia Valley in which the character of the northern Rhone grape comes through loud and clear. Viognier must really like the climate up there in Washington, because, with a little help from winemaker Chris Bert, the 2007 vintage of Roots Viognier has a cool minerality and pretty scent of flowers and peaches. It's ripe and voluptuous, but not too sweet, which is exactly what you're looking for in a Viognier. Better move fast on this one: Bert made just 150 cases and at this writing, it's available in Southern California at only two retailers. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
Lovers of white Burgundy alert! Here's a lovely Puligny-Montrachet from the Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet for only about $30. A warm gold in color, the 2005 "Clos du Chateau" is crisp and cool, with accents of citrus, flowers and white pepper, and a gorgeous buttery texture. Since Etienne de Montille took over as wine director, Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet is finally living up to its potential. The vineyards are now organic and most of them are biodynamic. He's introduced changes in the cellar, too, and the results are dramatic. A pretty great value for the quality -- and a real indulgence. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
Chianti Rufina, just outside the Chianti Classico region, offers some great value in Chianti, and Selvapiana, one of my longtime favorites, is one of the top estates there. The 2006 is bright and juicy, redolent of black cherries, sweet spices and earth. Sangiovese with just 5% Canaiolo, it's drinking beautifully now, but will also gain something from aging a bit. It's getting difficult to find wines with real character and sense of place at the $20 level, especially from Tuscany. But step outside the confines of Chianti Classico and this lovely bottle fills the bill. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
How can you not like a wine that exhorts drinkers to "laugh more -- flirt often" on the back of the bottle. That's Lane Tanner, Santa Barbara winemaker extraordinaire, talking. She herself has been flirting with Pinot Noir since 1984 and knows quite a bit about this seductive, yet difficult grape and all that's showing in this latest bottling of her basic Santa Barbara Pinot. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
Why not ring in the new year with a bottle of full-blooded Chateauneuf-du-Pape from one of the appellation's top-tier estates? >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
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WINE OF THE WEEK
La Rioja Alta is one of the most respected of the traditional wineries in Rioja, Spain. Just think, the current vintage of its Viña Alberdi Selecciòn Especial is the 2001 (with the 2002 on the way). Looking at the winery's technical sheet regarding the vintage, I was curious to see mentioned "four manual racking processes by candlelight." That's traditional. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
Before you get into exotics such as Grüner Veltliner or Vinho Verde, your wine cellar (or closet or shelf) needs some basics. In terms of whites, you can't go wrong with this South African Sauvignon Blanc, especially since it's less than $20. With the 2006 vintage, winemaker Kevin Grant delivers a terrific example of South African terroir and winemaking. Zesty yet elegant, this multidimensional Sauvignon Blanc from the Western Cape carries accents of lemon and grapefruit, earth and limestone. Quite impressive for an estate that's only a few years old. >>
WINE OF THE WEEK
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WINE OF THE WEEK
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WINE OF THE WEEK
Our pick for wine of the week >>
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THIS WEEK'S RECIPES
Blog: Daily Dish
Market fresh: Cooking through the seasons
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