March 2006

Sauvignon Blanc

Sonomas the Real Thing
Many bottles appeal to my Euro wine orientation, but we started with a Patient Cottant 2003 Sancerre Vieilles Vignes ($35 for the bottle), which is rounder than most Sancerres, mineral-edged and about as good as Sauvignon Blanc gets.

Montes Estate Sauvignon/Fumé Blanc 2004
Montes* Sauvignon Blanc/Fumé Blanc is Sauvignon Blanc, estate grown in the Curicó Valley. Here is a Sauvignon Blanc with significant body, tart green fruit flavors, somewhat rounded off in the crisp, extended finish.

Blind River Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Billington Imports brings Blind River Sauvignon Blanc to the US market, having forged a relationship with John Belsham back in 2000. Fruit for Blind River Sauvignon Blanc 2004 was sourced from two Marlborough vineyards, the Avery and the Radich, both on the Wairau Plains.

MTCC uses unique Wine Council method to select new wine list
Ranking among the favorites were Vineland Estates 2004 Sauvignon Blanc, Jackson Triggs Grand Reserve Chardonnay, Kendall Jackson Merlot and DuBoeuf Beaujolais Villages. Categories included Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Ice Wine, Champagne, Shiraz, Merlot and Beaujolais, to name but a few.

Kunde Estate Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Kunde* Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2003 has already been replaced by the now current release 2004.

Days get longer, flowers bud and fancies turn to Sauvignon Blanc
In his book Hugh Johnson: A Life Uncorked, Johnson says of New Zealand's bounty, it's Sauvignon Blanc "with the volume turned up." He talks of the surge of scent, the snap on the tongue, and the hundred-amp shock through the system. Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect acidic palate-cleansing wine that pairs so nicely with food.

Colossal shortage of sauvignon blanc
Wine consumers were expected to bear the brunt of a white wine shortage, the chairperson of Wine Cellars South Africa (WCSA) said on Friday. ...

Coopers Creek Cat's Phee on a Gooseberry Bush Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Coopers Creek Cat's Phee on a Gooseberry Bush Sauvignon Blanc 2005 is produced by the Coopers Creek Winery, begun in 1980 and still owned and operated by founders Andrew and Cynthia Hendry. Cat's Phee is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc from a number of vineyards.

Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc
For New Zealand pinot noir and sauvignon blanc, success is a matter of style. Although its southern hemisphere neighbor, Australia, has hit the mark with hearty varieties such as shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, delivering wines with great flavor intensity and a robust, fruity appeal, New Zealand is the emerging star for wines that live on delicacy and finesse, most notably, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc.

A world of experience
The cool climate wines from New Zealand such as pinot noir and chardonnay are becoming popular, he says, "although the Marlborough sauvignon blanc stays very popular".

Climate threat to Marlborough wine.
Marlborough's world-renowned sauvignon blanc wines could lose their distinctive flavours in the next 50 years as temperatures rise through climate change.

2004 Fidelitas Columbia Valley Semillon ($18
Semillon often is blended with sauvignon blanc and vice versa, each filling in the gaps of structure, flavor and aromas in the other. One edge that semillon has is that it ages well, a trick sauvignon blanc has yet to pick up.

Jordan Winery Releases 2005 Sauvignon Blanc
The Jordan Sauvignon Blanc 2005, released late last year, has a number of outstanding features. Secondly, the grapes that went into this vintage were harvested from our top new vineyard, adding extra intensity and a complex fruit structure that blended well with the grapes from our older sauvignon blanc vineyards.

JACOBS CREEK Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Now Available in US
JACOB'S CREEK, one of Australia's leading wine brands extends their offerings of varietal blends with Jacob's Creek Semillon Sauvignon Blanc. The 2004 vintage is 57% Semillon and 43% Sauvignon Blanc.

Wines to Explore
Anyone who enjoys wine knows about Cabernet and Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot, and can name a dozen producers of these varietals from California. As to white wines, interesting variations to Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are Gruner Veltliner and Viognier.

The paler shade of Bordeauz
These whites, made of varying blends of the semillon and sauvignon blanc grapes, can evolve and improve for several decades. While it is true that Americans, and the world, have grown quite fond of sauvignon blanc, it is a different sort of sauvignon blanc than is produced, for the most part, in Bordeaux.

Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 BV Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
The flagship wine at Beaulieu, commonly referred to as "BV,'' is the Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2003 BV "Rutherford'' Cabernet Sauvignon — **** — is a solid effort with Napa Valley's best red-wine grape, with good fruit and not too much oak influence.

Country wine, simple and true
From the Skalli stronghold in the South of France, the Fortant de France Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 reminds me of the phrase "rhythm and melody", the crucial elements that combine to make a song. Why does the übergrape that is Cabernet Sauvignon prompt the playing of music in my mind?

Barefoot Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
In my continuing fascination with the bargain rack near the register, I picked up a bottle of the Barefoot Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon.

Humanitas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Monterey Country 2003
More February Reds (3): Spain Blend(2), France Midi,

San Francisco Business Times
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, citing an online Wine Spectator story, reported March 22 that the cult California cabernet sauvignon producer, which makes just 500 cases of wine annually, has been sold.

Brand names to remember
Western Australia is famous for stylish Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2003 Evans The 2003 Talus Collection Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon ($8) is earthy and supple while the 2004 Talus Collection Lodi Zinfandel ($8) is powerfully peppery.

Chateau Montelena Announces 25th Vintage of Estate Cabernet ...
Napa Valley winery Chateau Montelena announced the release of its 2002 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

Rose wines deserve a second chance
 It would be particularly compatible with herb roasted pork loin. – 2001 Koves-Newlan Estate cabernet sauvignon. ... 2002 Burgess Cellars cabernet sauvignon.

Cabernet Sauvignon has many smells
If the wine was a red or, more specifically, a Cabernet Sauvignon, then a great smelling note would be that the empty glass smells of smoke, much like how a fire pit smells the next day. Other common smells to observe in Cabernet Sauvignon: asparagus, olive, mint, butter, soy, truffle, walnut, toast, tobacco, green tea, green beans, violet, clove, musk and cinnamon to name a few.

Wine and Spirits / Looking forward to a winery sale
Margalit, Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Reserve, 2004: A truly limited edition of only 600. Full-bodied blend of 86 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 14 percent Petite Sirah.

Silver Oak doesn't burn well
A spokesman for the winery says the wine destroyed was Silver Oak's Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon, the more expensive of their cabernet appellation which sells for about $100 a bottle.

Merlot stands on its own as a featured grape
WHEN LAST we visited merlot, it was in a discussion of the ways in which it helps round out cabernet sauvignon, and, not coincidentally, how cabernet is frequently used to fill out merlot. One likely reason is that cabernet sauvignon, and sturdy wines in general, are more highly sought out in California than softer, rounder wines unless, of course, the softer, rounder red happens to be pinot noir.

FishEye Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Cheap Wine Reviews FishEye Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - Cheap red wine, Cheap white wine, Good Cheap Wine from all over the world!

Hahn Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
LaPlaya Colchagua Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2004

The beauty of wine: It’s all about the minerals
Memorable wine (it can be relatively inexpensive) has vivid, well-defined fruit tastes – blackberry and plum in cabernet sauvignon; apple, pear and tropical fruit notes in many chardonnays; accents of lemon, lime and orange in any number of white wines, to name just a few common tastes and aromas.

LaPlaya Colchagua Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2004
LaPlaya Cabernet Rosé 2004 is Cabernet Sauvignon, estate grown fruit, sourced from 12-year-old vines.

Wine Talk: 2002 Rutherford Ranch cabernet sauvignon, $17.99
Cabernet sauvignon remains America's favorite red wine and Californians continue to make cabernets to meet what they think pleases America's palate.

De Bortoli Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
2002 Ringbolt Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Australia)

Grande Provence - with a twist
Estate, Franschhoek, has launched its first maiden vintage - The Grande Provence Premier Range consisting of Grande Provence Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Grande ...

2002 Ringbolt Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Australia)

A Match Made in Australia
The tasting panel found that Australian cabernet sauvignon-shiraz blends are juicy wines that may offer a lot of pleasure but have little character or individuality.

Napa Valley Register
First marketed in 1996 for 50 a bottle, the 1992 cabernet sauvignon was an instant hit.

Chef guides wine novices
I'd try the Rombauer Chardonnay or the Franciscan Oakville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. A: The PlumpJack Cabernet Sauvignon is really good if you want to spend the money.

Meerea Park Cabernet Merlot 2003
The blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% merlot.

Mouton Cadets new wines
Produced by the same firm that owns Chateau Mouton Rothschild, the red Mouton made primarily from cabernet sauvignon grapes, offered the rich, dry Bordeaux style favored by most wine consumers.

Elderton Tantulus Shiraz Cabernet 2003
Elderton* Tantulus 2003 is 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, from South Australia.

Borsellino: Stag parties arent what they used to be
There's no keg, but on the counter in front of me is a bottle of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

THE CHRONICLES WINE SELECTIONS
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon can cost $75, $100, $150 per bottle -- or more -- depending on a number of factors, including image, scarcity, ageability, the celebrity of the owner or winemaker and, most significant, high scores from critics. TWO AND A HALF STARS 2002 Atlas Peak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($38) Founded as a producer of Sangiovese, Atlas Peak in recent years has beefed up its Cabernet Sauvignon production with promising results.

Carnivores, rejoice: Napa Cabernets cry for meat
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the big gun -- the Clint Eastwood of wine -- and still the most popular and respected varietal in our California wine universe.

Oakvilles Screaming Eagle Winery sold
Phillips purchased the 60-acre property in 1986, quickly changing over the vines from Riesling to Cabernet Sauvignon, Banks said.

For a Reasonably Priced Red, a Budget Cut of Beef. Keep the Change ...
What foods complement the fairly one-dimensional shiraz-cabernet sauvignon blends from Australia?

Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Cabernet 2001
Yes, this is my favorite straight Cabernet Sauvignon to date.

Chateau Belon 1998 wine review of (PB)
Made of Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 55% and Cabernet Franc 5% this Grand Vin De Bordeaux is thin on the pallet compared to Tapestry with big pepper flavors, and surprisingly fruit forward for a Graves wine.

Foris Vineyards Winery Fly Over Red Oregon 2001
Foris* Fly Over Red 2001 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 19% Cabernet Franc.

Chenin Blanc

2005 Dry Creek Vineyard Dry Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg ($10.50)
Spring is a-coming and it's time to load up on Dry Creek chenin blanc -- consistently one of California's best deals in a dry white wine.

Beringer Chenin Blanc 2004 "Premium Vineyard Selection" wine review by (PB)
Often its Chenin Blanc, which have enjoyed over the last few years. This evening we opened a bottle of Beringers Chenin Blanc.

Greenish liquid intrigues wine lovers
The mystery was solved, however, when it was explained that this was unfermented grape juice from the first of this year's chenin blanc pressing. Sebastian believes that chenin blanc will become the next flagship wine for South Africa as it is already forging a formidable reputation overseas.

Nicolas Joly (Coulée de Serrant)
On the left side of the alley (picture with Virginie : on the left), a 15 year old plot with non-grafted Chenin Blanc vines on Savennieres "La Roche aux Moines" Appellation.

Its all in the taste
Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc are some white wine varietals while popular SA red varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot.

Grape harvest surprises Tolaga couple
The Gisborne Wine Company’s winemaker John Thorpe is contracted to make Tolaga Bay Estate’s chardonnay, muscat and chenin blanc bottled under their own label.

Sydney Morning Herald
Perhaps a glass of Jasnieres 2002 chenin blanc from the western Sarthe area of the Loire produced by Jean-Pierre Robinot, or an Originel 2002 sauvignon blanc from the Sologne.

South Africa, good and bad
I wish wineries would stop ripping out chenin blanc vines, which, when properly vinified, can produce inexpensive but really tasty whites. Think of the $7 level KWV Chenin Blanc, the Roberts Rock whites and reds, and the hugely popular Goats Do Roam series.

Zinfandel

Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2004 Wine Review (NW)
Zinfandel is an amazing varietal, but can be difficult to finesse through a meal. If you like powerful Zinfandel, you might just enjoy and it won't break the bank.

Under the radar
If the bejeweled, pampered and exquisitely groomed celebrity Cabernet Sauvignons of Napa Valley gathered at a posh bash to celebrate one another's latest rave reviews, and in walked Napa Valley Zinfandel, the festivities would come to a screeching halt. His intensely concentrated, hedonistic wines like Turley's Hayne Vineyard Zinfandel often sell out in weeks and typically fetch hundreds of dollars at auction.

Up And Down The Wine Roads
Trivia Item: You probably have read of the movement to designate Zinfandel as California's state wine. Obviously and fortunately, some growers ignored Professor Winkler's advice, and in some people's minds like the 10,000 Zinophiles who attend the Zap tasting at Fort Mason each year, Zinfandel should rank as a noble grape along with Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.

The scientific and serendipitous search for Zinfandel
When it came to determining Zinfandel's homeland, DNA was the vital factor, but serendipity also played an important role, according to geneticist, Dr. Carole Meredith. The first identification of Zinfandel came in the 1970s from a discovery in the Apulia region of southern Italy, which is just across the Adriatic Sea from Croatia.

Letters To Wine
Editor -- Just want to say that I enjoyed your article on Zinfandel from Napa Valley ("Under the radar," March 9).

California's Zinfandel War: Part Deux
The story of Zinfandel being recognized as the California State Wine sure does have legs. As I said yesterday, I love the idea of Zinfandel being named the State Wine of California.

Spann Vineyards "Mo Zin" Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2002
There were only 975 cases of Spann Vineyards Mo Zin Russian River Zinfandel 2002 bottled for market. Mo Zin refers to the composition of the wine: namely 10% Mourvedre and 90% Zinfandel.

Ratcast #24, ZAP Zinfandel Tasting 2006
In today's Ratcast, I visit the worlds largest single-day wine tasting, the ZAP Zinfandel Tasting 2006. It's held at Fort Mason in San Francisco Bay, and as you might guess from the title, it's dedicated to just one wine, Zinfandel.

Don Sebastiani Sons announce expansion new sales division
Plungerhead is a 2004 Zinfandel from the Dry Creek appellation. It's a classic, spicy, old-vine Zinfandel, tempered with a little Petite Sirah, Sebastiani said.

GNGNB Episode 22 - ZAP Festival - A Guy's recap (finally)
Alan Baker of the Cellar Rat should be happy now :D Anyway, for those not in the know, ZAP stands for the Zinfandel Associate Producers Festival, an annual event that takes place in January each year that focuses on only one wine varietal - (can you guess? Next year's event is already being planned, visit www.zinfandel.org for more information.

The Wine Cellar: ‘Wine 101’: Taste of the 12 wines
White Zinfandel is the most popular in this category.

Mariah In A Bottle
Thats right, the 2002 variety of the divas namesake wine, Mariah Mendocino Ridge Zinfandel, has hit the market to rave reviews. ...

Lawmaker works to give zinfandel special status
Sblendorio Vineyards Zinfandel one of the wines featured at a taste-test out of barrels at Livermore Valley Cellars in Livermore. State Senator Carole Migden has proposed making zinfandel the official state wine.

Lawmaker hails zinfandel
In a move that could bring a merlot low and make a chardonnay shudder, a California lawmaker is proposing making zinfandel the states official wine. Preliminary figures for the 2005 grape harvest put zinfandel at 10.4 percent of the crop, behind cabernet sauvignons 12.5 percent.

Mariah Carey, Now In Bottle Form
Grammy-winning singer Mariah Carey bought her own vineyard in California last year, and now fans can purchase the Mariah Mendocino Ridge Zinfandel on Liquorama.com for $24.99.

Zinfandel a perfect foil for hearty moussaka
"The C.G. Di Arie Shenandoah Valley Zinfandel is a fruit-forward wine with ripe berry, cherry and plum fruit flavors complemented by floral and spicy notes.

Wine PR People are "the bomb"
I got a nice e-mail from a colleague in the wine PR biz who took me to task over my stated support for Zinfandel being named the California State Wine.

Boxy, but good
Chardonnay is still America's favorite wine in U.S. food stores by a large margin, according to ACNielsen; it sells almost as much as numbers two and three, Merlot and White Zinfandel, combined.

Lawmaker toasts zinfandel to be official wine of Golden State
But one state lawmaker suggests a whole new status for a fruity, red-skinned rock star of a wine called zinfandel. Zinfandel is the "quintessential California wine," Migden declared Thursday, announcing introduction of Senate Bill 1253 in a state where wine is a $45 billion business.

Fine Wine - Four easy ways to make your wine waiter's day

Zin Lovers Champion!

Norman Vineyards Paso Robles Zinfandel 2003

Proposal to make zinfandel state wine sparks grape debate

Riesling

Rieslings as varied as Germany
He says his German wine customers fall into three groups: trend-watchers who are trying more rieslings and loving them; folks who've discovered riesling at tastings; and "season savvy" wine drinkers who enjoy riesling when the weather warms up. He suggests one of his favorite wines to all three groups: 2004 Leitz Dragonstone Riesling ($14.99).

The Age
Needless to say, I don't miss the ersatz riesling, moselle and the champagne at all, and there will be no reminiscing here about Aussie "beaujolais" made out of shiraz (thankfully, a short-lived phenomenon) or cheap, lollywater ros, "premium-quality" light wines, fume blanc or traminer riesling. Delatite Riesling: To think, if riesling had not been grown at Delatite in 1968 to service the needs of Brown Brothers, we might never have stumbled upon such a powerful synergy.

Angel's Gate Riesling
In the category of “noticed on the shelf but ignored for no good reason” is the Angel’s Gate Riesling. She’s not a big Riesling fan, but knows that it’s my favourite grape.

Riesling Fest……

Blackstone Winery Adds Pinot Grigio and Riesling to Portfolio
Blackstone Winery welcomes the addition of a Monterey County Pinot Grigio and Riesling to its popular portfolio of wines. "The quality of the grapes from the 2005 harvest was excellent for Monterey County, especially for white wines, making it an optimal year to introduce Pinot Grigio and Riesling to our national portfolio," said Blackstone Winemaker Dennis Hill.

Riesling on the Rise
Riesling is one such versatile wine whose complexity, variety, and cellar longevity make it more than a worthy competitor for the title of most popular white wine. Most people probably think of a Riesling as a fruity, crisp, light wine – maybe a touch on the dry side – and it wouldn't be a bad generalization to make.

My Round: If you want Riesling, Australias where its at
Riesling from cool climates, of which Australia does have a few. And especially Riesling from the Clare Valley, South Australia.

Wine Lovers Page
Dry Riesling A couple of fine, bone-dry Rieslings help me address my unfortunate aversion to a grape that many wine enthusiasts adore. Freie Weingrtner 2004 Wachau Riesling ($11.99) The transparent, minerally nobility of Riesling expressed in a bone-dry wine of exceptional depth and character.

Rene Mure Cremant d'Alsace (degorgement 12.03.04)
Cremant d'Alsace is sparkling wine from Alsace, made in the same way that Champagne is made ("methode champenois"), but from varietals indigenous to Alsace -- Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Sylvaner, etc.) -- rather than the main Champagne varietals Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

ProWein 2006: German Riesling wine on a continued path of success
The uncontested figurehead of the German wine scene is the Riesling, which maintains its lead with a solid 20% share of the total growth area (approximately 102,000 hectares) not only in the national vine variety roster. “Riesling is no longer just a trend,“ Philipp Wittmann of the Wittmann Wine Estate in Westhofen / Rhine-Hesse explains, “Riesling has established itself among the top wines.” And this is true all over the world.

Riesling: The signature wine of Germany
Riesling is a cold, hardy grape that produces what may be the best of the white wines. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, German Riesling wines were prized -- and priced -- as highly as the great red wines of France.

Trentham Estate 2002 Noble Taminga
The grape variety used in this wine was developed by the CSIRO at Merbein by cross breeding Riesling, Farana and Traminer vines.

Love letters
2004 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Dr Loosen, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany (GBP8.99, Sainsbury's).

Zippy wines enliven rainy nights
You could call wines made from aromatic grape varieties such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer the perfume of the wine world. Their 2005 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve California Riesling ($10) captures the floral freshness of Riesling, then rounds it out with dashes of Gewurztraminer and Viognier.

Wine tank city
A small city of wine tanks is being constructed for Kirrihill Winery on the outskirts of Clare to accommodate an increased crush of grapes, particularly Riesling. And with its expanded capacity Kirrihill Wines now sees itself as the largest single maker of Riesling wine in the region, using fruit sourced not only from Clare but also a small amount from the Eden Valley to give some style variation.

Resurgence of German wines seen in sales and quality
Americans have been lukewarm toward German wines for years because they associate them – and Germany's great grape, riesling – with the sweet, simple wines of their youth (the wines that probably accounted for a great deal of the imports back then). In part, the price point of German riesling has remained pretty constant while the rest of the world has been going up, he told us.

Winecast 53 - Alsace

Royal Sydney Wine Show Trophy Winners
Presented by the Family and Friends of the late Douglas Lamb, to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Riesling, Dry Style in the Show.

Riesling-makers adopt a less-is-more approach
The Weis family has made wine for generations along the Mosel, which, with the Rhine Valley, is where the fragrant Riesling grape is at its best, making ...

Syrah Shiraz

A bunch of hopes rests on our syrahs
Some Washington winemakers think syrah just might be the defining grape that will raise the reputation of our wines to world-class levels. John Duval has been making syrah (shiraz, as it's called in Australia) for even longer.

Letters to Wine
How about undertaking the search for a Syrah that is not "strong," "juicy," "jammy," "flavors are the product of oak" or "not recognizable as Syrah"? While the Devil's Marbles Shiraz does exhibit "a little earth" (dare we say terroir?) and the Forestville Shiraz is "drinkable," where are some of the qualities found in the good and great (and competitively priced) wines of the Rhone, for example?

Syrah and... the Sex Appeal?
The Syrah grape (also known as Shiraz) for one produces deep, intense wines that are often referred to as such. A close second is Australia, where the grape is known as Shiraz or less often as Hermitage.

The rebirth of Casa Madero
Planting more and better clones of standbys chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and merlot, as well as new varietals such as shiraz and cabernet franc. Which may explain why Milmo's shiraz, the Australian version of syrah, is so good.

February Reds (8): France Bord, Canada Pinot Noir, Australia Shiraz, Canada Shiraz, Spain Rosé, France Cab Sauv, Australia Shiraz, Italy Sangiovese,
The Jindalee Shiraz shows pepper and spice on the nose and is full of rich fruit flavors on the palate. It shows great balance and is an easy drinking Shiraz that is great with or without food.

WebWineMan: Shiraz-a-ma-Taz
And we are no different as we assembled friends, food and more than 20 Syrah and Shiraz wines from all over the world for our monthly tasting. I personally liked the French renditions with their more subtle flavors, but most of our tasters preferred the more fruit-forward new world styles like the Marquis Phillips Shiraz which showed well with its big bold '04 edition.

Eureka! Ten good Zinfandels and Syrahs for $10 or less
And to prepare for the possible consequences of Migden's bill, we also present five good cheap Syrahs, because Syrah (also known as Shiraz) is the closest-tasting grape to Zinfandel. The 2003 Devil's Marbles Limestone Coast Shiraz ($10) from kangaroo country is my favorite of this week's Syrahs.

Wine Reports: Coriole 2002 "Contour 4" McLaren Vale Sangiovese-Shiraz ($14)
This is a blend of 55 percent of the Italian variety Sangiovese (perhaps best known as the leading grape in Chianti) with 45 percent of the Australian Shiraz (Syrah), grown in the lovely McLaren Vale wine region not far south of Adelaide.

Zippy wines enliven rainy nights
The 2004 Black Swan South Eastern Australia Shiraz The 2003 Covey Run Columbia Valley Syrah ($9) from Washington shows the promise of this variety in the state.

HRM Rex-Goliath, "Giant 47 Pound Rooster", Shiraz 2004
HRM Rex-Goliath, “Giant 47 Pound Rooster”, Shiraz 2004 ($8) - Very dark purple in color with intense aromas of raspberry and plum; mouth-filling plum and black pepper flavors with some spice and fine tannins, finishing a tad hot for a 13.5% alcohol wine.

Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz 2003
I hear you are going to release a wine for Kiwis called Dave Brookes Soap Dodger Syrah ??

Garlics difficult to match with wine
Here are some other quick matchups: Foie gras (Sauternes, sweet wine), fish (a citrusy Chardonnay), salmon (Pinot Noir), lamb/game (Syrah, Bordeaux, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon), pizza (nothing goes with pizza if there's pepperoni on it. But if you must have wine, go with a big, peppery Shiraz from Australia), turkey (Gewurztraminer, Riesling or Pinot Noir) and oysters (Chablis, champagne and dry Riesling).

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz (South Australia) 1997

The Cork Grove Castelao/Shiraz
A neat little wine from Portugal, the Cork Grove Castelao/Shiraz blend is mostly (65%) Castelao with some (35%) Shiraz blended in for balance.

Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Cabernet 2001

Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz 2002
Fast forward a few years and I was still yet to explore the possibilities of sparkling shiraz further, until today. The Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz nearly took my head off when removing the cork, this was indeed one feisty bottle of bubbly.

Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz 2002

Hewitson Ned
Hewitson Ned Henry's Barossa Shiraz 2004 is primarily Shiraz, with a small portion of Mourvedre blended in. This Australian Shiraz is a dark, rich and lush example, with aromatic cassis, blackberry and raspberry fruit essences, supported by baking spice, and hints of chocolate and forest floor.

Elderton Tantulus Shiraz Cabernet 2003
Elderton* Tantulus 2003 is 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, from South Australia. I feel like I've just discovered Shiraz/Cab Sauv blends because the last few I've tasted definitely have been greater the sum of their parts.

2002 Colvin Syrah, Patina Vineyard
I'm back on syrah, baby, and mama LOVES her some syrah. Even a massive, voluptuous syrah like this makes me happy.

Exhibition of Victorian Winemakers 2006 Summary
In the coming days Im going to have writeups on the Pinot and Heathcote Shiraz masterclasses and some (very) brief notes and ratings for the numerous wines tried. Last year, the in thing was Shiraz-Viognier blends, whereas this year saw Pinot Grigio/Gris as the big mover.

Penfolds Bin 138 Old Vine Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2004

Donny Goodmac Shiraz 2004

Cline California Syrah 2003

Meerea Park Shiraz Viognier 2004

B-day Part ? : California Syrah, Roast Chicken,
Its memory will be protected in my mind as one of the best values in California Syrah.

Taster's Choice Before I get too many emails, card...
The wine is Wayne Dutschke’s 2002 St Jakobi’s Shiraz (Barossa Valley). I noted that the 2002 St Jakobi Shiraz was a dark cherry, and chocolate just exploded out of that glass!

Barrel 27
After tasting I was figuring it was a small block/barrel reserve Syrah from Henry Story for about $40. For Superbowl Sunday I had enjoyed a bottle of 1999 Terra Rouge Ascent, which I consider the best Syrah in California, and this wine reminded me of the Ascent.

Port Phillip Estate and Kooyong (further wine adve...
Next was the 2001 Port Phillip Estate Shiraz ($20AUD). The younger 2003 Port Phillip Estate Shiraz ($32AUD) was a deeper cherry in color with pepper, spice and blackberry aromas.

Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio

Eat. drink. (you know the rest.)
So if you're casting about for a "refreshing, light-bodied" white to go with a salad, consider a Pinot Gris from the Anderson Valley or a Pinot Grigio from Santa Ynez.

Wine Lovers Page
2004 Ciao Bella, Pinot Grigio, Venezie, Italy, $10, 3,500 cases. 2005 Nobilo, Pinot Gris, Icon, Marlborough, New Zealand, $22.

VineGal - Gold medal white wines of Italy - Cindy Greenberg
Varietals include: Arneis, Cortese, Moscato, Chardonnay, Picolit, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon Blanc, Tocai Friulano, Verduzzo, Muller-Thurgau, Nosiola, Traminer, Garganega, Prosecco, Trebbiano, Vespaiola, Malvasia, and Vernaccia. Also from the Veneto region comes the sparkling Prosecco wine of Bellini fame, which is made principally from the Prosecco grape but is also blended with lesser amounts of Pinot Grigio (more popularly known as Pinot Gris in the US market) and Pinot Bianco grapes.

The Spanish Armada Strikes Again!
The second vintage of this outstanding Pinot Gris that offers great value for money. The wine is made in a dry, crisp almost Pinot Grigio style, on appearance, it is light green straw colour, the bouquet is unmistakeably Pinot Gris.

Michigan wine dinners celebrate new book and a Mawby wine
Matt and Chris purchased 10 acres about three miles from Round Barn and will plant Pinot Grigio this year.

Savor heavenly pairing of red wine and chocolate over two ...
Grape wines include Syrah, Siegerrebe and Pinot Gris. Current release white wines include Island White, a blend of Madeleine Sylvander and Madeleine Angevine, Pinot Grigio and Viognier.

If its not flavour, what is the point of pinot gris?
 In northern Italy it is known as pinot grigio, where it often produces lighter, boring ... Dr Neil McCallum at Dry River soon became the pinot gris guru with his ...

2002 Clos des Rochers Pinot Gris (Wormeldange Nussbaum Grand Premier Cru) (Luxembourg)
It's the antithesis of Pinot Gris wines from Alsace, which to my taste frequently are so buttery and viscous as to be cloying and undrinkable.

Coppola Bianco California Pinot Grigio 2004
Coppola Bianco Pinot Grigio 2004 was an all stainless steel affair. The grapes were sourced from Monterey, and 3% Sauvignon Blanc was blended in. Corey Beck is Winemaker.

San Guiseppe Veneto Pink Pinot Grigio 2004
Pink Pinot Grigio by San Giuseppe is certainly a small new wrinkle in the U.S. market, playing on the fact that Pinot Grigio grapes mature with a range of hues, including pink. San Giuseppe Pink Pinot Grigio is the Brand idea of Vintwood International's Frank Gentile and Bob Musso.

MSM news roundup
Gallo has made their $10-a-bottle Ecco Domani a staple with New York fashionistas who drink "eccotinis"--pinot grigio served in martini glasses with two grapes on a skewer.

Rex Goliath 47 Pound Rooster Pinot Grigio 2004
The varietal grapes for Rex Goliath Pinot Grigio 2004 were harvested and fermented before the buyout was completed.

Merlot

Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexander Merlot 2004 Wine Review (NW)
If you want to broaden your view of Merlot, try this wine. This, and many others from South America and places like Washington State and Northern Italy will surely redefine your view of Merlot.

Wine Talk: 2003 Stags Leap Wine Cellars Merlot/$44.99
Merlot often gets a bad rap from wine snobs such as the main character in the movie "Sideways," who claimed the grape is only good for making cheap watery versions of cabernet sauvignon. While it is true there is a lot of bad merlot out there, don't dismiss the grape entirely.

Flying Fish Washington State Merlot 2003
The composition of Flying Fish Merlot 2003 is 80% Merlot, 20% Cab Franc, from Columbia Valley. Blueberry, cherry, sweet spice, mocha, and vanilla give this Merlot a lush sweet nose.

Love affair between merlot, cabernet
This column is about the two major varieties, merlot and cabernet sauvignon, from France's Bordeaux region that are extensively grown here. Merlot and cabernet sauvignon are caught up in those differences, and they are differences that are worth appreciating in order to understand both grapes.

Masala Merlot
So you have a glass of Verdicchio, the white wine from the central Italian region of Marche, paired with khandvi, the traditional chickpea flour preparation, while the Valdivieso Merlot, a red wine, is being offered with gatte ki sabzi.

Meerea Park Cabernet Merlot 2003
The blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% merlot.

Key words unlock wine mysteries
I was intrugued to see Villa Maria's relatively lowly Private Bin Hawke's Bay Merlot 2004 go gold at the 2005 Air NZ Awards, but this was no fluke. This is not a particularly powerful or concentrated red, but it is a compulsively drinkable merlot for the masses at a great price.

On The Lees -- Premiere Napa Valley sets record at trade auction
10 cases of Regusci Winery's 2004 Stags Leap District cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc blend, 27,000. * Five cases of Gemstone's 2003 Special Barrel + 12 blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot, 27,000.

Chateau Belon 1998 wine review of (PB)
Made of Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 55% and Cabernet Franc 5% this Grand Vin De Bordeaux is thin on the pallet compared to Tapestry with big pepper flavors, and surprisingly fruit forward for a Graves wine.

Foris Vineyards Winery Fly Over Red Oregon 2001
Foris Fly Over Red 2001 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 19% Cabernet Franc.

Bellini Merlot 2004 wine review by (PB)

Dynamite Vineyards Merlot (North Coast) 2001

Up and Down the Wine Roads
From there we zipped over to Bill Harlan's new Napa Valley Reserve Winery on the Silverado Trail, which was the venue for the inaugural release of Blackbird Vineyards Merlot.

Wine finds
So it's nice for grape-centric wine drinkers to see that most Languedoc wines are labeled by grape: Chardonnay, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir - it's right there on the bottle. Available in three of the most popular varietals - Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon - all are pleasing, drinkable wines for the price.