The Wine RackBy Suzanne and Parks Hall
Drinking wine is fun. But many people make it too complicated. That’s why for more than 10 years, we’ve tried hundreds of wines and shared what we’ve discovered with newspaper, magazine and now Travellady.com readers. Our approach to wine tasting may not be scientific. But it is down-to-earth. Since we believe wine and food are a natural combination, we consider that when trying wines and make pairing suggestions for every wine we recommend. You may not agree with all our choices. But you can be assured that the wines we recommend, whether priced at $10 or $40, represent good value. And speaking of prices, please remember that they can vary from city to city and that some wines may not be available everywhere. TOP PICK
1999 Good Merlots, like most wines, are climbing up in price lately. Although this one will cost you about $17or so, it is fairly priced and worth the money in today’s market. It’s not a Rambo red, but there’s nothing flabby about it, either. Pleasant tannins and full flavor help it hold up to most traditional red wine foods. It’s easy going enough for lighter dishes as well. Well balanced and medium bodied with a dry finish, this reserve bottling from Wente has a deep purple-red color and a pleasantly musty nose with hints of currants, other fruits and some spices. The complex palate of flavors includes plums, currants, spice and a bit of chocolate. Pair this wine with your holiday roast of beef or other red meat main courses. It’s also a good match with venison, quail and other game. If you feel romantic, serve it to your significant other while sitting by the fire and nibbling on pates, brie or Camembert cheese. OTHER GOOD BETS THIS MONTH
2000 Although a chilled Sauvignon Blanc may seem more appropriate when it’s warm in most of the country. We love them in winter as well. Most help cut the richness of hearty winter foods. This one from California, although the name sounds French, combines the crisp, clean, dry characteristics of a good Sauvignon Blanc with a very pleasant creaminess. The flavor of apples, pears, citrus fruits and cedar make this an appealing wine to match with creamy pasta or rice dishes, chicken and fish.
1997 We’re seeing some interesting wines from Spain start to appear in wine shops in our area. We suspect they are becoming more plentiful elsewhere as well. The Marqués de Arienzo is a red, made from a blend of grapes grown in Rioja in the north-central part of the country. Medium bodied and dry, this wine’s dominant flavor is cherries. Pair it with red meats, vegetables and other hearty but relatively simple foods. Image by S. Parks Halls Back to the Wine Rack index page |
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