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. Good Bets
2000 We tried so many good wines during the holidays, it was impossible to pick a top choice. So, in honor of 2004, we offer four delicious wines to kick off the New Year. We visited Edmeades many years ago and are always happy to find their wines in shops. Although this Zinfandel was produced in limited quantities, it’s well worth looking for. It sets the stage with pepper, anise and dark cherry aromas. The first sip is a bit tart then it smooths out to produce a mouthful of dark cherry flavors. This well balanced, excellent Zin will stand up to hearty beef dishes, great steaks and other rich foods.
2001 Clos du Bois A less expensive and less complex Clos Du Bois Shiraz than the one we wrote about last month, this is nevertheless an excellent wine at a very good price. Medium to full-bodied, it comes in with aggressive tannins and a great peppery taste. Look for blackberry and roasted nut flavors in this wine that will pair well with dishes made with tomatoes and garlic, beef tenderloin and chocolate desserts.
2003 Beaujolais Nouveau, which originated in France and now also is produced in California, is introduced on the third Thursday of November each year. It’s a fun, fruity wine meant to drink soon after it’s bottled. Very fresh and fruity, with the flavors of cola beans, strawberry and spices, this year’s offering from Georges Duboeuf is richer and more complex than in previous years. Moderately dry wine is best paired with simple poultry dishes. It also would be perfect for a cheese and wine party. Brie, blue-veined cheeses and fresh fruit are good matches.
2000 With its deep, clear garnet color, this moderately dry Merlot is a stunner in the glass. Filled with the aromas of blackberries, spice and strawberries, it has good tannins and a fruity, peppery taste. This is no flabby, wimpy Merlot, it has character, body and complexity. Serve it with full-flavored cheeses, beef cooked in red wine, grilled sausages and pasta topped with hearty meat sauce. Image by S. Parks Halls Back to the Wine Rack index page |
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