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
2000 Mourvedre, a popular grape in Southern France, gets stellar treatment from California’s Cline. Don’t let the price turn you away. This wine is worth every penny. The slightly earthy nose bursts with the rich aromas of ripe plums, dark berries and black pepper. We also detected a hint of lemon peel both in the nose and on the palate. Lush fruit dominates the flavor, though. The fruitiness is enhanced by underlying hints of spice, tobacco and freshly ground pepper. Well balanced, dry and with a 15.5% alcohol content, this is no wimpy wine. The aromas and flavors hold up until the last drop is gone. Pair this excellent red with roasted or grilled meats. Rack of lamb and game are very good matches. Calves liver is another. You also can serve it with sharp Cheddar and other strong-flavored cheeses. If you want to feel really outrageous, enjoy it with a warm roast beef or cheesesteak sandwich. OTHER GOOD BETS THIS MONTH2000 Chardonnay lovers take note! Made from only Chardonnay grapes, this crisp, dry, slightly acidic wine, is a real winner. We loved this wine’s strong aromas and flavors of apples, pineapple, peaches and tropic fruit. It’s a pleasantly oaky wine which feels silky on the tongue. Veal or pork dishes, shellfish and creamy risottos or pasta will bring out all of this wine’s fine features. It, too, is well worth its price.
2001 We wrote about the 2000 vintage of this wine and have drunk a lot of it. The 2001 version is far superior and what a bargain. Pale in color, its nose and flavor remind us of eating canned cling peaches. There are lots of nice tropical fruit flavors as well. The wine finishes slightly sweet. It’s a good match with fresh fish and seafood and spicy Latin or Asian dishes. Or simply enjoy sipping it on a warm summer evening. Image by S. Parks Halls Back to the Wine Rack index page |
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