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
2001 This very distinctive wine truly is a conundrum. Made from a blend of several white grapes, it’s hard to define, except to say it is delicious. Medium-gold in color, with a light green tint, it’s very aromatic. We detected spice, melon, apricot, peach and pear aromas. And that great nose lingers! Flavors follow the nose. Look for all the same fruits, plus some apples and toast in this full-bodied lush wine. We tasted the 2001 vintage against the 2000 (about the same price). Both are very worthy wines and worth the price. We liked the 2000, even though it was a little less rich and fruity. But we loved the 2001. Serve either vintage lightly chilled with anything made with crab, pasta (especially spinach pasta) tossed with shrimp sauteed with mushrooms and garlic and simple fish dishes. OTHER GOOD BETS THIS MONTH
2001 Medium-gold in color with a tropical fruit nose and a taste that’s unmistakably Chardonnay, this is an unusually good wine that’s has a thick mouth feel. Moderately dry, creamy and buttery with a crisp edge, it will pair well with French onion soup, seafood bisque or chowder, cheese-filled pasta and YES! filet mignon.
1999 Liberty School has come a long way with its wines. This one truly is a winner. Medium to full-bodied and moderately dry, it has rich dark berry fruit flavors with hints of spice and nuts. It’s smooth and delicious. Pair it with full-flavored cheeses, grilled steaks and other red meat dishes. Image by S. Parks Halls Back to the Wine Rack index page |
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