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
1998 The name’s a mouthful and so is this wine from Italy. It was totally new to us and a very pleasant surprise. Allegrini is one of the top producers of Veronese wines. Valpolicella and Bardolino are among the region’s best known wines and they’re often a bit wimpy. Not this wine. Made from a blend of local grapes, it’s filled with rich flavors and holds up well until the last drop. The wine’s deep red color, so deep it almost looks thick, sets the stage for a fine wine experience. The richness of the color is matched by an aggressive nose of cherries and a hint of chocolate. Dark cherries and plums dominate the flavor. Quite dry, this is a smooth, rich and fruity wine, that gets better and better the longer it’s in the glass. Grilled meats and vegetables are natural combinations with this robust yet easy drinking wine. Strong flavored cheeses, especially Parmesan and others from Italy are other good matches. We also like it with rich, red pasta dishes. OTHER GOOD BETS THIS MONTH
1999
Gewurztraminer Some say Gewurztraminer is as unpopular as Chardonnay is popular. That’s too bad, because Gewurztraminers can be really nice wines. Although we generally like a really dry style, we’ve always been impressed with Firestone’s off-dry version. It’s especially good for a warm summer’s evening on the porch or patio. Pale gold with a hint of green in the color, this wine offers the inviting aromas of melon, pineapple and a hint of strawberries. The melon and pineapple flavors give the wine both sweetness and a slight crispness. This wine is a good match with creamy egg dishes for brunch, a turkey sandwich and moderately spicy Asian dishes.
2001 This Sauvignon Blanc fills your mouth with the rich, fruity flavors of peaches and apricots. Not as dry as some Sauvignon Blancs, it’s a lively, well balanced wine with hints of lemon and pepper. If you’ve never liked Sauvignon Blanc, because of its tartness. Try this bargain-priced one. It’s a perfect match for chicken salad, especially if grapes or apples are included. Pair it as well cold boiled shrimp, simple fish and seafood dishes or a platter of fresh fruit. Image by S. Parks Halls Back to the Wine Rack index page |
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