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The Wine Rack

By 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
Duckhorn Vineyards
Napa Valley
Sauvignon Blanc
$22 - $24

We had the opportunity to visit with the people who make Duckhorn wines several years ago. We were impressed then. We continue to delight in their excellent wines. This one is no exception. It is a wonderfully complex wine and well worth its price. Melon, perhaps, watermelon, lemons and limes come to mind when you take your first sniff. You’ll find some of the same fruits, especially the lemons, in the flavor. This is a well-balanced wine with some nice oak. Its slight creaminess lingers on your tongue. As the weather gets warmer in much of the country, this is a good wine for sipping on the porch or patio. As a starter, it goes well with chilled seafood cocktails and mild cheeses. On the dinner table, pair it with grilled poultry and fish or pastas made with light sauces and vegetables. It will also complement egg and cheese dishes.

OTHER GOOD BETS THIS MONTH

2000
Estancia
Monterey
Chardonnay
$13 - $15

This Chardonnay is well made and reasonably priced. Pale in color with a tinge of green, it’s a crisp, medium-bodied wine loaded with the aromas of fresh peaches, melons and citrus fruit. We detected a little bit of grassiness in the nose as well. This is a good sipping wine. When served chilled, but not icy, it fills the mouth with those peaches and melons. It’s very versatile  when it comes to food. Serve it with nearly all chicken and fish dishes.

1999
Pio Cesare
Barbera d’Alba
$19 - $21

From Italy, this dark, ruby red wine has a mild nose with hints of pepper and cloves. Quite dry and medium-bodied, its slightly tart flavor of blackberries and black cherries lingers in the mouth. This is an excellent wine with Southern Italian dishes, filled with tomatoes, garlic and herbs. Some say, Barbera d’Alba is the ultimate pizza wine. We’d have to agree.

Image by S. Parks Hall