Sparkling & White Wines

• In many parts of Europe, the government controls the names of specific wines, sparkling wines, and other beverages. For example, it is only possible to manufacture true Champagne from the grapes that are grown in the Champagne region of France. The same is true for Prosecco. Under European law, the name “Prosecco” can only be applied to wine that is made from Prosecco grapes grown in the Valdobbiadene/Conegliano region of Italy. This non-vintage wine is a classically fresh, juicy Prosecco featuring subtle aromas of flowers and ripe fruit, with refreshing acidity that is well integrated with flavors and effervescence.
  

• This 2007 Rheingau Riesling has a ripe nose of peach, lychee nut, fresh apricot, and honey suckle. An amazingly balanced wine on the palate, this Riesling has a smooth texture and flavors of mandarin, peach nectar, honey suckle, and a very pronounced lychee fruit. The acidity is crisp and fresh and makes the wine very clean on the finish. This is a very simple effort, but it is lovely and vibrant and will pair well with foods.
  

• Producing fresh, aromatic wines, Torrontés is the signature white grape of Argentina. This Mendoza bodega, founded in 1895, is one of the oldest and best wineries in Argentina. Golden yellow with greenish hues. The 2007 vintage gives fine aromas of roses and jasmines with a touch of white peaches. It is round, with perfectly balanced acidity and an elegant finish.
  
  

Red Wines

• The Rioja winery is located in a unique spot that is the exact meeting point of the two tectonic basins of the northern Iberian peninsula: the semi-arid area of the Ebro Valley, awash with Mediterranean sunlight, and the humid area of the Basque Country, which is bathed by cool Atlantic breezes. The blend for this 2004 vintage is 92% Tempranillo and 8% Garnacha. On the nose, mature fruit dominates in an incipient bouquet that captures the aging and a slight toasty aroma. Soft tannins make the wine more palatable in spite of its young age. Long, excellent aromatic aftertaste.
  

• This 2005 Mendoza Syrah-Bonarda (50% of each) is purple-colored with an expressive nose of pepper, spice box, and blueberry. On the palate the wine is supple-textured and easy-drinking with plenty of vibrant, spicy, ripe dark fruits, soft tannins, and a fruit-filled finish. Drink this tasty wine over the next 3–4 years.
  
  
• Bordeaux Supérieur AOC wines are produced from selected vineyard plots and older vines. As a result, these red wines are more complex and have a better aging potential than Bordeaux AOC wines. The aromatic profile on this 2005 vintage is typical of Bordeaux, including fruit (cherry, raspberry, blackcurrant) and floral aromas (violet), with a touch of more complex aromas such as liquorice, cedar, dried plum, or rose.
  
  

 

Appetizer of the Week

Apple Gouda Quesadillas - $8

 

For more specific information on these great wines, or to taste for yourself, stop by the Tasting Room at Wines by Jennifer this week. We look forward to seeing you!