Sparkling Wines

• The picturesque family vineyards are nestled in the Italian Valdobbiadene foothills of the Alps. Nature provides the perfect conditions for the cultivation of their Prosecco grapes. This non-vintage wine is the more youthful version of their two Proseccos. It is crisp, dry and refreshing with small bubbles.
  
  
• This non-vintage California brut sparkling wine is produced by the "Charmat" method. The Charmat process involves faster and less expensive production techniques using large pressurized tanks throughout production. These interconnecting tanks retain the pressure (created by the production of carbon dioxide during fermentation) throughout the entire process. For many winemakers, the Charmat process replaces the expensive "Methode Champenoise" technique of secondary fermentation in bottles, thereby enabling them to produce inexpensive sparkling wines.
  

White Wine

• This historical Mendoza winery has been operating for over a century. No oak here—just clean, crisp fruit! A touch of Torrontes gives this 2006 Chardonnay lovely floral aromas. Medium-bodied, with lively flavors of tropical fruit. Delicious as an aperitif!
  

Red Wines

• This producer is both an urban winery and, in its unique way, an estate winery. All the grapes are grown on the estate in Napa Valley, but all the wine is made in downtown San Francisco. Don't let the lack of vintage and varietal fool you, this is a wonderful, rich red wine, perfect for hamburgers or other rich food. It is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, and it shows in the taste, but also contains several other varieties such as Merlot and even some Port grapes.

• This 2006 Malbec comes from the hillside vineyards of Mendoza, sites that rise to 1,200 feet above sea level—an altitude that helps temper the region’s warm sun, yielding grapes of exceptional balance and structure. It’s a challenging area to cultivate, with desert-like conditions and frequent hail threatening crops, but the resulting wine is worth the myriad risks. This ruby red, brilliant and very intense wine also contains 9% Cabernet Sauvignon. Its aromas are quite expressive of red fruit (strawberry, raspberry, red currant), with a hint of black fruit (blackberry) and spice. Full, round, fleshy, and very well balanced, the wine also features a velvety texture that carries into a long, smooth finish.
  
  
• This tasty Zin comes from some of the oldest vines in California. It has abundant cherry, blackberry and plum fruit that is offset by notes of pepper and spice. The addition of 10% Carignane grapes creates further complexity. Excellent with spicy beef kabobs on the barbeque.

Appetizer of the Week

Mandarin Orange Marmalade over Cream Cheese with Crackers - $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!