White Wines

• Made from thirty-year-old vines, this 2006 Loire Valley Muscadet is very fresh, but also soft. It has the musky character typical of old vines grown on siliceous rock and pairs beautifully with starters, fish pâté, and goat's cheese.
  
  
• The Graves AOC is a region along the Garonne River that is considered the best subzone of Bordeaux for the cultivation of white grapes for dry whites. The name of the appellation is a reference to the soil of this zone, which is indeed very gravelly, alluvial. Vines used to produce this 2007 Graves Blanc are over a half-century old. Cultivated Semillon and particularly Sauvignon vines are rarely this ancient, conventional wisdom being they are too frail and unproductive at this advanced stage in their development. The fruit for this wine is picked by hand in multiple passes through the vineyard to ensure all baskets of grapes begin fermentation physiologically ripe. Lees contact is allowed for texture and depth.
  
  
• This 2006 blend from Alsace is pale golden straw in appearance. On the nose, you'll find honey, vanilla crème, and the slightest hints of nutmeg spice. A fantastic balance and smooth acid structure combine to give this wine a silky smooth feel. This medium-dry wine is wonderfully light, but with enough body to accompany a meal and stand up to the flavors. The smooth texture provides a nice complement to white and cream sauces. The finish is smooth and long, with dry, grassy undertones and green pears making a tentative appearance.

Red Wines

• Transparent red color, almost light for a red Beaujolais. On the nose, you'll find hints of raspberries, currant, cold stone, and some flowers. On the palate, it shows young and refreshing Gamay fruit, mainly raspberries, along with flowers and some currant. Stony hints, cleansing acids, light tannins in the back. This 2007 vintage is a fabulous wine for the summer. Drink chilled as an aperitif.
  

• The winemaking facility in Nuits-Saint-Georges is indisputably one of the finest in Burgundy. Crimson ruby red in color, to the nose this 2005 Pinot Noir offers at first a basket of small red and black fruits (strawberry, cherry, blackcurrant, bilberry) later evolving into cooked prune, peppery notes, and notes of animal, underbrush, moss and mushroom. Lively and structured in the mouth with a well-rounded and supple backbone. Tannins and fruit go hand in hand and the chewiness matches the power of the secondary aromas. Serve with rather delicate dishes that are to some degree aromatic - vegetable salads, meat or poultry tarts, or simmered beef and vegetables. Moreover, its delicacy makes a perfect choice for those who like red wine with fish. Its natural elegance also makes it tasty with veal or hard cheeses like Gouda.
  
  
• This 2005 Cotes du Rhone is a blend dominated by Grenache for body and structure, combined with the fruit and elegance of Syrah, and enhanced by a touch of Mourvèdre and Cinsault. An elegant style, with notes of raisin, plum, sandalwood and licorice root, supported by tannins that are ample yet round and supple. Vinification is tailored to produce supple, aromatic wines that are delicious drunk young, yet still have aging capacity.
  

Appetizer of the Week

Warm Caramelized Onion over Goat 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!