White Wine

• Grown on all iron-infused Devon Slate, this 2007 estate Riesling feels like biting into a sweet, juicy, ripe white peach, but superb balance in the form of great minerality and acidity makes it a delicious joy. Most of the fruit comes from the famous cru vineyard site “Würtzgarten” (spice garden) in the Mosel River town of Ürzig (which Don and Jennifer had the pleasure of visiting earlier this summer), and contributes to the wine's spicy profile. Great to enjoy on its own, but also great with salads and spicy dishes or fusion cuisine.
  
  
• Grillo is the grape normally used in the production of the sweet, fortified Sicilian wine Marsala. Typical aroma of jasmine, white flowers and tropical fruits with a fresh and fragrant finish. This luminous, hay-colored 2007 Grillo imparts measured notes of banana and exotic fruit that add extra richness and dimension to this simple and easy-drinking wine. Pair this wine with seafood, vegetable and pasta recipes.
  
  
• This 2007 French Vin de Pay d'Oc shows a sparkling yellow color. Fresh fruit aromas of grapefruit, peach, lychee and lemon, along with floral hints of iris. Ample and lively on the palate with fruit and vanilla notes, ending with a touch of minerality. This Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with any grilled fish. Be sure to ask Jennifer or Don about their recent visit to this winery!
  

Red Wines

• An affordable, well-balanced, food friendly Merlot from Sonoma County, California. This smooth, mellow beauty from the 2004 vintage features rich, dried berry aromas and flavors. The family has been growing grapes in Dry Creek Valley since 1946, a true family operation where the winemaker and the assistant winemaker both work in the tasting room. They produce maximum-extracted, estate-grown and -produced red wines that are handcrafted in small lots.
  
  
• This California Rhone blend is a fun, easy-drinking assemblage of Mediterranean varietals (in 2005 - it is 56% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre & 16% Grenache). The 2005 vintage in the Sierra Foothills was exceptional for the Rhône varietals. It was an earlier harvest pushed forward by a light crop level with intensely flavored fruit, leading to a wine that drinks like a quality Côtes-du-Rhône Villages bottling - sappy, spicy, fabulous flavor, and great texture. The 2005 has deep boysenberry fruit suggestions, smoky/meaty/gamey flavor components that emphasize the terroir, and a lengthy, creamy texture. Aged for 16 months in French oak. This is a great California wine value!
  
  
• This special bottling of Mendocino Zinfandel is a combination of the winemaker's favorite Mendocino Zinfandel vineyards. The three individual lots are fermented in stainless tanks and then aged in Hungarian and French oak for 10 months separately. The lots are not blended until just before bottling so that the integrity of each individual vineyard can be tasted in the wine. This 2006 Zinfandel depicts fresh red fruit, mint, ripe prune and raspberry characteristics, nice dark fruit and allspice on the mid-palate, all complemented with a dusty fig finish. Perfect for pairing with an assortment of cheeses such as white cheddar, a mild blue, or Pecorino.
  
  
  

Appetizer of the Week

Cheesy Bread Bowl - $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!