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<title>Wine RSS Feed</title><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/index.html</link><description>Wine blog</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2006 Dan Dunn</dc:rights><dc:date>2008-12-31T22:43:30-08:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:55:10 -0800</lastBuildDate><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>Wines o&#x27; the Week</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-12-31T22:43:30-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/bff99e47358e6bd5bb4b888b2ec21d79-33.html#unique-entry-id-33</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/bff99e47358e6bd5bb4b888b2ec21d79-33.html#unique-entry-id-33</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[(null)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>zinfandel</category><dc:date>2008-11-15T12:52:08-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/10a9e4518cad59014e3183969bea1bda-37.html#unique-entry-id-37</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/10a9e4518cad59014e3183969bea1bda-37.html#unique-entry-id-37</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[What it tastes like: To me it tastes like fun, because every time I drink the wines produced by these homespun Healdsburg winemakers I seem to have the best time.

...What to serve it with: A big fat juicy burger with a side of red beets.

...Song pairing: &ldquo;Shama Lama Ding Dong&rdquo; -- Otis Day and the Knights version from &ldquo;Animal House.&rdquo;...  The blend: Made from traditional Port grapes&mdash;Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Cao  What it tastes like: This is a dry, peppery red with soft tannins and a long finish

What to serve it with: Grilled meats and hard cheeses&hellip; or grilled cheese and hard meat.

...Song pairing: The haunting &ldquo;Vou Dar de Beber &agrave; Dor&rdquo; by the late great Am&aacute;lia Rodrigues,.  Considered to be the quintessential recording of Portugal&rsquo;s most famous singer.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>Gigondas</category><dc:date>2008-09-29T20:22:17-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_Sept29_08.html#unique-entry-id-36</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_Sept29_08.html#unique-entry-id-36</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[What it tastes like: It tastes like what I imagine blood would taste like if I were a vampire whose victim has eaten a lot of plums and licorice.

...Say this and sound smart: La Montagne de Reims est un ensemble g&eacute;ographique bois&eacute;, situ&eacute; entre Reims et Epernay et bord&eacute; au nord, au sud et &agrave; l'est par des coteaux de vignes.

...Why you should buy it: Felton Road may very well be the best wine producer in all of New Zealand.

...Say this and sound smart: Central Otago is the most southerly wine-producing region in the world.

...Why you should buy it: This is, undoubtedly, some of the finest pinot noir this scribe has ever tasted.  Indeed, 2007 is considered to be a subpar year for wine from Central Otago, but Felton Road pulled off a miracle.

...Why you should buy it: J&rsquo;s legendary winemaker George Bursick is a slave to fashion, and in fact may very well be the most stylish man in all of Healdsburg.

...Say this and sound smart: Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>shiraz</category><dc:date>2008-08-07T11:15:47-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_July24_2008.html#unique-entry-id-35</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_July24_2008.html#unique-entry-id-35</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Why you should buy it: As my wine connoisseur friend Sherie put it, &ldquo;I like big fucking reds like this one that touch every nerve in my palate.&rdquo;  What it tastes like: Cherry, chocolate, blueberries, pepper  What to serve it with: Beef tartare

Say this and sound smart: The Barossa Valley in Southern Australia takes its name from the Barossa Ranges, which were named by Colonel William Light in 1837.  Light chose the name in memory of the British victory over the French in the Battle of Barossa, in which he fought in 1811....  Where it&rsquo;s from: It&rsquo;s from Hirsch Vineyards on the Sonoma Coast, known for their premium pinot noir  What it tastes like: Two hot women on a leather couch; plums; Seville oranges; exhibits pleasant acidity; firm tannins  What to serve it with: Sharp cheddar cheese, rosemary, thyme, salad, bacon cheeseburger]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>Chivite</category><dc:date>2008-07-24T10:44:45-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_July18_2008.html#unique-entry-id-34</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_July18_2008.html#unique-entry-id-34</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Why you should buy it: &lsquo;Cuz it&rsquo;s made from the best of the best grapes from Julian Chivite&rsquo;s Senorio de Arinzano winery in Aberin (Navarra region).

What it tastes like: The black fruit comes at you and comes at you hard.  There&rsquo;s a smokiness to it as well, along with some hints of licorice.  What to serve it with: A Portobello mushroom burger prepared on a barbecue (click here for a recipe)

Say this and sound smart: The Senorio de Arinzano estate was designed by famed architect Rafael Moneo, the man behind the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.

...What you should know about it: It&rsquo;s made in Argentina, and Malbec is the single most important grape in Argentina.

...What to serve it with: It&rsquo;s a versatile wine that pairs well with virtually anything.  Say this and sound smart: The Malbec grape arrived in Argentina from France in 1852]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>Meyer Family</category><dc:date>2008-07-15T22:31:27-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/IMB_wow_June18_2008.html#unique-entry-id-32</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/IMB_wow_June18_2008.html#unique-entry-id-32</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A little bit about it: Meyer Family Cellars is a little bitty family-owned winery up in the Yorkville Highlands.

...It&rsquo;s not all that easy to accurately describe how &ldquo;balance&rdquo; manifests itself in a wine, but even neophyte oenophiles know it when they taste it.

...Say this and sound smart: &ldquo;Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever.&rdquo;

...A little bit about it: This is collaboration between professional golfer Luke Donald of Great Britain and wine pro Bill Terlato.

What it tastes like: It&rsquo;s really good&hellip; not Tiger Woods level good, mind you, but certainly good enough to, say, win a few times on the PGA tour, which Donald has done.

...Say this and sound smart: Donald had wanted to play his college golf at Stanford (where Woods went for a minute) but he was not admitted to the university.

...A little bit about it: Lake County, which was created from parts of Napa and Mendocino counties, was known for producing world-class wines in the early 20th century.

...Say this and sound smart: The cabernet sauvignon grape is the result of a chance crossing between cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc in France sometime during the 17th century.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>chardonnay</category><dc:date>2008-04-01T21:45:17-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_stfrancis_wildoak.html#unique-entry-id-31</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_stfrancis_wildoak.html#unique-entry-id-31</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Why you should buy it: It&rsquo;s about as Burgundian a California wine as you&rsquo;re likely to encounter.  The combination of an uncommonly cool growing season and some nifty tricks with malolactic fermentation resulted in a very crisp wine that is high in acidity.

What it tastes like: Tropical fruits, butter, lemon, a little vanilla&hellip;there&rsquo;s lots of stuff going in there, baby!

...Say this and sound smart: The barrels this wine was stored in were stirred by hand three times a week to enrich the wine with viscous manoproteins and polysaccharides released from the fermentation lees.

...Why you should buy it: This new venture sources fruit from vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Counties &hellip; plus, did you see all those varietals in the blend &ndash; these guys are WORKING IT!

What it tastes like: If blueberry pancakes smothered in Aunt Jemima syrup were a wine instead of a delicious breakfast dish, it would taste like this.  The Ghost Pines cab is a big fat dense beefy red that you can totally jam out to.

...Say this and sound smart: A Ghost, or Grey Pine, is a tree indigenous to Northern California.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>Blackbird Vineyards</category><dc:date>2008-03-22T13:01:18-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_Feb28_2008.html#unique-entry-id-29</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_Feb28_2008.html#unique-entry-id-29</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Why you should buy it: Because it's one of the most highly regarded boutique wines from Napa.

...What to serve it with: I had it with an amazing hamburger and it was, well, amazing  Say this and sound smart: Dion, Jose Feliciano, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Billy Preston are among the many artists who've covered the Beatles' hit "Blackbird"

...Why you should buy it: Because Melini has been around for, oh, about 300 years&hellip; so they must be doing something right over there in the hills of Tuscany.

...What it tastes like: there&rsquo;s an overt smokiness to it that is quite jarring at first, but once your palate adapts it&rsquo;s a treat.

...The blend: I think you&rsquo;ll agree that it&rsquo;s all pinot gris (I must say, I&rsquo;m in a rhyming mood today&hellip; hey, hey!)

Why you should buy it: Because winery founder Fred MacMurray starred in &ldquo;My Three Sons,&rdquo; and it was, like, one of my favorite shows when I was a kid&hellip; in reruns, of course.

...What to serve it with: Soft-shell crabs, hard-shell crabs, hermit crabs&hellip; er, on second thought, hold off on cooking up the hermit crabs.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>cabernet sauvignon</category><dc:date>2008-02-24T19:09:07-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_raymond.html#unique-entry-id-28</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_raymond.html#unique-entry-id-28</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Why you should buy it: &rsquo;05 was a good year for cabs in Napa&hellip;but you knew that already, didn&rsquo;t you?

What it tastes like: I detected apricot, oak and Nestle&rsquo;s Crunch, seasoned with a little pepper....  Quite an easy-drinking wine now, sure to grow in complexity over the next 10 years

...Say this and sound smart: Gumbos can be broadly divided into three categories: those thickened with okra, those thickened with fil&eacute; powder, and those thickened exclusively with roux.

...Why you should buy it: What&rsquo;s with all the stupid questions?

...What it tastes like: Ever suck on a honeysuckle blossom immediately after drinking a vanilla soda?

...Whatever you do, though, DO NOT serve it with Quiche Barbara&hellip; way too salty.

Say this and sound smart: Napa was one of the original counties of California, which was granted statehood in 1849.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>tempranillo</category><dc:date>2008-02-14T13:19:04-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_abadia_2003.html#unique-entry-id-27</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/WOW_abadia_2003.html#unique-entry-id-27</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Abadia Retuerta Selecci&oacute;n Especial 2003  The blend: 75% tempranillo, 20% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot

Why you should buy it: Because the 2003 vintage is just now coming into its own.

What it tastes like: It&rsquo;s spicy and fruity like the Sean Hayes character from &ldquo;Will & Grace.&rdquo;  I detected a hint of mint and some menthol as well.

What to serve it with: Food is best, though if you&rsquo;re feeling puckish you might try serving it with wood chips.

Say this and sound smart: The Abad&iacute;a Retuerta vinification facility uses a gravity flow system that rapidly moves the grapes and wine through each step in the vinification process in the gentlest manner possible.  This preserves the natural qualities of the fruit and the imprint of the terroir most effectively in the wine.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>Hugel et Fils</category><dc:date>2008-01-31T21:27:43-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/bc3d7660f29b4b6f9f891d799f98235c-26.html#unique-entry-id-26</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/bc3d7660f29b4b6f9f891d799f98235c-26.html#unique-entry-id-26</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Why you should buy it: Hugel is a prestige wine at a rank and file price

...Which raises an interesting question &mdash; if a wine finishes dirty, does that mean it&rsquo;s not the sort of wine you&rsquo;d ever bring home to mom?  What to serve it with: Saut&eacute;ed scallops and grilled asparagus, Asian cuisine as well  Say this and sound smart: Riesling planting in France&rsquo;s Alsace region dates back to 1477, the same year as the effeminately appelled Battle of Nancy

...Why you should buy it: Because, believe it or not, there are a number of stellar, and yet affordable wines from Bordeaux.  This is one of them, from one of the great Bordeaux vintages of the past hundred years.

What it tastes like: I picked up hints of cherry, and hints of truffle.

...And yes, I realize this is a red wine, but trust me, it rocks with chicken.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>merlot</category><dc:date>2008-01-24T20:16:22-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/0025676e0317ba1197091c43a4ca43f9-25.html#unique-entry-id-25</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/0025676e0317ba1197091c43a4ca43f9-25.html#unique-entry-id-25</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Why you should buy it: Because the &rsquo;04 merlot grape crop in Tuscany was exceptional.

...Why you should buy it: Because malbecs made in America (this one&rsquo;s from Monterey County) are a rare breed indeed, and Lockwood&rsquo;s inaugural vintage knocked our socks off.

...What it tastes like: Blueberries sprayed with firm tannin sauce (if such a thing existed).

What to serve it with: We had the Lockwood malbec with a grilled cheese sandwich and it was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Say this and sound smart: The idea that palladium or titanium might catalyze fusion stems from the special ability of these metals to absorb large quantities of hydrogen (including its deuterium isotope), the hope being that deuterium atoms would be close enough together to induce fusion at ordinary temperatures.

...Why you should buy it: Because it's a really tasty table wine at a great price....  What it tastes like: It's got a strong red wine quality to it :)

...Say this and sound smart: Having the fewest wants, I am nearest to the gods.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>pinot noir</category><dc:date>2007-09-28T06:46:42-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/a268934de043aa6a67e6f854af47a231-24.html#unique-entry-id-24</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/a268934de043aa6a67e6f854af47a231-24.html#unique-entry-id-24</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Why you should buy it: Because the grapes are grown in Otago, the world&rsquo;s most southerly wine region, which could be called the &ldquo;wow&rdquo; capital of New Zealand thanks to its rugged natural beauty.

...What it tastes like: There&rsquo;s a strong herbal quality that nicely complements the dense berry flavor.

...Set it aside while you prepare the dressing, which is a mixture of the juice of half a lime, half and orange, two tablespoons of fish sauce, a finely chopped small chili, and a little grated ginger.

...Say this and sound smart: It is said that if Cupid's arrow hits you, you will fall hopelessly and madly in love with the next person you meet.

...Why you should buy it: Because the grapes were sourced from famed vineyards of the Russian River Valley including the Starr Ridge, Rochioli-Allen, Cresta Ridge, Stiling, McIntyre, Archer Vineyards.

...What it tastes like: Opens light and fruity, but the finish is intense &hellip; kinda like a gay philosophy major after a few bong hits.

...Say this and sound smart: Gary Farrell is known for producing extremely small-lot Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

...Why you should buy it: It&rsquo;s a well-structured expression of fruit-driven cab.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Let&#x27;s Get Drunk and Screw</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>sauvignon blanc</category><dc:date>2007-09-13T16:28:07-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/cloudybay.html#unique-entry-id-18</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/cloudybay.html#unique-entry-id-18</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The debate over screwcaps versus corks is heating up among enologists and viticulturists, and while the Imbiber isn&rsquo;t inclined to get involved in a scrap between those ferocious factions, I DID almost cold-cock the old wine snob down at the local shop who gave me grief for buying Cloudy Bay&rsquo;s 2005 Sauvignon Blanc ($25).  I dig that wine something proper, and like &lsquo;em or not, so-called &ldquo;alternative closures&rdquo; such as the screwcaps Cloudy Bay uses are here to stay....  Let&rsquo;s check in with the Imbiber&rsquo;s Official Sommelier, Andre Compeyre, that debonair Frenchman-about-town who also handles vino duties at the famed Alain Ducasse restaurant in the heart of New York City.

&ldquo;Considering the progression in global wine production, I am not against screwcaps &mdash; especially for wines produced for drinking in their youth,&rdquo; says Andre.  &ldquo;Screwcaps prevent &lsquo;corked&rsquo; bottles caused by the infection known as TCA (Trichloranisole, which occurs during sterilization of the cork).

...Screw caps are popular in the &ldquo;New World&rdquo; wine industries of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America, and the United States.  &ldquo;Old World&rdquo; Europeans have been wary of them, although screwcaps are appearing more and more atop some very good bottles from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

...The biggest challenge facing proponents of screwcap technology may be convincing more traditionalist consumers &mdash;in all parts of the world&mdash; to change their attitudes about the caps.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Hanzell (but no Gretel)</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>chardonnay</category><dc:date>2007-09-13T16:26:05-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/2003Hanzellchard.html#unique-entry-id-17</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/2003Hanzellchard.html#unique-entry-id-17</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Every spring, once it&rsquo;s clear that the warm weather intends to stick around for a while, your Imbiber carefully selects an exquisite bottle of white wine that I hope will set the tone for a rewarding spring-summer drinking season.  This year I traveled all the way to the Sonoma Valley in Northern California in search of an exciting opening number, and after visiting a number of wineries and sampling upwards of 40 different wines settled on the 2003 vintage Chardonnay from Hanzell ($65).

The Hanzell Vineyards are located on a gorgeous 200-acre hilltop farm a little to the north of Sonoma City, and are home to some of the most historic vines in the country....  To achieve the desired result, Zellerbach aged his wares in French Oak Barrels instead of the large redwood vats that were staples almost everywhere else in the region.  Hanzell is credited with being the first California winery to use French Oak in production, as well as the first to employ glass-lined stainless steel tanks for fermentation.

Current chief winemaker Michael Terrien and his team are respectful of the site and take great pains to ensure the unique terroir is readily apparent in every Hanzell vintage.  The 2003 Chardonnay possesses a heady minerality, along with notes of pine forest that serve as a fine complement to the spirited fruit components....  However, I also sampled and was absolutely blown away by Hanzell&rsquo;s 1999 Chardonnay, so I&rsquo;m betting the 2003 vintage will also get really interesting after a few years in the cellar.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>cabernet sauvignon</category><dc:date>2007-09-13T16:16:58-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/JDaviescab.html#unique-entry-id-15</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/JDaviescab.html#unique-entry-id-15</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Composition: 80% cabernet sauvignon, 8% malbec, 7% petit verdot, 5% merlot

Why you should buy it: It&rsquo;s the best cab I&rsquo;ve sampled all week&hellip; and I&rsquo;ve sampled a shitload of cab this week!...  Davies comes from the historic Diamond Mountain AVA in Napa Valley, where the vines produce fruit that is late-ripening and dense &ndash; coincidentally, a lot of my grammar school teachers described me the very same way.  What it tastes like: A fruity bar of chocolate that lingers on the tongue like a kiss from Petra Nemcova (or, at least, how I imagine a Petra Nemcova kiss might linger)  What to serve it with: Steak tartare; a French dip sandwich; pork chops

Say this and sound smart: The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.  It is the source of all true art and all science.  He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>Champagne</category><dc:date>2007-07-20T09:52:18-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/f07df19819301f364e4bff7af437eff7-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/f07df19819301f364e4bff7af437eff7-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The scoop: If you want to get to know Charles Heidsieck (and believe me, you do) the Brut Reserve is the best place to begin the relationship.  This esteemed house, which has been around since 1851, follows a simple philosophy: The exception deserves the exceptional.

The taste: Remember when you were a kid and your mom took you down to the local pastry shop to sample the goodies?

...Say this and sound smart: Napoleon was a big fan of Heidsieck.

...The scoop: Nothing like a little rose to awaken the taste buds in summertime.  El Coto de Rioja vinified its first grabes 36 years ago, and has since emerged as the most popular wine brand in Spain.

...And wouldn't The Cherrytones have made for a great 50s doo-wop band name?

...Say this and sound smart: The tempranillo and garnacha tinta grapes that comprise this wine were grown in the alkaline soils of the Rioja Alta.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>sparkling</category><dc:date>2007-06-28T14:56:43-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/JBrut.html#unique-entry-id-13</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/JBrut.html#unique-entry-id-13</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The scoop: 2002 was one of the most ass-kicking growing seasons in recent memory up in the Russian River Valley.  That's in Northern California, and they were growing grapes for wine....  J Vineyards & Winery was founded by Judy Jordan, whose father Tom's eponymous winery is one best in the Alexander Valley.  Already renowned for her sparkling wines, Judy recently brought Sonoma winemaking legend George Bursick on board at J to beef up their stills.

The taste: Pears and honeydew, with a little citrusy tang to it.  Tang, incidentally, is my third favorite word in the English language.

Quite a pair: The J Vintage Brut goes GREAT with a fantastic Sunday brunch of scrambled eggs with lox and fresh fruit, while in a fancy hotel suite lying beside a totally hot woman you picked up at a wedding the night before.

...Say this and sound smart: The Russian River Valley was approved as an American Viticultural Area in 1983.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>chardonnay</category><dc:date>2007-05-17T22:20:48-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/7678c5c2201aaf72935fd80dd950e015-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/7678c5c2201aaf72935fd80dd950e015-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Nearly 30 wineries will be making their case on May 16th at &ldquo;Brooklyn Uncorked,&rdquo; a trade/consumer showcase of the best wines from this bourgeoning viticultural region.  The Imbiber is unable to attend because, on the recommendation of my spiritual advisor/bookie, I&rsquo;m headed to a secluded spa in Belize to have my soul cleansed by a Mayan high priest.

...Channing Daughters Scuttlehole Chardonnay 2006 ($15, Bridgehampton, NY) &mdash; Fantastic value; fresh green apple flavor; there was no malolactic fermentation, and as a result the flavor is quite crisp; a delightful young cool-climate Chardonnay that pairs nicely with seafood and gourmet cheeses.

W&ouml;lffer Reserve Chardonnay 2003 ($18, Sagaponack, NY) &mdash; Highlighted by hints of caramel, butter and toasted almonds; long finish; classically composed Chardonnay that&rsquo;s got some sass to it.

Bedell &ldquo;Taste Red&rdquo; 2005 ($30, Cutchogue, NY) &mdash; The Scarlett Johansson of red wines: sexy as hell and a little wild, but also goes great with a Woody Allen movie; an intriguing blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah from one of the North Fork&rsquo;s premier wineries.

Macari Bergen Road Meritage 2002 ($30, Mattituck, NY) &mdash; Spicy, medium-bodied; you&rsquo;ll taste plums and black cherries as the wine blossoms inside your mouth; tasted this with four friends/wine snobs, all of whom rated it an eight or higher on a scale of one to ten.

...A delicate balance of black and blueberries, mingled with savoury spice; this wine has yet to come into its own &ndash; cellar it for a few years, and then the sky&rsquo;s the limit.

Palmer Cabernet Franc 2004 ($19, Aquebogue, NY) &mdash; Minty off the bat, then comes a hint of pepper &ndash; fairly common for this varietal in cooler climates; soft tannins; ready to drink now&hellip; so what are you waiting for?]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Hogue 2003 Reserve Merlot</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>merlot</category><dc:date>2007-03-13T16:38:44-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/2003Hoguemerlot.html#unique-entry-id-23</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/2003Hoguemerlot.html#unique-entry-id-23</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Hogue 2003 Reserve Merlot

The scoop: Hogue is known for turning out stellar merlot, and the 2003 vintage is a fine example.

The taste: You know what a cassis is?  No, it&rsquo;s not Ali&rsquo;s former name, silly &ndash; it&rsquo;s a black currant.  This wine taste&rsquo;s like that: The black currant, not Ali.

Quite a pair: The notes the publicist gave me suggested pairing this wine with a bacon-wrapped filet mignon and bleu cheese sauce.  That sounds incredible, but if you&rsquo;re like me and can&rsquo;t afford a filet, try it with a hamburger.

...Say this and sound smart: I already gave you the stuff about the cassis &hellip; what do you want from me.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Chateau d&#x2019; Aqu&#xe9;ria Tavel Ros&#xe9; 2005</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>ros&#xe9;</category><dc:date>2007-01-11T22:08:41-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/tavelrose.html#unique-entry-id-11</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/tavelrose.html#unique-entry-id-11</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The scoop: Ros&eacute; is going to be hot in &rsquo;07, mark my words.  Chateau d&rsquo; Aqu&eacute;ria is a fine expression of the wines of Tavel, a region northeast of Avignon solely designated for ros&eacute; wines.  FYI, ros&eacute;s are produced from a blend of red and white varieties &hellip; but you knew that, right?

The taste: Drier than Kurt Loder and fruitier than Richard Simmons.

Quite a pair: Try it with egg rolls and shrimp fried rice; hold the MSG.

Say this and sound smart: &ldquo;This wine is pink-colored like salmon, the common name for several species of fish of the family Salmonidae.&rdquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Serego Alighieri Amarone Classico 2000</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>amarone</category><dc:date>2006-12-13T22:28:34-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/AlighieriAmarone.html#unique-entry-id-10</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/AlighieriAmarone.html#unique-entry-id-10</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Serego Alighieri Amarone Classico 2000 The scoop: The Serego Alighieri family are descendants of the poet Dante, who wrote that beauty awakens the soul to act.  Drinking this beautiful wine is sure to stir the soul. The ancient vineyard where this wine is made is called Vaio Armaron, which the family contends is where the name Amarone originated.

The taste: Once when I was a child, I mixed cherry ice cream with mint chocolate chip.  That&rsquo;s what this wine tastes like.  God, I love it!

Quite a pair: Lots of succulent possibilities including quail, parmesan cheese, pasta with red sauce and pot roast.  Say this and sound smart: &ldquo;The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crises maintain their neutrality&rdquo; (some more Dante for ya&rsquo;)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Merryvale 2003 Starmont Merlot</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>merlot</category><dc:date>2006-12-13T22:27:15-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/starmontmerlot.html#unique-entry-id-9</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/starmontmerlot.html#unique-entry-id-9</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Merryvale 2003 Starmont Merlot The scoop: In its 23-year history, Merryvale has emerged as one of the most celebrated wineries in Napa, and &ndash; over the past three hours &ndash; it&rsquo;s become one of The Imbiber&rsquo;s personal faves.  They produce upwards of 90,000 cases of wine per year, and this particular wine was released last May.  The Starmont Merlot blend contains 12 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 1 percent Cab Franc, which really amps up the tannins.  Which reminds me, if you&rsquo;re planning on tannin, use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30!

...Quite a pair: Go out and buy the best porterhouse steak you can find for the grill.  Of course, if you&rsquo;re taking my previous advice and cellaring the wine for a few years, there&rsquo;s a good chance the meat will go bad by then.  In fact, it&rsquo;s probably best to hold off on buying that porterhouse until you&rsquo;re ready to yank the cork on the Starmont Merlot.

Say this and sound smart: &ldquo;The Cask Room at Merryvale is often cited as Napa Valley&rsquo;s most memorable setting for special events.&rdquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Groot Constantia 2002</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>pinotage</category><dc:date>2006-11-15T16:26:47-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/groot.html#unique-entry-id-8</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/groot.html#unique-entry-id-8</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The scoop: It&rsquo;s made with 100 percent Pinotage grapes, but I believe the winemakers at Groot Constantia are giving 110 percent.  This wine spent 12 months in French & American oak barrels, and was not stabilized or filtered in an effort to add complexity.  It worked!

The taste: Think berries &ndash; strawberries, raspberries, dingleberries &hellip; nevermind, don&rsquo;t think dingleberries.

Quite a pair: Two words &ndash; ostrich steak.

Say this and sound smart: &ldquo;Geert Groote was a 14th Century Dutch preacher and founder of the Brethren of the Common Life.  However, he had nothing to do with the production of this wine.&rdquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Tumara Pinotage 2004</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>pinotage</category><dc:date>2006-11-15T16:25:22-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/tumarapinotage.html#unique-entry-id-7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/tumarapinotage.html#unique-entry-id-7</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The scoop: The Pinotage grape, which is unique to South Africa, was first planted on the Bellevue Estate, home to Tumara wines.

The taste: The finish is longer than the ending of the &ldquo;The Return of the King.&rdquo;  The flavor &ndash; coconut, plums and oak &ndash; will stay with you a while.

Quite a pair: Try it with a grilled cheese sandwich, but be sure to hold the tomato.

Say this and sound smart: &ldquo;The Tumara estate is named after a prized Arabian mare.  And actress Mare Winningham is named after her mother.&rdquo;

The dam&aacute;ge: If I told you it was only $15 a bottle, would you be interested in something like that?]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Atlas Peak 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>cabernet sauvignon</category><dc:date>2006-11-02T11:03:23-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/atlaspeak03cab.html#unique-entry-id-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/atlaspeak03cab.html#unique-entry-id-5</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The scoop: Atlas Peak&rsquo;s vineyards are high up on a peak overlooking the estate (wanna guess what the peak is called?)  so the daytime temps are much lower than they are on the Napa Valley floor.  Growers on the mountain get to harvest later than usual, and don&rsquo;t have to worry as much about the heat over ripening the grapes.  Ideal growing conditions for the Cabernet Sauvignon variety.

...Toothpicks made out of French oak.

Quite a pair: T-bone steak, which also happened to be winemaker Darren Procsal&rsquo;s nickname in high school.  This would be quite a funny coincidence if it were actually true.

Say this and sound smart: &ldquo;I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.&rdquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay 2003</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>chardonnay</category><dc:date>2006-11-02T09:19:46-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/b4e6b4e68e5d77a9a9a2edfc230dd1bb-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/b4e6b4e68e5d77a9a9a2edfc230dd1bb-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The scoop: A tad pricey, but worth every penny.  Impeccable expression of the very best Chardonnays Northern California has to offer.

The taste: Tasting reveals layer upon layer of flavors ranging from butterscotch to citrus to roasted almonds to peaches.  Can&rsquo;t recommend highly enough.

Quite a pair: Go Pete Brady with this &ndash; pork chops and apple sauce.

Say this and sound smart: &ldquo;Robert Parker called this one of California&rsquo;s finest, longest-lived Chardonnays.  And Ray Parker Jr.

...The dam&aacute;ge: Half a hundo.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Churchill&#x2019;s Vintage Port 2000</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>port</category><dc:date>2006-10-31T11:49:32-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/churchillport.html#unique-entry-id-4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/churchillport.html#unique-entry-id-4</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The scoop: Founded in 1981 by John Graham and his wife Caroline Churchill, Churchill&rsquo;s is the only port wine producer that begins with wines made only from Grade A-vineyard grown grapes.  This, of course, means nothing to me, but it sure sounds impressive.

The taste: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not too sweet.  It&rsquo;s a cool refreshing treat, Canada Dry ginger ale, it&rsquo;s not too sweet &hellip;&rdquo; Anybody else remember that jingle?...  Oh, this port isn&rsquo;t too sweet, either.

...Quite a pair: Goes well with cheese, chocolate, cheese, Ben & Jerry&rsquo;s NY Superfudge Chunk ice cream (hey, doesn&rsquo;t everything?), perhaps some pecan pie, cheese and products that taste cheesy.

Say this and sound smart: &ldquo;From what I can gather from nosing this port, they used 100 percent of the stalks during fermentation to increase the tannins, thus giving it the necessary &lsquo;steel girder&rsquo; for the longevity of a vintage.  Of course, I am a bit congested.&rdquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Clos Malverne Pinotage Reserve 2002</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>pinotage</category><dc:date>2006-10-31T11:48:06-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/closmalvernepinotage.html#unique-entry-id-3</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/closmalvernepinotage.html#unique-entry-id-3</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The scoop: Created in South Africa in 1925, Pinotage is a crossing of the Pinot Noir & Cinsault (then known in South Africa as Hermitage) vines.  It is rarely grown outside South Africa, where it is widely planted.  Clos Malverne is produced in a region called Stellenbosch.

The taste: Berry flavor is in full effect, accented by a hint sweet vanilla.  Some dirt, too &ndash; the good kind....  Quite a pair: Serve it with barbecued ribs, Portobello mushrooms, Ben & Jerry&rsquo;s NY Superfudge Chunk ice cream, back episodes of &ldquo;Lost,&rdquo;

Say this and sound smart: &ldquo;What a fantastic example of the benefits of spontaneous malolactic fermentation.  Oh, and would you please pass the Ben & Jerry&rsquo;s?&rdquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Inama Vin Soave 2004</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>Inama</category><dc:date>2006-10-26T22:04:06-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/inamavinsoave.html#unique-entry-id-0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/inamavinsoave.html#unique-entry-id-0</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The scoop: Stefano Inama lives in an old part of the Old World, and his wines reflect that.  As he told me at a recent luncheon, "I'm not a winemaker ...  the grapes and terroir make the wine."  Well, big thanks to the grapes and soil that made this soave, cuz it's stellar.

The taste: Smoother than a Hollywood agent, and more pleasant than sex on a rainy afternoon.

Quite a pair: Sure this white wine goes well with salads and fish, but I drank half a bottle while nibbling on peppered salame from the Columbus Salame Company, and I couldn't have been happier.

Say this and sound smart: "The volcanic soil found in the Soave Classico area imparts a floral aroma and a discernible character on the palate."

The dam&aacute;ge: Less than $15.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Wattle Creek 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>cabernet sauvignon</category><dc:date>2006-10-26T20:53:13-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/wattlecab02.html#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/wattlecab02.html#unique-entry-id-2</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The scoop: The name "Wattle Creek" comes from Australia's indigenous Wattle Tree, a member of the Acacia family that has distinctive yellow blossoms that herald Spring across the Australian countryside.  So, as you might expect, this wine is produced in Northern California's Alexander Valley.

The taste: Supple tannins, ripe sweet berries ...  this big red begs for over-use of expressive adjectives.  It's as smoky as a party at Snoop Dogg's crib.

Quite a pair: Is such a natural match with steak, it's a wonder they don't force-feed this wine to cows.

Say this and sound smart: "When a wine spends 19 months in small French oak barrels, as this one did, you can really detect the aroma of tasted oak."

...that is, if beans were a dollar each.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>2005 Brassfield Estate Sauvignon Blanc (High Valley Appellation)</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>sauvignon blanc</category><dc:date>2006-10-26T18:10:08-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/brassfieldsauvblanc.html#unique-entry-id-1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/brassfieldsauvblanc.html#unique-entry-id-1</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The scoop: Made primarily with sauvignon blanc grapes, a small amount of semillon from a new vineyard was blended in to add more body to the mid-palate.  High Valley is a tiny little slice of heavenly wine country in Lake County, CA.

The taste: Grapefruit jumps out at you, but then you pick up all sorts of other citrusy delights.  The key to this crisp classic Bordeaux-style white wine is balance.

Quite a pair: Try it with salmon, just make sure you cook it first -- the salmon, not the wine.  Raw oysters work well, too.

Say this and sound smart: "Speaking of spit buckets, did you know that the average human produces 25,000 quarts of spit in a lifetime, enough to fill two swimming pools?"

The dam&aacute;ge: A ten-spot plus a fiver.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>All Hail the &#x27;96 Dom</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>Champagne</category><dc:date>2006-10-11T16:29:20-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/96Dom.html#unique-entry-id-19</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/96Dom.html#unique-entry-id-19</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[336 years ago a young monk named Pierre Perignon took over the wine-making duties at the Abbey at Hautvillers in the heart of France&rsquo;s Champagne region, and both a legend and a myth were born.  Dom Perignon is no doubt the most famous name in bubbly, and the late master certainly deserves accolades for pioneering numerous advancements in still wine-making.  But while he&rsquo;s often credited with having invented sparkling wine, that distinction rightfully belongs to the 17th Century London hipsters who were the first to embrace the sweet wines that had become fizzy during the long journey from France to England.

...But just because Dom Perignon isn&rsquo;t the first guy to make champagne, he is still &ndash; in this guy&rsquo;s opinion &ndash; the first name in champagne....  Vintage wines generally are released five years after harvest, but the rule of thumb is that they don&rsquo;t come into their own until they&rsquo;ve aged 8-10 years.  Readers who have a handle on basic math will note that the &rsquo;96 is now seven, er, excuse me, eight years old, which puts it right at the front end of maturity.  Having just tossed back a flute of liquid gold, I&rsquo;m happy to report that this particular champagne is ready....  Now, I write for a free paper, and since you&rsquo;re reading it instead of one of our expensive competitors, I figure cost is a key factor in your booze-purchasing decisions as well.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>This screams &#x22;Sophistication&#x22;</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>Champagne</category><dc:date>2006-09-22T16:22:56-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/ComtesdeChampagne.html#unique-entry-id-16</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/ComtesdeChampagne.html#unique-entry-id-16</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Welcome to the exciting conclusion of our four-part series, &ldquo;Wine Month,&rdquo; not to be confused with &ldquo;Whine Month&rdquo; (October) when we&rsquo;ll be focusing on the cacophonic grumblings of Mets fans devastated over yet another ass-whupping administered by the Yankees in the World Series.

Several observant readers who clearly have nothing better to do have sent e-mail pointing out the omission of sparkling wines from this series....  If you&rsquo;re interested in a bubbly of superior quality that&rsquo;s a bit more affordable, Taittinger&rsquo;s Pr&eacute;lude ($70) won&rsquo;t do you wrong.  Comprised exclusively of &ldquo;grand crus&rdquo; grapes &ndash; the best of the best &ndash; Pr&eacute;lude is produced with equal parts pinot grapes from Bouzy and chardonnay grapes from Avize and Le Mesnil sur Oger in the Cote des Blancs.  And in case you&rsquo;re wondering, yes, this is indeed the first time in newspaper history that the Mets, Yankees and chardonnay grapes from Avize and Le Mesnil sur Oger in the Cote des Blancs have been mentioned in the same story.

...For you wine-lovers who don&rsquo;t like champagne and/or are barely employed, I recommend Gallo&rsquo;s Twin Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This surprisingly complex red strikes a nice balance between fruit and acidity, and the price is nice at $5.99 a bottle.  Hell, with the money you save you might even be able to afford a ticket for the cheap seats at the ballpark, where you&rsquo;ll no doubt wow everyone with your newly acquired knowledge about hard-to-pronounce French winegrowing regions.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sangria: A Love Story</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>sangria</category><dc:date>2006-09-21T16:37:25-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/sangria.html#unique-entry-id-22</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/sangria.html#unique-entry-id-22</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Imbiber&rsquo;s love affair with sangria began many years ago in Spain, during Sevilla&rsquo;s amazing festival Feria de Abril, a nonstop weeklong bash widely considered the most bacchanalian event on the city&rsquo;s annual social calendar.  My days were spent perfecting the Sevillana, a distinctly Andalucian form of flamenco dancing, the nights reserved for sipping sweet wine punch in the private caseta of an alluring Spanish socialite who&rsquo;d somehow gotten the impression I was an important member of the international spirits media.  It was an impressive connection indeed, considering the socialite didn&rsquo;t understand a lick of English and the closest I&rsquo;d ever come to speaking a foreign language was uttering the words &ldquo;Of course I really love you.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Sangria&rdquo; is derivative of the Spanish word for &ldquo;blood,&rdquo; and it says here that vampires ain&rsquo;t got nothing on the Spaniards, besides the ability to tap a jugular vein, that is.  There are countless recipes for sangria, and over the course of the past few days I&rsquo;ve experimented with several.  My favorite mix comes courtesy of the Food Network, which ranks up there with Lifetime and Animal Planet among the most useful channels on basic cable.  SANGRIA 1 orange, sliced thin 1 lemon, sliced thin 2 tablespoons superfine granulated sugar 1 bottle chilled dry red wine 1/2 cup cognac 1/4 cup Grand Marnier 2 tablespoons orange juice 1 cup chilled seltzer or club soda

...Transfer to a punch bowl, chill overnight, then stir in seltzer, add plenty of ice and serve.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>McWilliams Shiraz</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>shiraz</category><dc:date>2006-09-20T16:36:24-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/mcwilliamsshiraz.html#unique-entry-id-21</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/mcwilliamsshiraz.html#unique-entry-id-21</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Of all the Shiraz enjoyed by the glass at eating and drinking establishments across the United States, none is poured more frequently than the wine bottled at McWilliam&rsquo;s Hanwood Estate in the Riverina region of South Eastern Australia.  It&rsquo;s only been a few years since this respected Aussie winery made its wares available to American consumers, but they&rsquo;ve achieved remarkable sales results by employing a simple business plan: Offer a quality product at an affordable price and make it widely available.  It&rsquo;s a sound strategy similar to the one that&rsquo;s served Napa Valley producer Robert Mondavi so well.

McWilliam&rsquo;s 2003 vintage Shiraz is indeed a quality product, as the Imbiber discovered at a recent tasting in Los Angeles held during a weeklong celebration of all things Down Under.  Okay, so the McWilliam&rsquo;s Shiraz wasn&rsquo;t quite as sublime as the regal &rsquo;98 Penfold&rsquo;s Grange I was fortunate enough to sample, but at $11 a bottle, the former certainly proved itself a fantastic value &hellip; hell, I doubt you could even sniff the cork of the &rsquo;98 Penfold&rsquo;s Grange for less than an Andy Jackson.

The McWilliam&rsquo;s Shiraz, which is called Syrah in France &ndash; yet another example of that country&rsquo;s pathological need to distance itself from the rest of us &ndash; is a fruity red that&rsquo;s meant to be tasted young.  Made with a combination of grapes harvested from Coonawarra to the Hunter Valley, the palate exhibits a range of flavors including berries, licorice and plums....  If you&rsquo;re in the market for something to accompany fish, for the same price McWilliam&rsquo;s offers a lively chardonnay.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Upper Crust wine&#x2c; Hoi Polloi price</title><dc:creator>imbiber@theimbiber.net</dc:creator><category>Brolo di Campofiorin</category><dc:date>2006-08-23T16:34:29-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/BrolodiCampofiorin.html#unique-entry-id-20</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.theimbiber.net/page27/files/BrolodiCampofiorin.html#unique-entry-id-20</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Imbiber recently attended a chichi soiree aboard the yacht of the Viscount of Dingleberry, where I was delighted to come across a wine behooving the upper crust that is available at a surprisingly hoi polloi price....  What, pray tell, was your impecunious pencil pusher doing rubbing elbows with the peerage, when clearly I belong in steerage?  Well, it was a simple case of misreading Viscount as &ldquo;discount&rdquo; on the invitation, which was apparently arranged by a crafty publicist from the wine distributor.

...Speaking of budget, at $24 a bottle, the 1998 vintage Brolo di Campofiorin from Masi is without question one of the best vino values out there.  This robust red is produced in the heart of Italy&rsquo;s Valpolicella Classico zone using mostly corvina grapes with a small presence of rondinella....  There are just all sorts of things going on in there that will surprise and delight your palette.  The Brolo pairs exceptionally well with pasta in meat or mushroom-based sauce, but it absolutely triumphs when served with red meat.  I&rsquo;m gushing, to be sure, but it isn&rsquo;t everyday we find a first-class wine that suits a working-class budget.]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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