Wine News Review

Category: Experts’ picks

  • Weekend wine list — experts’ picks: From juicy Merlot to Muscadet

    Comparing the picks: A survey of recent selections from top wine experts. Whenever there’s an option, I highlight the more-affordable wines, focusing on possible choices for weekend purchases. Check their websites for full descriptions and other picks:

    2006 Domaine Dereskos Chardonnay Regional Wine Of Messinia, Greece:
    Natalie MacLean — “strange but enjoyable take on chardonnay — sort of like when opera diva Sarah Brightman sings pop tunes,” her best value white. $13.95

    2005 Chaddsford Merlot, Pennsylvania:
    Jerry Shriver — “a symbol of America’s regional winemaking renaissance … nice structure, juicy black cherry flavors and a chocolaty finish.” About $20

    Torres de Anguix ‘Barrica’ 2003:
    Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher — “a beauty: fascinating, earthy and filled with dark fruit … truly one of the best bargains of the year.”  $9.99

    2006 Bucci Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore:
    Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg — under the “Soft and Mineral” category … a “‘great match’” with creamier seafood dishes. $22

    2006 Domaine de la Quilla Muscadet:
    Olivia Wu — among the least expensive in the “The Great Oyster Smackdown” … read this entire article if you intend to encounter an oyster in the foreseeable future. $10

    Tip: Print out this list and bring it to you local wine shop — even if a specific favorite isn’t available, ask the salesperson to recommend something similar. Or try browsing the latest wine reports from this custom collection of hundreds of news websites — filtered for bargains, continuously updated, and quick and easy to scan:

    • Reds (from Beaujolais to Zinfandel)
    • Whites (from Chablis to Sauvignon Blanc).

    To hit closer to home, try WNR’s Advanced Wine Search tool and see what wine finds local columnists and wine experts may be writing about in your area. Once there, just type in your city and state (within quotation marks, as in, “Napa, California”), to get results ranked by relevance.

    Or dig into some perennial standbys at SFGate.com’s Top 100 Wines of 2006, the Top 100 of 2006 list (PDF download) from Wine Spectator and the list of 50 Wines You Can Always Trust from Food & Wine.

    Attracted to a bottle that’s advertised in the local paper or sitting on the local wine store shelf?

    Do a little background research with Wine Enthusiast’s free, searchable Wine Buying Guide—either with a specific name or by types and price. For a little extra info, try Robert Parker’s handy Vintage Chart. Or see what the online wine community says about it with the search tools at cork’d, snooth or Wine Log.

    Once you’ve selected the wine, you naturally want to decide what to eat with it. For some savvy guidance, try Natalie MacLean’s Wine & Food Matcher, which boasts a database of 360,000 wine-food pairings.

    The Web is about community. So take a moment to comment about your experience with a particular wine — to help steer others to or away from it. And of course, have a great weekend!

  • Weekend wine list — experts’ picks: From crisp Viognier to Veltliner

    Comparing the picks: A survey of recent selections from top wine experts. Whenever there’s an option, I highlight the more-affordable wines, focusing on possible choices for weekend purchases. Check their websites for full descriptions and other picks:

    2006 Anakena Single Vineyard Viognier Rapel Valley, Chile:
    Natalie MacLean — “crisp, well-balanced Viognier,” her best value white. $15.95

    2005 Jekel Pinot Noir, Monterey County, Calif.:
    Jerry Shriver — “beautiful, soft and light sipper,” not to mention: “Love, love, love this price.” $15

    Casa Silva 2005 Carmenère Los Lingues Estate:
    Robert Parker — “superb aromatic array” with lots of structure. $7

    Domäne Wachau (Freie Weingärtner) ‘Terrassen; Federspiel’ 2006 (Wachau):
    Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher — “simply couldn’t believe” the price for for this “fascinating and fine” Austrian Grüner Veltliner. $11.99

    2006 J Pinot Gris (J Vineyards and Winery in the Russian River Valley of California’s Sonoma County):
    Edward Deitch — “lush and beautiful,” with notes of pear, white peach and strawberry. $20

    Gruet Brut NV New Mexico:
    Jancis Robinson — “refreshingly zesty and dry,” tastes as though it should cost at least twice its price. $13-$15

    2006 Cono Sur Casablanca Valley Sauvignon Blanc:
    Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg — “a perfect match of soft, creamy flavors, making it difficult to tell where the oyster ends and the wine begins.” $12

    2004 Benziger Family Winery Sonoma County Merlot:
    Olivia Wu — “easy to like and easy to drink … it hits all the right Merlot notes” $19

    Nothing tempting? Or maybe just not available at the local wine shop? Try browsing the latest wine reports from this custom collection of hundreds of news websites — filtered for bargains, continuously updated, and quick and easy to scan:

    • Reds (from Beaujolais to Zinfandel)
    • Whites (from Chablis to Sauvignon Blanc).

    To hit closer to home, try WNR’s Advanced Wine Search tool and see what wine finds local columnists and wine experts may be writing about in your area. Once there, just type in your city and state (within quotation marks, as in, “Napa, California”), to get results ranked by relevance.

    Or dig into some perennial standbys at SFGate.com’s Top 100 Wines of 2006, the Top 100 of 2006 list (PDF download) from Wine Spectator and the list of 50 Wines You Can Always Trust from Food & Wine.

    Attracted to a bottle that’s advertised in the local paper or sitting on the local wine store shelf?

    Do a little background research with Wine Enthusiast’s free, searchable Wine Buying Guide—either with a specific name or by types and price. For a little extra info, try Robert Parker’s handy Vintage Chart. Or see what the online wine community says about it with the search tools at cork’d, snooth or Wine Log.

    Once you’ve selected the wine, you naturally want to decide what to eat with it. For some savvy guidance, try Natalie MacLean’s Wine & Food Matcher, which boasts a database of 360,000 wine-food pairings.

    The Web is about community. So take a moment to comment about your experience with a particular wine — to help steer others to or away from it. And of course, have a great weekend!

  • Weekend wine list — experts’ picks: From Cotes du Rhone to Mendocino

    Comparing the faves: A survey of recent selections from respected wine experts. Whenever there’s an option, I highlight their more-affordable picks. Check out their websites for background and other picks:

    2006 Anakena Single Vineyard Viognier Rapel Valley, Chile:
    Natalie MacLean dubs it the best value among her recent white-wine selections, a “gorgeous Viognier!” $15.95

    2005 Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Cotes du Rhone:
    Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg describe this as slightly lighter than California pinot noir, with “more earthiness than fruit.” $10

    Saint André de Figuière “Cuvée Valerie” Côtes de Provence 2006:
    Dave McIntyre finds in it a “sunny, rejuvenating acidity and slight, enticingly herbaceous flavor.” $14

    2006 Husch Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino, Calif.:
    Jerry Shriver describes it as “crisp and focused,” with melon and grapefruit flavors that should make it “perfect for Indian summer sipping.” About $13

    2006 Castello Banfi San Angelo Pinot Grigio:
    Peter M. Gianotti calls it a “refreshing Tuscan, with citrus notes.” $20

    Nothing tempting? Or just not available at the local wine shop?

    Dig into some perennial standbys at SFGate.com’s Top 100 Wines of 2006, the Top 100 of 2006 list (PDF download) from Wine Spectator and the list of 50 Wines You Can Always Trust from Food & Wine.

    Attracted to a bottle that’s advertised in the local paper or sitting on the local wine store shelf?

    Do a little background research with Wine Enthusiast’s free, searchable Wine Buying Guide—either with a specific name or by types and price. For a little extra info, try Robert Parker’s handy Vintage Chart. Or see what the online wine community says about it with the search tools at cork’d, snooth or Wine Log.

    Once you’ve selected the wine, you naturally want to decide what to eat with it. For some savvy guidance, try Natalie MacLean’s Wine & Food Matcher, which boasts a database of 360,000 wine-food pairings.

    Feel free to share your experiences. And of course, enjoy!

     

  • Weekend wine list —experts’ picks: From ‘excellent’ fizz to superb Riesling

    Comparing the faves: A survey of recent selections from respected wine experts. Whenever there’s an option, I highlight their more-affordable picks, focusing on possible choices for weekend purchases. Check out their websites for background and other picks:

    2004 Chateau De Cabriac A.O.C. Corbieres, France:
    Natalie MacLean calls it a terrific value, “full-bodied, supple and smooth in texture.” $13.99

    Green Point Vintage Brut 2004 Australia:
    Jancis Robinson says it’s an excellent value, perfect “fizz (for) friends who aren’t champagne snobs.” £12.99

    2005 Bogle Merlot, Calif.:
    Jerry Shriver describes it as a good value, “smooth black cherry flavors, soft texture, not complex but decent varietal character.” About $9

    Firestone Vineyard’s 2006 Central Coast Riesling:
    Edward Deitch calls it a superb buy, with “notes of apricot, white peach, mango and touches of honey and herbs.” $11

    Frey Vineyards 2006 (Mendocino):
    Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher describe it as their best buy (“fresh, real and delightful”) in a great review of inexpensive Pinot Noir, following what they call the Sideways effect. $15.99

    Nothing tempting? Or just not available at the local wine shop?

    Dig into some perennial standbys at SFGate.com’s Top 100 Wines of 2006, the Top 100 of 2006 list (PDF download) from Wine Spectator and the list of 50 Wines You Can Always Trust from Food & Wine.

    Attracted to a bottle that’s advertised in the local paper or sitting on the local wine store shelf?

    Do a little background research with Wine Enthusiast’s free, searchable Wine Buying Guide—either with a specific name or by types and price. For a little extra info, try Robert Parker’s handy Vintage Chart. Or see what the online wine community says about it with the search tools at cork’d, snooth or Wine Log.

    Once you’ve selected the wine, you naturally want to decide what to eat with it. For some savvy guidance, try Natalie MacLean’s Wine & Food Matcher, which boasts a database of 360,000 wine-food pairings.

    Feel free to share your experiences. And of course, enjoy!

     

  • Weekend wine list —experts’ picks: From cheerful Pinot Noir to Syrah

     

    Comparing the faves: A survey of recent selections by respected wine experts. I highlight their more-affordable picks (unless there’s a good reason to do otherwise), focusing on possible choices for weekend purchases. Check out their websites for background and other picks:

    2005 Conundrum Napa Valley, U.S.A.:
    Natalie MacLean says it’s her favorite white pick—with “stunning aromas of white flowers, orange blossom, lychee and honeysuckle.” $28.95

    2006 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir New Zealand:
    Richard Kinssies describes it as “fresh and cheerful with hints of spicy black pepper and a whiff of red cherry and raspberry fruit.” $19

    Viña Tabali Late Harvest Muscat 2005 Limarí, Chile:
    Jancis Robinson calls this a “sweet marvel…invigorating and explosively grapey mouthful!” Around $12 a half

    2005 Concannon “Selected Vineyards” Syrah, Central Coast, Calif.:
    Jerry Shriver says that while it misses the “meatiness of the best Syrahs,” it does a good job compensating with a helping of “sweet blueberry and blackberry flavors.” About $10

    Nothing tempting? Or just not available at the local wine shop?

    Dig into some perennial standbys at SFGate.com’s Top 100 Wines of 2006, the Top 100 of 2006 list (PDF download) from Wine Spectator and the list of 50 Wines You Can Always Trust from Food & Wine.

    Attracted to a bottle that’s advertised in the local paper or sitting on the local wine store shelf?

    Do a little background research with Wine Enthusiast’s free, searchable Wine Buying Guide—either with a specific name or by types and price. For a little extra info, try Robert Parker’s handy Vintage Chart. Or see what the online wine community says about it with the search tools at cork’d, snooth or Wine Log.

    Once you’ve selected the wine, you naturally want to decide what to eat with it. For some savvy guidance, try Natalie MacLean’s Wine & Food Matcher, which boasts a database of 360,000 wine-food pairings.

    Feel free to share your experiences. And last but not least, enjoy!