Château Mukhrani, Muscat Fortified Dessert Wine NV, Kartli, Georgia (Rep. of)

Sweet Dessert Wine, although I have tasted it with real food also and I must say, to say it is a dessert wine only will not do it justice! This is the kind of Muscat that when you have tasted it once you want to find any excuse to drink it again...It is that good. And if it wasn’t enough, on top of that is its packaging, the bottle is completely gorgeous with a luxous perfume bottle feel.

Technical Data: 100% White Muscat fortified with Château Mukhrani Chacha Spirit. 18% vol.

Description: Bright honey gold color. Exuberant nose expressing dried fruits and floral aromas. Rich and luscious palate for a full bodied sweet wine. Honey and dried apricot are mingled with figs, and spicy flavors backed up by soft oak notes. Extremely well balanced for a wine of such intensity. Long lasting unforgettable finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Although it is a sweet wine, Château Mukhrani Muscat is very versatile, consume by itself as an aperitif, with spicy Asian dishes, or fruity salads. It is exquisite with dark chocolate and figs. It will also accompany extremely well Foie Gras. Drink preferably chilled (Best at 12-14 degree Celsius), but can also be served at room temperature to suit individual taste.

Score: 9.5/10.

Ageing Potential: Enjoy anytime

Price as seen on DC shelf: Not available at the moment.

Columbia Crest Two Vines Riesling'07, Collumbia Valley, Washington State, USA

A wonderful sweet Riesling wine for an unbeatable price!

Technical Data:100% Riesling grape aged in stainless steel tanks to preserves the freshness and fruitiness of this wine.

Description: Bright gold color with greenish hues. An intense nose with aromas of green apples and peach and white flowers. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and on the sweet side of the spectrum, showing flavors of peach, pear, white flowers, as well as some stony flavors. Sweet but not overly sweet, very well balanced wine thru and thru.

Food Pairing & Service: Will do wonders with any Asian spicy dishes or fusion cuisine or with any shellfish. Will pair perfectly also Indian spicy food. Could also be served as a dessert wine.

Score:9/10, great find, stack it up!

Price as seen on DC shelf:$8.99

Columbia Crest Two Vines Gewurztraminer'07, Collumbia Valley, Washington State, USA

A wonderful Gewurztraminer wine for an unbeatable price!

Technical Data:100% Gewurztraminer grape aged in stainless steel tanks to preserves the freshness and fruitiness of this wine.

Description: Bright light gold color. A distinctive nose with aromas of spice, rose petals and tangerine. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and complex, showing flavors white peach, orange blossom, grapefruit, rose petals and spice. Sweet but not too sweet, very well balanced wine.

Food Pairing & Service: Will do wonders with any Asian spicy dishes or fusion cuisine. Will pair perfectly also Indian spicy food. Could also be served as a dessert wine.

Score:9/10, great find, stack it up!

Price as seen on DC shelf:$8.99

Martin & Weyrich Moscato Allegro '04, California, USA

Luscious white wine slightly fizzy made from Moscato grape from Passo Robles.

Technical Data: 100% Moscato, aged about 6 months in stainless steel tanks.

Description: Bright golden color. The nose strongly recall orange blossom's aromas mingled with spices. On the palate, smooth entrance displaying honeyed apricots flavors laced with spice and luscious and juicy tropical fruits. Full-bodied sweet but still crisp wine with enought acidity to balanced it well. The fact that this wine is extremely low in alcohol, only 7%, make it even more interesting.

Food Pairing & Service: Ideally suited to chocolate, mousse and truffle as well as fresh-cut fruits, try it over a bowl of cantaloupe or tropical fruits. Could definitely also be enjoyed by itself or with Foie Gras.

Score: 9/10

Suggested Retail Price: $14.99

Strongly recommended for the coming Holiday's Season

Schneider Riesling Spatlese '04, Rheinhessen, Germany

Great semi-sweet food friendly white wine!

Technical Data: 100% Riesling, aged 6 months in stainless steel tanks. Appellation Niersteiner Hipping.

Description: Bright light gold color. Nice aromatic entrance with notes of peaches and nutmeg. On the palate, very present tropical fruits flavors combined with spices and honeysuckle undertones. Semi-sweet medium-bodied wine but enough acidity to have an excellent balance.

Food Pairing & Service: Ideally suited to rich food like lobster and clams but also to dessert such as fresh berries or pies with tropical fruits. Could also be enjoyed by itself.

Score: 9/10

Suggested Retail Price: $14.99

Strongly recommended for the coming Holiday's Season

Seebrich Niersteiner Olberg Riesling Eiswein '04, Rheinhessen, Germany

Luscious German wine made from Riesling from the Rheinhessen region.

Technical Data: 100% Riesling, aged 6 months in stainless steel tanks. Appellation Niersteiner Olberg.

Description: Bright golden color. Strongly aromatic with notes of peaches and spices. On the palate, it distinguishes itself by its apricot canned flavors combined with spices followed closely by nutsy undertones. Full-bodied wine with a good acidity and depth, really well balanced. Long lasting finish with some bitterness recalling grapefruit zest.

Food Pairing & Service: Ideally suited to "foie gras" and other very rich food, also a good companion to chocolate mousse and truffle as well as fresh berries. Could also be enjoyed by itself.

Score: 9/10

Suggested Retail Price: $34.99

Strongly recommended for the coming Holiday's Season

Remy Pannier Vouvray'03, Loire Valley, France

Casual everyday wine from the Loire Valley.

Technical Data: 100% Chenin Blanc.

Description: Bright gold color. Richly fragrant with hints of honey, ripe pears and brioche. On the palate, sweet entrance for a well balanced medium-bodied wine showing flavors of honey mingled with pears and apple. Sweet wine but not overly sweet.

Food Pairing & Service: Ideally suited to nuts, foie gras, pates, fish dishes and desserts. Serve chilled.

Score: 7/10

Suggested Retail Price: $7.49

Banfi Rosa Regale, Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG, Piedmont, Italy

A sweet red aromatic Sparkling from Italy. A perfect Sparkler for Valentine's Day!

Technical Data: 100% Brachetto d’Acqui grape which grows in Piedmont region.

Description: Light ruby red color with fine bubbles. Lively rose petal and fresh berry on the nose. Soft and elegant entrance on the palate, sweet red wine focused on strawberry, raspberry and rose petal. Long lasting soft and charming finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Ideally suited with desserts and specially with fresh berries and chocolate. It may also make a surprising Aperitif Sparkler.

Score: 9/10

Suggested Retail Price: $18.99

Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut NV, Sonoma Valley, USA

An elegant Sparkling Brut NV from Sonoma Valley, a very good value!

Technical Data: 87% Pinot Noir, 13% Chardonnay. Hand harvested. The cuvee is a blend of 20 different base wines fermented in stainless steel tanks. Made from the Methode Champenoise.

Description: Pale straw hue with lively bubbles. On the nose green apple mingled with herbaceous notes. Full bodied and elegant on the mouth, this crisp and refreshing Sparkling is focused on citrusy flavors laced with green apple and toast. Creamy long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service: As a full bodied Brut this sparkling will pair with a wide range of food from Aperitif to an entire meal. Serve chilled but not icy!

Score: 8/10

Suggested Retail Price: $18.99

Erben Spatlese'04, Rheinhessen, Germany

Rich and sweet white from Germany.

Technical Data:This wine is made from a blend (mainly Riesling and Silvaner) of late-ripened grapes carefully selected from Langguth's estates or from individual from Rheinhessen that were picked at least one week after the start of the harvest. Hence the name "Spatlese" which means "late harvest."

Description:Erben Spatlese is a full bodied wine with a distinctive bouquet and fruity, luscious palate, with a fresh acidity. Focused on apricot and peach flavors with a slight touch of spiciness. Very rich and sweet wine.

Food Pairing & Service:Delicious when drunk on its own, or pair well dessert, fruit or cheeses. Serve chilled.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:$6.99

Domaine Ste Michelle Luxe 1999, WA, USA

A Vintage Sparkler called Luxe from WA made from the Methode Champenoise.

Technical Data:100% Chardonnay vintage 1999 made from the Methode Champenoise.

Description:Pale yellow color with tiny bubbles. Crisp Sparkler showing grapefruit aromas and flavors followed in the palate by fruits like lemon, pear and a hint of tropical fruits with some pineapple and melon. A touch of spice and a soft creamy finish complete its description.

Food Pairing & Service:Will pair well with a wide range of dishes, nice with a trout, or same kind of fish. Also an ideal accompaniment to chocolate and blue cheeses. Serve chilled.

Score:7/10

Suggested Retail Price:$17.99

Domaine Ste Michelle Blanc de Noirs NV, WA, USA

An excellent Rose Sparkling Wine NV from WA made from the Methode Champenoise.

Technical Data:90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay, the opposite of a Blanc de Blanc. Made from the Methode Champenoise. Non-Vintage.

Description:Light salmon-pink color with small bubbles. Dry and medium-bodied Sparkler. Strawberry and Raspberry aromas and flavors, with light spice undertones. Dry at the entrance this Sparkler as a soft and fruity long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Because of its soft finish, it will be a good accompaniment with soft cheeses, dessert and specially chocolate or berry. Also nice to be drunk on its own. Serve chilled.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:$9.99

Domaine Ste Michelle Blanc de Blanc NV, WA, USA

A soft and refreshing Blanc de Blanc Non-Vintage (NV) from WA, made from the Methode Champenoise.

Technical Data:

Description:Light golden color with small bubbles. Medium-bodied Sparkling Wine. Equally floral & fruity on both nose and palate. This wine shows a nice floral entrance with honeysuckle and honey followed closely by fruity flavors such as green apple and a hint of tropical fruits. Long lasting finish. Easy going wine!

Food Pairing & Service:This Blanc de Blanc is softer than the Brut from the same Estate, will accompany well soft cheeses, desserts and aperitif. Serve chilled.

Score:8/10

Suggested Retail Price:$9.99

Domaine Ste Michelle Cuvee Brut NV, WA, USA

A nice Brut Non-Vintaged (NV) from WA, made with the Methode Champenoise, to enjoy with a meal or by itself.

Technical Data:50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir. 100% Méthode Champenoise. Non-vintage. It is the most representative of a producer’s style. Usually it is a blend of different grapes from different vintages and growing areas.

Description:Light golden yellow color with nice small bubbles. A Brut dominated by its floral aromas and flavors followed by a touch of fruits. Mainly white flowers flavors laced with soft fruits like apple and citrus. Crisp and quite refreshing, with a long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Because that’s a dry sparkling you will be able to pair it with a wide range of food as well as enjoy it by itself as an aperitif or afterdiner wine. Personally I usually go on spicy food with that kind of Sparkling wine. Serve chilled.

Score:7/10

Suggested Retail Price:$9.99

Lustau East India Solera Sherry NV, Andalucia, Spain

A "must-have" Fortified Wine, specially for the coming holidays, a great sweet one to share with friend and family, from the very best producer of that type of wine!

Technical Data:From the South of Spain ( Andalucia), produced between Sevilla and Cadix. Like Jerez and Madeira wines it’s a white fortified wine made mainly from Palomino Fino ( 85%) sweetened by Pedro Jimenez( 15%). A blend of Soleras averaging 15 to 50 years of age.

Description:Bright amber color. Rich and concentrated nose focused on toffee and nutty aromas. Sweet, luscious almost weighty wine yet very balanced. The palate is complex, extremely voluptuous and enjoyable showing up flavors such as roasted nuts and toasted almond enticed with caramel and candied apricot peel. Clean lingering finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Perfect accompaniment to light desserts, chocolate cake, can also be served with cheeses like blue cheese or as a sweet digestif. Personally I prefer it at room temperature but most people like it chilled.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:$24.99 ( considering the time this wine spent in ageing prior bottling it's trully a great value)

Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer'04, Columbia Valley, WA, USA

A flavorful and sweet Gewurztraminer to enjoy with food or desserts.

Technical Data:Blended Gewurztraminer from Columbia Valley region. 83% Gewurzt., 11% Riesling, 6% Muscat. Unoaked.

Description:A classic style Gewurzt. from the famous Chateau Ste Michelle Estate. Pale golden color. Aromas of tropical fruits and spice. On the palate, an unctuous entrance showing rich flavors of tropical fruits and acacia enticed with clove spice. Long lasting sweet finish with hint of spice kicking your palate a little bit. Quite nice!

Food Pairing & Service:Will pair well with all Asian dishes, also a good accompaniment with spicy dishes or even desserts. Serve chilled.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:$8.99

Legacy Muscat Ottonel, Romania

A syrupy and very enjoyable sweet wine.

Technical Data:The Murfatlar vineyards in Romania have long been producing wines that surpass the expectations of even the most demanding wine enthusiasts. This white Muscat grape variety is left to ripen for longer periods of time, leaving more residual sugar and making this a great table wine.

Description:Straw yellow color. Very aromatic, nicely fruity and sweet, with appealing candied apricot, peach and grape flavors and a soft, smooth texture.

Food Pairing & Service:Deliciously sweet try it with light desserts, chocolate or fruits, could be also nice with Foie gras.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:$6.99

Quinta do Noval, Special Reserve Port, Portugal

A nice Port to enjoy, a little less sweet than the Non-Vintage LB Port from the same Quinta.

Technical Data:Made from 3 Portuguese Grapes, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz ( = Tempranillo) and Touriga Francesca. Grapes trodden by foot and aged in traditional large oak vats called "Lagares", aged 4 years.

Description:Deep purple color, with a wild spicy nose and ripe fruits well married with woody notes. The full and silky tannins express the essence of its terroir. A rich and full-bodied wine with great charm and finesse. Intense fruity bouquet with a rich, elegant, well-balanced palate, a smooth velvety tannic structure and a powerful, intense finish.

Food Pairing & Service:It is delicious with a variety of cheeses & desserts, particularly chocolate. Ready to be enjoyed immediately, this port does not need to be decanted.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:?

Quinta do Noval, Non-Vintage LB Port, Portugal

A very fine Port you will enjoy anytime, that's my latest favorite wine!

Technical Data:Port made traditionnaly from 3 Portuguese grapes called Tinta Roriz ( that's one of the synonym for Tempranillo grape), Touriga Francesca and Tinta Barroca. The grapes after been harvested have been trodden by foot then aged in traditional large oak vats called "Lagares". It is blended from a number of vintages to add complexity.The aging is from 4 - 5 years, this kind of Port is bottled according to demand.

Description:Intense dark purple color with some red shades. A complex nose showing mostly red fruits such as raspberry, cherry and berry. This Non-Vintage Late Bottled or LB ( vintage character) Port is an impressive one, it possesses fabulous cherry and berry fruity flavors, a smooth texture with a nice touch of spice and smoky chocolate character just by the end of the palate. Dense, rich, concentrated, this is an excellent value in high quality port. A full-bodied one yet round and well-structured with a long lasting elegant finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Accompanies well chocolate desserts and red fruits one. Could also be enjoyed on its own. Ready to be enjoyed immediately, this port does not need to be decanted.

Score:10/10

Suggested Retail Price:$14.99