Fetzer Gewurztraminer 2009, CA, USA

Technical Data:

Description:

Food Pairing & Service:

Score: 7/10.

Ageing Potential: Made to be drunk in its youth. Drink now and for 1 more year.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $14.99

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

Pölka Dot Pink Riesling'08, Germany

A sweet Riesling from the Pfalz Region in Germany, known to be the best one for the production of Riesling!

Technical Data: 100% Riesling . Aged in Stainless Steel Tanks to preserve its freshness.

Description: Light bright gold color. Delightful and refreshing wine showing off blossom and stone fruits aromas. On the palate, lots of pear at first, then there is an explosion of flavors well mingled together tangerine, apricot and orange blossom finishing by a hint of honeysuckle and white flowers. This wine is medium sweet, have a nice acidity and is long lasting.

Food Pairing & Service: Very versatile wine, it can be drunk by itself or pair wonderfully spicy dishes in general. I tried it with Asian food and it was a keeper! Any dish served with saffron rice will do too. Serve chilled not frozen!

Score: 8/10. Great find, stack it up for the year around!

Ageing Potential: Up to 3- 4years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $14.99

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

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

Lucien Albrecht Gewurztraminer Reserve'04, Alsace, France

A generous and delicious Gewurztraminer from Alsace, France.

Technical Data:100% Gewurztraminer. Until 1947, this varietal was called Traminer, then a new varietal selection was developed and named Gewurztraminer. In Alsace dialect, Gewurztraminer means literally spicy. This Special Cuvee is hand-crafted from exclusively domaine-grown fruit. This finely crafted wine is made from old-vine vineyards from a careful selection at the time of the harvest. Unoaked.

Description:Bright Golden Color. Fresh fruity nose laced with floral notes. Full-bodied wine, lychees flavors dominate the palate along with honeysuckle, honey and passion fruit, very spicy mid-palate, luscious wine with a creamy texture. Long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Will be a very good pairing with all Thai and Asian dishes in general. Also with Roasted sea bass with tomato and fennel sauce, swordfish with orange, honey and soy or pork chops with spicy citrus marinade. Serve chilled.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:$11.00 in DC

Lucien Albrecht Gewurztraminer Cuvee Marie'01, Alsace, France

A luscious and elegant Gewurztraminer Special Cuvee from Alsace in France, crafted by Lucien Albrecht Estate, established and crafting wine since 18 generations.

Technical Data:100% Gewurztraminer. This Special Cuvee is hand-crafted from exclusively domaine-grown fruit. Named after Marie Albrecht, one of the two daughters of the current owner. This finely crafted wine is made from old-vine vineyards from a careful selection at the time of the harvest. Unoaked.

Description:Bright straw-yellow color. A seductive nose with aromas of quince, pear, honey and spices. Sweet full-bodied wine expressing ripe luscious fruit flavors with tropical fruits and quince, hint of honey laced with white pepper and some nutmeg too. Creamy and luscious texture with a litchi’s aftertaste and a long lasting clean finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Will be deliscious with all creamy dishes or any Asian food. For Christmas Season pair it with Foie Gras, personally that will be my favourite choice on that kind of wine! Serve chilled.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:$27.99 in DC

Caymus Conundrum White Wine Table'03, CA, USA

A sweet White Wine Table from all around California.

Technical Data:White Wine Table made from 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Chardonnay, the 10% remaining are divided between Semillon, Muscat and Viognier.

Description:Pale golden color. On the nose, fruity aromas infused with floral one. On the palate sweet fruits such as pineapple, apricot and pear are prevailing at the entrance but quickly the palate evolves and shows lemon zest flavors melted with white blossom like acacia and honey. This wine combines sweet flavors with fresh and crisp ones; good acidity and nice balance finishes its description.

Food Pairing & Service:Asian food, spicy dishes. Serve lightly chilled.

Score:8/10

Suggested Retail Price:$25.99

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)

Dr Loosen St M Riesling'04, Pfalz, Germany

off-dry to medium-sweet Riesling from Germany. Imported in the USA by Chateau Ste Michelle.

Technical Data:100% Riesling. Unoaked.

Description:Bright pale golden yellow color. Aromas of tropical fruits and sweet pear. Off-dry to medium-sweet style wine, fruit-driven on the palate , presenting a low alcohol content and a crisp acidity. Quite tangy and fresh at the entrance, it is showing up candied apricot flavors enticed with peach, tropical fruits and white pepper on the mid-palate, with a long lasting minerality mingle with apricot on the finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Will pair well with a wide range of dishes as well as desserts. Best serve chilled.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:$9.99

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