white wines Wines are listed in progressive order and are grouped in flavor categories starting with the sweeter and very mild in taste, progressing to the wines that are drier and stronger in taste. champagnes Made with the traditional méthode champenoise, these elegant and complex wines showcase the pinot noir, chardonnay and meunier grapes. Look for such fruits as apple, pear and melon. In order to be called champagne, the wine must come from the Champagne region of France. These brut styles vary in degree of “toast” and “weight”. taittinger, brut la francaise n.v. 375ml, reims, france veuve cliquot, brut n.v., reims, france louis roederer, brut n.v., champagne, france sparkling wines Sparkling wines are most often made by today’s winemakers in the traditional French manner. Although they can not be called “champagne,” they are marked by the same elegant balance and finesse. Taste subtle ripe fruit converging on notes of toast, vanilla, citrus and melon. gloria ferrer, sparkling blanc de noir n.v., carneros, ca j winery, sparkling brut 2001, sonoma county, ca roederer estate, sparkling brut rose n.v., anderson valley, ca aromatic whites These light-bodied wines all have characteristics of peach, strawberry and kiwi fruit. Each wine has a youthful exuberance. beringer, white zinfandel 2005, california rosenblum, kathys vineyard, viognier 2004, santa barbara, ca alois lageder, pinot bianco 2004, alto adige, italy world class whites These whites are generally sweet in style but their flavors are widely ranged. Expect crisp clean wines with intense fruit. mark bredif, vouvray 2003, vouvray, france burklin estate, riesling 2004, rheinpfalz, germany trimbach, gewürztaminer 2003, alsace, france pinot gris / pinot grigio Referred to in northern Italy as pinot grigio, this grape produces wines that are light, refreshing and fruity. ecco domani, pinot grigio 2000, venezie, italy j winery, pinot gris 2005, sonoma county, ca king estate, pinot gris 2005, willamette valley, or sauvignon blancs Acidic in style, but with widely-ranging flavors. Expect grass, grapefruit, melon and herb to be among some of the characteristics. kim crawford 2001, marlborough, nz honig 2004, napa valley, ca wattle creek 2004, alexander valley, ca la poussie 2001, sancerre, france cakebread 2005, napa valley, ca st. supery, white meritage 2004, napa valley, ca chardonnays Chardonnay is America’s favorite white varietal. Tropical and tree fruit flavors are enhanced by the structure that is provided by the amount of oak aging. pepi 2004, napa valley, ca au bon climat 2003, santa barbara, ca sonoma-cutrer 2004, russian river, ca clos du bois 2004, alexander valley, ca la crema 2004, sonoma coast, ca zd 2005, napa valley, ca the whites of burgundy Made from 100% chardonnay grapes, the main white variety in Burgundy, France. These stylized wines are fruity, pure and show mineral qualities from the soil (terroir). vincent-girardin, les cloux blanc 2004, rully, france louis jadot 2005, pouilly-fuisse, france blanc les herbeaux 2004, burgundy, france red wines Wines are listed in progressive order and are grouped in flavor categories starting with the sweeter and very mild in taste, progressing to the wines that are drier and stronger in taste. pinot noirs Generally light- to medium-bodied with floral aromas and delicate fruit flavors. Under proper growing conditions, this grape makes some of the most elegant wines in the world. Look for black cherry, spice and vanilla. sokol blosser 2004, dundee hills, or argyle 2004, willamette valley, or j winery 2004, russian river, ca erath 2004, willamette valley, or wild horse 2003, paso robles, ca robert sinskey, los carneros 2004, carneros, ca the reds of burgundy All red burgundies are made from the pinot noir grape, except those from Beaujolais, which use the gamay grape. These wines reflect a perfect balance between ripe fruit, minerals and smoke. deaux papis alex gambel 2001, marsannay, france vincent girardin emotions de terroirs 2003, chambolle-musigny, france morey-coffinet chassagne montrachet les chaums 2003, moulin-a-vent, france zinfandels High quality versions of this wine range from lighter, claret styles to hearty robust wines with jammy fruit flavors. seghesio 2003, sonoma county, ca rombauer 2003, paso robles, ca xyz 50 year old vines 2003, napa valley, ca syrah / shiraz / petite sirah Called syrah in California and France, and shiraz in Australia, these wines have flavors of wild berry and spice. Petite sirah is a direct descendent of syrah and has a similar taste profile. cambria, syrah 2003, santa barbara, ca d’arenberg, shiraz 2003, mclaren, australia stags’ leap winery, petite syrah 2003, napa valley, ca all about merlots California and Washington are top producing states for merlot. The layers of flavors include cherry, plum, pepper, mint, cedar, vanilla and spice. sunstone, 2002, santa ynez valley, ca chateau ste. michelle canoe ridge 2002, columbia valley, wa casa lapostolle cuvee alexandra 2003, rapel valley, chile whitehall lane 2003, napa valley, ca great blends Lush flavors of blackberries, blueberries, vanilla-spice, currant and ripe supple tannins are characteristic of these blends. ferrari-carano sienna, sangiovese blend 2003, sonoma county, ca francis-coppola claret cabernet blend 2003, california hedges, merlot / shiraz / cabernet 2003, columbia valley, wa penfolds bin 389, cabernet shiraz 2003, east australia c’est bordeaux Located in southwest France, Bordeaux is thought to be the greatest of all wine regions. These blends from Bordeaux include cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot, and malbec. They show flavors of black cherry, plum, currant and cedar. christian moueix 2003, pauillac, france chateau gloria 2003, saint julien, france chateau haut bages averous 2000, bordeaux, france american cabernets Known as the king of grapes. Its flavors are black cherry, cassis, berry with mint, and cedar overtones. benzinger 2003, sonoma coast, ca br cohn silver label 2003, north coast, ca justin 2003, paso robles, ca honig 2003, napa valley, ca