Champagne and Sparkling Wines
Champagne is made from three grape varieties - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier and is solely made from the delimited region of Champagne in France where the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in Bottle. Prosecco is a sparkling wine made from the Veneto Region in Italy and made with the Prosecco Grape and is not made from the same laborious process as Champagne. Regardless of Origin or Method, good Sparkling wine can be a great match for every occasion and many a great meal.

Möet et Chandon “Dom Perignon,” Épernay, France ‘00

Krug Grande Cuvée, Reims , France NV

Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, Reims, France NV

E. Barnaut Grande Réserve Brut Grand Cru, Bouzy, France NV

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut, “Yellow Label,” Reims, France NV

Graham Beck Rosé Brut ‘Méthod Cap Classique,’ South Africa NV

Nino Franco ‘Rustico,’ Prosecco di Valdobiaddene, Veneto, Italy NV


Rosé
Rosé as a still wine is a perfect match for the heat of Miami - Fresh, Fruity, Dry and deliciously pink. They can be made from many, many different grape varieties and are always a festive addition to any picnic, beach party or sunset.

Etude Rosé of Pinot Noir, Carneros, California ‘09
Mas de La Dame, Les Baux de Provence, France ‘09


Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the greatest grape varieties in the world - with heat during the growing season Chardonnay can be full and round, with tropical fruit flavors upheld by the addition of New French or American Oak. When found in cooler areas such as Burgundy, France, Chardonnay examples are more restrained, with stronger mineral components and less ripe fruit flavors. Adaptable to many cuisines, it is a favorite of many Collectors and diners alike.

Domaine A Dair Chablis, Burgundy, France ‘07
Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre, Casablanca Valley, CHL ‘08
Miner, Napa Valley, California ‘08
Moret-Nominé Meursault Cromin, Burgundy, France ‘07
Fisher Mountain Estate Vineyard, Sonoma County, California ‘07
Far Niente, Napa Valley, CA ”09


Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a highly aromatic wine with flavors of Grapefruit, Lime Zest and, especially in New Zealand, Passionfruit. Sauvignon Blanc is characterized by higher acidity and grassy, herbaceous aromas. In Bordeaux, It is often blended with Sémillon and benefits from Oak treatment.

Cloudy Bay, Marlborough, New Zealand ‘09
Matanzas Creek, Sonoma, California ‘08
Lucien Crochet Le Chêne, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France ‘08
Ch. Carbonnieux Grand Cru Classé de Graves, Bordeaux, France ‘08


Riesling
Riesling is one of the most Noble wines of the World - capable of long aging and timeless elegance. In its simplest form, Riesling has Green Apple, Peach and Lime flavors but with age takes on a Petrol Aroma. Riesling can be dry (Australia) but is most often found with varying degrees of Residual Sugar (Germany/Washington State). They are exceptional food wines that can run the gamut from apértif to dessert.

Dr. Loosen Dr. L, Mosel, Germany ‘09
J.J. Prüm Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany ’07


Additional White Varietals
Many other varieties exist and are worthy of representation such as Albariño with its peachy and citrus skin aromas and Grüner Veltliner with it’s hints of Peach, white pepper and vegetal notes such as celery. No one adjective can describe them totally, so it is best to try them to find out your new favorite wine.

Tifenbrunner Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige, Italy’09

Hekseth “Perfect Stranger,” Grüner Veltliner, Krems, AUT ‘08

Paco & Lola Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain ‘09

LeCraie Vouvray, Loire Valley, France ‘08

Elena Walch “Ringberg,” Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige, Italy ‘08

Ch, Ollieux-Romanis Corbières, Languedoc, France ‘08

Susana Balbo Torrontes, Argentina ‘10

Lucien Albrecht Réserve Gewürztraminer, Alsace, FR NV

Carabella Pinot Gris, Chehalem Mountains, Oregon ‘07


Pinot Noir/Gamay
Pinot Noir is the grape and wine of legends. It is a thin-skinned grape variety and can be challenging for the best of Winemakers. Sensitive and delicate, Pinot Noir has been described by Joel Fleischman of Vanity Fair as “The most romantic of wines, so voluptuous of perfume, so sweet an edge, so powerful a punch that, like falling in love, they make the blood run hot and the soul wax embarrassingly poetic.” Enough said.

Merieau Gamay, Touraine, Loire Valley, FR ‘09

Ramspeck, Napa Valley, CA ‘08

Jules Taylor, Central Otago, NZ ‘09

Girard Savigny-Lès-Beaunes Vielles Vignes, Burgundy, FR ‘07

Lemelson “Thea’s Selection,” Willamette Valley, OR ‘07

Argyle, Willamette Valley, OR ‘09

Acacia “Winery Lakes,” Carneros, CA ‘07

Lynmar, Russian River Valley, CA ‘06

Marc Roy Gevrey-Chambertin Vielles-Vignes, Burgundy, FR ‘07

Flowers, Sonoma Coast, CA ‘07


Merlot
Although maligned in the film Sideways, Merlot is a continual source for great wines. It is a close cousin to Cabernet Sauvignon but different in that it has lower tannins, it produces a softer wine than Cabernet and it matures faster. Merlot has ripe berry fruit, is dry and rich and has a smooth velvety finish. It is often used for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Atalon, Napa Valley ‘05
Elena Walch, Alto Adige, Italy ‘07
Woodward Canyon, Columbia Valley, WA ‘06
Sterling Three Palms, Napa Valley, CA ‘07


Cabernet
The Cabernet Sauvignon is a small thick-skinned grape that yields a wine high in tannin, color and extract. Originally the product of a Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc crossing, Cabernet Sauvignon is called the King of Grapes because of its wide-spread use around the world and its ability to produce a wine of such high caliber and intensity. Some characteristic flavors are currant, cherry and cassis.

Ch. Malmaison, Moulis, Bordeaux, FR ‘06

Rupert & Rothchild “Classique,” Western Cape, ZA ‘07

Odajfell ‘Orzada’ Rio de Piedras, Colchagua Valley, CHL ‘07

Chateau Simard, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, FR ‘00

Errazuriz Carménère, Aconagua Valley, CHL ‘08

SEGLA, Margaux, Bordeaux, FR ‘06

ZD, Napa Valley, CA ‘06

Jordan, Alexander Valley CA ‘07

Cake Bread, Napa Valley, CA ‘07


Syrah
Syrah or Shiraz? Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape, but can taste quite different depending on where it is grown. Syrah is grown in the Rhône Valley, where it is celebrated as the dominant grape variety in communes such as Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage. It is also grown in the Southern Rhône where it takes a minor role in the blend. Syrah is widely grown in Australia, South Africa as well as the United States - especially California & Washington State. It is full bodied with bold fruit flavors and has spicy, peppery notes.

D’Arenberg “The Footbolt,” McLaren Vale, AUS ‘08

Owen Roe “Sinister Hand,” Columbia Valley, WA (G,S,M) ‘08

Ferraton Crozes-Hermitage ‘La Matinère,’ Rhône Valley, FR ‘07

Roger Sabon ‘Réserve,’ Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, FR ‘07


Assorted Reds
There are so many interesting wines to enjoy from around the world. Sangiovese, the noble grape from Tuscany, is redolent with sour cherry fruit, dusty earthy notes which, combined with the high acidity make it a great food wine. Other excellent varietals from Italy are Nebbiolo, Barbera, and, well, simply too many to mention. Then there is Spain with Rioja which is produced from a blend of Tempranillo and other varietals. Tempranillo is responsible for much of the fabulous wine produced in Spain and embodies berry fruits - cherries, wild strawberries with dusty earth and is usually (but not always) aged in American oak. Other grapes celebrated throughout the World are - Malbec from Argentina, Zinfandel & Petite Sirah from California - so many that it would take a lifetime to enjoy!

Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva, Toscana, IT ‘06

Sierra Cantabria Rioja Crianza, ESP ‘06

Grgich Hills Zinfandel, Napa Valley, CA ‘07

La Spinetta Barbera d’Asti, ‘Ca del Pian,’ Piemonte, IT ‘07

Numanthia “Termes,” Toro, ESP ‘07

Corregia Roero, Piemonte, IT (Nebbiolo) ‘07

Decero Malbec, Mendoza, ARG ‘08

Castello del Terriccio ‘Tassinia,’ Toscana, IT ‘06

Stag’s Leap Petite Syrah, Napa Valley, CA ‘07


Dessert Wines
Sweet wines don’t have to be cloying or flabby - sweet wines can be the best ending to your meal. Sweet wines imply that they are, of course, sweet, with what is called residual sugar. Some have a little frizzante, as in Moscato d’Asti, and others have what is called Botrytis - noble rot - Yep we did say rot - as in Sauternes found in Bordeaux, France. Ice Wine is made without Noble Rot - and picked when the grapes are frozen on the vine. Brrrr. Good thing you don’t have to make it, just enjoy it.

Pacific Rim Riesling Vin de Glacière, WA ‘07

La Spinetta ‘Bricco Quaglia,’ Moscato d’Asti, Piemonte, IT (750ML) ‘09

Ch. Rieussec Sauternes, Bordeaux, FR (750ml) ‘05

Trimbach Gewürztraminer Vendange Tardive, Alsace, FR (750ml) ‘02

Bodegas Olivares Dulce Monastrell, Jumilla, ESP (500 ml) ‘04

Bodegas Hidalgo ‘Triana,’ Pedro Ximenex, Jerez, ESP (750ml) NV