The Tasting Room

The Food&Beverage International Tasting Panel is headed by Michael Walsh, Tom Luther and Nick Zielke. We invite Guest Chefs and Wine and Hospitality professionals to taste, describe and suggest food pairings. In this issue, we have Rebecca Chapa as a guest wine expert, who has reviewed Big Reds from California and France. In conjunction with the CIA at Greystone's Annual World of Flavors Conference and the upcoming holidays, we have reviewed wines that would be suitable to serve with Asian\Fusion Cuisine and holiday fare.

Come and visit our website at www.fbworld.com/Wine Tasting Rm, where you will find, with the click of a button, a constantly updated list of wine reviews and recipes to help the food service professional stay informed and inspired with wine reviews and new menu ideas. If you would like to contribute, send in new recipe's or wine selections.

Meridian Vineyards, 1999
Santa Barbara Chardonnay,
Paso Robles, CA (805) 237-6000

A well-crafted wine with distinct classic aromas and flavors. Aromatic ripe fresh pear and apple with juicy-pineapple touched with rich sweet-vanilla flavors, followed by a long toasted oak finish. Pair this wine alongside creamy pastas and grilled halibut with caramelized fennel.

St. Clement,
1999 Sauvignon Blanc,
St. Helena, CA (707) 967-3033

This is a wine of subtle complexity allowing it to stand out from other Sauvignon Blancs. Deep floral and fruit emanate both in aroma and while in the mouth, allowing this wine too effortlessly compliment rich shellfish such as, Dungenous crab or barbecued oysters. From beginning to end this refreshing wine exhibits a wealth of character and flavor and is ideally balanced and ready to drink now.

RED WINES:

Sterling Vineyards, 1997 Napa Valley Merlot, Calistoga, CA This Merlot originates from a high quality vintage known for an intensity of character. Jammy red and black berry fruit emanate from the nose in-sync with a deep berry color. The flavors mix subtly on the palate with toasted oak, rich cocoa, and fruit, followed by a fine-tuned smooth finish. A wonderful autumn wine with roasted duck and grilled figs. (707) 942-3300

Clos Du Val, 1996 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, CAA blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc give this wine a subtle complexity that must be experienced. Deep ruby color with intense fruit on the palate, mellowing into a crackling autumn-wood finish with rounded polished tannins. This wine will accompany hearty meat dished like braised beef ribs or grilled veal chops with wild mushrooms. (707) 259-2200

Clos Du Val, 1998 Palisade Vineyard Zinfandel, Napa, CA
This 100% Zinfandel produced by grapes exclusively from the famous Stags Leap District is a true high-class wine at a middle-of-the-road price. Beautiful rich blackberry color with peppery notes on the jammy fruit forward nose. The finish is bold and velvety full of concentrated flavor that will partner rich, spicy dishes like barbecued Cajun prawns or oysters. (707) 259-2200

Bartholomew Park
Cabernet Sauvignon Parks Vineyard 1996,
Sonoma Valley,

Deep purple in color. Complex berry, chocolate and anise flavors underlying. This wine is elegant on the palate with excellent balance and flavor. Close to raisiny black fruit with candied cherry notes. (707) 935-9511

Pedroncelli,
1999 Zinfandel Rosé,
Sonoma County Vintage Selection, Geyserville, CA

The Pedroncelli winery has been producing Zinfandel Rose since 1955, longer than any other winery. This experience and refinement of style is evident in the abundant fresh fruit flavors of ripe red berries and spicy accents with a long, pleasant, velvety finish on the palate. (707) 857-3531

Carmenet, 1998 Dynamite Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast Appellation, Sonoma, CA
A rich, bold Cabernet with fragrant aromas of ripe currants, old leather, spices, and cedar with a soft velvety finish that lingers on the palate. It is enjoyable now as a young wine or let it age in the bottle for added complexity. A perfect accompaniment with rich tomato pastas, grilled beef or lamb. (707) 996-5870

Mirassou, 1997 Harvest Reserve Monterey County Merlot, San Jose, CA
A complex full-bodied wine, crimson in color with ripe cherry and blackberry springing from the nose with subtle spiced aromas. The well-rounded tannins allow the finish to be long and smooth. Enjoy this wine with hearty meat dishes and rich tomato pastas. (408) 274-4000

The Monterey Vineyard, 1998 Pinot Noir, Napa, CA
This versatile and inexpensive Pinot Noir has soft fruit highlights and oak undertones. Light spice of pepper, clove and cinnamon are gentle on the palate making this wine a nice accompaniment to grilled pork loin and roasted quail. (800) 709-7667

Pedroncelli, 1999 Zinfandel Rose, Sonoma County Vintage Selection, Geyserville, CA
The Pedroncelli winery has been producing Zinfandel Rose since 1955, longer than any other winery. This experience and refinement of style is evident in the abundant fresh fruit flavors of ripe red berries and spicy accents with a long, pleasant, velvety finish on the palate. (707) 857-3531

The Monterey Vineyard, 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon, San Jose, CA
A classic medium bodied Cabernet having deep red color and aromas of chocolate, black cherry, and oak. This wine displays excellent character for it's price and finishes with soft tannins making it ready to drink now as an accompaniment to lamb and beef dishes. (800) 709-7667

Lake Sonoma Winery, 1996 Alexander Valley Cabernet, Geyserville, CA
On the nose this wine has fruit forward berries sprinkled with light oak undertones, in the mouth these flavors become more concentrated with dark red fruit and aged oak. The spiced berries flow down the palate transforming into a full bodied satisfying finish. Enjoy this versatile Cabernet with rack of lamb or pizza. (707) 473-2999

Valley of the Moon, 1997 Sonoma Valley Zinfandel, Glen Ellen, CA
Ripe red blackberries emanate from the nose of this Zinfandel. The light smokiness and a smooth spicy finish are a perfect accompaniment to bold flavored dishes like grilled beef and venison. (707) 996-6941
 
WHITE WINES:

Dry Creek Vineyard, 1998 Reserve Wines, Healdsburg, CA
1998 Reserve Fume Blanc, A wonderful wine with aromatic dried grass undertones and soft melon highlights. Full of flavor, ripe apricots and juicy citrus are elegantly balanced and slightly spiced. Enjoy this wine now or age between four and eight years. Roasted chicken with fresh herbs and grilled bell peppers of various colors would accentuate this wines subtle complexity. (707) 433-1000

1998 Reserve Chardonnay, Healdsburg, CA
Rich juicy fruit of papaya and mango coated slightly in butterscotch drip from the nose of this outstanding vintage. Where some Chardonnay's can be tart, this is ripe and fresh with all the character of warm tropical sunshine. The finish is long and memorable and melds elegantly with roasted seabass with citrus hinted beurre blanc or a fresh tropical-fruit-salsa. (707) 433-1000

Meridian Vineyards, 1999 Santa Barbara Chardonnay, Paso Robles, CA
A well-crafted wine with distinct classic aromas and flavors. Aromatic ripe fresh pear and apple with juicy-pineapple touched with rich sweet-vanilla flavors, followed by a long toasted oak finish. Pair this wine alongside creamy pastas and grilled halibut with caramelized fennel. (805) 237-6000

Chateau St. Jean, 1998 Belle Terre Vineyard Alexander Valley Chardonnay, Kenwood, CA., An intense tropical-fruit-forward nose emanates from this Chardonnay with some sweet blossoming flower accents. This is a rich wine with a clean smoked oak finish. The complex full texture and flavor will lend itself to accompany hearty shellfish such Cajun grilled prawns or a salad of Heirloom tomatoes with fresh mozzarella. (707) 833-4134

Chateau St. Jean, 1999 Fume Blanc, Kenwood, CA
This stunning Fume Blanc has pronounced fruit forward aromas with honeydew melon and lemongrass highlights. Subtle fresh herbs, sweet summer fruit such as peaches and white nectarines massage the palate. This wine finishes with clean refreshing citrus, oak, and vanilla qualities. Excellent on its own but pairs nicely with salads and spicy Asian-fusion cuisine. (707) 833-4134

St. Clement, 1999 Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena, CA
This is a wine of subtle complexity allowing it to stand out from other Sauvignon Blancs. Deep floral and fruit emanate both in aroma and while in the mouth, allowing this wine too effortlessly compliment rich shellfish such as, Dungenous crab or barbecued oysters. From beginning to end this refreshing wine exhibits a wealth of character and flavor and is ideally balanced and ready to drink now. (707) 967-3033

Mirassou, 1998 White Burgandy Monterey County Pinot Blanc, San Jose, CA
The aromas delight the senses with a touch the tropics where pineapple and banana mingle with wisps of clove. Creamy pear flavor is elegantly followed by touches of crisp green apple. This medium bodied wine is very versatile with dishes such as proscuitto and melon salad or grilled salmon fettucine with lemon cream sauce.