Marques de Monistrol Brut Rosé Cava MPX Mas de Monistrol NV Review Date - 2/1/2008 Score - 87 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry sparkling wine; bright fuchsia-pink. Soft red cherry and strawberry aromas, with a slight hint of aromatic spice; plenty of sweet red berry fruits on the palate. Clean, crisp finish. Creamy texture. Good mousse and bead. Just 9 g/k residual sugar, so well under brut maximum of 15 g/l. Grapes: Monastrell (a/k/a Mourvèdre) and Pinot Noir). The word "Mas" means "estate" in Catalan, the language of this part of Spain. Excellent value. Suggested Food Pairings: All manner of dishes: Moroccan fare (cous cous, b'stella; tagines); Asian fare (egg rolls, Chinese or Korean barbecue; teriyaki; salt-and-pepper seafood); Italian: calamari with marinara sauce; caponata; chicken cacciatore; seafood in tomato sauce. American: smoked Alaskan salmon; grilled chicken or seafood with pico de gallo; shrimp fajitas; Spanish fare: paella; escalivada(eggplant with peppers and tomato) Georgia Distributor: Atlanta Wholesale Wine/NDC $11.00 Italo Cescon Prosecco Marca Trevigiana V.S.A.Q Extra Brut Spumante NV Review Date - 2/1/2008 Score - 88 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied slightly off-dry white slightly sparkling wine; medium pale straw color. Aromas of fresh fruit and flowers, with ear/golden apple flavors that capture a slight butterscotch note in mid palate. Fruit--focused long finish. Very slightly sparkling, with small bubbles. Grape type: Prosecco, hand harvested. Second fermentation in pressure tank, as is typical of Prosecco. Enjoy for its own merits; and don't compare to Champagne or any other sparkling wine. Suggested Food Pairings: Smoked salmon mousse; seafood; Asian fare and anything slightly spicy: grilled bacon-wrapped scallops with honey-mustard or Rémoulade sauce; salt-and-pepper calamari, shrimp or mussels; teriyaki; sweet-and-sour dishes; egg rolls. Vegetable first courses, such as spaghetti squash salad with shaved Reggiano and fresh herbs; and simple baked fish. Georgia Distributor: Bacco Fine Wine $17.00 St. Lucas Brut Mendoza NV Review Date - 2/1/2008 Score - 89 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry white sparkling wine; medium gold. Aromas capture gentle spice and quince, hint of orange zest. Pear/quince/apple fruit on the palate. Soft, fruit-driven, moderate acidity. Clean, crisp finish. Ok bead. Grapes: Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Winery dates to the late 19th century. Made by the Charmat method, in which the second fermentation takes place in the tank, rather in the bottle as is done in Champagne. Nice work, and a good value. Suggested Food Pairings: Cornmeal-fried oysters with tartar sauce; crab dishes; lobster; creamy shrimp and grits with tasso or country ham. Asian fare (teriyaki; honey barbecued Chinese spare ribs, salt-and-pepper seafood, egg fu yung); pork kabobs with vegetables; seafood mousse. Georgia Distributor: All American (f/k/a Bibb Distributing) $9.00 Domaine Barth Rene Brut Crémant d'Alsace NV Review Date - 2/1/2008 Score - 91 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry (brut) sparkling wine; light lemon yellow. Aromas of white fruits, a touch of ginger, precede a palate expressing white peach and cherimoya. Good mousse and persistent small bead. Clean, crisp acidity very palate-cleansing. As the wine opens in the glass, an almond note emerges. Grape types: Pinot Blanc; Riesling; Pinot Gris. Barth René is a highly regarded producer of Alsace wines, especially crémant (sparkling). Suggested Food Pairings: Creamy soups, creamy composed salads such as Thai-influenced (with lemongrass) shrimp or chicken salad; chicken salad with mango and red peppers; ham salad with pickle relish and mayonnaise; ikura (salmon caviar) with Mexican cream or crème fraîche; mildly seasoned Asian hors d'oeuvres (dim sum) with seafood or chicken. Georgia Distributor: Linda Allison Selections $18.00 2004 Sàniger Cava Brut Review Date - 2/1/2008 Score - 93 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry sparkling wine; medium pale lemon yellow. Clean, crisp aromas of fresh apple and gentle aromatic spice, with apple-focused flavors. Crisp finish. Persistent, small bead. Like biting into a crisp, tart apple. Long, clean finish. Grapes: Xarel-lo (45%), Macabeo (40%), Parellada (15% ). Grappa dosage; aged for 20-30 months. Suggested Food Pairings: Duck liver mousse with Port wine aspic; seafood mousse; grilled scallops; soft-shell crabs dusted with curry-accented flour and sautéed in butter and olive oil; seafood or creamy soups, assorted shellfish cooked in white wine and garlic; grilled shrimp; after a meal all by itself, as is done in Spain with cavas. Georgia Distributor: Bacco Fine Wine $16.00 Jean Pierre Lalouelle Champagne NV Review Date - 2/1/2008 Score - 91 Tasting Note: Medium/full-bodied dry sparkling wine; pale straw with a slight rose caste. Yeasty, fresh fruit aromas; flavors pick up yeast, pear/apple, peach note. Complex and intriguing. Good acidity yielding a clean, elegant, crisp finish. Grapes: 70% Pinot Meunier (it shows), 30% Chardonnay. This is a small-production "grower" Champagne. Suggested Food Pairings: Terrific for food: Creamy soups, such as oyster, fresh oysters with lemon, duck liver mousse with Porto, seafood mousses; Thai-style seafood with lemongrass; green papaya salad with shrimp or chicken; crab cakes; crab legs; stone crab claws with mustard mayonnaise, sautéed soft-shell crabs, lobster; chicken salad with mango or other yellow stone fruit; spicy crawfish salad, braised or grilled veal steak with mashed potatoes, chicken Cordon Bleu. Ok with salmon caviar (ikura). Georgia Distributor: Bacco Fine Wine $45.00 1979 Bodegas Toro Albala Pedro Ximenez Montilla-Moriles Don Review Date - 2/1/2008 Score - 92 Tasting Note: Full-bodied, sweet dessert wine; deep dark (like stout) brown. Aromas of blackstrap molasses, treacle, caramel lead to dried dark fruit flavors (fig, date) with a hint of honey and vanilla. Smooth, unctuous, silky texture. Balanced; not cloying. Grape: Pedro Ximénez. Grapes are sun-dried before being pressed. Not fortified. 17% alc. Serve small amounts (about 2 ounces) moderately chilled, about 50-60ºF, in "copitas," or small tulip-shaped glasses that close slightly at the top. Suggested Food Pairings: Serve as dessert or with blue and firm, aged, ripe cheeses, accompanied by a bit of honey, quince paste (membrillo), or dates; spiced nuts; bread with melted dark chocolate and a few grains of sea salt (superb!), chocolate turtle cake with caramel sauce; heath bar-type desserts. Georgia Distributor: Grapefields $51.00 Hildago - La Gitana Oloroso Jerez Especial NV Review Date - 2/1/2008 Score - 89 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry Sherry; medium-deep gold-tinged amber color. Aromas capture toffee, toasted nuts and caramel, while flavors suggest dried figs, toasted nuts and orange zest. Viscous texture, rich and complex. Hefty alcohol--18%--supplies a warming sensation while the fruit intrigues the palate. The merest hint of fruit sweetness caresses the finish. Grape: Palomino. Founded 1792. Serve small amounts (about 2 ounces) moderately chilled, about 50-60ºF, in "copitas," or small tulip-shaped glasses that close slightly at the top. Do NOT allow servers to chill by pouring on the rocks and draining off; the water ruins the wine. Chill the glass instead, and don't fill it entirely so you can enjoy the aromas. Being re-packaged as “Faraón” (meaning “pharaoh”). Suggested Food Pairings: Go savory: Serrano ham; Marcona almonds; creamy seafood soups; firm, aged cheeses accompanied by quince paste (membrillo) or a dab of good honey; brochettes of chorizo and dates wrapped in bacon and grilled, bleu cheese on top (tasted at Eclipse di Luna Park Place, which serves this by the glass); torta de higos (fig cake). Good if you don't care for really sweet wines, but then don't pair with sweet desserts. Georgia Distributor: Grapefields $26.00 2005 Les Clos de Paulilles Banyuls Rimage Review Date - 2/1/2008 Score - 87 Tasting Note: Full-bodied moderately sweet red wine; medium-deep dark cherry red. Very shy aromas, somewhat slow to open, but what’s there speaks of blackberry fruit. Good plum and well-focused dark fruit flavors. Not the intense, bold sort of Banyuls; lighter and not as sweet as some, so may appeal especially to anyone who doesn’t care for really sweet dessert wines. Alc. 16%. Grape: Grenache. Serve moderately cool, about 65 degrees, in small tulip-shaped glasses. Suggested Food Pairings: Turtle cake; pan amb chocolat (grilled thinly sliced buttered crusty bread with dabs of melted dark chocolate and a few large grains of gray or other sea salt on top of the chocolate); chocolate truffles; strawberries with basil, turbinado sugar and balsamic vinegar; strawberries or other fruits dipped in chocolate; dark chocolates infused or filled with red fruits; chocolate fondue. Winery also suggests blue cheese; foie gras. Georgia Distributor: Atlanta Wholesale Wine/NDC $25.00 Pierre Peters Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Cuvée de Réserve NV Review Date - 2/1/2008 Score - 92 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry sparkling wine; pale slightly greenish straw. Lovely, lively aromas of fresh cut straw, yeasty aromas; on the palate, fresh fruit--classic green apple and pear-- with a creamy texture. Crisp acidity. Steady, tiny bead. Grapes: 100% Chardonnay. Mesnil-sur-Oger is located in the Marne départment. The Peters family, coming to France from Luxembourg 100 years ago, owns about 40 acres in Champagne. Suggested Food Pairings: Lightly salted potato chips with French onion dip; creamy soups such as oyster stew; pistachios; salmon and other seafood mousses; grilled scallops with creamy sauces; soft smoked salmon (gorgeous!); soft-shell crabs or steamed king-crab legs with lemon butter; seafood and chicken dim sum. Georgia Distributor: Quality Wine & Spirits $50.00 2003 Peteroa Central Valley Late Harvest Reserve Review Date - 2/1/2008 Score - 87 Tasting Note: Full-bodied sweet white wine; medium gold. Aromas of dried apricot and a suggestion of wet, warm straw. Flavors pick up dried apricot, peaches and pears. Good acidity provides balance and a crisp, lingering finish. Viscous, silky texture. Grapes: Gewürztraminer and Sémillon. Average alcohol: 12.5%. Serve moderately chilled, about 55ºF, in small tulip-shaped glasses. Good value. Suggested Food Pairings: Creamy blue cheeses (Saga, Cambozola); foie gras or creamy liver mousse; simple, not-too-sweet white cookies; madeleines, pound cake; toasted almonds or hazelnuts; pumpkin roulade; sweet potato-based desserts; even chocolate brownie pudding pie. Georgia Distributor: New World Wines $10.00 1999 Fritz-Josef Schwibinger Pinot Gris Rheinhessen Auslese Review Date - 2/1/2008 Score - 94 Tasting Note: Full-bodied sweet white wine; medium pale yellow. Luscious, lively aromas of dried apricots, with a flavor profile that picks up fresh apricot, peach and nectarine. Impressive well-integrated acid/fruit balance, leaving a clean, vibrant finish that lets the palate welcome the next sip and/or bite of food. Moderate alcohol: 11%. Grape type: Pinot Gris. Serve moderately chilled, about 55ºF, in small white-wine glasses. Awesome good work. Suggested Food Pairings: Foie gras, creamy liver mousse with Porto aspic (or similar); creamy blue cheeses (Saga, Cambozola, Gorgonzola dolce), fresh pear slices sautéed in unsalted butter with turbinado sugar and a slice of creamy blue on the side, slightly sweet puff pastry or other simple cookies; creamy rice pudding; butter cookies; apricot-filled tarts or cookies; anything with crème anglaise. Georgia Distributor: Bacco Fine Wine $22.00