Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2011. Chardonnay 2011 De La Familia  (six months on oak). 44 Cab franc 28 Tannat 18 Cabernet Sauvignon 10 Merlot. "Welcome!" says attractive dark haired Federico Domingo, Export Manager for Bodegas Castillo Viejo as we squeeze into his tiny car. Alexander joins his. Viognier 2011. El Preciado.

Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Bodegas Carrou. Sauvignon Blanc Sur Lie 2010 (stainless steel). Chardonnay Reserva 2010. Petite Mansang (90%) and Sauvignon Gris (10%) 2010 from Montevideo. It seems as if the Sauvignon Gris adds zip. Blend of Tannant Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Delicious.

The soil is here calcareous clay loam soil and the 15 hectares are planted with Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot in addition to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. an absolutely fabulous visit to Pisano Wines today. The story started three centuries ago in Italy. His dream was to start a winery in Uruguay.

One is 90% Chardonnay and 10% Sauvignon Blanc and the other is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Chardonnay/SB blend is actually refreshing and delicious with a crisp refreshing finish. Don Prospero, Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – classic. Pizzorno Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2011 $15.

Curious that the Chardonnay Reserve 09 has natural acidity, even though it is med+. Good Sauvignon Blanc plus Merlot 09 and Syrah 09. Very interesting seminar at the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers -- a "bean tasting" with various wines from Cakebread! mini version for journalists visiting the symposium.

Wine Spectator called Bob's first Cabernet Sauvignon "a Cellar Selection.". Some preferred the very elegant Syrah with steak, others the Petite Syrah or Full-bodied Chardonnay with pasta. also liked the Syrah and the 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. With over 40 harvests under his belt, and considerable wine business.

Now owned by Anthony Russell (son of the founder) and producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The wines produced here are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, all very balanced, elegant, and Burgundian as you can imagine. Grant has strong feelings about the state of sauvignon blanc in S. link]. link].

You will find many varietals at Waterkloof – Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Mouvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, all very balanced and perfectly delicious! “Dazzling!”. The slopes of Schaapenberg boast a myriad of different aspects but south-facing ones predominate. Waterkloof. News S.

You will find all your favorite varietals here, with the La Motte Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc (Organically Grown), Pierneef Shiraz Viognier, and Shiraz-Grenache special favorites due to their complexity, intensity of flavor, concentration of fruit, finesse, elegance, and balance. also really liked the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Here the family has 45 hectares of vines including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Grenache, and Pinot Noir. We taste the Thelema Sauvignon Blanc 2011, which according to Thomas is their “bread and butter” – it is a dry style that is very easy drinking. Welcome!” Thelema Mountain Vineyards. News S.

Africa and daughter of Warwick founder Stan Radcliffe, is the force behind the famous Bordeaux blend, Trilogy, popularized Cabernet Franc, and was instrumental in launchng the Pinotage society so it is natural that these wines are consistent award winners (though there are other award winning red blends, and Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc as well).

At Backsberg you will find wines in various quality levels, with whites including Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and sparklers as well including Viognier. They even have a Kosher range (sparkling brut, Chardonnay, Pinotage, Merlot). And of course I love “The Welder,” Arco’s signature sweet late harvest Chenin Blanc.

Yet before all that we taste the wines of DeMorgenzon, which in addition to the Syrah include a Chenin Blanc (from the original old vines of the estate), Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Winemaker Carl Van der Merwe. This Syrah is absolutely incredible!”. Appelbaum's lovely cat Sally! To learn more, click here. News S.

Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon round it all out, along with Petit Sirah and Merlot. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon fruit comes from an alluvial fan on Ritchie Creek in Calistoga, and the 8% Merlot and 8% Malbac comes from a vienyard along the Napa River. Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc 2010.

Helena Sauvignon Blanc is all barreled down and aging nicely. Our chardonnay was picked on the 14th after the early October rains that lasted four days. acre vineyard of clone 338 organic Cabernet Sauvignon is coming along slow and nice, with notes of mostly blueberry and very soft tannins. Our 2011 St. Up on Mt.

Marlborough, New Zealand's South Island seems to have a handle on Sauvignon Blanc. recently had a chance to sample a few along with a Chardonnay, Reisling and a Pinot Noir. They’ve come a long way and their focus is on Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. No traffic lights, no people and 1 coffee shop.”

Pablo Morande first planted vines in Casablanca Chile in 1982 where he introduced Chardonnay, Riesling and in 1986 the first Sauvignon Blanc. He did this in a time and place where no one would have believed he would succeed. But Pablo saw the similarities to Carneros California, and took the calculated risk. The rest is history.

New Zealand is usually associated with Sauvignon Blanc, especially in the minds of American consumers, so it was refreshing to try the different styles and varietals. liked the 2009 Chardonnay , which is from Hawkes Bay. New Zealand News Winemaking Yeast chardonnay cognanc one new zealand sauvignon blanc syrah te awa

Now interestingly, the scallops also pair well with the Cupcake Chardonnay and Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc, two of my favorite wines. When the SB (my pet name for Sauvignon Blanc) was first poured, I was entranced by the fresh aroma of cut grass, and appreciative of the fuller, well-balanced body.

Mark was smiling widely tasting both the Dr. Frank and the Salmon Run Chardonnay while I could just not believe the 2008 Dr. Konstantin Frank Meritage. We all shared a Calabrese Wrap, a roasted Portabella Panini and a white Pizza with a glass of classic Chardonnay for Mark and a semi-dry Riesling for me. at least for now).

Our patch of sauvignon blanc from Wilson Ranch, just north of St. Our patch of chardonnay just off Old Sonoma Road in Carneros is purring along. Just thinking about the chardonnay these beautiful old vines produce makes my mouth water. Helena, set a small crop likely due to rainy and cold spring conditions.

The 2009 Russian River Valley Chardonnay was very Meursault-like with its aroma of melted butter, a touch of sweet oak, and very textured mouthfeel. Equally fabulous was the 2009 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc, with its exotic flavors of passion fruit and guava. Jim Collins. Salute!

While it is nice to be able to taste every wine from every producer, it is a better educational experience to just focus on one or two varietals, which means in Chile a Sauvignon Blanc (SB) or Chardonnay (Chard). also tried the Chardonnays, which came in different forms yet uniformly saw some oak treatment.

But I do want to share a little bit: 1994 Stony Hill Napa Valley Chardonnay , price unknown. Stony Hill has for decades been making Napa Chardonnay that pleases the old world palate, and the wines are affordable. I've never had a wine like it, never mind a Sauvignon Blanc like it. Is this even made from grapes?

I've thought about exactly which type of Sauvignon Blanc would be best. couple of years ago I came up with something that worked pretty well, the Crémant du Jura by Montbourgeau, a sparkling Chardonnay. Common wisdom holds that it's very difficult to pair wine with asparagus. I'm not sure why this is so. I'm not ashamed, people.

Today at a Per Se launch of his 2010 Gris Blanc Rosé in the U.S. The Cigalus (mostly Chardonnay with some Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier) was light and refreshing, and the 100% Chardonnay Aigle Royal from Limoux was full bodied, rich, yet lifted. That blue sky, with the white puffs of clouds, is real. almost dainty.

Xarrel-Lo and Chardonnay are becoming a popular blend in Catalunya. had a fabulous conversation with Fernando Vegas, who owns Avelino Vegas and had a lot of fun comparing his Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo. Penin seminar. What a fabulous event today at the Puck building. Very exciting.

The morning began with an introduction by vivacious Master Sommelier Evan Goldsmith -- and then a tasting of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from his collection of site-specific bottlings from Sonoma and Mendocino counties ($30-$60 SRP). The 2009 Quivira Fig Tree Sauvignon Blanc was exotic and delcious, however. scallops.

Andi Kollwentz presented two whites (Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay) and three reds, with my favorite red being a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Blaufrankisch, and Zweigelt. We tried the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon on its own, and I liked it a lot. Both producers were so energetic and fun.

Red wine varietals that tend to benefit from a good bit of oak include: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Chianti, Zinfandel, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo and Syrah. White wine varietals that are receptive to oak’s influence include: Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and of course Chardonnay.

Among the many wines tasted were varieties familiar to Americans: Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, and even Sauvignon Blanc. Instead of a Chardonnay, a Pinot Grigo from Alto Adige would be perfect. "You need a valet!" Such is the trade-off for sunny Los Angeles. So are Alto Adige wines distinctive?

Actually, the word 'cool' is clever as it describes two clear facts about this Chardonnay: it is cool climate (read Burgundian cool) and the idea of a Canadian Chardonnay is, well, cool. Cave Spring Cellars Blancs de Blancs Brut 2004. Huff Blancs de Blancs 2006. Huff Blancs de Blancs 2006.

2009 Franciscan Oakville Estate Sauvignon Blanc. 2009 Franciscan Estate Chardonnay. Style: This is a delicious and restained style of California Chardonnay, with oak giving it an elegant and subtle finish. Wine reviews 2009 Franciscan Oakville Estate Chardonnay 2009 Franciscan Oakville Estate Sauvignon Blanc

2007 Dierberg Chardonnay (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley). 2008 Star Lane Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley). USA Wine reviews 2007 Dierberg Chardonnay 2008 Star Lane Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. These wines would pair very well with lobster.

1993 Chateau Laville Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Blanc , price unknown, Chateau & Estate Wines. They are made from old vines, mostly Semillon and the balance Sauvignon Blanc. NV Jacques Lassaigne Champagne Cuvée Le Cotet Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs , $70, Jenny & François Selections. Very impressive.

This French Sauvignon Blanc was delightful. My fault for always believing the only descent white wines from France were Chardonnay and Champagne. Time to look back on what was an eventful year, personally and with the blog and my exploration into the world of wine. Here at home, I guess eventful would be saying it a tad mildly.

Garganega is the primary grape for both wines and according to the DOC law, and can compose anywhere from 70 to 100% of the blend with Trebbiano and Chardonnay. The 2009 Sauvignon Blanc was delicious as well with a green tint. Tags: New York Veneto Wine reviews macari riesling 2009 macari sauvignon blanc 2009.

Do you like Greek wines? do … they come in a variety of styles and price points and pair well with a wide variety of food. Typically they are also a very good value for the money, especially when it comes to reserve wines where you can still get a 1997 red with full development for just over $20.

buttery Chardonnay? If you know your way around a wine store, your suggestion would probably be a Sauvignon Blanc from either the New or Old World. Though its home is in Loire Valley of France, most Americans are more familiar with the fresh vibrant taste of Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. What do you recommend?”

have since tasted a Monthaven Chardonnay (California) and this past week the Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand). The Chardonnay was not impressive. The Sauvignon Blanc, on the other hand, was outstanding. Don't worry though, this Sauvignon Blanc will be long gone before that.

Chardonnay was disappointing, but a review on the Sauvignon Blanc is coming up next post. Tomorrow I must return to work after a pleasant but hard two week vacation. really don't know where to rank this time off or how to compare it to others. This one was a bit different. Started out OK. Shirley had other plans.

Ulises Valdez Chardonnay 2007 “Russian River”. Herrera Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 “Selección Rebecca”. alcohol Chardonnay! Ulises Valdez has a compelling story, no doubt, but perhaps his Sauvignon Blanc might have made a better pairing? When will they start color coding the menus to warn the guests? Paul Hobbs?]

In 1973 he and his brother worked the land and sold their first vintage--157 cases of 1973 Chardonnay - to Phil Faight of Groezinger's Wine Shop in Yountville who in turn sold to a small audience of premium wine drinkers who visited Napa on weekends. "So what did the first winery look like?" cakebread cake.

Now this is a relatively new region producing quality wines, among them Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and "Yarden Rom" which is a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot (percentages depending on the vintage), aged in French oak barrels for roughly 21 months and bottled without filtration.

It’s kind of like sauvignon blanc meets chardonnay–and in the case of Domaine des Houards , that’s exactly what it is! From the Cheverny appellation in the eastern Loire, the deliciously refreshing, wonderfully minerally wine is 85 percent sauvignon with 15 percent chardonnay.

The wines in the new artisan collection are Monthaven Central Coast Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; Silver Birch New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc; Boho Vineyards California Old Vine Zinfandel; Pinot Evil Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio; Big House Red and White; and Seven, produced from seven Spanish red varietals.

Use this wine wherever you would use Sauvignon Blanc, but instead of being annoyed at how mediocre your Sauvignon Blanc is, you'll be thrilled with this wine. This is Chardonnay, technically from the Loire Department, but we're talking closer to Lyon and Burgundy than to Vouvray or Chinon. or $13.50 Here is one.

Concha y Toro produces several different wine styles including a late harvest Sauvignon Blanc made from grapes the Maule Valley. They also produce a barrel fermented Chardonnay and a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon named after the winery's founder, Don Melchor. It's been a few years since I tasted Carmenere.

cousin of Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, had been there for centuries. Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache) still reign, yet you will find Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Vijura, Graciano, Moscatel, and others. The Sauvignon Blancs as a whole are crisp, yet fuller bodied as they are aged on the lees. Navarra.

He poured New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot and a rosé and invited the makers of those exact wines along for a tasting. The Australian Open is underway. Tomorrow is Australia Day. Lo and behold, not only did they take it surprisingly seriously, but they had fun with it!

Punica Montessu 2007 Varietal: Carignan Blend Region: Sardegna From Giacomo Tachis of Sassicaia fame comes this Super-Sardegnian blend of 60% Carignano, with 10% each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. Loaded with ripe fruits, showing a dry minerality, citrus notes, a hint of fresh bread and heady floral aromas.

Other than an occasional Chardonnay, it was red wine only for me. Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Cayuga White, Rieslings and Sauvignon Blanc 4. What an exciting year this has been for Why Wine Blog and for me personally in my quest to further my knowledge of wine. honestly tried their reds and for lack of a better term, they sucked.

Macari is one of several rising star wineries in the North Fork, and though somewhat surprising to find this 2009 Chardonnay available on the market while it is still 2009 (we still have four days to go!) of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Tags: Wine reviews 2009 early macari chardonnay. MACARI. long island

2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Modus Operandi, Napa Valley, California. ? Sparkling Chardonnay, Thibaut Janisson Brut, Monticello, Virginia. ? Right now, at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Dr. Manmohan Singh, prime minister of India, is being feted at a state dinner! alcohol, not exactly my recipe for good times with green curry. Pear Tatin.

The breakdown was 5 flights of 4 each of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (unoaked), Chardonnay (oaked), Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This past week the Long Island Wine Council sponsored a seminar and blind tasting of its wines to compare them with others from international regions. So, here we go.

Almost entirely, the wines of Vouvray are from the Chenin Blanc grape and Vouvray is in many ways the apogee of Chenin Blanc. My thoughts drifted to regional rival, Suavignon Blanc, which is considered one of the three “noble&# white grapes (Riesling and Chardonnay are the others). Sauvignon. Sauvignon.

My faves here were the Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio blend, along with the Rieslings and both the Row House red and white. The Sauvignon Blanc was the best I tasted outside of New Zealand and the dry Riesling was also at or near the top of my list as best ever. don't know where to rank the day's events. Still heading south along rte.

Cult White Wines: Drink 'Em Or Lose 'Em -- Highlights from Summer 2009 2005 Arietta "On The White Keys" * a green tinged pale golden sauvignon which, I believe, hails from Sonoma. Innocent Anden Vineyard Chardonnay Gold color. 2004 Lail "Georgia" Sauvignon Blanc ** A golden oldie. as well. It's hard to get right. 2003 St.

Made from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Columbard, and Chenin Blanc, this food-specific blend was the finalist in a quest by two Maine wine guys to find the best California white to pair with the Northeast's famed lobster. The result is the perfect compliment for a robust lobster bisque. likey

Instead of drinking crisp sauvignon blanc and dry Mosel in poorly air conditioned rented apartments I’ve been opening cabernets and merlots which I briefly cool off in the fridge. February Peter Michael 2006 Les Pavots $185; chardonnays avg. Flights are delayed. Market volatility remains high. just can’t bring myself to do it.

2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River. 2006 Petaluma Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills. 2001 Cullen Wines Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Margaret River. 2004 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra. NV Pirie Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, Tasmania.

For me, the classic pairing is Sauvignon Blanc. Not from Cheverny, though, as those wines, while tasty, can be more akin to the New Zealand pungent style of Sauvignon Blanc, which I think when combined with asparagus is simply too much cat pee and grass for any household to deal with in one evening. Sparkling wine.

A stainless steel fermentation of sauvignon blanc, semillon, gewürztraminer, riesling, and chardonnay" (quote taken from the 2008 tasting note), this has a golden hay color, very light in the mouth with a touch of salinity and very tight citric acidity, then blossoming honeyed notes followed by lemon rind.

The wine of the night for me was the Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon I’m no stranger to Staglin’s reputation, but I had never tasted the wine before, and quite frankly, it was superb. Their Chardonnay ** and second red wine, called Salus ** were also very good. Welcome Napa Valley Vintners! didn’t even try.

Optimal serving temperature of: Beaujolais 55 Merlot 63 Berenauslese 43 Pinot Noir 63 Bordeaux 63 Port 63 Burgundy, Red 63 Riesling 46 Cabernet 63 Rose 46 Champagne 46 Sauterne 46 Chardonnay 50 Sauvignon Blanc 46 Chianti 59 Shiraz 63 Dessert Wine 43 Tokay 43 Ice Wine 43 Viognier 50 Madeira 55 Zinfandel 59.

was equally sure he was going to order some fat, over-oaked chardonnay. Inside, I was reminded of Barcelonas boqueria, but instead of gazing at honeycombs of tripe and knocking back cava, I was looking at Moshes falafel shack, sniffing sauvignon blanc suspiciously. zeroed in on the A&P de Villaine Blanc, at $13 a glass.

I don't know if this happens everywhere, but at every party or picnic I attend, there is always some body watching their calorie intake and monitoring each and every bite of food they consume. always have to laugh at those who always order two cheeseburgers, a large order of fries and a "Diet" coke. Probably not.

An eagle eyed publicist at Kendall-Jackson spotted a mention of their Chardonnay in an interview the Obamas did with People magazine. Celebrate a historic victory such as his with a $12 chardonnay? SPIT: Sauvignon blanc. SIPPED: too much. The era of the teatotaler-in-chief is soon over! Thanks, Arthur ! ). Reuters ].

The 2007 Carmel Ridge White, a blend of sauvignon blanc (50%), Chardonnay (20%), semillion (15%) & french Colombard (15%) had a hint of effervescence to go along with its crisp acidity & pink grapefruit characteristics.  YES, that Carmel, of the sweet, thick sacramental wine.  Neither stuck, but how cool is that?!

Some white wines such as Chardonnay may be fermented and matured for a period in French or American Oak Barriques(small oak barrels). Most white wines though, for example unwooded styles such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling are stored in tank until they are ready for bottling. more on this later). Lamentable. Lamentable.

Todd Thrasher's "Mona Lisa, made with gooseberries and NZ Sauvignon Blanc sounds delightfully refreshing.  And "The Star Gazer", a creation of winemakers RH Phillips and Ecco Domani uses pineapple juice (my favorite juice), Chardonnay and other ingredients and sounds quite tasty as well.  You must use quality ingredients. 

OK, it was only Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc for white OR Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir for Red, but hey, that is an improvement over much of the typical "sure we have wine, what would you like, red or white?". One of the places I went out to over the weekend was a rooftop bar.  No, it wasn't bad stemware.it mean cup.a

guess that's why they call it clones: 68% chardonnay (tend clones) 19.2% sauvignon blanc 5.6% I love Channing Daughters when they knock out a pure fruit driven chardonnay, and bone dry sauvignon, an exceptional East End merlot, but sometimes with the whites I'm left wondering what the winemaker was aiming for.

white wine blend, 70% Chardonnay & 30% Viognier, from a well regarded French producer. But I figured that the wine had some oak aging (as does a lot of chardonnay & some viognier) and would still be OK. Had it been a crisp style wine, like an Albarino or Sauvignon Blanc, I definitely would have passed. OH well.

The Puzelats grow Pinot Noir, Gamay, Côt (called Malbec in Argentina), Bréton (called Cabernet Franc in the film Sideways ), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris (called Pinot Grigio in Italy), and the rarely seen Pineau D'Aunis and Menu Pineau (called Arbois in the Jura). They buzz with energy, some say "wildness." Sushi!

For starters, some wines are made to be aged (some French Bordeaux) while others are meant to be drunk young (fresh, crisp whites such as a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc). As to white wines, beginning with Chardonnay or other whites fermented and aged in oak barrels, these are much the same story as Cabernet.

Channing Daughters Mudd Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2007 North Fork of Long Island * A pale golden hued sauvignon with nice grassy hints and citrus, but mostly what you find here is depth of sweet fruit characteristic, to me, of Mudd's Vineyards. Rita Hills Chardonnay "Seasmoke" 2005 * Awesome. Listed in no particular order.

The Chardonnays are quite good, but the wines that stopped me in my tracks were the blends. The 2007 Mosaico , for example, is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Muscat, Gewurtztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, and Friulano.but all from one specific vineyard site - the Sylvanus Vineyard on their estate in Bridgehampton. cents.

Cousin cultivates Gamay, Grolleau, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Chenin Blanc - there is something for everyone in this portfolio. NV Cousin-Luduc Saumur Brut , $26, Jenny & Francois Selections. This sparkling wine is no exception. Shouldn't that indicate a low pressure sparkling wine?

The 2008 "Lyric" from Nederburg winery is a blend of 51% Sauvignon Blanc, 26% Chenin blanc (a varietal very common in S. Africa) & 23% chardonnay. This wine had a VERY lively floral bouquet, showing typical Sauv Blanc grassiness & grapefruit rind. The staff is always attentive and warm. PERFECT!

started with a white blend of 50% Semillon & 50% chardonnay that I really enjoyed. There were only 2 wines, a Chardonnay and a bordeaux blend. The 2006 Chardonnay spends 3 months "Sue Lie" (on its lees or mixture of yeast cells, grape pulp, etc), gets filtered, and then goes back into the French oak barrels for another 7-8 months.

As to the wines I started with the 2006 Chardonnay that only sees 5% new oak & is put through no malolactic fermentation. It was a nice Chardonnay and for the price ($28 suggested) a nice buy relative to some of the other $50+ Napa Chards. Chardonnay (that sells for about $70!) Havens had some really nice wine. Nice wines.

began in a French table area and tried some Sancerres (made from Sauvignon Blanc), some white Burgundys (made from Chardonnay) and some white blends. He wants his wines to show a nice purity of fruit (Chardonnay) and as such uses large 600 liter (mostly neutral) barrels. don't know. And there was 1 rose' that I tried.

His 2006 Touraine Blanc Brin de Chèvre Menu Pineau smelled of citrus oils, smoke, and shoe polish, and tasted great! And the 06 Touraine Blanc Buisson Pouilleux Sauvignon Vielle Vignes smelled like the Menu Pineau, but tasted like Sauvignon Blanc, in a way. But of course I missed some great stuff. Pinon's wines.

enjoyed a nice Pinot Gris & Chardonnay of theirs. She had a nice Sauvignon Blanc and very pleasant Merlot as well. The Selene "Napa Valley" Cabernet Sauvignon had some green bell pepper notes to them and I asked her if she blended in some Cab Franc. Sadly, the prices for Peay wines are quite high. Great stuff.

Here are some notes (including some I didn't like): Sparkling NV Lassaigne Brut Blanc de Blancs - yup, still delicious. 2007 Haut la Vigne Côtes de Duras - 50-50 chardonnay and semillon. This can't be sauvignon blanc. And this wine is made from CABERNET SAUVIGNON. Maybe it's just odd wine making.

Great Oregon white) • 2005 Apex II Sauvignon Blanc (Washington State's version of this citrus wild one. Good starter at a get together) • 2005 Belle Isle Chardonnay (truly un-oaked chardonnay from Cali's central Coast. March is here and with the way this winter has been going.well.I It's been a bit loopy up in NYC.

also tasted Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Biancos, Gewurtztraminers, Sylvaners, Muller Thurgaus, and a few whites which were blends of some of the aforementioned varietals. The Andriano Cantina "Tor di Lupo" Sauvignon Blanc 2006, a wine the pourer called a CRU wine, was quite interesting. SWEET BUBBLE GUM.

The evening started with a 2004 Sauvignon Blanc from the Binyamina winery.  Sauv Blanc, when not oaked, is generally a wine that should be consumed young.  The guests were then treated to The "C" by Castel 2006 Chardonnay.  As such this wine was nice and pleasant but a little over the hill and mostly indistinct.

First up was an Alsatian sparkling white wine (not called Champagne because its grapes are not grown in Champagne region), made from Chardonnay grapes by Pierre Sparr Marquis. Appellation (a geographical based term to identify where the grapes are grown) is Cremant Alsace, Pierre de Perlade Blanc de Blancs Brut.

Yesterday, January 24th, jet lagged and feeling a bit under the weather, I attended the Wine Australia Festival in NY's Wall St Cipriani. just to name a few. While I know this seems quite snobby, and may have been, I am about to make a confession. By my compatriots calculation we tried about 75 wines each - within 3 hours. Didn't work well.

It's a blend of about 85%-15% Sauvignon Blanc to Chardonnay, and it's lip smackingly good. I'm kind of behind on posting these days. never even did one of those Thanksgiving Wines posts. And I know that you must be wringing your hands and tearing out your hair - 'what wines will I bring to Thanksgiving dinner? Um hmm.

Why Sauvignon Blanc this time around? Because there are many great wines to be had in the $12-30 range, from many wine regions, and also because I think Sauvignon Blanc can be a great late summer and fall food wine. Everyone brought one bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, we bagged 'em, tagged 'em, and tasted 'em.

Sauvignon Blanc tends to dominate the blends, the balance typically Chardonnay. don't drink much Sauvignon Blanc. Finding a balanced Sauvignon Blanc is not easy, something that doesn't smack me with grassy cat-pee aromas, something that compliments food. Whites, like reds in Cheverny, must be blended.

love French wine, but the good doctor ruled out what he called "the big six grapes" from France, namely Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. Chenin Blanc is, in my opinion, the superstar white grape of the Loire Valley. And Chenin Blanc tends to age well, so let's see.

That's right, no matter how wonderful your Pinot or Cabernet Sauvignon might be in a given year, if you bottle wine made solely from that varietal, your wine becomes Vins de Pays, not Cheverny. For red wine Pinot Noir, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and the obscure Pineau d'Aunis are allowed. It costs $13.50

good bottle of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, or Chardonnay from Long Island usually costs the same as a better bottle of wine from elsewhere. started out by following Lenn around, took his guided tour of Long Island whites, tasting many a Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. My "4"s: 2005 Lieb Pinot Blanc , $19. alcohol.

Used a nose dropper to take a sample of the Touraine Sauvignon Blanc we had with lunch, took home in a small vial, "for testing," he said. Glared at Lieb Cellars pourer somewhat threateningly until she produced an unlabeled bottle of 2006 Sauvignon Blanc for us to taste. This was not the case with Lenn and Dr. Vino.

2005 Jean Manciat Macon Vieille Vignes , price unknown (about $30) - old vine Chardonnay from the Maconnais, a Burgundian region known for value whites. 2005 Jean Manciat Macon Charnay Franclieu , $17 - Manicat's Chardonnay for younger drinking, fresh, vibrant, and delicious. hauled my butt into Manhattan (!) Impossible in this venue.

There is amazing stuff happening out there - beautiful (and old world-ish) expressions of Merlot, Cab Franc, and Bordeaux blends.lovely Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays, excellent dessert wines, and plenty of other interesting stuff. Saturday March 24 from 1:00 - 7:00 PM at Chambers Street Wines. Aimez-vous Pinot Noir?