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. MORE >>

1998 Tyrrell’s Wines Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter. 2001 Cullen Wines Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Margaret River. 2004 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra. 2006 Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley. 2000 Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon, Tasmania. MORE >>

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. MORE >>

Ok, the wife is cooking pork chops tonight, so I decide to put a favorite Pouilly Fuisse Chard in the fridge because I have no Sauvignon Blanc. 2006 Reserve Speciale) A blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc that turned out to be the right choice for tonights pork chop dinner. Over two weeks!!! Just dump it, I said. MORE >>

Because of the extreme minerality of both the wines, Sauvignon Blanc does not leap to mind the way it would from a New Zealand SB. Also, because this Graves was a blend of Muscadelle and Semillon, it was slightly fatter, less lean than the Sancerre. Typically I ask wine retailers that wine be sent to me blind (i.e. MORE >>