Attributes:

Dr. Loosen

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

Riesling Kabinett

750 ML

Food Matches:

(MOH zel zar ROO ver)—This dramatically beautiful region of western Germany produces exceptional white wines from the Riesling grape. Among the lightest in Germany, these wines usually contain less than 10% alcohol and they are generally delicate, fresh, and bursting with flavor. With its flowery tastes and aromas, Mosel Riesling is a great wine to drink in the spring. Look for the words “Erzeugerabfüllung” or Gutsabfüllung,” which indicate that the wine was estate bottled and not mass-produced.

Attributes:

Watershed

Margaret River, Australia/New Zealand

Chardonnay

750 ML

Food Matches:

(shar dohn nay)—This noble grape’s reputation was established in France, particularly in the Burgundy region, and the highly prized Chardonnay wines from Chablis, Mâcon, Mersault, and Pouilly-Fuissé are imitated by winemakers around the world. Generally an oaked wine (whether from expensive oak barrels or a quick soak in oak chips), its fruity aromas and flavors range from apple in the cooler regions to tropical fruits such a pineapple in the warmer regions. It can also display subtle earthy aromas, such as mushroom or minerals. It has a medium to high acidity and is generally full-bodied. Classical Chardonnay wines are dry. Chardonnay is also an important grape in the Champagne district where it's picked before fully ripe and while it still has high acid and understated fruit flavors—the perfect combination for champagne. California has adopted this grape with a fervor and there are some 200 wineries producing Chardonnay wines in other parts of the United States. Chardonnay has also seen a tremendous planting surge in Australia, and new vineyards are being planted in Italy, Lebanon, New Zealand, Spain, and South Africa.

In Western Australia, this temperate coastal area is producing superbly elegant wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnays, and Sémillons.

Attributes:

Churchill

Douro, Other

Vintage Character Port

750 ML

NV: WineSpectator Rating: 87

medium body

chocolate, raspberry

NV: WineSpectator Rating: 83

berry aromas

velvety

NV: WineEnthusiast Rating: 83

cherry, spicy

Food Matches:

Demarcated in 1756, the Douro wine region contains 40,000 hectares of vines in the valley carved by the Douro River between Spain and Porto. Divided into three sub zones; Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior. In the past, production in the Douro focused on port, however, the recent trend is favoring the red table wines. More than 90 grapes are permitted in the making of Douro table wines. Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz are considered the best grapes for red table wines. Malvasia, Fina and Viosinho are the preferred white wine grapes. The Douro generally has hot, dry summers and very cold winters.

Vintage Character Port is a fortified Portuguese wine known for its quality and bold flavor and is sometimes called Premium Ruby or Reserve. Made up of good quality wines aged 4-6 years in barrels, it may have some older wines blended in for richness. It has more color and depth than a typical ruby port. (See PORT for more information on the region and fortification process.)