Attributes:

Gloria Ferrer

Carneros, United States

Pinot Noir

750 ML

2004: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85

pleasant

cherries, cola, peppery, root beer, spices

2003: CGCW Rating: 89

supple

cherries, earthy, flowers

ripe

2003: WineAndSpirits Rating: 87

soft

smooth

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84

tart

cola, herb, mocha

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 85

supple

black cherry, plum, spicy

ripe

diluted, watery

2002: WineAndSpirits Rating: 88

clean

smooth

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 86

cedar, mocha, plum, vanilla

2001: Tastings Rating: 88

stylish

delicate

Food Matches:

This small section of Northern California is situated at the base of both the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Carneros has made its reputation with its Pinot Noirs, which are filled with strawberry, cherry, spice, and chocolate, and are very rich and seductive. Chardonnay is also excellent, very buttery but not too fat.

(pee noh nwahr)—A tricky grape to grow, Pinot Noir makes some of the best wines in the world. The prototype wine is red Burgundy from France but Oregon, California, New Zealand, and parts of Australia also produce good Pinot Noir. The wine is lighter in color than Cabernet or Merlot with relatively high alcohol, medium-to-high acidity, and medium-to-low tannin. Its flavors and aromas can be very fruity or earthy and woodsy, depending on how it is grown. It is rarely blended with other grapes.

Attributes:

Bridgeview Vineyards

Oregon, United States

Merlot

750 ML

Food Matches:

(mer loh) Deep in color, high in alcohol and low in tannins, this grape is grown mostly in California, France, Washington, New York and Chile. The aromas and flavors can be plummy, chocolaty, and even redolent of tea leaves. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon although it is the most prevalent grape variety in Bordeaux.

This state’s strict wine laws demand that variety wines must contain at least 90% of the named grape (except for Cabernet Sauvignon). The region’s cool climate comes from its proximity to the Pacific and its primary grapes are Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The latter wine is usually medium bodied, with aromas reminiscent of pears and apples and a surprising depth and complexity. Oregon Pinot Gris is a great food wine, and works especially well with seafood and salmon. Pinot Noir is a more expensive wine here, but that is because it can be such a difficult grape to grow that yields are inevitably low. The best Oregon Pinot Noirs are balanced, fruity and full.

Attributes:

Quinta do Côa

Douro, Other

Dry Red Table Wine

750 ML

2003: WineAndSpirits Rating: 85

black fruit, oak

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.