Attributes:

Beringer Vineyards

California, United States

Zinfandel

750 ML

2001: WineEnthusiast Rating: 82

tangy

1992: WineSpectator Rating: 87

supple

anise, cherry, raspberry, spicy

ripe

1991: WineSpectator Rating: 86

solid

drinkable

cherry, spice, wild berry

1990: WineSpectator Rating: 86

spice

1989: WineSpectator Rating: 85

well-balanced

oak, pepper, raspberry

ripe

Food Matches:

One of California’s oldest varietals, this grape actually hails from Croatia. Red Zinfandel makes rich dark wines that are high in alcohol and medium to high in tannin. The can have a blackberry or raspberry aroma, a spicy character and even a jammy flavor. Some Zinfandels are relatively light-bodied and meant to be enjoyed young, while others benefit from aging.

California produces the majority of wine made in the United States. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir dominate the wine production in California, but many other varietials thrive in the California climate. Many fine wines are produced in California using Mediterranean grapes.

Attributes:

Pont d'Avignon

Cote du Rhone, France

Rhone Blend - Red

750 ML

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 82

grapey, smoky

2003: WineAndSpirits Rating: 84

simple

round

Food Matches:

Rhone Valley takes its name from the Rhone River which flows from the Swiss Alps, through the valley dividing the Northern and Southern Rhone, and then ending at the Mediterranean Sea just west of Marseille. Inside the Rhone River Valley to the south are the Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Villages. 77 % of all Rhone wines are Cotes du Rhone or Cotes du Rhone Villages and wines bearing this label only come ONLY from the Southern Rhone. "Cotes du Rhone" is an appellation with which a bottle will be labeled where as "Cotes du Rhone Villages" is a title given to a village within that appellation. Of the ninety six villages entitled "Cotes du Rhone Villages" there are sixteen considered superior, and because of this they are allowed to append their name. (Example.) Cotes du Rhone Villages Superior Cairanne) The climate is hot and dry, and the soil is less dirt than it is clay, gravel, or stone. Unlike the North, this region relies on blends and is very seldom making single variety wines. Cotes du Rhone makes red, white and rose wine from the grapes of Grenache, Mourverde, Syrah, Cinsaut, Carignan, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Rousanne and Viogner, with the top wines being red.

Attributes:

Freestone

Napa Valley, United States

Sauvignon Blanc

750 ML

1996: WineSpectator Rating: 86

bright

light

citrus, herb flavors

Food Matches:

This tiny strip of land just north of San Francisco is home to America’s most prestigious wineries. Its climate is ideal for viticulture. Ironically, it was deemed too ideal for some vintners, who have moved their vineyards from the valley’s flat plain to the hills in the east and west, adhering to the idea that grapes that struggle to grow yield better wine. The climate, soil, and individual wineries are enormously varied, so it’s impossible to identify a singular trait of Napa wines. In addition, nearly every noble grape is grown here, although Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the primary grapes. In the past, Napa’s wines have alternated between extremely fruity and fat to lean and subtle. Today the best Napa wines have achieved a balance between these extremes. Many are made to be drunk young and have abundant ripe fruit; others can be initially hard and tannic, but soften over four or five years to perfumed, cedary fruit. White Napa wines are excellent with fresh-grilled fish and chicken, but can also cope with more spicy and creamy flavors. Many Napa reds will overwhelm delicate cuisine, but rich red meat and cheeses do make good companions.

Comes mostly from California, France, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its highly acidic wines are often suggestive of herbs or grass. Light to medium bodied and usually dry, European versions are generally not oaky while California Sauvignon Blanc can take on many of the qualities of Chardonnay. France has two classic wine regions for the Sauvignon Blanc gape: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley The Bordeaux wine is called Bordeaux Blanc and the two best known of the Loire wines are called Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes blended with Sémillon.