The Humble Gourmand

Wine

1. Cline Cellars 2008 Pinot Gris

   Cline makes incredibly reliable, reasonably-priced wines

2. Blockheadia Ringnosii 2005 Zinfandel

   Hints of blueberry pie, raspberry, spice, and chocolate

3. Hugues de Beauvignac Picpoul de Pinet 2007 Coteaux du Languedoc

   A lovely, simple little white wine with a complicated name

4. Cantina Zaccagnini 2005 Riserva Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

   Ridiculously smooth finish

5. Bohemian Highway 2005 Merlot

   A mouthful of berries at a convenient price point

6. Georges Duboeuf 2007 Beaujolais-Villages Flower Label

   Drink alone or with soft, mild cheeses or pizza

7. Domaine des Trois Toits 2005 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie

   Wonderfully flinty and juicy

8. Torbreck 2006 Woodcuttter's Shiraz

   A rich complexity from Australia’s Barossa Valley

9. Big House "Slammer" 2006 Central Coast Syrah

   Hello, lover.

10. Rhone Rebel 2005 Côtes du Ventoux

    A perfect Thanksgiving red to share with the family

11. Outer Coastal Plain Sangiovese/Shiraz '06

    When in Jersey…

12. Urraca Primera Reserva '05

    Showcasing two of Mendoza’s native varietals

13. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling "Turckheim" 2004

    The finish keeps on going, and going

14. Albert Mann 2005 Pinot Blanc

    A lemony nose leads into softer golden apple and pear notes

15. Chateau de Chamirey 2005 Mercurey Rouge

    Showcases skill and elegance, like the softest velvet

16. Domaine de la Croix Senaillat 2005 Maconnais

    A great value for the wine and the vintage

17. Charles de Fère Brut Blanc de Blanc Reserve

    Arguably one of the best French “not Champagnes” you can find for the price.

18. Palacio de Bornos 2007 Verdejo

    Lots of grass, apple and citrus, and, yes, apricots…with a smooth, honeyed finish.

19. Lionel Bussy Villes Vignes Chablis '05

    This bright golden Chablis smells almost like a Sauternes

20. Domaine de la Perriere Sancerre '06

    Carries hints of pear, green apple, lemon and chalk, with a subtle but long finish

21. Perrier-Jouet NV Grand Brut

    The initial sip was crisp, dry, fizzy, exciting — and the flavor kept on going

22. Domaine Carneros Brut '04

    Featuring the creamy depth that only a California-ripened grape can lend

23. Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec '05

    A versatile wine to deliver to your host

24. Chateau de Chasseloir Muscadet Sevre et Maine '06

    Dry, briny, refreshing, simple…

25. Fess Parker Frontier Red Lot 61 '05

    A blend of grenache, syrah, petite sirah, cinsault, mouvedre, and carignane.

26. Red Truck California Red Wine '07

    Sometimes, there is a bottle that stays with you because it evokes a really great memory.

27. Hayman & Hill Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay '06

    A pale, straw-colored wine, much like a Sauvignon Blanc or a French white.

28. Genesis by Hogue Merlot '04

    At the risk of sounding trite, because I cited Sideways in the last issue, I find it only appropriate to mention the PR problems Merlot had after that movie was released.

29. Mark West Pinot Noir '06

    There are two things I love about the Mark West winery: their wines and their attitude. While I’m supposed to talk more about the former, the latter is really what makes their Pinot so great.
    

30. Piper Sonoma Brut Select Cuvee '07

    Piper Sonoma is Piper-Heidsieck’s California venture, boasting spectacular sparkling wines at a fraction of its French cousin’s prices.

31. Domaine Pere Caboche '06

    Go. Hunt. It will be well worth your search.

32. Louis Latour Pouilly-Fuissé '05

    This could pair with literally hundreds of different dishes, but you might consider poultry, hearty pastas, risottos, and even pork.

33. Yellow Tail Shiraz

    A great choice for a best-value wine.

34. Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc '06

    A truly lovely summer wine. Be sure to leave it well-chilled.

35. Marquis-Phillips Shiraz '05

    Well worth the few extra bucks.

36. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc '06

    It’s zingy. It’s in your face. It is TART. But Kim Crawford expresses it beautifully.