The Humble Gourmand

Wine

1. Charles de Fère Brut Blanc de Blanc Reserve

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

2. Palacio de Bornos 2007 Verdejo

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

3. Lionel Bussy Villes Vignes Chablis '05

   This bright golden Chablis smells almost like a Sauternes

4. Domaine de la Perriere Sancerre '06

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

5. Perrier-Jouet NV Grand Brut

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

6. Domaine Carneros Brut '04

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

7. Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec '05

   A versatile wine to deliver to your host

8. Chateau de Chasseloir Muscadet Sevre et Maine '06

   Dry, briny, refreshing, simple…

9. Fess Parker Frontier Red Lot 61 '05

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

10. Red Truck California Red Wine '07

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

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

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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. Domaine Pere Caboche '06

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

16. 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.

17. Yellow Tail Shiraz

    A great choice for a best-value wine.

18. Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc '06

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

19. Marquis-Phillips Shiraz '05

    Well worth the few extra bucks.

20. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc '06

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