Attributes:

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Columbia Valley, United States

Chardonnay

750 ML

2005: WineAdvocate Rating: 91

oak

2004: WineAdvocate Rating: 92

medium to full-bodied

spices, spicy

2004: WineNews Rating: 91

fresh

apple, honey, new oak, nutmeg, pineapple, smoky

concentrated

2004: WineNews Rating: 91

fresh

apple, honey, new oak, nutmeg, pineapple, smoky

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.

The Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is the largest in the state of Washington. It includes the Yakima Valley, Red Mountain, Walla Walla, and Horse Heaven Hill AVAs within its boundaries.

Attributes:

Henry's Drive

Padthaway, Australia/New Zealand

Syrah / Shiraz

750 ML

2005: WineSpectator Rating: 89

rich

blackberry, licorice, plum

ripe

2004: Tanzer Rating: 88

deep

berry, blackberry, clove, creme de cassis, oak, pepper, spicy

juicy, sweet

2004: WineAdvocate Rating: 91

deep, layered, rich

strong

2004: WineSpectator Rating: 86

lean

blackberries, creme de cassis, espresso, flowers, new oak

2003: Tanzer Rating: 85

dark chocolate, eucalyptus, maple, molasses, oak, plum, prune

ripe

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 90

rich

berry, cherry, licorice, spicy

ripe, sweet

dense, strong, syrupy, thick

2003: WineAdvocate Rating: 94

full-bodied

blackberry, creme de cassis, earth, espresso, jammy, licorice, new oak, smoky

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 88

berry, dried cherry, raisiny, smoky

Food Matches:

With a cool climate, this region of South Australia produces good Pinot Noir and excellent Chardonnay.

Originally grown in France’s Northern Rhône Valley (where it is a noble variety) this grape has spread to Australia, California, Washington, Italy and Spain. In the Rhone region this grape produces deeply colored wines with full body and firm tannin, however in Australia, where it is known as Shiraz, the wines are lighter and fruitier. Aromas and flavors for these wines vary as much as their geographical breadth suggests: berries, smoked meat, bell peppers, even tar.

Australian name for the grape known as Syrah in France.

Attributes:

J. S. Adams

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

Riesling Spätlese

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.