Wine Review Weekly
December 29, 2008
The annual madness of listing every sparkling wine that anyone might possibly enjoy is in full swing this week. Interesting selections and thoughtful comment on them, however, can be found in Eric Asimov's New York Times column, and by Patrick Comiskey who is the guest columnist for the Los Angeles Times this week. And at the other end of the scale, blogger Tyler Colman looks back at the best box wines of 2008, and finds several worthy of praise. John Gillespi
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Noirs NV.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Cristalino Rose Brut Cava NV, and Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut NV.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Wild Horse 'Cheval Sauvage' Pinot Noir 2005.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is late bottled vintage Port from the 2003 vintage. Producers Taylor Fladgate and Fonseca are mentioned.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Pierre Peters Cuvee de Reserve Blanc de Blancs Brut NV.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on moderately priced sparkling wines. Top choice is Domaine Carneros Brut 2004, while Domaine J. Laurens Cremant de Limoux Blanc de Blancs Brut NV is cited as a value.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on good value wines. Examples are Alamos Torrontes 2007, Pannotia Vineyards Torrontes 2006, Hogue Pinot Grigio 2007, Valle Reale 'Vigne Nuove' Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2005, Castellana Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2006, Chateau Au Grand Paris Bordeaux Superieur 2005, Terre del Nero d'Avola 2005, and three from South Africa - Fairvalley Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Juno Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2006, and Ken Forrester Vineyards 'Petit Chenin' 2007.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker offers up his vintage rating chart for all major wine regions covering the 2000 to 2007 vintages.
Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on the effects of the weakened economy on wine consumption and wine auction prices - with a focus on the UK.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel this week lists all of its top rated wines of 2008.
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on his most memorable wines of 2008. At the top of the list is Domaine Ponsot Griotte-Chambertin 1985. Many other listed.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Chris Macias on party wines, with a nod to Sofia Blanc de Blancs, and Scribner Bend Black Hat Tempranillo 2005.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on sparkling wines in all price ranges. Nice mentions for offerings from Mumm Napa, Gloria Ferrer, Domaine Chandon, Roederer Estate, J Winery, Adami Garbel, Domaine Ste. Michelle, Schramsberg, Iron Horse, Taittinger, Louis Roederer, Nicolas Feuillatte, Bollinger, Laurent-Perrier, and Perrier-Jouet.
Los Angeles Times: Guest writer Patrick Comiskey on sparkling wines. Recommended are wines from Roederer Estate, J Winery, Mionetto, Nino Franco, Juve y Camps, Louis Roederer, Krug, Dom Perignon, Charles Heidsieck, Pierre Peters, Philipponnat, Monmousseau, Chateau d'Orschwihr, Louis Bouillot, Patrick Bottex, Kalinda, Schloss Goblesburg, Hill of Content, Woop Woop, Agrapart, Pierre Gimonnet, Paul Bara, Larmandier-Bernier, Jean Milan, and Camille Saves.
Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on a trend toward using lighter weight glass bottles for wine. Nice mentions for Linden Vineyards, Fetzer, and Errazuriz.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs on sparkling wines. Nice mentions for those from Henri Abele, Ayala, Duval-Leroy , Montaudon, Mumm, Nicolas Feuillatte, Moet, Veuve Clicquot, Roederer, Domaine Carneros, Gloria Ferrer, Mumm Napa, Roederer Estate, Scharffenberger, Lindaur, Segura Viudas, Piper-Heidsieck, and Brachetto d'Acqui.
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on sparkling wines. Highest rating by tasting panel is Pommery Brut Royal NV.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on Champagne. Highest recommendations go to Duval-Leroy Brut, Deutz Brut Classic, Piper Heidsieck Rare 1999, Henriot Blanc Souverain Pur Chardonnay, and Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2000.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on bargain sparkling wines. Highest rated is Zardetto Prosecco Brut NV.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on wine in the Bible. Recommended this week is Nicolas Potel 'Cuvee Gerard Potel' Bourgogne 2006.
Dallas Morning News: The tasting panel picks sparkling wines in several price ranges. Recommended are Mumm Extra Dry Carte Classique NV, Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV, Domaine Carneros Brut Cuvee 2005, Roederer Estate Brut NV, Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad NV, Mumm 'Cuvee M' NV, Chandon Brut Classic NV, Piper Sonoma Brut NV, Freixenent Cordon Negro Brut NV, and Cristalino Brut Cava NV.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Ben Weinberg on sparkling wines. Recommended are offerings from Segura Viudas, Martini & Rossi, Cara Mia, Argyle, Mumm Napa, Black Chook, Banfi, Piper-Heidsieck, Lucien Albrecht, and Moet & Chandon.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on sparkling wines. Personal favorites cited are Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs NV, Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad, Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut, Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV, Pommery Brut Royal NV, Piper-Heidsieck Brut, and Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Wine columnist Dan Berger on the perils of exposing sparkling wines to light.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on sparkling wines. Highest recommendations go to Piper Sonoma Select Cuvee Brut NV, and J Winery Brut Rose NV.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Champagne. Top choice is Moet & Chandon White Star NV.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies on sparkling wine. Producers listed are Lucien Albrecht, Nino Franco, Zardetto, Ferrari, Paringa, Shingleback, Cristalino, Gruet, Argyle, Scharffenberger, Roederer Estate, J Winery, and Gloria Ferrer.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on wines to give. Suggested are Domaine Paul Janin et Fils Moulin-a-Vent 'Clos du Tremblay' 2006, and Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2005.
Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow on the Two Hands winery, with tasting notes of several current releases.
Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Colman on the best box wines of 2008, with especially fine prasie for Yellow + Blue Malbec.
Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring on Champagne, with a focus on grower producers.
JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson offers a nice tasting note on La Fleur d'Or Sauternes 2005.
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Noirs NV.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Cristalino Rose Brut Cava NV, and Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut NV.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Wild Horse 'Cheval Sauvage' Pinot Noir 2005.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is late bottled vintage Port from the 2003 vintage. Producers Taylor Fladgate and Fonseca are mentioned.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Pierre Peters Cuvee de Reserve Blanc de Blancs Brut NV.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on moderately priced sparkling wines. Top choice is Domaine Carneros Brut 2004, while Domaine J. Laurens Cremant de Limoux Blanc de Blancs Brut NV is cited as a value.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on good value wines. Examples are Alamos Torrontes 2007, Pannotia Vineyards Torrontes 2006, Hogue Pinot Grigio 2007, Valle Reale 'Vigne Nuove' Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2005, Castellana Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2006, Chateau Au Grand Paris Bordeaux Superieur 2005, Terre del Nero d'Avola 2005, and three from South Africa - Fairvalley Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Juno Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2006, and Ken Forrester Vineyards 'Petit Chenin' 2007.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker offers up his vintage rating chart for all major wine regions covering the 2000 to 2007 vintages.
Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on the effects of the weakened economy on wine consumption and wine auction prices - with a focus on the UK.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel this week lists all of its top rated wines of 2008.
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on his most memorable wines of 2008. At the top of the list is Domaine Ponsot Griotte-Chambertin 1985. Many other listed.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Chris Macias on party wines, with a nod to Sofia Blanc de Blancs, and Scribner Bend Black Hat Tempranillo 2005.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on sparkling wines in all price ranges. Nice mentions for offerings from Mumm Napa, Gloria Ferrer, Domaine Chandon, Roederer Estate, J Winery, Adami Garbel, Domaine Ste. Michelle, Schramsberg, Iron Horse, Taittinger, Louis Roederer, Nicolas Feuillatte, Bollinger, Laurent-Perrier, and Perrier-Jouet.
Los Angeles Times: Guest writer Patrick Comiskey on sparkling wines. Recommended are wines from Roederer Estate, J Winery, Mionetto, Nino Franco, Juve y Camps, Louis Roederer, Krug, Dom Perignon, Charles Heidsieck, Pierre Peters, Philipponnat, Monmousseau, Chateau d'Orschwihr, Louis Bouillot, Patrick Bottex, Kalinda, Schloss Goblesburg, Hill of Content, Woop Woop, Agrapart, Pierre Gimonnet, Paul Bara, Larmandier-Bernier, Jean Milan, and Camille Saves.
Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on a trend toward using lighter weight glass bottles for wine. Nice mentions for Linden Vineyards, Fetzer, and Errazuriz.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs on sparkling wines. Nice mentions for those from Henri Abele, Ayala, Duval-Leroy , Montaudon, Mumm, Nicolas Feuillatte, Moet, Veuve Clicquot, Roederer, Domaine Carneros, Gloria Ferrer, Mumm Napa, Roederer Estate, Scharffenberger, Lindaur, Segura Viudas, Piper-Heidsieck, and Brachetto d'Acqui.
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on sparkling wines. Highest rating by tasting panel is Pommery Brut Royal NV.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on Champagne. Highest recommendations go to Duval-Leroy Brut, Deutz Brut Classic, Piper Heidsieck Rare 1999, Henriot Blanc Souverain Pur Chardonnay, and Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2000.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on bargain sparkling wines. Highest rated is Zardetto Prosecco Brut NV.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on wine in the Bible. Recommended this week is Nicolas Potel 'Cuvee Gerard Potel' Bourgogne 2006.
Dallas Morning News: The tasting panel picks sparkling wines in several price ranges. Recommended are Mumm Extra Dry Carte Classique NV, Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV, Domaine Carneros Brut Cuvee 2005, Roederer Estate Brut NV, Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad NV, Mumm 'Cuvee M' NV, Chandon Brut Classic NV, Piper Sonoma Brut NV, Freixenent Cordon Negro Brut NV, and Cristalino Brut Cava NV.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Ben Weinberg on sparkling wines. Recommended are offerings from Segura Viudas, Martini & Rossi, Cara Mia, Argyle, Mumm Napa, Black Chook, Banfi, Piper-Heidsieck, Lucien Albrecht, and Moet & Chandon.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on sparkling wines. Personal favorites cited are Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs NV, Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad, Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut, Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV, Pommery Brut Royal NV, Piper-Heidsieck Brut, and Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Wine columnist Dan Berger on the perils of exposing sparkling wines to light.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on sparkling wines. Highest recommendations go to Piper Sonoma Select Cuvee Brut NV, and J Winery Brut Rose NV.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Champagne. Top choice is Moet & Chandon White Star NV.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies on sparkling wine. Producers listed are Lucien Albrecht, Nino Franco, Zardetto, Ferrari, Paringa, Shingleback, Cristalino, Gruet, Argyle, Scharffenberger, Roederer Estate, J Winery, and Gloria Ferrer.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on wines to give. Suggested are Domaine Paul Janin et Fils Moulin-a-Vent 'Clos du Tremblay' 2006, and Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2005.
Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow on the Two Hands winery, with tasting notes of several current releases.
Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Colman on the best box wines of 2008, with especially fine prasie for Yellow + Blue Malbec.
Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring on Champagne, with a focus on grower producers.
JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson offers a nice tasting note on La Fleur d'Or Sauternes 2005.
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