WINE FOR NEWBIES

This is what I have in my cellar now:

- REDS

2003 VALDUERO CRIANZA
Ribera del Duero, Spain
This guy got a 92 points from Robert Parker. Not that I care about it, but it is better than having received 80 points, right?! I do love Spanish wines (and movies! Love all the Almodovar movies) and I am looking forward to opening this one.

2003 ENRIQUE FOSTER MALBEC FINCA CASTRO BARROS
Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
I’ve heard wonderful things about Argentineans Malbecs and I have tried some, but before I started thinking about wine from a more serious perspective. I drank it and I forgot about it…I am a different being now!
I will let you know how this wine tastes.

2005 DAVID BRUCE PETITE SIRAH
Central Coast, California, USA
This is one of my favorite red wines. I was introduced to it in 2007 by a co-worker. We were in Denver for a trade show and she saw this wine while we were having dinner. I fell in love on the spot! It is delicious, deep red, amazing body and smooth! You gotta try it.

2005 NOVELLI MONTEFALCO ROSSO
Umbria, Italy
I tried this wine during a wine tasting event at a local wine store. The wine is very good, although I am not at that point yet where I can tell you about the bouquet and taste. I simply liked it a lot and decided to buy a bottle - I should’ve probably bought more than one!
This wine is produced from the Sangiovese grape and a little amount of sagrantino grape.

2005 CAHTEAU DE SERAME CORBIERES
Languedoc region, France
Another wine I got from My Wines Direct. Not sure what to expect from this one. I could not find anything on the web about it - so I guess it is going to be a surprise…a good one, hopefully!

2006 RICHLAND SHIRAZ
Riverina Region, Australia
Bought from My Wines Direct. I don’t know anything about this wine yet, but I read a comment from a buyer who said the wine is undrinkable! We’ll see….

2006 CHATEAU MOULIN DES CHAUMES
City of Blaye, Bordeaux region, France
This was a gift from my friend Pascale. Oh! The gift included some foie gras! Absolutely delicious.
I could not find a label online and I don’t know anything about this wine.
Here is the basic information about this wine: Produit de France. Grand Vin de Bordeaux. Premieres Cotes de Blaye. Appellation Premieres Cotes de Blaye Controlee.

- WHITES

2004 CHATEAU CARBONNIEUX
Pessac-Leognan, France
Hummm…I think I need to do some research about this one. I am clueless about what to expect. The bottle looks good, though!

2004 BLANC DE LYNCH-BAGES
Bordeaux, France
I got this wine from JJ Buckley - they had a sale and this wine was 50% off. I hope it is as delicious as their ad promised.

2005 CHATEAU POTELLE SAUVIGNON BLANC
Mendocino County, California, USA
This wine is made from a blend from 4 vineyards in the Mendocino County region, but the actual Chateau Potelle is located in Napa Valley. I had the pleasure to spend a couple of hours in the vineyard in Napa Valley - we had a picnic looking over the valley. It was breathtaking!
If you find this wine in your local wine store, immediately grab a bottle…or two! It is worth it!

2006 OSPREY GLEN SAUVIGNON BLANC
Sonoma Valley, California, USA
Another one I got from My Wines Direct. Based on the comments by previous buyers on the My Wines Direct website, I am in for a nice surprise. Someone even said it is her favorite Californian Sauvignon Blanc! Overly dramatic? We’ll see…

2006 MEGAPANOS SAVATIANO
Bought during a Greek wine tasting at Astor Wines in Manhattan. Great wine wine from the region of Spata. I can’t wait to try it with some good Mediterranean cuisine!
Description: Produced from selected grape of the ancient grape of Attica, Savatiano, this has clear color with green highlights that convey a sense of youthfulness and freshness.
“Honeyed and Dense, it needs a slight chill to brighten its pear and apple flavours” (Tat Q. Thomas, published in August 2007 issue of Wine and Spirits Magazine).

2006 CLOS ROCHE BLANCH
Loire Valley, France
I found this Sauvignon Blanc during a tasting at Bottlerocket Wines in Manhattan. According to the shop’s description, this Sauvignon #2 is a paragon of varietal purity with its concise, tangy mouthfeel and everlasting length.

2006 MALAGOUSIA
Epanomini, Thessaloniki, Greece
I’ve never heard about this wine, but I’ve been trying to taste more Greek wines - it seems like the wines from Greece are the big next thing! Let’s see.

2007 THALASSITIS
Bought during a Greek wine tasting at Astor place. This is a delicious red, quite dry, but with a nice aroma. The grape variety is assyrtico - this is the first time I hear about this grape.

- ROSE

- SPARKLING

NON VINTAGE VOUVRAY BRUT CHAMPALOU
Vouvray, France
I got this one a couple of weeks ago while walking back from work. I found this brand new, very small and cute wine store on my way back. The staff was very helpful and still excited with their new store (I know! I am a cynic). The girl who was assisting me suggested this sparkling after I told her I am on a mission, which is to convince all my friends that we should drink sparkling wine just like any other wine, not only to celebrate something!
So, this one is in my fridge, just chillin’

PROSECCO SCU DO (ITALY)
White Sparkling Wine Brut

PINOT NERO (ITALY)
Rose Sparkling Wine Extra Dry

- DESSERT

COMMANDARIA ST. NICHOLAS (CYPRUS)
Description: It has the color of honey with glittering shades of gold. With a strong expression of candied fruit, it has a strong fig side, marked by raisins and underscored by touches of cocoa and caramel. It offers medium intensity and complexity on the nose.

- PORT