Best wines of the world

Vini pregiati della Duca di Salaparuta: Bianca di Valguarnera

2007-03-07T02:43:00.000-08:00

Vino di Indicazione Geografica Tipica Sicilia. Nasce da uve Insolia in purezza coltivate ad alberello sulle pendici della collina di Salemi a circa 350 metri sul livello del mare.

Coltivato in terreni argillosi-calcarei, i vigneti sono allevati ad alberello con alta densità di ceppi per ettaro (oltre 5.000), di età superiore ai 20 anni e con bassa produzione per pianta. A maturazione avanzata le uve vengono raccolte manualmente, scrupolosamente selezionate e subito pressate. Il mosto ottenuto, reso limpido per sola decantazione, viene fermentato in selezionatissimo legno nuovo di rovere e lì rimane sino a primavera per evolvere a stretto contatto con i suoi fermenti.

Il colore è giallo dorato con riflessi verdognoli; si distingue tra i vini pregiati per il suo profumo complesso ed intenso, ricco di sensazioni tipiche di frutti maturi impreziosite da sentori di vaniglia e frutta secca, dovuti allevoluzione del legno. Si consiglia di servirlo a temperatura di circa 12/14° C., in calice ampio a stelo lungo."

Champagne H. Billiot Fils NV Brut Rosé

2007-03-07T02:49:00.000-08:00

"Champagne H. Billiot Fils NV Brut Rosé ($52.00)
This 'grower' Champagne comes from a small producer in Ambonnay, one of the top villages of the Champagne region. It's made 100 percent from black Pinot Noir grapes, which impart a pale salmon color with just a hint of rosy hue. Multiple streams of lasting pinpoint bubbles loft subtle and complex aromas that mingle apple and strawberry and a distinct hint of cocoa. Rich and rather full-bodied, crisp and tart flavors follow the nose. It finishes fresh and clean, with a lasting aftertaste of fresh apples and a citric snap. US Importer: Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, N.Y.; A Terry Theise Estate Selection. (Dec 16, 2006)

FOOD MATCH: This full-bodied, rich Champagne is fine for drinking by itself, but can also serve well at the dinner table for just about any seafood, fish or lighter meat course."

Fattoria di Pancole 2004 Chianti Colli Senesii

2007-03-07T02:51:00.000-08:00

"Fattoria di Pancole 2004 Chianti Colli Senesi ($12.99)
Clear, very dark garnet. Black cherries and subtle spice on the nose, juicy fruit and snappy acidity in the flavor; fresh-fruit acidity and soft tannins in a long finish. Just about a perfect model of fresh, straightforward Chianti. US Importer: Five Star Fine Imports Ltd., Plainview, N.Y. (Jul 25, 2006)

FOOD MATCH: Characteristic Chianti, made for red meat; its fresh acidity and fruit makes it a natural with snappy, tomato-based pasta dishes or a caprese salad or just about anything made with fresh summer tomatoes and basil."

Bellavista NV Franciacorta Cuvee Brut (Italy)

2007-03-07T03:11:00.000-08:00

"'This is a brilliant wine from winemaker Mattia Bezzola. The reference point for brilliantly pure, elegant, Italian sparkling wine, this offering can stand up to the finest Champagnes. This prestigious estate, created in the seventies by proprietor Vittorio Moretti, continues to fashion a bevy of dazzling sparklers.'
-Wine Advocate

Of all the Bellavista wines, Brut Cuvée best represents the characteristic qualities of Franciacorta. Its balance derives from the blending of at least thirty selections. The addition of some older wines, with their distinctive perfumes and flavours, confers consistency to the taste, plus roundness and finesse. The grapes used are 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero. The mousse is white, lively and persistent, the bubbles small and long-lasting. The colour is light yellow with hints of green. The perfume is full, inviting, rich in ripe fruits, chlorophyll and vanilla; these perfumes are fully reflected in the taste, and are echoed in the aftertaste."

Louis Roederer 1999 Brut Cristal

2007-05-01T02:45:00.000-07:00

One of the finest Champagnes I have ever brought to my lips, the 1999 Cristal bursts from the glass with fresh hazelnut and apple scents.

Elegant, deep, and silky-textured, this medium to full-bodied beauty is immensely concentrated, pure, packed with apple flavors, and astoundingly long in the finish.

Louis Roederer does not display a disgorgement date or consumer friendly lot number on its non-vintage Brut. This is regrettable as it has consistently been one of the finer bottlings in this category.

De Bortoli Willowglen Chardonnay 2006

2007-10-06T01:14:00.000-07:00

Region: Riverina, NSW.
Appearance: Pale gold with green hues.
Bouquet: Lifted melon and pear with a hint of citrus zest. Creamy vanillin oak adds further complexity.
Palate Crisp acid lifts the full, rich fruit flavour, creating a brilliant contrast to the soft texture of the mid palate.
Vintage: Conditions Healthy vines were maintained by consistent rainfall leading up to the vintage period. The warm dry conditions that followed during harvest resulted in optimum fruit ripening conditions.
Winemaking Fruit classification was based on those vineyards showing flavour expression required for this wine. Healthy berries profi ling melon and stonefruit were ideal for this wine style. Fermentation took place between 12°C and 14°C over a two week period. Selected parcels were fermented with the inclusion of French oak.
Cellaring: Enjoy now or over the next 2 years.
Suggested Cuisine: A wonderful partner to spicy chicken or seafood dishes.

Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005 by Clos des Papes is the best wine for year 2007

2007-11-16T12:21:00.000-08:00

Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005 produced by the french winemaker Clos des Papes has been elected by Wine Spectator the best bottle for this year, 2007. Other 2 italian wines in the top 10 ranking. Every year the famous magazine «Wine Spectator», specialized in wine field, produce the «Top 100» ranking.
This news has been published on theyr web site today. The 100 selected wines for 2007, has been chosen from 13 countries, selected between more than 15.000 products world wide. In 2006 the best win for Wine Spectator was an italian brand: the Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova 2001, produced by Casanova di Neri.

This year, exactly as in 2006, two italian wines ranked in the top ten list: the Tignanello 2004 di Antinori, at the fourth place, and the Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 2004 produced by Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, at the seventh.

Other two wines are from Australia and California. Totally, 4 bottles in top ten list. The average price for this year is around 42,00 euros, decreased from the 49,00 euros in 2006.
The quality is the same represented by an average score of 93 points.

Franz Haas: Traminer Aromatico

2008-01-19T09:30:00.000-08:00

Un vino dal colore giallo paglierino brillante, profumo piacevole, intrigante con un complesso aroma di rose, chiodi di garofano e lychees. Al palato si mostra interamente nella sua pienezza con un finale leggermente amarognolo, tipico della varietà.

Un vino davvero piacevole, per una cena che includa paté di fegato, carni bianche, crostacei e primi piatti elaborati con salse e creme.

Gattinara Tre Vigne 1999

2006-12-17T02:12:00.000-08:00

Alla vista si presenta con un colore rosso rubino brillante e sfumature di rosso granato, piuttosto trasparente.

All'olfatto aromi intensi, puliti, raffinati ed eleganti che si espandono con note di ciliegia, viola mammola e prugna seguite da aromi di mirtillo, rosa, cannella, liquirizia, tabacco, cuoio e cioccolato.

Buona la corrispondenza al sapore con un attacco fresco, leggermente tannico e di piacevole morbidezza. Corposo, intenso, buoni tannini. Il finale è persistente con ricordi di ciliegia e prugna.

Un vino ben fatto. Questo Gattinara matura per 10-12 mesi in barrique.

Gradazione alcolica: 13,5%

Abbinamento: Selvaggina, Carne arrosto, Brasati e stufati di carne, Formaggi stagionati

Gattinara Docg

2006-12-17T02:16:00.000-08:00

Scheda del produttore:

Durata d’invecchiamento:
per legge deve invecchiare 3 anni di cui almeno 2 anni in botti di legno. Il 30% del prodotto viene affinato in barrique per 10/12 mesi.

Terreno:
collinare roccioso; 5,00 Ph

Vitigno:
100% di Uve Nebbiolo

Produzione:
massima produzione 75 ql. per ettaro Con resa di trasformazione 65% , pari a litri 4875 per 10.000 metri.

Aspetto visivo:
colore rosso rubino profondo, con riflesso granato

Senso olfattivo:
all'olfatto è composto e affascinante con percezioni di frutti rossi, di mora,prugna e liquirizia, con sfumature di vanilia, crema e cuoio.

Senso gustativo:
la bocca dona sensazioni intense, asciutto e corposo, il Fruttato viene vivacizzato da un accenno di sapidità, gusto lungo e persistente.

Abbinamento:
Si abbina bene da inizio a fine pasto, con primi piatti robusti, carni rosse e selvaggina, formaggi

Durata di conservazione:
fino a 10 anni se a giusta temperatura costante

Grado alcoolico: 13,5 gradi

Temperatura di servizio:
per poter apprezzare le diverse doti di finezza, si Raccomanda di degustare il vino ad una temperatura di 19/20 gradi , decantare se invecchiato diversi anni.

Zuccheri: 1.1. g/L

Acidità totale: 5.80 g/L

La Versa - Tenimenti Confalonieri (ITA)

2006-01-22T05:03:00.000-08:00

Chardonnay, a high-quality grape variety originating in Burgundy, is forever being confused with Pinot Bianco, which - even though related - is a different variety.

Recent studies have shown that the Chardonnay grape is the fruit of a cross between Pinot Nero and Gouais-Blanc, the latter an ancient white French variety that has now all but disappeared. It was imported into Italy for the first time in the 19th century, and to this day is still cultivated in a number of areas, including the Oltrepò Pavese. Our Chardonnay DOC is made from the grape of the same name, harvested exclusively of our own estates on the hillsides of the upper Valle Versa, an area in which terroir and microclimate come together to produce remarkable results.

Lucid straw-yellow color; assertive bouquet, with pronounced notes of almond blossom and apples, together with echoes of bay leaves and musk; the palate is dry, rounded, subtle and well-orchestrated, with a pleasant and persistent almond finish.

Accompaniment: with antipasti, soups, fish and shellfish, cold white meats.

Planeta - Chardonnay [ITA]

2006-04-16T01:40:00.000-07:00

During my last visit in London, I discovered this brand and one of his most important products. A friend of mine, discussed with me about Chardonnay quality, expecially about Chardonnay from Chile.

These are brief tasting notes:

Colour: Golden yellow with bright greenish hue.
Rich, intense, fruity. Peache mousse, white melon, vanilla cream. Nut tones with a hint of orange blossom honey. The wood is delicate and is covered by the fruit fragrances.
Soft, round and tempting. Exuberant thanks to the alcohol, the acidity and the structure.

Price is medium-high, but quality is over the average.

Toasted Head Russian River Chardonnay - (USA - CA)

2006-01-15T02:18:00.000-08:00

The second wine I want to let you know is a Californian wine.
I tasted it for the first time in New York last October and I found an excellent wine I will never forget. Californian wines are still very good quality wines.

The wine has apple and citrus blossom aromas with hints of cinnamon and clove spice. The mouth feel is very rich, with apple, pear and citrus zest. Light oak flavors are integrated with delicate vanilla and caramel notes, leading to a long finish of spiced pears.

Sur lie aging increases the aromatic and flavor complexity of the wine. The lees are stirred early - every week for 10 weeks. Stirring early in the barrel aging process, while dissolved CO2 is still present in the wine, protects the delicate flavors from oxidation. The stirring of the lees results in a creamy mouthfeel and enhanced structure.

This wine is purchasable online on http://www.nexternal.com.

Price is above the average, but quality is excellent.

[ yellow tail ] Shiraz by Casella Wines (AUS)

2006-01-14T06:51:00.000-08:00

This is the first wine I want to introduce. It is an australian wine, one of my favourite wines.

A vibrant, deep purple colour leads to a nose of lifted berry aromas with spicy notes. The full-bodied palate shows generous ripe fruit characters with underlying earthy tones and lingering sweet berry flavours. A touch of vanillin oak adds balance and softness to the long, enjoyable finish.

I use to serve it to my friends with roast beef, barbecue meats, continental sausages and strong, aged cheeses.

I particularly appreciate it for its very good quality and low price.

Shiraz is currently ranked No.1 selling 750ml red wine in the USA.