Jane's Weekly Wines from the Atlanta Wine School PRINT AND GO VERSION June 22nd, 2006 Summer Reds *************************************************************************************** RETAILERS WHO SUPPORT THIS COLUMN AND HAVE HAD THIS LIST OF WINES IN ADVANCE. Corner Wine & Art, 1402 N. Highland Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30306 -- 404-875-8810 Home Town Wine & Spirits, 4856 Hog Mountain Rd, Flowery Branch, GA --770-965-6058 The Colors of Wine, 2355 Cumberland Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339 -- 770-432-2828 Sigman Bottle Shop, 425 Sigman Road - Conyers, GA 30012 -- 770-929-8797 Shiraz, 675 Pulaski Street, Suite 400, Athens, GA 30601 -- 706-208-0010 Windward Beverage, 12915 Hwy 9, Alpharetta, GA 30004 -- 678-566-3301 IS YOUR WINE SHOP NOT LISTED HERE? HAVE THEM CALL 770-668-0435 *************************************************************************************** Bloom Rose Petal Dornfelder 2004 Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany Medium-bodied frankly sweet $nearly 4% R.S.) red wine; medium deep dark cherry color. Somewhat shy dark fruit aromas, with sweet dark cherry and other dark fruit flavors. Moderate acidity. Silky texture. What tannin? Stainless steel preserves fruit-filled impact. Grape: Dornfelder, a classic German red grape variety. In screw cap (and the Germans swore they've never do it!). Keep it cool, about 60 degrees. Supply some spice against the sweetness: Spicy salamis; Asian meat dishes with exotic seasonings; barbacoa (Mexican style barbecue), meat dishes with Asian five spice seasoning; grilled sausages. Maybe also mole poblano. Note: This is NOT for everybody. It's a definitely sweet red wine, and although spice tempers the sweetness, it still comes through, so bear that in mind. But as I often am asked to suggest sweet red dinner wines, I thought this one was reasonably well made and well priced. Empire Distributing $10 86 ************************************************************************************* Ca de Medici Lambrusco Rosso Dolce D.O.C. NV Modena and Reggio nell' Emilia, Italy Medium-bodied moderately sweet slightly spritzy red wine with a bright dark cherry color. Fruit everywhere, from aromas of dark cherries to fresh fruit flavors that even offer the suggestion of sweet red apple. Fun to drink. Forget tannin. Not a "discussion" wine. Still, this is seriously made. Good acidity keeps sweetness from becoming cloying. Moderate alcohol: 7.5%. Grape: Lambrusco. Secondary fermentation occurs in autoclave--the charmat method. Classic cork closure with wire cage, required by law if wine is to be D.O.C. Lambursco. Serve it a little more chilled than the others, about 60 degrees or so, in flutes. Surprise guests with flutes of Lambrusco and fried chicken. Also nice with ribs and a spicy tomato-based sauce (but not too piquant), smoked liverwurst (Patak's); smoked breast of lamb; smoked chicken, roast duck. Finish with chocolate-covered cherries. Quality Wine & Spirits $10 89 ************************************************************************************* Casa Girelli Canaletto Nero d'Avola/Merlot I.G.T. 2002 Sicilia, Italy Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium deep dark cherry red. Aromas go after the red fruits, adding a slight suggestion of dried red fruits in the flavors, and a touch of sweet tobacco in the finish. Grapes: Nero d'Avola and Merlot, grown in separate parcels and vinified separately. Lots of maritime influence on the sites. Great value. Smoked liverwurst or chicken liver pâté; muffaletta or Cuban sandwiches; burgers; pizza; grilled sausages; pasta with good garlickly creamy sauce; Sicilian-style lasagna with sausage; fajitas with beef, pork, chicken or veggies; braciola (stuffed and rolled round steak cooked in tomato sauce) Georgia Crown $9 88 ************************************************************************************* Lulu B Pinot Noir 2004 Vin de Pays d'Oc, France Light-bodied dry red wine; medium dark translucent garnet red. Dark fruit--cherry--aromas with a bit of aromatic brown spice. Aromas of fresh and brandied fruit, with tasty dark fruit flavors. A slight bitter note in the finish is not at all unpleasant. Grape: Pinot Noir. Hit between 60-65 degrees for a serving temperature. In screwcap. "Lulu" is daughter of famed wine magnate Louis Bernard. Classic pimento cheese, really good; fried chicken, ricotta-filled manicotti with fresh tomato sauce, grilled quail (winery suggests cherry sauce--could be); grilled lamb on greans with a low-acid red wine vinaigrette; sautéed mushrooms; greens with a red wine vinegar vinaigrette. Winery also suggests grilled fish. Quality Wine & Spirits $10 87 ************************************************************************************* Lenotti Bardolino Ckassico 2003 Bardolino, The Veneto, Italy Medium-bodied dry red wine; translucent medium dark cherry red. Aromas of raisings and dark fruits, with flavors suggesting dried cherries, raisins and cranberries. Easy tannins. Modearte alcohol (12%). Grapes: Corvina (for body and structure), Rondinella (fairly neutral), Molinara (for acidity). Bardolino designated "Classico" is from the original delimited zone. A classic Renaissance town, Bardolino is a delight for walking. Serve cool, about 65 degrees. Amazing food companion: Smoked liverwurst (Patak's); pasta salads with light mayonnaise or olive oil/garlic dressing; pasta dishes with fresh tomato sauce, such as lasagne with sausage and manicotti filled with ricotta and covered with a light tomato sauce; muffaletta; Cuban sandwiches; a good all-beef grilled hot dog (no kiddin'!), smoked breast of lamb, grilled chicken, Vidalia onion wrapped with butter or olive oil in foil and grilled Bacco Fine Wine $13 90 ************************************************************************************* L. Tramier et Fils Roncier Pinot Noir NV Burgundy, France Light-bodied dry red wine; medium garnet red, with a slight but noticeable bricking. Aromas suggest a slight tobacco, plus initially dark cherries and red fruits, which evolve into crushed toasted almonds and continue on the palate, adding a little woodsiness to the profile. Finish is clean and pleasing, but not very long. Amazing value nonetheless. Soft tannins. Noir Clean, silky finish. Grape Pinot, declassified Mercurey. Mercurey lies in Burgundy on the Côte Chalonnnaise. Potential keeper 5-7 years after release. Smoked liverwurst, Rose de Lyon salami, grilled sausages or ham steak, roast duck, grilled or roasted Cornish hen, grilled portobello mushrooms, smoked breast of lamb, ham-and-cheese sandwiches (grilled); Cuban sandwiches; sautéed mushrooms, mild soft cheeses. Quality Wine & spirits 87 $12