Jane's Weekly Wines 
from the Atlanta Wine School

PRINT AND GO VERSION
November 30th, 2006
Holiday Parties
	
************************************************************************************
Codorníu Brut "Original" (NV)
Penedès, Spain

Medium-bodied dry sparkling wine; medium straw. Fresh scent of citrus and apple; 
pear/ apple flavors, sort of like Asian pear apple, with a light ginger note. 
Light texture, with persistent small bead. Crisp, clean palate-refreshing finish, 
with a little yeastiness in the close. A whole lot of flavor for the money. 
Superb value. Grape types: Parellada, Macabeo (a/k/a Viura); Xarel.lo. 
Serve chilled, about 50 degrees, in flute-shaped glasses. 

Sushi and sashimi; Asian dim sum; steamed dumplings with Ponzu dipping sauce; 
mussels vinaigrette or chilled mussels with homemade mayonnaise and a 
sprinkling of minced fresh herbs; ceviche, lightly curried chicken salad; 
pinwheel sandwiches with salmon and cream cheese; salmon salad; smoked 
salmon mousse; cocktail crab cakes

Savannah Distributing
$8
88

*************************************************************************************
Bodegas Valdeaguila Viña Salamanca Viura/Verdejo 2005
Castilla y León, Spain

Light-/medium-bodied dry white wine; pale greenish straw. Fresh scent of white fruits; 
with a slight hint of fresh herb and grapefruit. Flavor bring the grapefruit 
character to the foreground, then the finish picks up the slight grapefruit note 
and takes it to the end. Some nice chalky minerality becomes apparent as wine opens. 
Grape types: 50-50 Viura Verdejo Don't serve too cold, 55 degrees should do it, 
in tulip-shaped white wine glasses. 

Light appetizers: white pizza with caramelized onions; chicken croquetas; 
cocktail potatoes stuffed with fresh goat cheese and dill or finely minced 
green onion; chicken or pork satay; chicken fingers with honey mustard sauce 
(very good); garlic chicken wings; smoked salmon mousse; white bean dip with 
pita triangles; hummus; tabbouleh (a zinger!)

Georgia Crown
88
$8

*************************************************************************************
Valdivieso Rosado 2005
Central Valley, Chile

Medium-bodied dry rosé wine; medium deep reddish pink. Aromas of red 
fruits--especially strawberries and raspberries--introduce clean, fresh red fruit 
flavors. Clean, brisk, crisp, snappy finish. Clearly refreshing. 
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), balance blend of Merlot, Malbec, Syrah. Stainless 
steel.  Serve moderately chilled, about 55 degrees, in tulip-shaped white wine glasses. 


Chinese-style barbecued spar ribs; pork buns; fried chicken with honey mustard sauce; 
spicy chicken wings; ham croquetas; grilled sweetbreads; empanadas; terikayki 
skewers; Kobe-style beef cubes on skewers with Gorgonzola fondue 
(tasted at Vino Libro, a classy new wine bar); chile con queso with good Mexican 
chorizo; baked ham; wraps

New World Wines
90
$8

*************************************************************************************
Casa Girelli "Canaletto" Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2002
Abruzzo, Italy

Medium-bodied dry red wine; deep purple red. Delightful aromas of brown spices 
and dark fruits; evolving into a hint of sweet cured tobacco; flavors tilt to 
tart dark fruits, especially dark cherry.. Mid-palate is a little shallow, and 
finish a mite short, but it's nice while it's there. Soft tannins. Grape type: 
Montepulciano. Clean, sweet fruit makes this most worthwhile.  
Excellent everyday wine. Very fine value. 

Very food friendly: sausage and peppers; lasagna; stuffed shells with tomato 
sauce; pasta Bolognese; classic pizza; chili; barbecue; smoked pork loin; 
smoked liverwurst; pàtés and terrines; wraps; baked ham; muffalettas, fried, 
barbecued or roasted chicken; eggplant Parmesan; sausage-stuffed baked mushrooms

Georgia Crown
87
$9

*************************************************************************************
Cellier des Dauphins Côtes-du-Rhône Prestige Blanc 2003
Cütes-du Rhône, France

Medium-bodied dry white wine; medium gold. Aromas of apple, quince and pear, 
while quince emerges ahead of the pack on the palate. Well-integrated flavors, 
with good acidity, and a most persistent finish. Old-fashioned packaging is 
charming. Very fine value. Great "Wednesday Wine." Grapes: Grenache Blanc, 
Clairette. Serve just cool, about 60 degrees, in tulip-shaped white wine glasses.

Tiny potatoes stuffed with herbed fresh cheese; salmon salad; cooked mussels 
served cold and topped with mayonnaise; fennel-apple salad; chicken breast 
tenders in creamy whole-grain mustard sauce; white pizza; grilled garlic 
shrimp; pasta salads with feta cheese and herbs 

Atlanta Wholesale Wine/NDC
$9
87

*************************************************************************************
Bodegas Borsao Red Wine 2005
Campo de Borja, Spain

Full-bodied dry red wine; medium deep purple red. Lively aromas of red and black 
fruits, with flavors that capture the same characters. Blackberry, plum, some red 
raspberry.  Silky textured, with soft tannins. Nice balance of fruit, acidity. 
Long, clean, finish. Grapes: Garnacha (85%) and Tempranillo (15%). Outstanding 
value. Serve moderately cool, about 60 degrees, in generous tulip-shaped glasses. 

Smoked liverwurst, peppered liver pâté; salami and similar cured meats; baked 
ham; pizza with red sauce and meats; grilled sausage; barbecue; rare grilled 
steak; lamb steak (grilled just pink); Chinese barbecue; burgers; chili (not 
wicked hot); smoked pork ribs and beef brisket; meatballs in tomato sauce; 
meatloaf; barbecued chicken

Prestige Wine Wholesale
$8
92