Attributes:

Domaine du Tariquet

Cotes de Gascogne, France

Chardonnay

750 ML

Food Matches:

(shar dohn nay)—This noble grape’s reputation was established in France, particularly in the Burgundy region, and the highly prized Chardonnay wines from Chablis, Mâcon, Mersault, and Pouilly-Fuissé are imitated by winemakers around the world. Generally an oaked wine (whether from expensive oak barrels or a quick soak in oak chips), its fruity aromas and flavors range from apple in the cooler regions to tropical fruits such a pineapple in the warmer regions. It can also display subtle earthy aromas, such as mushroom or minerals. It has a medium to high acidity and is generally full-bodied. Classical Chardonnay wines are dry. Chardonnay is also an important grape in the Champagne district where it's picked before fully ripe and while it still has high acid and understated fruit flavors—the perfect combination for champagne. California has adopted this grape with a fervor and there are some 200 wineries producing Chardonnay wines in other parts of the United States. Chardonnay has also seen a tremendous planting surge in Australia, and new vineyards are being planted in Italy, Lebanon, New Zealand, Spain, and South Africa.

Attributes:

Vignobles Boudinad

Vin de Pays d'Oc, France

Viognier

750 ML

Food Matches:

(vee oh nyay)—A grape from France’s Rhone Valley that is becoming popular in California and the south of France. The floral aroma and delicate apricot flavors that characterize the medium to full-bodied wine are due to low acidity.

Attributes:

Domaine Trimbach

Alsace, France

Riesling

750 ML

2005: Tanzer Rating: 93(+?)

lime skin, mint, peach, spice, stone, vanilla

2004: Tanzer Rating: 95

bright

powerful

berries, citrus, honey, minerally, oak, pineapple, spicy, stone

2003: Tanzer Rating: 91

powerful

candied, minerally, pineapple, stone, stony

2002: Tanzer Rating: 93

deep

petrol, pineapple, stone

austere, fruity

2001: Tanzer Rating: 94(+?)

spring flowers

lime, menthol, pineapple, stone

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 94

complex, rich

apple, lemon, mineral, peach, smoke

strong

2000: Tanzer Rating: 93-96

deep

coconut, grapefruit, lime, pineapple, stone, stony, vanilla

2000: Tanzer Rating: 93-96

rich

classic, racy

grapefruit, lime, stone

ripe

Food Matches:

(ahl zas) Just across the Rhine River from Germany, this region in northeastern France produces wines that are unique in many ways. They are made with grapes native to Germany; their bottles are graceful and long-necked; they are relatively inexpensive; and their labels carry the names of the grape as well as the place-name. Alsace Riesling is far drier than its German counterpart, although it has a fruity aroma. IT can be enjoyed young, but a good Riesling will age and improve for ten or more years. Alsace Pinot Blanc is a light-bodied wine that can be extremely dry or medium-dry. Tokay Pinot Gris is made from the Pinot Gris grape, known more famously in Italy as Pinot Grigio. In Alsace these wines are rich, spicy, and full-bodied and a good match with spicy meat dishes as well as sweet and sour flavors. In Alsace, the Gewurztraminer grape makes wines that are spicy, intense, low in acidity and high in alcohol.

(REESE ling)—a grape that comes mostly from the Mosel and Rheingau regions of Germany (where it is a noble variety), the Finger Lakes region of New York, and Alsace region of France, and Austria. Although often thought of as “sweet,” many Rieslings are quite dry. The word trocken on German bottles indicates dryness. The trademarks of Riesling are high acidity, low to medium alcohol levels, and aromas and flavors that range from fruity and flowery to mineral. Also called Johannesburg Riesling or White Riesling.