WINE REVIEWS

The Tasting Room

The Food and Beverage International Tasting Panel is headed by Michael Walsh, Tom Luther and Nick Zielke. We invite Guest Chefs and Wine and Hospitality professionals to taste, describe and suggest food pairings. In this issue, we have Rebecca Chapa as a guest wine expert, who has reviewed Big Reds from California and France. In conjunction with the CIA at Greystone's Annual World of Flavors Conference and the upcoming holidays, we have reviewed wines that would be suitable to serve with Asian\Fusion Cuisine and holiday fare.

Come and visit our website at www.fbworld.com/tastingroom, where you will find, with the click of a button, a constantly updated list of wine reviews and recipes to help the food service professional stay informed and inspired with wine reviews and new menu ideas. If you would like to contribute, send in new recipe's or wine selections.

Meridian Vineyards, 1999
Santa Barbara Chardonnay,
(805) 237-6000 Paso Robles, CA

A well-crafted wine with distinct classic aromas and flavors. Aromatic ripe fresh pear and apple with juicy-pineapple touched with rich sweet-vanilla flavors, followed by a long toasted oak finish. Pair this wine alongside creamy pastas and grilled halibut with caramelized fennel.

RED WINES

This Merlot originates from a high quality vintage known for an intensity of character. Jammy red and black berry fruit emanate from the nose in-sync with a deep berry color. The flavors mix subtly on the palate with toasted oak, rich cocoa, and fruit, followed by a fine-tuned smooth finish. A wonderful autumn wine with roasted duck and grilled figs.

A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc give this wine a subtle complexity that must be experienced. Deep ruby color with intense fruit on the palate, mellowing into a crackling autumn-wood finish with rounded polished tannins. This wine will accompany hearty meat dished like braised beef ribs or grilled veal chops with wild mushrooms.

Clos Du Val, 1998 Palisade Vineyard Zinfandel, (707) 259-2200 Napa, CA

This 100% Zinfandel produced by grapes exclusively from the famous Stags Leap District is a true high-class wine at a middle-of-the-road price. Beautiful rich blackberry color with peppery notes on the jammy fruit forward nose. The finish is bold and velvety full of concentrated flavor that will partner rich, spicy dishes like barbecued Cajun prawns or oysters.

Deep purple in color. Complex berry, chocolate and anise flavors underlying. This wine is elegant on the palate with excellent balance and flavor. Close to raisiny black fruit with candied cherry notes.

The Pedroncelli winery has been producing Zinfandel Rose since 1955, longer than any other winery. This experience and refinement of style is evident in the abundant fresh fruit flavors of ripe red berries and spicy accents with a long, pleasant, velvety finish on the palate.