VALUES ON THE VINE
Taste the Mediterranean
THIS month our Values on the Vine contributors have agreed to take us on a journey to the Mediterranean. Get set for views of France, Italy and Spain as they offer tips on exploring the region's red wines.
Richard Field
Owner of R. Field Wine Co.
The benchmark for great wines from Provence and the Mediterranean are from Domaine Tempier in Bandol ($43.97). These are wines that compete at the level of quality of the greatest in the world. They are unique to their region and are exciting. They are stylishly crafted and rich like no other wines. This red wine offers pretty red cherry and plum flavors with a touch of pepper and violet flower aromas. In all of my travels, this winery in the south of France is one of the most memorable.
The 1999 Domaine de la Gautiere Rouge ($16.49), described by Chuck Furuya below, is an excellent choice as well.
Lyle Fujioka
Owner of Fujioka's Wine Merchants
1999 Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais "Moulin-A-Vent," France, $13.95: Mediterranean food conjures visions of savory dishes with an emphasis on fresh seafood, vegetables, beans and pastas. As the fad of "big" reds continues in aimless confusion, the very versatile Beaujolais is overlooked as the perfect wine for these foods. Drouhin's "Moulin-A-Vent" is no wimpy wine, with its strong structure; smokey, jammy, blackberry aromatics; and intense, ripe wild cherry flavors that linger.
Château d'Or et de Gueles 1998 Cuvée Prestige Red Costieres de Nimes, France, $16.95: A beautiful wine with exotic fruit and spice aromatics. A delicious fruit-forward wine; ample, yet elegant. Medium-bodied with layered velvety tannins. Its pretty finish keeps you coming back for more.
Chuck Furuya
President of Fine Wine Imports
1999 Domaine de la Gautiere Rouge, France, $16.49: Gautiere is one of my all-time favorites. This country-styled red wine is produced by an organic-minded family in their own little valley in southern France. The official appellation is Provence. I love how tasty, peppery and completely food-friendly the wines are. Nothing bold or heavy here. Perfect with olive tapenade, grilled sausage, fresh tomato sauce, roasted chicken or scrambled eggs and shaved black truffle. Furthermore, the wines innately have soul, a quality that is getting harder to find in wines today.
1999 Lambrusco, Barbolini, $15.29: Delightfully fizzy, light- bodied, wonderfully dry and refreshing red wine. Fizzy? Does that scare you? It shouldn't. Yes, it is different, thankfully so and fabulous nonetheless. It is ideal for our climate, just serve it cold. Think Mediterranean-inspired foods, although it is well-suited for many of our local foods, too.
Jay Kam
President of Vintage Wine Cellar
1999 Bodegas Agapito Rico Carchelo, Jumilla, Spain, $9.99: One of the best values in the world! A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre. Full of fruit and soft tannins with some spice and earth to boot. A best seller.
1998 Poliziano LOHSA Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany, Italy, $13.75: Wine has been made in Tuscany near Florence and Montalcino for centuries, but only within the last few years has Tuscany figured out that the area most likely to produce its best wines is closer to the Tuscan coast. Bolgheri producers are an example of that. Poliziano, the leading producer in Montepulciano has bought some land in Scansano, which is near the coast. Many well-known producers are racing to buy land in this area. This wine is 85 percent Sangiovese and 15 percent Ciliegiolo. Plenty of dark cherry fruit and structure. A good balance between complex and pleasing.
Wildcard: Brian Cronin
Southern Wine & Spirits
Brian Cronin is director of education in Hawaii for liquor distributor Southern Wine & Spirits. Cronin is working his way toward the master sommelier designation. He has passed the practical portion of the final exam and sits for the sections on theory and tasting in about a month. Cronin's thoughts on Mediterranean reds:
The term "Mediterranean" mainly is used to describe wines from the south of France, but it also includes some areas of Spain and Italy. For the most part these wines represent a fabulous value for wine drinkers. Vichon is a winery in the south of France owned by the Mondavi Family. It is made with the same quality as their Napa Valley wines and is a wonderful bargain. The Vichon Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are delicious wines, and both readily available for around $10.
Values on the Vine is published on the last Wednesday of each month. To contribute to the column, contact Stephanie Kendrick at 525-8667 or skendrick@starbulletin.com.
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