Attributes:

Paul Jaboulet Aine

France

Muscat

750 ML

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 86

cedar, mineral

frankly sweet

1995: WineSpectator Rating: 86

almond, bitter, marmalade, orange, tea

1993: WineSpectator Rating: 90

lively acidity

floral

spicy

concentrated

1990: WineSpectator Rating: 86

floral

peach, raisin, spicy

1986: WineSpectator Rating: 84

full-bodied

powerful

apple, honey, orange

Food Matches:

France is the standard bearer for all the world’s wines, with regard to the types of grapes that are used to make wine and with the system of defining and regulating winemaking. Its Appellation d’Origine Controlee, or AOC system, is the legislative model for most other European countries. Most French wines are named after places. The system is hierarchical; generally the smaller and more specific the region for which a wine is named, the higher its rank. There are four possible ranks of French wine, and each is always stated on the label: Appellation Contrôlée (or AOC), Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (or VDQS); Vin de pays, or country wine; and Vin de table. France has five major wine regions, although there are several others that make interesting wines. The three major regions for red wine are Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhone; for white wines, the regions are Burgundy, the Loire and Alsace. Each region specialized in certain grape varieties for its wines, based on climate, soil, and local tradition. Two other significant French wine regions are Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon, both in the south of France. Cahors, in the southwest of the country, produces increasingly good wines.

An aromatic grape that makes Italy’s sparkling Asti. In Alsace and Austria it makes a light, grapey dry wine whereas farther south it is fortified with alcohol to make a delicious sweet dessert wine.

Attributes:

Gordon Brothers

Columbia Valley, United States

Gewurztraminer

750 ML

2002: Tanzer Rating: 86

supple

ginger, lime, mint

2000: Tanzer Rating: 87

floral

apricot, honey, minerals, peach, pineapple

sweet

2000: Tastings Rating: 88

bright, soft

medium-bodied

well-balanced

apricot, peach

1997: WineSpectator Rating: 85

*-scented, floral

pear

Food Matches:

(geh VAIRTZ trah mee ner)—This grape makes a deep-colored, full-bodied, soft white wine with aromas and flavors of roses and lychee fruit. Classically a dry wine from France’s Alsace region, there are other excellent wines available from Germany, Austria, California, Oregon and New York.

The Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is the largest in the state of Washington. It includes the Yakima Valley, Red Mountain, Walla Walla, and Horse Heaven Hill AVAs within its boundaries.

Attributes:

Thierry and Guy

Vin de Pays d'Oc, France

Chardonnay

750 ML

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 83

pleasant

apple, cinnamon, grapefruit, honey, sour, vanilla

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.