WineSquire.com Mail Archive - December 2002

WineSquire.com Mail
May 2003 - Vol.4 No.5

The best way to stay up-to-date on the best wine values in the Greater Seattle market!
http://www.winesquire.com/

Dear Friends, Associates, and Wine Enthusiasts,
Great values in wine are continuing to pour into the market. The fantastic American, European and Australian vintages that stacked up on each other at the turn of the century have all made it through the casks and are in bottles in the stores now. See the picks below for our current best value bets. Let us suggest trying a cheese plate for dessert some time this month (perhaps after a dinner of Copper River salmon). Our newest contributor, Kathy Kongelbak, has provided an excellent wine and cheese pairing primer below. Finally, if you have ever had a bad bottle wine, or are concerned about some old bottles you might have, we have a couple more articles below just for you.
Enjoy!

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WINESQUIRE FEATURES & PICKS FOR MAY 2003
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-- EVENT: Portteus Wine Dinner at the Four Seasons, 21 May 2003
-- "Cheese" - Wine and Cheese Pairing Primer
-- "Wines from New Zealand and Australia: Part 2" - New Zealand
-- "Volatile or Vinegar?" - When Modern Wine Goes Bad
-- "To Cork or Not to Cork" - Is that really the Question?
-- Ask the Squire Question of the Month
-- Product of the Month: "Discover Washington Wines"
-- Squire Value Picks
-- Squire Cellar Picks

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-- EVENT: PORTTEUS WINE DINNER AT THE FOUR SEASONS, 21 MAY 2003
Join Paul Portteus for an evening of tasting and dining in The Georgian Room, Wednesday, 21 May at 6:30pm. Chef Gavin Stephenson's innovative, flawlessly executed seasonal Northwest cuisine, shines against a backdrop of a rich and flavorful, beautifully matched Washington State wines.
http://www.winesquire.com/portteus.htm

-- CHEESE, By Kathy Kongelbak
Cheesemaker's are true Artisans, and many cheeses can be great works of art, either served on their own, or as offered here, matched with a few appropriate wines.
http://www.winesquire.com/articles/kk0305.htm

-- WINES FROM NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA: PART 2, By Jens Strecker
The wines from New Zealand’s two islands could hardly be more different from those of Australia. Although the countries share a fondness for growing certain grapes, many of New Zealand’s most exciting wines are grown in comparatively small amounts in Australia.
http://www.winesquire.com/articles/jens0305.htm

-- VOLATILE OR VINEGAR?, By Robin Garr
In times past, wine left in an open bottle or cask would so quickly turn to vinegar that the word "vinegar" itself comes directly from the French "vin aigre," or "sour wine."
http://www.winesquire.com/articles/wlp0305.htm

-- TO CORK OR NOT TO CORK, by Lars Sorensen
Every wine publication this past year has made its case for one type of stopper or another, and usually, they have merely served to expose their total ignorance about the subject...
http://www.winesquire.com/articles/lars0305.htm

-- ASK THE SQUIRE QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Q: I want to sell some of my wine collection. Is it legal for me to sell it at a garage sale in Washington? -S. Stenbeck
See the answer at: http://www.winesquire.com/ask/index.htm

-- PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: Discovering Washington Wines
The first comprehensive, consumer-friendly guide to one of the world's most exciting wine growing regions. This book explains why Washington State is on the cutting edge of superb premium wines, and provides a knowledgeable overview of this important wine region's history, major appellations, notable wineries, and leading wines by type. Makes an ideal companion gift to a bottle of Washington wine!
http://www.winesquire.com/biz/books.htm#dww

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-- SQUIRE VALUE PICKS
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1. Sterling Sauvignon Blanc North Coast 2001 (California) $14
2. Plantagenet Shiraz Omrah 1999 (Australia) $15
3. Pierre Boniface Apremont Vin de Savoie 2002 (France) $10
4. Dashwood Pinot Noir Marlborough 2001 (New Zealand) $13
5. Yangarra Park Shiraz McLaren Vale 2001 (Australia) $16
6. Campanile Pinot Grigio 2001 (Italy) $10
7. Sassetti Rosso di Tavola 2000 (Italy) $12
8. Arrowood Grand Archer Chardonnay 2001 (California) $14
9. Vavasour Riesling Marlborough 2000 (New Zealand) $14
10. Hyatt Merlot Columbia Valley 1998 (Washington) $9

http://www.winesquire.com/squire.htm

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-- SQUIRE CELLAR PICKS
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1. David Traeger Shiraz 1998 (Australia) $28
2. Ryan Patrick Red Blend 2000 (Washington) $25
3. Andrake Cellars Reserve Red Mountain 2001 (Washington) $44
4. Mer Soleil Chardonnay Central Coast 2000 (California) $37
5. Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Zinfandel 2000 (California) $22
6. Atlas Peak Consenso Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 (California) $23
7. Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (California) 1999 $42
8. Mac Murray Ranch Pinot Noir Russian River 2000 (California) $29
9. Marques de Grinon Syrah Dominio de Valdepusa Viño de Mesa de Toledo 1999 (Spain) $36
10. Sheridan 2000 (Washington) $37

http://www.winesquire.com/cellar.htm

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