Attributes:

Brancott Vineyards

New Zealand, Australia/New Zealand

Chardonnay

750 ML

2004: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85

tart

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 88

bright

apricot, earthy, mineral, pear

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85

tart

sweet

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85

light-bodied

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 88

ripe

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 86

straightforward

2000: Tanzer Rating: 87

apple, apricot, peach, spicy

2000: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85

rich

tropical fruits, vanilla

juicy

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.

Although it makes just one-tenth the wine of neighboring Australia, this country’s production is increasing every year. Its white wines are generally unoaked with pronounced flavor, rich texture, and high acidity. The South Island’s renowned Sauvignon Blanc is so distinctive that it can be compared to asparagus, limes, grass, or passion fruit. This region also excels in intense Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Cabernet Sauvignon grows well on the North Island, yielding an intense, berry fruit. There the Pinot Noirs are rich and the Chardonnays are soft and ripe but well balanced.

Attributes:

Three Rings

Barossa Valley, Australia/New Zealand

Syrah / Shiraz

750 ML

2004: Tanzer Rating: 87

bright, soft

deep, rich

bitter, blackberry, cherry, chocolate, coffee, plum, raisin

sweet

2004: WineAdvocate Rating: 91

white flowers

supple

blackberries, blackberry, camphor, cassis, earth, graphite, oak

syrupy, thick, unctuous

Food Matches:

North of Adelaide, this relatively warm region of South Australia is home to Australia’s largest winery. It is famous for its robust Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as rich Sémillon and Riesling (both of which are grown in the cooler hills).

Originally grown in France’s Northern Rhône Valley (where it is a noble variety) this grape has spread to Australia, California, Washington, Italy and Spain. In the Rhone region this grape produces deeply colored wines with full body and firm tannin, however in Australia, where it is known as Shiraz, the wines are lighter and fruitier. Aromas and flavors for these wines vary as much as their geographical breadth suggests: berries, smoked meat, bell peppers, even tar.

Australian name for the grape known as Syrah in France.

Attributes:

J. Lohr Winery

Paso Robles, United States

Cabernet Sauvignon

750 ML

Food Matches:

(cab er nay saw vee nyon)—This highly adaptable grape grows almost anywhere it is relatively warm, but the best wines come from the Burgundy region of France (where it is a noble variety), California, and Australia. It became famous through the red wines of the Médoc district of Bordeaux and is now grown in Washington, southern France, Italy, Australia, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes make wines that are high in tannin and medium- to full-bodied. Usually identified as having black currant or cassis flavors, the grape can also possess vegetal tones when the grapes are less than ideally ripe. The best wines are rich and firm with great depth, and are often aged for fifteen years or more. Because it is highly tannic, Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with other less-tannic grapes such as Merlot.