Put Some Wine in Your Life

by Sandi Marques, Accredited Sommelier

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Goal #3: Create a wine list

My top five 'must-drink' wines for this year are:

1. 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Napa, California, 2001 ($90)
   This is such a beautiful wine that I wish I could use it as a perfume. It's a powerhouse of a red; loaded with cherry and blackberry, tons of fruit on the palate with a sweet oak lingering on the long balanced finish.
   Cellar aging until 2012. I score this one a 9/10 and Wine Spectator's James Laube 89/100.
2. 2002 Gimblett Gravels, Merlot, Craggy Range, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand ($42)
   A heady wine full of black fruits, spice, chocolate and coffee with a hint of tobacco. The palate is rich, lush and full with similar flavours and very fine-grained tannins.
   Cellar potential is at least ten years. I score this wine 9/10 and Wine Spectator's Harvey Steiman scored it 86/100.
3. 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cakebread Cellars, Napa Valley, California ($95)
   Has a classic Napa Valley cabernet aroma of ripe black cherry and currant fruit with integrated toast and vanilla oak tones. This wine is rich, elegant and is well structured with ripe, round tannins and a persistent long fruit filled finish.
   This wine will age well up to 12 years.
4. 2001 Rosemount, Mudgee Hill of Gold, Shiraz, Australia ($24)
   Brighter, livelier and juicier than most Australian Shiraz, a vibrant wine with crisp blackberry, plum and vaguely leafy-herbal flavors that persist on the finish.
   Cellar potential until 2010. I score this wine a 9/10 and Wine Spectator's Harvey Steiman scored it 90/100.
5. 2001 D'Arenberg, The Footbolt Old Vine, McLaren Vale, Shiraz, Australia ($25)
   Bright and jazzy, with delicious blackberry and cherry and subtle touches of anise and pepper in the long finish.
   Cellar potential until 2010. I scored this wine 9/10 and the Wine Spectator's Harvey Steiman scored it 90/100.

What 'must-drink' wines are on your list for this year?

To help you start your list, here's a link to the top 100 wines; Top 100 Wines from 2004. Now you can create your own list! If you want to know where to purchase any of these wines, just email me direct.

Goal #4: The accessories

This is the year I'm going to collect more wine gadgets - oh how I love a good gadget. In particular, I'll take a Laguiole Professional Corkscrew in Pistachio for $189.95 click here for a full list of other gadgets.

Or how about E&V Victoria Decanter in Pewter retailing at $475.00 click here for a full list of other decanters.

Make a list of wine accessories, glassware, stemware, or decanters for yourself this year. Although, my personal favourite gadget of all time is my Vacu Vin by Concerto. This is a wonderful gizmo for wine novices and connoisseurs alike. It's ideal for those times when you open a bottle of wine but only want one glass. What do you do with the rest? I hope you don't pour it down the drain or worse yet, you re-cork it and three days later have another glass and wonder why it tastes funny. The solution is to extract the air out of the bottle with the Vacu-vin. Presto, you have great tasting left over wine that will last up to five days. Now that's inventive. Only $19.95 USD.

Goal #5: Have a dinner party

This is the year I'm finally going to have that dinner party I've been wanting to host for some time. I'm going to invite six people over for a five course, formal sit-down dinner with each course paired with an accompanying wine. This should definitely gain some serious gastronomique points with my friends!

I've already planned the menu and I hope this inspires you to create your own - even if it's simply an intimate affair for two. I'm sure they would really appreciate the effort.

Note: The recipes below I have personally made with fantastic results, or have been recommended to me.

SOUP: Champagne Peach Soup
Wine: Moet et Chandon Brut Rose Champagne
    $65.10 from LCBO - product code 482026. $69.00 from SAQ - code 03185370 074831
Recipe: The Ambassador's Table by Margaret H. Dickenson
Available at Chapters.ca

APPETIZER: Petals of Fresh Sea Scallops with Exotic Fruit, Lime, Sesame Oil & Chives
Wine: 2002 Jean-Baptiste Riesling Kabinett
    $15.95 from LCBO;Vintages January 22 release date, product code 480517.
2003 Deinhard Dry Riesling Qba Rheinhessen Allemagne
    $11.95 From SAQ, product code 04003310 652101
Recipe: Courtesy of Chef Bernard Guillas from the 'La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in California recipe book entitled, ITT Sheraton Presents Crème de la Crème: A Connoisseur's guide to cooking and entertaining with America's rising star chefs.

PALATE CLEANSER: Basil and Lime Sorbet
Recipe: Food Network

MAIN COURSE: Roast Rack of Lamb with Grain Mustard Crust and Zinfandel Sauce
Wine: 2002, Cabernet Sauvignon, Markham Vineyards, Napa Valley
    $39.95, From LCBO, product code 989095
2000 Zinfandel Markham Napa California
    $30.50, From SAQ product code 00898262
Recipe: Food Network

DESSERT: Warm Truffle Filled Chocolate Soufflé Cakes
Wine: 2001, CH. HAUT BERGERON SAUTERNES LA GUYENNOISE
    $44.95 From LCBO product code 606038
2001 Château Haut Bergeron Sauternes
    $52.00, From SAQ, product code 03419466 140651
Recipe: Courtesy of Chef Elka Gilmore of San Francisco's famous restaurant in the Miyako Hotel or The Dave Nichol Cookbook ISBN:09697259-0-6

Your wine goals should be personal and reflect how you'd like to stimulate and develop your palate. I hope I've given you some ideas that will inspire you to learn, do and taste more.

If you have a question for Sandi, email
Editor@TimeFindersCoaching.net

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