Elegant

A descriptive term for a wine with such FINESSE and BALANCE that it tastes refined rather than rustic.

Which of the following includes wines that should all be well chilled?

A. Marsanne, Counoise, Malmsey Madeira, Chardonnay

B. Barzac, Oloroso Sherry, Assyrtiko, Eiswein

C. Fino Sherry, Semillon, Albariño, Savennières

D. Riesling, Tokaji, Amarone, Beaumes-de-Venise

Answer: C. This question might have been a bit hard because the “best serving temperature” is somewhat personal. In general, fortified wines like Malmsey Madeira and Oloroso Sherry are considered best—not when well chilled—but rather, at “cellar” temperature (in the mid-60s F.) Sweet wines (Barzac, Eiswein, Tokaji, and Beaumes-de-Venise) are usually served on the cool side, but again, not super chilled. However, option C above lists wines that pretty much everyone agrees are best when served well chilled—Fino (a crisp, dry style of Sherry) the white wines Semillon and Albariño, and the French (Loire) white Savennières which is made from chenin blanc grapes.

Saluting the Soil

Asked to name the most famous vineyards in France, many wine pros would say the vineyards of the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) in Burgundy. The Domaine produces wine from seven tiny Grand Cru parcels: Echézeaux,… Continue reading

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