Chapel Vineyard - 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Started in 1842, Vina La Rosa winery is one of the oldest in the Valle Central, Chile, one of the most prominent wine regions in the country. Vina La Rosa was started by the Ossa Family with grapes from France, and since 1842, has used grapes only from its vines to produce its wine collection. The "Chapel" part of its label name comes from the fact that a tiny chapel sits in the middle of the vineyard.

This week's favorite: 2007 Chapel Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
$10-14, specialty wine stores, wine clubs

This bottle is a wonderful Cabernet, with the lush plums and blackberries of a good Chilean wine. Its reddish-brown color gives good indication of spices mixed into the warm fruits. It finishes dry and smooth, and is a great choice if you are looking for a true Chilean red.

This wine would be best served with a Slow-Roasted Prime Rib, topped with au jus and cremini mushrooms with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. The smoky flavors of the meat will pair nicely with the bold spices of the wine to truly enhance your dining experience.

Long Boat -2008 Sauvignon Blanc

While Sauvignon Blanc has long been a staple in France, its New Zealand production is really beginning to turn heads. The Long Boat winery, based in the Marlborough region in the southern island of New Zealand, produces this vintage with its sunny days and cool nights in its high, rolling hills. The higher altitudes create grapes with more aromatics and more intense flavors. The Marlborough region makes up over 60% of the vineyards in all of New Zealand, and their Sauvignon Blancs are becoming a world favorite, even rivaling those of France.

This week's favorite: 2008 Long Boat Sauvignon Blanc
$15-20, specialty wine stores

For the last days of summer, this bottle is a refreshing treat! Since the Long Boat Winery ferments some of the grapes in cold stainless steel, and others in French oak barrels, this Sauvignon Blanc has hints of the warm oak in a Chardonnay. It has bright flavors of grapefruit and clean notes of lime that make this bottle smooth and dry. A Sauvignon Blanc that even Chardonnay lovers can appreciate!

This bottle is best served with seafood. I would pair it with homemade crab cakes over a bed of butter lettuce and the summer's last bits of fresh fruit. Slices of oranges and pears with a light vinegarette will enhance the citrus flavors of the wine.

Francis Ford Coppola - 2006 Merlot

"I like to drink wine more than I used to..."

-'Don Corleone', The Godfather

In 1975, famed screenwriter, director, and producer of the Academy Award winning Godfather movie series, Francis Ford Coppola purchased part of the Inglenook Estate in Napa Valley. He produced his first bottle in 1977, using wine making methods passed down through his Italian family. After much success in his wine production, in 1995, he took over the remaining portion of the Inglenook Estate, and renamed the property the Rubicon Estate Winery. The Coppola Family has since purchased another winery in Sonoma County to produce more wines in their collection, and as in this week's pick, they combine fruits from both wineries to create the vintages in their Diamond Collection.

This week's favorite: 2006 Francis Ford Coppola Merlot
$14-18, local grocery and wine stores

Like his movies, Francis Ford Coppola's wines never disappoint. This Merlot is traditionally Italian, a medium bodied wine, dark in color and bold in flavor. Plums from the Napa Valley region provide the sweet beginning, while blackberries from the Sonoma region create balance with their tangy flavors. The earthy spices of currants mixed in with a warm vanilla create a smooth finish.

To stay true to Francis Ford Coppola and his Italian heritage, this wine is best paired with a meaty lasagna or fettuccine bolognese with a side of warm garlic bread. A viewing of The Godfather while finishing the bottle sounds like an award winning date night to me!

Mirassou Winery - 2007 Chardonnay

For six generations and over 150 years, the Mirassou family has been making wines at their vineyard in the California Central Coast. The longer, cooler growing season allows the winery to develop more intense flavors from their grapes, and they harvest them in the early morning hours to preserve these flavors as the fermentation process is begun. The Mirassou Winery features a large selection of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and some specialty vintages.

This week's favorite: 2007 Mirassou Winery Chardonnay
$7-10, your local grocery or wine store, discount wine stores

This bottle is a good bang for your buck! In preparation for our Anniversary Party, we purchased this wine in bulk as the Chardonnay selection for the evening. This medium bodied, creamy Chardonnay drinks like a $15 bottle. It shows a great balance of vibrant fruits with vanilla, but still has the earthy oak flavors typical of a good Chardonnay.

We served this wine with fresh fruit and vegetables, with a homemade Blue Cheese dip. Later in the evening, we had a sandwich bar, and this wine was perfectly paired with a turkey and bacon sandwich, topped with fresh sliced tomatoes and a bit of Greek Taziki sauce. A refreshing wine perfect for a light, summer meal!

Mockingbird Hill - 2004 Merlot

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
- Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

One of my favorite books growing up was To Kill A Mockingbird, and this bottle's name instantly made me think of it. Mockingbird Hill wines, a Napa Valley Vineyard, is an up and coming vineyard known primarily for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay vintages. However, a new varietal to the vineyard is the 2004 Merlot.

This week's favorite: 2004 Mockingbird Hill Merlot
$16-18, specialty wine stores, on-line here

Not your typical Merlot. Like the quote, this wine doesn't taste like a Merlot until you let it breathe for a few minutes and sip it slowly. The first sip reminds you of a Pinot Noir, bold and dark, but instantly lightens to flavors you can't quite recognize. As you sip it, the cherry flavors of a typical Merlot begin to come through, intensifying with each sip. Afternotes of currant are a bonus in the extremely dry finish. With this bottle, its taste is an adventure in itself, so take the time to "walk around in it" to truly enjoy it.

This wine should be enjoyed with a simple steak, a New York Strip seasoned only with Garlic and black pepper, topped with some sauteed mushrooms. Serve with fresh green beans with almonds for a simple meal to compliment this complex wine.

La Crema - 2007 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

La Crema Winery is unique because they own five estates in distinct wine making regions of California. The cool winds off the Pacific Coast help produce delicious grapes for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah varietals from the Anderson Valley, Los Carneros, Russian River Valley, Monterey, and the Sonoma Coast. La Crema's presence in different regions uniquely allows them to make the same varietal, such as Chardonnay, five different ways.

This week's favorite: 2007 La Crema Chardonnay

$15-19, your local grocery or wine store

For Chardonnay lovers who like strong oak flavors, this wine is not for you. However, for those who love a good Pinot Grigio, this is the perfect light-bodied Chardonnay. Light and vibrant, it has strong citrus and apple flavors, a buttery middle, and a lingering finish with notes of vanilla and caramel. Certainly a perfect Chardonnay for a hot summer night!

This wine would be best served with seafood and other light summery dishes. I would pair it with fresh crab cakes served on a rich bed of butter lettuce, tomatoes, yellow peppers, and topped with a creamy cilantro lime dressing. You can also garnish the crab cakes with a spicy aioli to compliment the buttery and caramel flavors of the wine. Enjoy!

MacMurray Ranch - 2007 Pinot Noir

MacMurray Ranch is a small vineyard located in the heart of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, California. The Russian River Valley is known for their warm days and cold nights. Pinot Noir grapes, a dark, finicky, and delicate fruit, and its cousin, the Pinot Gris, a blueish-gray grape that produces its white wine counterpart, are the two main varietals grown here. The MacMurray Ranch vineyard is also part of Sonoma Coast, a region that overlaps the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. With cool Pacific winds, these regions allow MacMurray Ranch to develop its grapes with more diverse Pinot flavors from the rich soils and cool valley climates.

This week's favorite: 2007 MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir
$14-19, specialty wine store or liquor store

For Pinot Noir lovers, this is a good, medium-bodied bottle. The true strong Pinot Noir fruits of strawberry and cherry hit you with a burst of flavor that then settle into a warm, smooth chocolate finish with a slight hint of vanilla. This Pinot Noir is not as spicy as other Pinot Noirs, but truly delectable in all the flavors it does provide.

This wine should be served with a rich Italian meal. A summery tomato sauce over chicken or pasta would really compliment the warm flavors of the berries and cherry, and as you are finishing the bottle, this Pinot Noir would pair nicely with fresh cannolis for dessert.

Estancia Estates - 2007 Pinot Grigio

Estancia is the Spanish word for "estate". The founders of Estancia wine feel that a truly good wine captures the flavors of its origin. After 25 years in the wine business in South America and Europe, Estancia Estates purchased property in 1986 in the Monterey and Paso Robles regions in California, cultivating cool climate varietals that make up their portfolio of wines today. The Pinot Grigio comes from the Salinas Valley, and is just one of their outstanding and affordable wines.

This week's favorite: 2007 Estancia Estates Pinot Grigio
$12-16, found at most grocery and wine stores

This Pinot Grigio is a great wine for all "whites" lovers, even hardcore Chardonnay fans. It starts off extremely light and fruity, with vibrant notes of pear and apricot, but what is most unusual is that it has a full-bodied buttery, vanilla finish that lingers in your mouth. It really warms up your palate, while keeping you cool in these hot summer months.

This Pinot Grigio would be delicious with Fresh Grouper Picatta, served over whole wheat linguine. For the Picatta, coat the Grouper fillets in egg and flour, and pan fry in a few tablespoons of olive oil. Once the fillets are golden brown on each side, reduce the heat and add capers, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 1/4 cup white wine (you can use the Estancia to cook and drink, but I prefer to savor the entire bottle. Cheaper dry white wine will do). Simmer for about 5-10 minutes, to let the fish soak in the flavors. Serve fillets over a bed of linguine, and pour some of the remaining sauce on top. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and enjoy!

Bogle Vineyards - 2005 Phantom

Bogle Vineyards, located in Clarksburg, California, are known for their reliable, good value varietals, found at your local supermarkets and wine stores. In 1992, Bogle Vineyards entered into the California Appellation Program, in which fruits of different wine regions are shared between vineyards to create new blends under their label, and boost production in lesser known wine making regions. The first blend on our site is a product of this program, a mixture of Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, and Mourvedre vines harvested from five different regions in California. Aptly titled, Phantom is the meaning for the Scottish word "Bogle", so you'll find this blend in limited production each year.

This week's favorite: 2005 Bogle Vineyards Phantom
$15-$20, found at your local fine wine store

For ALL wine lovers, this red is for you! In its rich ruby color, this wine is intense with fruit and a dark, peppery flavor. However, the pepper fades quickly, and it finishes smooth with lush, almost oaky notes of almond and vanilla. It is warm and refreshing, and like a Phantom, you'll find this bottle gone before you know it.

This wine is best served with a full-flavored meal. A grilled T-bone steak with garlic, onions and peppers, corn on the cob, and a sweet potato with butter and cinnamon would do nicely for a Sunday night dinner. For the finer fare, roasted duck with raspberry sauce and a side of warm mushroom risotto would make Phantom almost heavenly.

Don Olegario - 2005 Albarino

Don Olegario wines originate from the O Salnes valley in Rias Baixas, a wine region located in Southwest Spain known for its white wines, 90% of which are derived from the Albarino grapes. It is believed that this mild and wet region was introduced to grapes and wine making in the 12th century by Galician monks. While the wines produced there were made for local use only up until the 1980's, since then, this small region has been releasing great Albarino bottles for the rest of the world to love.

This week's favorite: 2005 Don Olegario Albarino
$17, found at your local fine wine store

This wine is perfect for summer! It has smooth, intense citrus flavors of a Riesling, but without the sweetness. It is bright and lively, with flavors of grapefruit and white grape, and has a refreshing, lingering finish complete with hints of lemon. It is simple and elegant!

This wine is strongly recommended to be served with a fresh summer salad, topped with pan sauteed shrimp and scallops. Use a little olive oil, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, black pepper and lime in the pan when cooking to really bring out the flavors of the shrimp and scallops. Throw the shrimp and scallops on a bed of romaine lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and cucumbers, toss and serve. The wine's citrusy flavor will intensify and compliment this meal... the perfect combination for a hot summery day or balmy night!