All over the world, numbers are up for sparkling wines. In the US and UK, we are huge consumers of Asti sparkling wines from northern Italy, but these have traditionally been rather sweet. Recently, however, Asti producers have created a new category that's nearly as dry as Brut Champagne. Asti
Cassis and vanilla come through on the nose. The palate shows more complexity, leading with black currant and mulberry, adding tart red fruits on the mid-palate. Unsweetened chocolate, espresso, and some pencil lead dance in and out among the fruit flavors. Drink with lamb chops. Highly Recommended. 90 points. DBH
This rosé is a lovely, light coral pink. Aromas of Indian River Ruby Red grapefruit flow up from the glass. The palate is all citrus, sweet nectarines and bright pink grapefruit. Well integrated but very light tannins are detectable. This is a very pretty, very refreshing, classic provencal rosé. Drink
Mild citrus aromas, tangerines and orange blossoms, come out on the nose. The palate shows tangerines with a saline touch. Soft hints of ruby red grapefruit offer a touch of acid on the finish. Drink with sautéed shrimp. Recommended. 86 points. DBH WHO: Carlos Serres WHAT: Macabeo (Viura), Tempranillo Blanco WHEN:
This is a very pleasant Sauv Blanc, and a good exemplar for what Napa Valley can do with this grape. Poached pears and white florals show on the nose. It is more tart on the palate than on the nose, with tiny green apples, white grapefruit, and jalapeño peppers. Grapefruit
The nose offers up blackberry tarts with a touch of nutmeg, with rich baked fruit and toasty pastry with hints of vanilla. On the palate the fruits turns from black to red, as blackberry morphs to black cherry, and the mid-palate shows earthiness and nuttiness, with lovely lingering fruit and
The color is very pale, just barely tinted with straw. Orange blossoms and pears show on the nose. On the palate, classic Albariño salinity shines through, like eating fresh-cut green apples on the beach, a slight salty sea spray touching everything. The flavors linger for quite a while. Like everything
Aromas coming from the glass are intense, including blueberry, lavender, smoke, and graphite. The palate is just as big and true to the nose, but tight. Tannins are still muscular, and black fruit is tight and angular. This is a very well made wine but very young. Give it five
