Red Carpet Wine - Staff Picks

RED CARPET WINE Since 1964 400 East Glenoaks Boulevard
wine & spirits merchants (800) 339-0609 Glendale, California 91207

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Of the hundreds of wines we sample every month, here are some we recommend.

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Kaj's Wine Selections

Well, the dog daze of summer are upon us. It’s too hot to do any chores around the yard so maybe an afternoon nap will pass the time. Hopefully I’ll wake up around 5:30. Just in time to fire up the grill. The sun is dipping behind my neighbor’s house but I have plenty of daylight hours ahead to get dinner ready.

I’ll need something cool, refreshing and flavorful to drink. We plowed through some German & Italian roses last night so maybe something white. I’m thinking about a grilled butterfly trout with lemon parsley butter. What to drink? Read on for 3 very appropriate selections that will not only quench your thirst but start a conversation.

2005 Chateau Sainte-Marie Entre-Deux-Mers $11.97

In the rolling hills of Entre-deux-Mers, Gilles Dupuch and his family run their 35 hectare family estate as a sideline business to his insurance brokerage. In his role as President of the Entre Deux Mers appellation, he lobbies tirelessly to convince his colleagues how to increase their quality. Their grapes are hand-picked (virtually unheard of in the area), and they come from vines over 35 years old.

A blend of 62% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Semillon and 8% Muscadelle. 2005 is an excellent vintage for the region. This, however, is more like an excellent Graves. The nose is the classic citrus, minerals and melon that one would expect from these grapes. On the palate, it is expansive, floral and shows plenty of bright acidity that makes it an excellent food wine. Close your eyes when drinking it and pretend that you paid twice as much for the bottle. You will fool even yourself.

2005 Valdesil 'Montenovo' Godello $9.35

In constant search of new, refreshing and delicious whites, we find ourselves in the region of Valdeoras in the northwest corner of Spain. The two main varietals are Mencia (red) and Godello (white). Originally planted by the Romans, it wasn't until 1970 that Godello began to be heavily planted again. In the late 70's, the new D.O. was created.

Valdisil is planted on almost pure slate at very high altitudes. The result is a wine showing a light straw color with a greenish hue. The wine possesses surprising body, persistence, and minerality. Notes of lemon/lime-like liqueur, crisp underlying acidity, and fine depth. This distinctive, singular dry white can be enjoyed over the next several years.

2003 Argiolas S'elegas
$11.53

Isolation in the Mediterranean makes Sardinia the most idiosyncratic of Italy's regions. Here is an opportunity to once again try an exciting and unusual varietal. Nuragus, named after the island's historic stone towers, is the leading white varietal and covers one third of Sardinia's vineyard space. Argiolas is arguably the premiere winery on the island.

The Wine Advocate called Argiolas, “essential wines for those looking to discover what the wines and viticulture of Sardinia are all about". Made from 100% Nuragus, grown in the hillside area of Trexenta. The vineyards are composed of limestone with certain areas of clay. The wine is fermented in stainless steel to retain its fresh Mediterranean and nutty characteristics. This is the wine of choice for shellfish, calamari, olives and grilled chicken with thyme.


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