Attributes:

J & F Lurton

Toro, Spain

Dry Red Table Wine

750 ML

Food Matches:

This district just northwest of Madrid produces powerful reds.

Attributes:

Oakridge Estate

Australia, Australia/New Zealand

Pinot Noir

750 ML

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 86

soft, tart

cherry, cola

Food Matches:

In the past few decades Australia’s wine industry has transformed itself into one of the most technologically advanced in the world. A combination of a generally warm, dry climate and a cultural affinity for creating, rather than following, tradition has resulted in wines that are soft and pleasant to drink from an early age. They are the epitome of user-friendliness. Australia’s wine regions are mainly in the southern, cooler part of the country, clustered mainly in the state of Victoria, the southern part of South Australia and the cooler parts of New South Wales. Syrah, or Shiraz as it is known there, is the top grape, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Semillon. The wines are generally listed with the name of their grape variety, which must constitute at least 85 percent of the wine. Although Australia’s winemaking region is vast, most labels indicate only that their contents come from South Eastern Australia. Flavor is indicated by the variety of grape used to make the wine. Australia’s classification system is generally lax when it comes to quality and labeling. Some bottles indicate a specific state of origin (New South Wales, Victoria, or South Australia), or a region within a state, but these smaller zones are still being decided.

(pee noh nwahr)—A tricky grape to grow, Pinot Noir makes some of the best wines in the world. The prototype wine is red Burgundy from France but Oregon, California, New Zealand, and parts of Australia also produce good Pinot Noir. The wine is lighter in color than Cabernet or Merlot with relatively high alcohol, medium-to-high acidity, and medium-to-low tannin. Its flavors and aromas can be very fruity or earthy and woodsy, depending on how it is grown. It is rarely blended with other grapes.

Attributes:

Woodward Canyon Winery

Walla Walla, United States

Merlot

750 ML

2005: Tanzer Rating: 90

deep, rich

cassis, dark chocolate, oak, raspberry, spices

ripe, sweet

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 90

distinctive

currant, meaty, oak, peppery, smoky, spicy

2003: WineAdvocate Rating: 87

medium to full-bodied

ripe

2003: Tanzer Rating: 88

supple

blackberry, cherry, chocolate, dark berries, herbal, jammy

sweet

2003: Tastings Rating: 91

full-bodied

deep, rich

black fruit, chocolatey

chewy

2003: Tastings Rating: 93

lively acidity

full-bodied

thick

2003: WineAndSpirits Rating: 91

black cherry, mint, oak, tar

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 90

berry, herb, spice, tar

Food Matches:

(mer loh) Deep in color, high in alcohol and low in tannins, this grape is grown mostly in California, France, Washington, New York and Chile. The aromas and flavors can be plummy, chocolaty, and even redolent of tea leaves. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon although it is the most prevalent grape variety in Bordeaux.

The Walla Walla Valley AVA (recognized 1984) is located within Washington State and extending partly into the northeastern corner of Oregon with more then a 1,000 acres of vineyards. It is part of the larger Columbia Valley AVA. The area is named after the Walla Walla people who lived along the shores of the Walla Walla River at its junction with the Snake and Columbia River. The name Walla Walla means "rapid stream" or "many waters". In addition to grapes, this area is almost a major agricultural producer of sweet onions, wheat and strawberries. After the Yakima Valley AVA, the Walla Walla AVA has the second highest concentration of vineyards and wineries in Washington State. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most well known and widely planted grape in the area, followed by Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc.