Cheers is dedicated to delivering hospitality professionals the information, insights and data necessary to drive their beverage business by covering trends and innovations in operations, merchandising, service and training.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/123667
CHEERS WINE PANEL currant, spices, liquorices, plums and bacon. This wine is the perfect accompaniment to an evening barbeque with friends in the backyard; perhaps you will have it slightly child—not cold—and have fun! You can also allow grilled peppers, fennel, lamb and pork to be part of the party. ($28) (89) Domaine Montrose Rosé 2012 (France). Light pink in color, this is an elegant rosé with flavors of red berries and peach with a touch of spice; made from grenache, cabernet sauvignon and syrah. ($11) (88) Rex Goliath Zinfandel NV (California). Great beginner red zinfandel—super value for summer barbecues of ribs and grilled chicken. Nice "jam" quality and easy to drink. An affordable crowd pleaser. ($6) (88) Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2012 (South Africa). Nicely sweet melon aromas fill the nose, with honeydew leading off and a lightly floral note joining in. It has citrusy tartness on the entry, and then the sweet melon flavors regain a hold on a juicy and ripe frame. Shows nice crispness in the finish. ($10) (89) Pilot Knob Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Texas). Made from 100% Texas fruit; sourced from the High Plains AVA; aged in French oak, this is the inaugural release for this newest Texas winery; Rich, dark-fruit flavors, with a hint of Texas (of course) cedar. ($40) (88) Storks' Tower Sauvignon Blanc/Verdejo 2011 (Spain). A crisp, dry white (85% sauvignon blanc and 15% verdejo) with a subtle nose and refreshing flavors of pear, peach and apricot. ($10) (89) Qupe Central Coast Syrah 2010 (California). Central Coast fruit with strong earthy, spicy freshness—this is not your usual jammy fruit juice. Strawberry aroma and spice pair perfectly with the summer grilling season. ($19) Cheers National Wine Panel (89) Saint M Riesling 2011 (Germany). A classic German riesling, off-dry with a delicate peach aroma and mineral palate with a burst of pineapple on the finish. A perfect aperitif or paired with fresh-from-the-boat fish or lobster. ($15) (89) Zellerbach Chardonnay 2011 (California). Rick Parducci (third generation) sources his wine from the Mendocino AVA; all stainless-steel fermentation; lighter style, with hints of apples and pears. ($17) (88) Ambiente De Mendoza Chardonnay 2011 (Argentina). Nicely tart melon and citrus aromas fill the nose but it also shows a touch of sweetness. It is soft and round on the palate, with juicy fruit flavors that lean to tropical, with banana and papaya and then some light citrus pops in before it heads into a mild finish. Well done for this price. ($7) (88) Cortenova Pinot Grigio 2011 (Venezie, Italy). The bouquet is light but shows some zip and mild aromas of banana peel and pear with a floral tint. Surprisingly round and full on the palate, it is well balanced and nicely fruity, and there is a subtle nutty note in the aftertaste. ($11) (88) Gazela Vinho Verde 2011 (Portugal). Easy drinking; light, crisp and clean; low alcohol; perfect patio sipper; they also make a dry rosé which is equally as good. ($6) (88) Hugl Gruner Veltliner 2011 Weinveirtel (Austria). There is a nice mineral aspect in the nose, and even a salty, saline-like note mingling with fresh-squeezed lime aromas. It is light to medium bodied and quite crisp, with a pretty array of fresh citrus flavors. ($13) (88) Principessa Gavia Gavi 2011 (Italy). Dry and fruity with crisp acidity. ($15) 48 | MAY 2013 The Cheers National Wine Panel is comprised of beverage experts from restaurants and retail wine stores around the country. Gerardo Acevedo-Vanni Bocanova, Oakland, CA Timothy Baldwin The Little Nell, Aspen Walter Kotrba Bottle Smart Lawrenceville/ Woodbridge, NJ Richard R. Schneider Trump Taj Mahal Atlantic City, NJ Charles Scicolone Vino Italian Wines and Spirits New York Ron Balter Italian Village Chicago Brad Lewis ABC Fine Wines & Spirits Orlando, FL Stacey Blacker Sayers Liquors Florence, NJ Daniel A. Manning Haskell's Minnetonka, MN Sandy Block Legal Sea Foods Boston Jack Mantle Frugal MacDoogal's Nashville, TN Matthew R. Scott Kent Rathbun Concepts Dallas Ralph J. Bondon Berbiglia Wine & Spirits Kansas City, MO Jerry Martellero Stew Leonard's Wines Farmingdale, NY Jeff Sukowski Sal's Beverage World Elmhurst, IL Rick McLeod Prime Wines & Spirits Kenmore, NY Matt Swingos Swingos on the Lake Lakewood, OH Carolin Meier Tavistock Restaurants San Francisco Dennis Tafuri Cask 591 Restaurant & Lounge Long Branch, NJ Bryan Brick K&L Wine Merchants Redwood City, CA Steve Burnell Washington State Liquor Control Board Portland, OR Gary Franklin Brown Derby Stores Springfield, MO Jorge L. Mendoza The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne Miami, FL Michael Sorg Liquor Barn Louisville, KY Steve Tindle Shaw's Crab House Chicago John Foy Consultant Hoboken, NJ Dustin Mitzel Happy Harry's Bottle Shop Grand Forks, ND W. Edwin True Sherlock's Beer & Wine Warehouse Marietta, GA Tom Geoghegan The Boerne Wine Company Boerne, TX Michael Mulderig Total Wine & More Claymont, DE Gabriel S. Varela Meat Market Steakhouse Miami, FL Maggie Gephard Liquorama Wine Cellar Hyde Park, NY Jackie Kantrowitz The Wine List Hyannis, MA Louis Koppel Wine Host Spencer's for Steaks and Chops Salt Lake City, UT William O'Brien The Liquor Store Jackson Hole, WY Phil Perry Terra Nova Wine & Spirits Madison, MS Robin Riddell Martin Wine Cellar New Orleans Hervé Rousseau Owner, Flûte New York Jeff Vignaux Premium Wine & Spirits Amherst, NY John Wabeck Firefly Washington, DC Wilfred Wong Beverages & More! Concord, CA www.cheersonline.com