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: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/30177
CHEERS WINE PANEL (92) Alexander Valley Vineyards Rosé of Sangiovese 2010 (California). This wine is fragrant, with hints of violets and strawberries. Flavors of melon and raspberries lead to a zesty, refreshing and dry finish. A perfect aperitif, it will complement fish, fowl and light meats. ($12) that there are other “light reds” besides pinot that are great food wines; pair with roast chicken or salmon. ($18) (93) Etude Rosé 2009 (California). This estate grown Carneros pinot noir gives this elegant rosé hints of strawberries and summer blossoms. Treat yourself to a bowl of chilled shrimp and a glass of this. ($16) (93) Golan Moscato Galilee 2009 (Israel). Aromatic and bubbly, grapey and sweet, while remaining light and not cloying, this refreshing quaff is a perfect lunch choice; a moscato to compare with Italy’s best reminds us that Israel is also a great Mediterranean viticultural source. ($15) (93) Illumination Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (California). Lovely floral and citrus notes on the nose and palate, however it is the mouth feel and elegance that sets this wine apart from its peers. Weight is established with partial barrel fermentation and contact with lees. ($40) (92) Aramis “Black Label” Mclaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Australia). It has spicebox and blackberries on the nose. This is a well-balanced wine with great depth. A potpourri of dark fruits; cherry, cassis and hints of floral notes. ($20) (88) Totally Random Sweet Red NV (California). Ripe and rich in the nose, this wine displays lots of sweet red cherry and raspberry flavors tinted with mint. It’s not shy in its sweetness either, but there is some firm tannin providing a drying effect, granting some sharpness to the ripe cherry flavors. It has a long finish. ($10) 50 | MAY 2011 (91) Fuente Milano 2009 (Spain). It is a delightful blend of verdejo and vura; it’s like a pinot grigio on steroids with a touch of floral tones and a creamier finish. ($9) (91) Plungerhead Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2008 (California). This is excellent in the nose, with tea leaf, light spice, subtle oak and a good beam of fruit in the background. It is forward, bright and juicy on the palate, yet is perfectly balanced with spice notes which create even more interest. Rich black fruit compote arrives at the finish which is long and luscious. It is definitely a grill friendly wine. ($18) Cheers National Wine Panel The Cheers National Wine Panel is comprised of beverage experts from restaurants and retail wine stores around the country. David Alphonse Back Bay Restaurants Boston, MA Timothy Baldwin The Broadmoor Colorado Springs, CO Ron Balter Italian Village Chicago, IL Adam Betts Urban Tavern San Francisco, CA Stacey Blacker Sayers Liquors Florence, NJ Sandy Block Legal Sea Foods Boston, MA Ralph J. Bondon Berbiglia Wine & Spirits Kansas City, MO Bryan Brick K&L Wine Merchants Redwood City, CA Steve Burnell Washington State Liquor Control Board Ken Collura Andina Restaurant/ Pearl Wine Shop Portland, OR Gary Franklin Brown Derby Stores Springfield, MO Erin Fitzpatrick The Waverly Inn/Esse Consulting New York City, NY John Foy Consultant Hoboken, NJ Maggie Gephard Liquorama Wine Cellar Hyde Park, NY Josh Haugh Food & Beverage Director Hyatt Regency Bethesda Bethesda, MD Jackie Kantrowitz The Wine List Hyannis, MA Louis Koppel Wine Host Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops Salt Lake City, Utah Walter Kotrba Bottle Smart Lawrenceville/ Woodbridge, NJ Larry LaScola Bottle King Liquors Livingston, NJ Brad Lewis ABC Fine Wines & Spirits Orlando, FL Daniel A. Manning Haskell’s Minnetonka, MN Jack Mantle Frugal MacDoogal’s Nashville, TN Jerry Martellero Stew Leonard’s Wines Farmingdale, NY Rick McLeod Prime Wines & Spirits Kenmore, NY Jorge L. Mendoza The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne Miami, FL Dustin Mitzel Happy Harry’s Bottle Shop Grand Forks, ND Michael Mulderig Total Wine & More Claymont, DE William O’Brien The Liquor Store Jackson Hole, WY Phil Perry Terra Nova Wine & Spirits Madison, MS Robin Riddell Martin Wine Cellar New Orleans, LA Hervé Rousseau Owner, Flûte New York, NY Richard R. Schneider Trump Taj Mahal Atlantic City, NJ Charles Scicolone Vino Italian Wines and Spirits New York, NY Michael Sorg Liquor Barn Louisville, KY Matthew R. Scott Kent Rathbun Concepts Dallas, TX Jeff Sukowski Sal’s Beverage World Elmhurst, IL Matt Swingos Swingos on the Lake Lakewood, OH Dennis Tafuri Cask 591 Restaurant & Lounge Long Branch, NJ Steve Tindle Shaw’s Crab House Chicago, IL W. Edwin True Sherlock’s Beer & Wine Warehouse Marietta, GA Gabriel S. Varela Meat Market Steakhouse Miami, FL Jeff Vignaux Premium Wine & Spirits Amherst, NY John Wabeck Firefly Washington, DC Wilfred Wong Beverages & More! Concord, CA www.cheersonline.com