[wine] New World at Sapor tonight

Mostly an update. ----- Forwarded message from "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> ----- Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2005 11:35:45 -0600 From: "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> To: wine(a)thebarn.com Subject: New World at Sapor User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.4i Greetings, Sapor, 6:30 p.m. $5 per person in lieu of corkage. Style du jour is New World. AKA Anywhere/Anything But Europe Recall that we got into some hot water when someone inadvertantly brought something that they claim was on their list. I belive it was a Zin from Seghesio and/or Ch. Souvreign.... Never mind that it was a different vintage and blah-blah-blah... Anyway, part of their wine list is on their web site. If you happen to bring something that's on the list (easier than you might think. Ask Russ about a split of something obscure he'd bought at a winery that was on their shelf as well.... ) We'll just save it for another week. We're never short of wine. http://www.saporcafe.com/ 428 N. Washington, Mpls 612 375 1971 Yes: Warren/Ruth Betsy Bob Nicolai Jim Still gueses.... Lori Russ. Roger LeClair Annette S No's: Fred Bill S Karin Cheers, Jim Style matters, even inside the bottle From light and zesty to big and fruity, there's a variety from which to choose - Leslie Sbrocco, Special to The Chronicle Thursday, February 3, 2005 Click to View What does it mean to talk about a wine's style? There is no one answer. Style can refer to many things -- from the basic types of wine such as sweet, sparkling and fortified, to the overall style of a region. Oregon Pinot Noir can be described as "Burgundian" in style or Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington may be "Bordeaux-like." This refers to the notion that even though those wines aren't made in France's Burgundy or Bordeaux regions, they share the same style. Usually, individual producers also strive for a particular style for each varietal or wine type. One may craft a lighter, crisper style of Chardonnay while another makes its Chards in a fuller, oakier style. These descriptors are not necessarily related to quality, either. There are world-class wines produced in all styles, from complex yet delicate German Rieslings to huge, barrel-chested California Zinfandels. Identifying styles of wine you like helps save money and time in the store, and it's also helpful when uncorking a bottle at mealtime. Don't worry about the outdated guideline of matching red wine with meat and white with fish; instead, match lighter-styled wines with delicate dishes and powerhouse wines with heavier fare. This week's recommended whites and reds showcase a range of styles starting with lighter, brighter wines and progressing to fuller, richer ones. Kick off with the 2003 Bella Sera Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio ($7). This Italian staple is almost clear in color with zesty lemon/lime freshness. The 2003 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve California Sauvignon Blanc ($10) is juicy with loads of melon flavors and underlying citrus notes. It bridges the gap between a lean, grassy style of Sauvignon Blanc and an overly ripe, warm- weather Sauvignon. Either is ideal as a cocktail sipper or with broiled fish with a squeeze of lemon on top. For more fullness and sweetness, reach for the terrific 2003 Columbia Winery Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer ($9) from Washington state. Medium-dry with balanced acidity and explosive aromas of spice and peaches, it's a style that should be appreciated by even those who say they don't like sweeter wines. This Gewurztraminer's intense aromas make it a good candidate to try with pungent curry dishes. Chardonnay is a versatile grape that can be crafted in many styles, from Burgundy's mineral-laden, elegant wines to full-blown butter bombs. The 2003 Yalumba Wild Ferment Eden Valley Chardonnay from Australia ($10) sits square in the middle stylistically. Made in the cool Eden Valley area with wild yeasts that give the wine complexity, this lovely white maintains a fresh character that allows it to pair nicely with food, but also has a touch of smokiness from oak barrel fermentation. Finally, for a white wine with power, seek out aromatic Viognier. This unique grape variety shines brightest in France's Condrieu region, but lovely versions are popping up worldwide from Australia to South Africa. For an exotic wine adventure that's worth the extra dollar over our usual $10 limit, uncork the full-bodied 2003 Fairview South Africa Viognier ($11), which sports juicy peach aromas with honey and apricot flavors. When it comes to reds, start your style journey in Beaujolais. This French red made with Gamay grapes is more than nouveau. The 2003 Georges Duboeuf Julienas Beaujolais ($10) is considered a top growth, or cru, and its pedigree shows. Like a dancer, it combines intensity with being light on its feet. Moving to Spain, don't miss the 2002 Darien Rioja Tempranillo ($10) from a modern producer in the classic Rioja region. Licorice aromas and cherry flavors jump from the glass in this juicy, fresh red. Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape variety that produces top wines all over the world, and the 2001 Dallas Conte Rapel Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($10) captures the smooth, medium-bodied, herbal character of many Chilean Cabs. Pour a glass to go alongside burgers or grilled Portobello mushroom sandwiches. Moving toward the blockbuster end of the style scale, Zinfandel ranks right up there. But with escalating prices, it's often hard to find a Zin worth sipping in the affordable category. Value-conscious Zin lovers should look for Primitivo from southern Italy's Puglia region, as Primitivo and Zinfandel are essentially the same grape variety. The 2002 A-Mano Puglia Primitivo ($10) is one of the best values on the market today. Made by Mark Shannon, an American winemaker who now lives in Italy, this earthy yet fruity red is an Old World wine made in a New World style. Buy it by the case. We end our style exploration with Petite Sirah, which is anything but petite - it's more like a 6-foot-8-inch, 300-pound linebacker nicknamed "Tiny. " The 2002 Bogle Vineyards Clarksburg Petite Sirah ($10) is like biting into freshly baked blackberry pie. Shopping list These are the best deals The Chronicle found for this week. WHITES 2003 Bella Sera Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio ($7) 2003 Columbia Winery Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer ($9) 2003 Fairview South Africa Viognier ($11) 2003 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve California Sauvignon Blanc ($10) 2003 Yalumba Wild Ferment Eden Valley Chardonnay ($10) REDS 2002 A-Mano Puglia Primitivo ($10) 2002 Bogle Vineyards Clarksburg Petite Sirah ($10) 2001 Dallas Conte Rapel Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($10) 2002 Darien Rioja Tempranillo ($10) 2003 Georges Duboeuf Julienas Beaujolais ($10) Leslie Sbrocco is author of "Wine for Women: A Guide to Buying, Pairing and Sharing Wine" (William Morrow, 2003). E-mail her at wine(a)sfchronicle.com. 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