Viognier for 2010: David Gaier from Wine Flair gets us excited about white wine blends

As you start out the new year, probably with a glass of Champagne or sparkling wine, make a resolution to try some wines in 2010 that you've never tasted. And maybe start with Viognier (pronounced "Vee-uh-nyay").

This is among the world's most aromatic whites, with a rich, viscous fullness, often a relatively high alcohol content and even some distinct spiciness on the palate. If, for example, you're used to light, innocuous Pinot Grigio, this wonderful grape might just knock you over - it makes one of the most distinctive white wines on the planet. And depending on where and how it's made, you'll get flavors or aromas of almonds, fennel, citrus, honey, apricots, white peach, pear, and so much more.

Viognier is an outstanding blending grape, too, mixed with larger proportions of Chenin Blanc and other softer varieties. Interestingly, in Australia Viognier is also added as a blending grape to red wines, especially Shiraz - called Syrah in Australia - while in France it's added to Syrah in several wines from Cote-Rotie, which mean "roasted slope." In its classic Rhone form it's often mixed with a few percent of Marsanne or Roussanne. And in South Africa, Viognier is added to Syrah and Mourvedre. So you see how versatile this grape is!

Food Pairings: I find Viognier a great wine to pair with spicy Indian or Thai food. It's also great with white cheeses such as Gouda, especially goat's milk Gouda, and Brie or Camembert. Viognier goes great with grilled seafood, too, especially shrimp and scallops.

Take a gander at the Heartland Viognier & Pinot Gris from Australia. A medium-bodied wine with a great richness, purity of fruit, vibrancy, and balanced structure. $15.00


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Bubbles for Autumn: Wine Flair talks different types of Champagne for everyday occasions

Champagne isn't only for New Year's Eve, weddings of people you love and funerals of, er, people you didn't. Here's a quote from Lily Bollinger of the famous producer family of the same name, which perfectly captures all the reasons you should drink it:

"I drink champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty."

You probably already know or at least have heard of the big "marques" - Champagnes made in the millions of bottles annually, such as Veuve Cliquot, Moet & Chandon (and it's pronounced "mwet," not "mo-way"), Taittinger, Perrier-Jouet, Krug and Pol Roger. Most of these are non-vintage; that is, they are a blend of wines, typically from many different vineyards across Champagne, and from two or more years. Why? Well, they're designed to taste the same year over year, so that the buyer always knows what they're getting. That's not always true, but that's the idea. And this consistency, supported by sometimes pretty expensive marketing, is supposed to make you become exclusively a "Krug (or whatever) drinker." But that's up to you.

My view? Champagne can be great stuff for a Tuesday night when you're feeling a little down, or just because, well, it's Tuesday night!

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CoolVines in the News: CEO Mark Censits discusses the new wine & spirits tax

Mark Censits, the president and CEO of Coolvines on Elm Street, said the 25 percent tax hike on wines and spirits that is part of the new state budget, will likely impact the cheaper wines. The tax is $5.50 per gallon for liquor and 87.5 cents per gallon of wine, paid by the distributor. He said the cost will not be immediately felt by consumers on any priced bottle of wine, since he and distributors are likely to raise the price on a gradual basis to reflect the new taxes.

Censits said that, given the way the tax is gauged, while all wines and spirits will see an increase, the lower-priced brands will have a larger percentage impact. With wines in his store being priced mainly between $8 and $40, he does not see much of an impact on his merchandise, except for the cheaper bottles he carries.

Distributors are already feeling the impact of the new wine tax, but are gradually raising the prices they use to stores like Coolvines. He said that it will likely be six months before he is paying distributors the new higher prices reflecting the tax. Censits said it will likely be six months before customers will also see an impact on the cost of wine they buy from him.

Read the full article here.

In the News: CoolVines Westfield

from the Shopping in Westfield NJ Blog:

CoolVines - Personalized Selection of Good Wines

Elm Street, between North Avenue and E. Broad Street, in downtown Westfield, is a restaurant row favored by locals and visitors alike. One after another, the interesting and delicious food options tempt, as cafe tables set up outside each boite display menu delights from all over the world.

When you're in the mood to bring your own hand-selected bottle of vino to accompany your meal, stop in first at CoolVines, the well-stocked and well-organized wine shop right there on restaurant row.

The layout of the store clearly marks the products by their qualities, the location of the originating vineyards, and their ingredients. The staff is knowledgeable and also knows when to let the customer simply enjoy the experience of browsing.

CoolVines applies three basic criteria to their offerings;

• "Only the Best" - They hand-select their wines and present only those that represent true value
• "Arranged by Taste" - They guide their customers in the choice of wine to suit one's preference and fit the occasion
• "A Website Driven by Your Preferences" - They provide tools to customers for learning about one's personal palate "signature"

You can find out about local tastings on the CoolVines Website. Or just stop into the store on the way home from the train. And ya gotta love the clever pickup service offered by this trendy shop: You can pay for your wine and continue with your shopping in town. Take one of their wireless valet bells when you leave the store. Pull up to the curb, ring the bell and they'll run your order out to your car!