I. Sparkling Wines
Domaine Chandon, Rosé, California, NV 60
Lamberti Prosecco, Italy, NV 70
Avinyo Cava, “Reserva”, Brut, Spain, NV 70
Veuve Clicquot, “Yellow Label”, France, NV 115
Dom Perignon, Champagne, France, 2004 320
Recognized as one of the world’s most best known and iconic champagnes, Dom Perignon is not only a first-class wine but also one of the longest continuously produced champagnes in the history of the world. Originally produced in the late 1600s by Benedictine monk Pierre Perignon, who was placed in charge of his abbey’s vineyard and winemaking duties (Ring). The abbey would sell the wine for extra income. Over the years, Perignon experimented with several methods of producing wine. Ultimately, he stumbled upon an innovative recipe for making sparkling wine that included mixing different grape varieties. Since his abbey was located in the Champagne region of France, Perignon’s version of sparkling was initially considered another versions of the region’s champagne. However, as Perignon became more skilled at his personal recipe, his wine quickly separated itself from other local champagnes. In the early 1900s, the wine company Moet & Chandon, bought the rights to exclusively make and sell Perignon’s wine (Ring). This would lead to the eventual globalization of the perignon brand.The Dom Perignon 2004 is a special vintage in that it marked the return of the regular grape harvest that had been adversely affected the year before. The 2004 vintage is a 53-47 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with aromas of “almond, powdered cocoa” and a “hint of dried flowers” (Dom Perignon). The taste is dry with a hint of spice.
II. White Wines
Marcel Giraudon, Aligoté, France, 2013 40
Roncier, Chardonnay, France, 2013 50
Hermann Moser, “Per Due”, Grüner Veltliner, Austria, 2014 60
Pierre Sparr, Pinot Blanc, France, 2011 60
Selbach, Kabinett, Riesling, Germany, 2013 70
Whitehaven, Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, 2014 70
Tinchero, “Mary’s Vineyard”, Sauvignon Blanc, California, 2014 80
Ramey, Chardonnay, California, 2013 90
Keller, “Von der Fels”, Riesling, Germany, 2012 125
Newton, “Unfiltered”, Chardonnay, California, 2012 135
While Germany is commonly known for its beer tradition, it also has a long history, like France, Italy, and Spain in winemaking. Keller’s “Von der Fels” is one of the illustrative examples of a quality wine (Asimov). Von der Fels is classified as a Riesling which is a white grape variety that is common to Germany. Rieslings are generally very dry, which is suitable to the German palate and cuisine. The Keller Von der Fels vintage for 2012, however, is not your typical Riesling. Unlike other Rieslings it is a touch sweet, but not as sweet of white wines found in other regions, but nevertheless it is sweet enough to make it a unique variety of the common Riesling classification. One of the reasons for this is experience. The Keller family has not only been producing wine in Germany since 1789 but producing wine in the Rhine Valley where the Riesling grape was originally grown and harvested in (Halliday). Rieslings however is not the only wine that Keller makes. Indeed, the winery is also well known for its sweeter wines. That alternate experience influenced its production of the 2012 vintage. Despite, its touch of sweetness, the 2012 vintage is still a strong representative of the German Riesling style. Consequently is stands as one of the best Rieslings of that year.
III. Red Wines
El Portillo, Malbec, Argentina, 2014 45
The Seeker, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, 2013, 45
Louis Latour, Beaujolais-Villages, France, 2013 60
Qupe, Syrah, California 65
Le Fervents, Syrah, France, 2013 70
Adelsheim, Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2013 80
Dutton Goldfield, Pinot Noir, California, 2013 85
La Bastide Dauzac, Bordeaux, France, 2012 140
Northstar, Merlot, Washington, 2007 150
Le Clarencee de Haut Brion, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, 2010 400
Château Haut-Brion, the winery that produces Le Clarence de Haut Brion, dates back to the time when grapes were first introduced into France in the early 1500s. To be sure, the winery was one of the first to actually get a license to commercially produce wine in the mid-1600s. Accordingly, it is considered the oldest and smallest of the “first growth” Bordeaux regions wine producers. Le Clarence de Haut Brion, is the winery’s second wine; which means that it is made from the blend that remains after the first or premier wine is bottled. While this means that Le Clarence is normally not as good as the winery’s first wine, it nonetheless is no of the best wines of the Bordeaux region (Wine). To be sure, it retains many aspects that are found in the winery’s first wine. The 2010 vintage stands out as a result of the successful 2010 harvest. The 2010 harvest was one the best in recent history which added to the complexity and taste of Le Clarence. Accordingly, Le Clarence offers a deep red berry flavor with hints of warm aromas and cocoa (Wine).
IV. Dessert Wines
Moscato d’Asti, Sweet Sparkling, Italy, 2007 25
Bouchaine Vineyards, “Bouche d’Or Caneros”, Late Harvest, California, 2013 30
Standing Stone Vineyards “Fingers Like Vidal Ice”, Ice Wine, New York, 2010 66
Tokaji Aszú, “Royal Tokaji - 5 Puttonyos”, Late Harvest, Hungary, 2007 129
Grgich Hills Estate, Late Harvest, California, 2006 210
Tokaji Aszúis is the quintessional dessert or sweet wine.
The above wine list is for a modern day urban bistro that serves a fusion of Chinese and French- cuisine. The list is meant to emphasis traditional bistro cooking as it would be employed in cooking traditional Chinese dishes cooked by Chinese immigrants in France and French dishes cooked by French residents of China.
Works Cited
Asimov, Eric. “Germany’s Rieslings on the Tip of the Tongue.” New York Times. nytimes.com, 22Aug. 2013. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/dining/reviews/germanys-rieslings-on-the-tip-of-the-tongue.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Dom Perignon. “Vintage 2004.” DOM PERIGNON. 2015. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. http://www.domperignon.com/image/vintages-archives/
Halliday, James. “Keller Rieslings: They’re in the world’s top tier for a reason. The Australian. 04 Jul. 2015. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/food-wine/keller-rieslings-theyre-in-the-worlds-top-tier-for-a-reason/news-story/facd6563983670118875c2e6457742e1
Ring, Brad. “Secrets of Dom Perignon.” Web. 10 Mar. 2016. https://winemakermag.com/622-secrets-of-dom-perignon
