Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, November 24, 2007

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 327-7701

With Thanksgiving virtually a done deal there remains ample opportunities to party our brains out throughout the month ahead. Accordingly, scan the offering of new arrivals for value wines that actually taste good. The line-up below represents wines of merit that fall readily into the budget softening category. All are priced for today only at $9.99.

South Coast Winery Brut Sparkling Wine, Temecula
$9.99
This Brut is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that was grown in the Temecula Valley. It is made in the crisp style and exhibits an interesting hint of yeast. It won a Bronze medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, tying with Mumm Napa Brut. List Price $18.00.

2005 Anselmi San Vincenzo Bianco, Veneto
$9.99
Roberto Anselmi chooses to label his wines as Veneto IGT rather than working within the boundaries of the Soave DOC. This meant parting ways with many of the traditional viticultural and winemaking practices that have historically defined the Soave district. The blend in the Bianco is 80% Garganega, 15% Chardonnay and 5% Trebbiano di Soave. In the nose, the wine is crisp, with scents of minerals, apple, banana and lemon blossoms. In the mouth the wine is medium-bodied, dry and fresh, with notes of citrus fruit, pear, grapefruit and hints of hazelnut.

2007 Mommessin Beaujolais Nouveau
$9.99
As I am not a fan of Nouveau styled wines, this bottling was something of an eye-opener for me. Its fruit is berry oriented with none of the grapiness one associates with a Nouveau. One of the better quaffing wines around.

2006 Mark West Pinot Noir
$9.99
This winery has always specialized in Pinot Noir with an occasional good bottle of Chardonnay made as well. This is good wine for the price and starts you off with aromas of strawberries and raspberries. In the mouth, the flavor shifts to red cherries and plums within a silky smooth texture.

2004 Gravity Hills Syrah, Paso Robles
$9.99

This second line of wines from Chateau Potelle of Napa starts with a clone from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The grapes are handpicked to get the ripest clusters, and given 14 months of aging in French oak barrels. The result is a juicy, fruit-driven wine with charm to spare. Look for strawberries, black cherries, plums, blueberries, licorice, white pepper and leather.

2005 Louis Martini, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma
$9.99

Louis Martini started this winery in 1933, and today his grandson, Michael is the winemaker. Although the winery and the vineyards have been sold to Gallo, the Martini family continues to have a hand in the production of wines. This Cab expresses itself with lovely black cherry fruit, adding some cassis and spice for complexity.