Restaurant Wine (March/April 2006)

Issue 112: Seasonal Wine Programs Issue

Operation Profile:

This prominent New York restaurant is known for its seasonal approach to its wine program, which changes the majority of its selections every three months, from glass to bottled wines. But this is only the beginning—the restaurant also features an informative, creative wine list and wine dinners that go well beyond the norm.

Special Report:

Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley is now one of the best-known wine districts in the western hemisphere, producing some of the world’s best Pinot Noirs, Zinfandels, Chardonnays, and Syrahs. We profile the district, and suggest why we believe its best days truly lie ahead. (We also review 42 new Russian River Valley wine releases in this issue.)

New Master Sommeliers:

Meet Nate Ready (sommelier at Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, Colorado) and Doug Krenik (Rocky Mountain regional manager for Rosenthal Wine Merchant), the latest American Master Sommeliers.

Wine Recommendations:

152 wines, including leading Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, Zinfandels, and Syrahs from Russian River Valley. Other recommendations include an exceptional Napa Valley Chardonnay (one of the best we’ve ever tasted); excellent Pinot Gris/Grigios from California, Oregon, and Washington State; wonderful California Sauvignon Blancs; and fine Australian Rieslings, Shirazs, Cabernets, and Merlots, among others.