1st Friday Wines,  October 1, 2010 October White Wine of the Month Pinot Grigio 2009, Riff.  Veneto (IGT), Italy A terrific Pinot Grigio with fine intensity & character.  Apple and peach aromas with mineral and herbal  hints. Citrus flavors with hints of thyme, spice.  Lively and refreshing. Crisp and well balanced.  Great aperitif!  Fine match with light fish or shellfish. Four-cheese ravioli with Asiago or Parmesan.  Very food-friendly. (A project of Alois Lageder, one of northern Italy’s most highy regarded producers. The name and label refer to the limestone-rich soil of northeastern Italy, the foothills of the Alps, on the border of Austria.) Verdejo 2009, El Perro Verde.  Rueda, Spain “The Green Dog” is actually light gold in color. Aromas of lime zest and grassy notes and a hint of honeysuckle. Lively flavors of citrus, green apples and honeydew melon. Excellent depth and minerality. Long finish. From one of our favorite Spanish white wine areas, Rueda. Pair with gazpacho or sautéed shrimp. Seafood, chicken, tangy cheeses. Chicken breasts with Southwestern tomatillo and green chili sauce. Riesling 2008, Firestone.  Central Coast, California Elegant, with lots of character. Quite a value. Floral aromas with just a hint of classic Riesling petrol. Flavors of melon and apricot with just a hint of sweetness balanced by a solid acidity. An easy crisp finish.  A lovely aperitif.  Good match with a fruit salad,  with Asian or Pacific Rim cuisines, with spicy Cajun dishes. Sola Fred 2008, Celler Masroig. Montsant, Spain Rich, fruit-filled blend of 90% Cariñena (Carignane) and 10% Garnacha (Grenache). Big aromas of dark berries and violets. Lively, yet dense, berry flavors. Well-balanced, with a lingering finish. Grilled sausages, burgers, steaks. Pizza with goat cheese. Braised short ribs. A fun Spanish full-flavored red. Apothic Red 2008, Winemaker's Blend, Gallo. Modesto, California A captivating blend of three grapes: Syrah 45%, Zinfandel 44% and Merlot 9%. Intense black cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors with spice notes and a hint of mocha. Silky texture and smooth finish. Fruit-forward with great length and balance. Enjoy it with a rich beef or venison stew. Steaks, burgers. October Red Wine of the Month Pinotage 2009, Barista. Vale de Vie.  Paarl, South Africa Aromas of dark berries and pomegranate, with coffee and mocha notes. Concentrated flavors of mulberries, dark cherries, with earthy hints and black pepper notes. Nice, ripe tannins lead to a longer full aftertaste.  Barista is an outstanding example of South Africa’s own unique grape: Pinotage. a grape variety resulting from a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (in South Africa called Hermitage). The name “barista” refers to the Italian term for a professionally trained coffee maker. A wonderful match to beef or lamb roasts. Excellent with venison. Blue cheeses, such as Italian gorgonzola.     Cheers,  Wine World Taste through the wines at your own pace. We are pleased to talk with you about the wines.