1st Friday Wines,  December 3, 2010 December Sparkling Wine of the Month Blanc de Blancs Réserve Brut, Charles de Fére. Loire Valley, France An excellent French sparkler made in the Champagne-method from white grapes: Chardonnay, Ugni Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Macabeu Blanc. Toasty aroma with hint of nice fruit and hazelnut.  Flavors of citrus and apple with a fresh finish. Good food match for many dishes. Festive aperitif. A remarkable value!   Chenin Blanc-Viognier 2008, Pine Ridge, California An aromatic, refreshing blend of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier from a superb California producer. Lush aromas of pear, ruby grapefruit and melon, with a delicate touch of spicy, white flowers. Lively citrus and bright fruit flavors. The slightly off-dry finish is clean and crisp. Perfect with many dishes or on its own as an aperitif. Food flexible, it pairs well with spicy dishes like a flavorful Thai curry or sushi. Chicken dishes, broiled fish fillets, crab bisque. Camembert cheese. December White Wine of the Month Riesling 2008, Willamette Valley Vineyards. Willamette Valley, Oregon A lightly sweet, medium-bodied German-style riesling. Lively aromas of peach, pear, citrus with a floral hint and a nice minerality. Mouth-filling flavors mirror the aromas with fruit and apple-like (malic) acidity, giving a fine sweet-tart balance. Sweet, clean and refreshing with a crisp mouth-watering finish. Classic riesling character. Certified sustainable vineyards.  A fine aperitif! Good with spicy Asian dishes, lemon-pepper chicken. Seafood. Mild cheeses.   December Red Wine of the Month Saumur Champigny 2009 (Cabernet Franc),  Domaine des Ruettes. Loire, France An awesome Cab Franc. Lots of bright freshness, delicacy, and berry-fruit flavors with nice tannins and balance. Lingering finish. Cabernet Franc is the red grape of choice in the cooler climate Loire Valley. Handsome presentation in an embossed bottle.  A favorite traditional food pairing with cabernet franc is warm toasted walnuts, Anjou pears and blue cheese crumbles. Other great matches are couscous with meat, Middle Eastern fare and Greek cuisine, venison, lamb and beef.  Grilled steak with Blue Cheese topping. Mas Donis Barrica 2007, Celler de Capçanes. Montsant Spain   Gorgeous blend of Grenache (85%) and Syrah (15%). Intense, lush dark berries with notes of pepper, earth, smoke and spice. Not filtered or fined. Eight months in French & American oak. Soft tannins. Blackberry and black cherry flavors continue through a lingering finish. An Eric Solomon Selection. Truly excellent.  Remarkable value!  Beef, game, lamb. Robust cheeses [90 points from Wine Advocate, Robert Parker & from International Wine Cellar] Zinfandel 2006, Graziano. Mendocino County, California A generous, rich and zesty Zin from the Redwood Valley in southern Mendocino County. Cherry and plum aromas with hints of peppery anise. Flavors of dark berries along with appealing rustic tannins. Recommended with grilled Italian sausage, a spicy pepperoni and mushroom pizza, or a rich and savory beef stew. Venison sausage. By the fireside with a full-flavored cheese.   Wine World Taste through the wines at your own pace. We are pleased to talk with you about the wines.