1st Friday Wines,  May 7, 2010              Grüner Veltliner 2008, HuM Hofer. Austria One of our favorite wines. Crisp apples and pears, citrus and peach with a hint of minerality and spicy pepper notes.  From the vineyards just northeast of Vienna. Certified organic. Medium-light body. Aperitif. Very food-friendly.  Grilled fish. Herbed chicken. Salads Sushi, spicy tuna roll. Chardonnay 2008, Santa Ema. Casablanca Valley, Chile Very attractive lightly oaked Chardonnay. Tropical aromas with a hint of melon. Ripe pear flavors. Buttery finish. Pairs well with full-bodied fish, shellfish, grilled rabbit, white meats. Soft ripening cheeses. May Wine of the Month Rosé d'Anjou 2007, Domaine de la Motte, Loire Valley, France Lively, light pink color. Red berry and honey aromas with just a hint of spice. Very lightly sweet with lush red berry flavors and a lingering finish.  Summer sipper. Warm weather dishes. Salads, mushroom risotto, BBQ, lightly sweet strawberry tart. Nahuel Bubbles 2009. Mendoza, Argentina Sparkling Torrontes,  just slightly sweet, with intense fruit and floral aromas. Stone fruit flavors with a spicy note. Fresh, clean finish. Delightful aperitif.  Excellent match for spicy Thai, Indian, Chinese, or Japanese cuisine.  Serve well-chilled Bonarda Oak 2007, Estirpe TonBert, Argentina An elegant Bonarda. Generous aromas of earthy strawberries, hint of herbal spice. Strawberry  and black raspberry flavors with a bit of white pepper. Balanced with a lingering finish. Pair with a flank steak or grilled rib steak.  Osso Buco.  Robust cheeses. May Red wine of the Month Napa Valley Cuvée 2006, Tudal. California Marvelous blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, and Sangiovese. Dark berry aromas and big flavors of sweet dark fruit. Chewy tannins and a long finish. Match with a spicy beef stew or lamb shanks. Grilled Italian sausage.  BBQ, Korean Sizzling Beef strips (bul-gogi).     Cheers,  Wine World Taste through the wines at your own pace.