Date: Fri 18-Sep-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Sips-Swallows-Wine-Wisdom

Full Text:

WINE WISDOM: Sips & Swallows From Around The Wine World

By Steve Small

Blue bottles are being used more and more for a wide array of wines and

liquors. Although these bottles have absolutely no impact on the quality of

what is inside the bottle, they certainly do look nice. The wise consumer will

continue to evaluate these products on how they taste rather than how they

look.

The Three Musketeers certainly make a good argument for wine appreciation.

While watching Leonardo DiCaprio in The Man in the Iron Mask , I was quite

entertained by the aging Musketeers. Whether it was a reunion of old friends,

a party with the king, or just dinner, moderate wine consumption was a part of

their everyday life in the 1600s. Unfortunately, I will have to go to the

history books to see if this was historically accurate or just another movie.

Wines I have recently enjoyed include 1997 Stonehedge Zinfandel, McGuigan Bros

Black Label, and 1996 Piazzo Dolcetto. These red wines are quite tasty and all

sell for around $10 a bottle or less. Some of the tasty white wines include

1996 Beckmen Chardonnay, a 1996 Alsatian Tokay Pinot Gris, and 1997 Villa

Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc.

Smart wine shoppers should remember to trust their taste buds as much as they

trust wine advice in any magazines, TV show, or newspaper column (cough,

cough). Also remember that 1995 was a good year for even inexpensive Bordeaux.

Finally remember that a $20 bottle of wine is not necessarily twice as good as

a $10 bottle of wine.

(Steve Small is the proprietor of Steve's Liquor Store, at 71 Main Street

South/Route 25 in Newtown.)