Date: Fri 30-Aug-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: CHRISL

Illustration: C

Location: A14

Quick Words:

Wine-Wisdom-Small-glass-choice

Full Text:

(Wine Wisdom wine-by-the-glass choices, 8/30/96)

Wine Wisdom-

Dreaming Of Wine By The Glass

By Steve Small

Some people dream about winning the lottery and never having to work again.

Others dream about playing ball like Michael Jordan or Jen Rizzotti. Then

there are those of us who dream about wine.

As I nod off to sleep, I see my wife and I strolling into a restaurant looking

for a nice dinner out. As we peruse the menu, I am pleased to find a large and

interesting selection of wines by the glass are available. Chardonnays from

Sonoma, Burgundy and Australia; Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley and

Chile; and Sauvignon Blancs from France's Loire Valley and New Zealand are all

being offered by the glass.

These wines have obviously been chosen by someone who cares about wine and

appreciates the varied flavors available in seemingly similar wines. I can

drink different wines with my appetizer, main course and dessert. My wife can

have Merlot with her steak while I sip Pinot Grigio with my pasta. I might

even try something I'm not familiar with. After all, it's only a glass.

Unfortunately, I will soon awaken and realize my choices are Chardonnay,

Merlot and Pinot Grigio that are only distinguished by the fact they are

available in very large bottles.

I feel myself dozing again, and a smile spreads across my face. I am tasting a

bottle of Merlot. It may be the reasonably priced Forestville Merlot from

California or the Montes Special Cuvee Merlot from Chile. It could be the

consistently good Columbia Crest or Kendall Jackson Merlots. Then again the

Duckhorn Merlot and the Beringer Howell Mountain Merlot are two of the best

California Merlots made. After all, as long as I'm dreaming, I might as well

drink the best.

Unfortunately, the pleasant dreams of Merlot in reality can be more like a

nightmare. The popularity of Merlot has led to shortages and price increases.

To avoid bad Merlot dreams, flexibility is important.

There is still plenty of good Merlot available, it is just a little more

difficult to find. A trusted wine seller, wine-drinking friends and wine

publications are a good way to find out about new Merlots when your favorite

brand is not available or has become too expensive.

The good news is that with my eyes wide open in the light of day, there are

still large numbers of good wines available to drink. If you allow yourself to

be open to new wine drinking tastes and experiences, I do not think you will

be disappointed.

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

Street/Route 25 - Ricky's Shopping Center - in Newtown.)