Wine By Nine

Vintage by Perrier Jouet from Champagne, France - regions. Perrier Jou?t launched its famous flower bottle in 1969, with an arabesque design of anemones. Since then, it has been one of the world's most celebrated Champagnes - light bodied and distinctive. Aromas of fresh pineapple and white florals warm into complex scents of pear. The bead is intense and effervescent.

Non-Vintage by Laurent-Perrier from Champagne, France - regions. In the 17th Century, during the reign of Louis XIV, France enjoyed its most illustrious era. Louis XIV became known as the Sun King for his benevolence and his patronage of the Arts, which became the foundation of France's rich artistic heritage. At the Palace of Versailles Louis XIV was the first French King to drink Champagne. Louis XIV's era became known as the Grand Siecle - the Great Century. Bottled in a replica of a 17th Century bottle evoking the radiance of that period, Laurent-Perrier's prestige cuvees embody luxury, magnificence and elegance fit for a king. When it came to his prestige cuvee, Bernard de Nonancourt decided to highlight two of Champagne's traditional realms of proficiency: the blending of different crus and different vintages. Grand Siecle is the epitome of Champagne cuvees, as it blends complementary wines from Laurent-Perrier's very best growths and most successful vintage years. Grand Siecle is made with a pinot noir and chardonnay blend, with the latter being slightly dominant. Twelve of the most prestigious villages supply these grapes; all of them classified at 100% Grands Crus such as Ambonnay, Verzenay, Mailly, Avize, Cramant, Chouilly and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Within the vineyards of these villages, only the very best plots are selected, as are the finest musts from the pressings. The blended wine is then aged during the second fermentation on the yeast for approximately five years. It has a bright color, with a brilliant yellow hue. Its subtle aromas of honey, hazelnuts, grilled almonds and brioche, make this the perfect companion for refined dishes. It pairs just as well with poultry and truffles as it does with veal and morel mushrooms.

Vintage by Charles Heidsieck from Champagne, France - regions. This exceptional Blanc de Blancs is one of the most celebrated champagnes in the world. Made with five of the best growths from the Cote des Blancs -- Oger, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Vertus, Cramant and Avize. This exquisite wine is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, only produced in small quantities in years of exceptional quality. On the Eye: Silvery with a delicate shimmer. On the Nose: Elegant notes of fresh bark lead to spices and macerated fruits. On the Palate: Charming, smooth and serene. Dry, slightly candied finish with fleshy notes of marrons glaces. The Blanc des Millenaires is 100% Chardonnay and offers a beautiful, stately expression of this grape. It's very refined in texture and complex, revealing honey, coffee, citrus confit and ginger notes enmeshed in the supple, finely grained texture. It's firm, yet perfectly integrated with the other elements. -Wine Spectator

Vintage by Veuve Clicquot from Champagne, France - regions. This Vintage is made up from twenty villages all classified as Premiers or Grands Crus. They are located in the Cote des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims regions. The dominance and power comes from the Pinot Noir, which represents 68% of the blend. The finesse and elegance are achieved from a complement of 32% Chardonnay. Sensory notes The effervescence is both delicate and long lasting. The bouquet is fine and complex, strong in the aromas of dried fruits and flowers. There is an elegant harmony in the nose around toast and brioche notes. In the mouth, the wine is firm and well structured, with masses of substance and refinement. Such wine accompanies perfectly lobsters, scallops and sea fish. After a few more years of ageing, one would not hesitate to offer it with poultry or with meat dishes such as veal.

Vintage by Delamotte from Champagne, France - regions. The 1999 Delamotte Blanc de Blancs is a pale yellow color with green reflects. The nose is herbal with hints of jasmine, white peach, mint, pear. On the palate, the wine is very fresh, well-balanced, straight and pure. It is the perfect companion to shellfish, crayfish carpaccio, sushi and all white fish.

Non-Vintage by Laurent-Perrier from Champagne, France. In the 17th Century, during the reign of Louis XIV, France enjoyed its most illustrious era. Louis XIV became known as the Sun King for his benevolence and his patronage of the Arts, which became the foundation of France's rich artistic heritage. At the Palace of Versailles Louis XIV was the first French King to drink Champagne. Louis XIV's era became known as the Grand Siecle - the Great Century. Bottled in a replica of a 17th Century bottle evoking the radiance of that period, Laurent-Perrier's prestige cuvees embody luxury, magnificence and elegance fit for a king. When it came to his prestige cuvee, Bernard de Nonancourt decided to highlight two of Champagne's traditional realms of proficiency: the blending of different crus and different vintages. Grand Siecle is the epitome of Champagne cuvees, as it blends complementary wines from Laurent-Perrier's very best growths and most successful vintage years. Grand Siecle is made with a pinot noir and chardonnay blend, with the latter being slightly dominant. Twelve of the most prestigious villages supply these grapes; all of them classified at 100% Grands Crus such as Ambonnay, Verzenay, Mailly, Avize, Cramant, Chouilly and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Within the vineyards of these villages, only the very best plots are selected, as are the finest musts from the pressings. The blended wine is then aged during the second fermentation on the yeast for approximately five years. It has a bright color, with a brilliant yellow hue. Its subtle aromas of honey, hazelnuts, grilled almonds and brioche, make this the perfect companion for refined dishes. It pairs just as well with poultry and truffles as it does with veal and morel mushrooms.

Vintage by Schramsberg from California. J. Schram epitomizes Schramsberg's philosophy to create a wine in which no effort has been spared and no care has been omitted. Representing only 3% of the winery's annual production, the Chardonnay-focused J. Schram blend is assembled from the top 10-15 lots of the approximately 200 produced each year. This special bottling is dedicated to Schramsberg's founder of 1862, Jacob Schram, and has been a great success since its premier 1987 vintage was released in 1992. Blend: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir The 2000 J. Schram exhibits aromas of pineapple with melon and apple cider along with citrus notes of orange peel and lemon custard. Rich, creamy notes of creme brulee, fresh baked baguette and toasted nuts are derived from barrel fermentation and nearly 6 years of yeast aging. This voluptuous sparkling wine showcases the bright citrus and tangy, tropical fruit of the Tognetti and Schwartz Chardonnay vineyards along Bayview Avenure in southern Napa-Carneros. The addition of 20% Pinot Noir lends subtle red fruit aromas and gives breadth to both the nose and palate. A creamy yet refreshing wine, the 2000 J. Schram has a long, quenching, seamless finish. - Winemakers Hugh Davies and Craig Roemer J. Schram is quite appealing on its own as an aperitif or enjoyed with fresh shellfish, caviar, smoked salmon, tangy cheeses, seafood brochettes and risotto with prosciutto.

Vintage by Schramsberg from California. The 1999 J. Schram opens with aromas of glazed pineapple, orange marmalade and crisp green apples. Just-baked puff pastry and rich creamy notes are derived from barrel fermentation (38%) and yeast aging. This powerful wine showcases the bright citrus and tangy, tropical fruit of the Tognetti, Hyde and Schwarze Chardonnay Vineyards in southern Napa in the Carneros region. The addition of 24% Pinot Noir lends subtle red fruit aromas and gives breadth to both the nose and palate. A creamy yet refreshing wine, with a long, seamless finish. - Winemaker Hugh Davies

Vintage by Henriot from Champagne, France - regions. Brightly coloured with green tints. Fine, persistent bubbles. Rich and fresh on the nose. White fruit and flowers evolving towards mineral, spicy notes. Remarkably balanced on the palate. The attack is fresh and remarkably well balanced with a silky texture. Very pure and fine. This wine will be excellent as an aperitif and could also accompany refined fish dishes. Attractive aromas of cinnamon and apple butter. Lush and quite creamy with butterscotch, caramel and taffy apple flavors. Excellent length with a mix of toasted oak and brown spices. Drinking nicely right now. -Wine News

Vintage by Taittinger from Champagne, France - regions. Pale gold in color, with delicate strands of pinpoint bubbles, Taittinger Brut Millesime shows the elegance of the house style while expressing the individual character of its vintage year. The fragrant white fruit and berry nose is offset by nuances of toast and minerals which carry onto the crisp, full palate. Delicately structured yet generous fruit flavors, clearly marked by Chardonnay, are balanced by a clean, refined acidity culminating in a fresh, persistent finish.

Ros? by Taittinger from Champagne, France - regions. Blended from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, this is a succulently fruity, supple and aromatic Champagne with fine bubbles and a crisp, refreshing finish of extended length. Taittinger Cuvee Prestige Rose is intense cherry-pink in color with extremely fine, persistent pinpoint bubbles rising in delicate strands to the surface of the wine. Its classic, aromatic Pinot fragrance of red raspberries and strawberries is offset by elegant, subtle floral and earth nuances. On the palate, the ripe, full berry flavors are vibrant yet refined, delicately balanced by a fresh acidity which carries into a crisp, refreshing finish of persistent length.

Vintage by Veuve Clicquot from Champagne, France - regions. Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 7% Pinot Meunier, 33% Chardonnay The 2002 vintage has a pale gold color with silver accents. It has a brilliant aspect and an effervescence that is lively and long-lasting. The nose is very open, pure and complex. The Chardonnay gives this wine a refined mineral flavor accompanied with pleasant flowery notes of acacia. Aerating the wine reveals hints of yellow-fleshed fruit and pastries (brioche, marzipan). These give way to delicately spicy aromas, followed by elegant notes of licorice and high-bred teas. In the mouth, the wine is silky and generous. The expectations promised by the nose are met and even exceeded as the complexity of this wine is superlative: simultaneously evoking fruity and floral, mineral and spicy notes, menthol and toast. This wine is quite simply dazzling with its wealth of aromas, and a deliciously long and powerful finish. This elegant vintage is already remarkably well-balanced, and it will continue to enchant the palate for at least 15 years. Meanwhile, this wine can accompany the most refined dishes. It is eminently suitable for the most original matches. Try it with bass tartare, poached turbot served on a bed of fresh pasta, or cappuccino of Bresse chicken with candied citrus fruits.