Wine By Nine

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 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 Roederer Estate from North Coast, California. Blend: 53% Chardonnay, 47% Pinot Noir, 3.5% aged reserve L'Ermitage is Roederer Estate's special T?te de Cuvee, which has consistently been rated one of California's top sparkling wines since its debut in 1989. As in Champagne, L'Ermitage is made only in exceptional years, of pre-selected grapes that come from only the very best lots. Fine tiny bubbles and a long lasting mousse are the usual footprints of the L'Ermitage cuvee. This cuvee of the Millenium is fruity (apple, peach) with a delicate bread crust note. Mouth feel is on well balanced wine with baked apple flavors and a long and round creamy finish.

Vintage by Schramsberg from California. Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs (white from white)is made from Chardonnay grapes in the classic Brut style. Small lots of malolactic and barrel-fermented wines are added to the wine for complexity. The wine is then aged on the yeast lees in bottle for three years prior to disgorgement. With its bright fruit and crisp characters, this sparkling wine will maintain its freshness, structure and refined finish for many years following its initial release. The relatively warm 2004 season delivered a generously flavored Blanc de Blancs with alluring aromas of green apple, citrus and tropical fruits. Rich, tart Bayview Avenue Carneros Chardonnay form the core, with components ranging from the Marin Coast to the Anderson Valley contributing further depth of fruit. Yeast-derived notes of fresh sourdough and toasted almond blend with hints of creme brulee. On the palate, this lively sprkler is ripe and crisp with tangy lemon zest early on, progressing to a clean, balanced finish. - Winemakers Hugh Davies and Craig Roemer

Vintage by Iron Horse from Russian River, California. This is Iron Horse's Blanc de Noirs, made from predominately Pinot Noir. It has a beautiful, pale-peach hue. Rich and creamy, like pure strawberries and cream, this is without doubt the most romantic of Iron Horse's Sparklings. A favorite of many, Iron Horse is probably best known for this cuvee. Marries perfectly with frisee salad with diced bacon and a Pinot Noir vinaigrette, Chinese chicken salad, scrambled eggs and caviar, rock shrimp and potato frittata, mushroom dishes such as a grilled Portobello sandwich or wild mushroom risotto, poached salmon - hot or cold, and chocolate dipped strawberries.

Vintage by Iron Horse from Sonoma County, California. The most elegant and sophisticated of the Iron Horse cuvees, made from 100% Chardonnay, this vintage is aged an average of six years on the yeast. It is ethereal - like drinking a cloud. It seems to effervesce away in your mouth and tastes like, among other flavors, a perfectly browned, lightly buttered slice of sourdough toast. Food Pairing A natural on Sunday morning with a beautiful, juicy melon. It is a sensational match with oysters, smoked salmon, caviar and pate. Ideal with roast chicken because it adds a clean, lemony flavor to the dish.

Vintage by Schramsberg from California. Inviting toasty lemon limes and tropical aromas combine with hints of vanilla spice. On the palate, it has zesty citrus and baked pineapple flavors that lead to a long, seamless finish. It is crisp, refreshing, showcasing sparkling Chardonnay at it best. - Winemakers Hugh Davies and Craig Roemer While this wine can be enjoyed by itself as an aperitif, it is perfect with fresh oysters and other shellfish, crab cakes, ceviche and grilled sea bass as well. It is also delicious with lemon chicken and Thai curries. Serve with aged Gouda or other hard cheeses and as a counterpoint to soft triple creams.

Vintage by Iron Horse from Russian River, California. Russian Cuvee commemorates the style of Sparkling that Iron Horse made for the historic Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meetings, which ended the Cold War. It is the sweetest of their cuvees - right on the edge of Brut level dry and hits a perfect balance point. The higher dosage doesn't come across as sweet, per se, but makes the wine richer and more floral. Russian Cuvee was originally designed as a toasting wine. It is exceptional with foie gras (for the same reason Sauterne goes with foie gras) as well as the sweet and sour tastes of many Asian dishes. It is surprising with vine-ripened tomatoes and when October rolls around, a fabulous cocktail is Russian Cuvee with a handful of pomegranate seeds bobbing in the glass. For dessert, almond cake with strawberries and whipped cream, or anything to do with ginger.

Vintage by Dom. Carneros from Carneros, California. The 2004 vintage was the earliest harvest in memory. The early spring was followed by nearly ideal ripening conditions and the crop was small, as were 2002 and 2003. The resulting Brut cuvee is one of Dom. Carneros' most fragrant vintages. The 2004 cuvee is composed of 61% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay and 2% Pinot Blanc. Approximately 9% of the cuvee underwent malolactic fermentation prior to blending the cuvee for tirage bottling. The wine has been aged for three years prior to release and will further age gracefully in your cellar (if you can resist opening). This cuvee has wonderful fruit aromas of pears, baked apples and citrus peel enhanced with hints of caramel, spice. The wine is unusually round for its age, very mouth-filling and with a long creamy finish. Lovely served with double or triple cream cheeses, it also matches especially well with fish, shellfish, poultry and most Asian dishes.

Vintage by J from Sonoma County, California. Blend: 49% Chardonnay, 49% Pinot Noir, 2% Pinot Meunier The 2002 J Brut exudes enticing aromas of Asian pears, nectarines, lime zest, and light honeydew melon in its initial aromas. The pear and lime notes follow through in the mouth with a mix of honeysuckle and vanilla cream flavors that lead to a lengthy finish highlighted with a hint of ginger. This wine will pair nicely with light brunches as well as elegant dinner fare.

Vintage by Iron Horse from Russian River, California. The same base wine as Classic Vintage Brut, but with a richer dosage, which makes it more opulent, slightly sweeter and heightens the fruit. Originally designed for the historic Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meetings ending the Cold War. According to USA Today, an intertwining of the arts of diplomacy and gastronomy. Delicious before, during or even as dessert. Especially fun with a handful of pomegranate seeds bobbing in the glass.

Vintage by Dom. Carneros from Carneros, California. This superb, handcrafted sparkling wine, immediately reminiscent of the Taittinger style, is marked by an exceptional refinement and finesse. Its brilliant straw gold color is punctuated by strands of persistent, pinpoint bubbles. The subtle, ripe fruit richness of the Pinot Noir is balanced by the elegant depth and structure of the Chardonnay, converging in notes of toast and vanilla which linger in the extended finish.