Wine By Nine

White Wine by Fess Parker from Central Coast, California. 100% Viognier This fragrant wine offers up aromas of peach, honeysuckle, apricot blossom, vanilla, and nutmeg with a touch of pineapple, ripe peach, lychee and citrus flavors. The subtle oak and spice combined with its refreshing acidity puts forward a balanced wine that is simply perfect with the floral aromatics of Asian cuisine and lighter fare.

White Wine by Wild Horse from Central Coast, California. Blend: 88% Viognier, 9% Roussanne, 3% Verdelho Wild Horse 2006 Viognier captures the aromatic charm and richness of this varietal. Grapes for this bottling came from Wild Horse's estate vineyard, and the venerable Caleri vineyard in the Cienega Valley of San Benito County. The two vineyards come together to produce a wine with floral aromas of citrus and honeysuckle blossom, followed by flavors of ripe apricot, nectarine, and allspice with a flinty, mineral finish. Of the two vineyards, the Wild Horse estate lends the elegant floral tones, while the Caleri vineyard conjures spice and minerality. The barrel ferment adds the richness to the mouthfeel, while adding a hint of vanilla on the lingering finish. Serve well-chilled as an aperitif, or enjoy as an accompaniment to seafood bisques, barbequed shrimp and fusion cuisine.

White Wine by Shannon Ridge from North Coast, California. The 2006 Shannon Ridge Viognier has a wonderful aromatic intensity with herbal notes of sage and marjoram and hints of peach and guava. On the palate there is nice crisp acidity, and good balance, with flavors mirroring the aromas and added notes of dried apricot.

White Wine by Bonterra from North Coast, California. Once again in this exceptional vintage Bonterra has layered sister White Rhone varietals Marsanne and Roussanne to the blend, adding a dimension of complexity. Marsanne provides a rich texture and green apple flavor, while Roussanne contributes pear and haunting floral notes. As you begin to drink, powerful aromas of freshly sliced harvest peach, hints of honeysuckle and an exotic note of jasmine dominate. Peaches and cream remain a sensory signature of this wine. Complex fruit flavors of apricot and peach are overlaid with notes of oak vanilla. Balance and elegance will become the watchword for this vintage. The wine is crisp, yet creamy, a grand alternative to everyday whites.

White Wine by Cline from California. Viognier is a tricky grape to grow. Its natural low acidity requires it to be picked at just the right moment. With this blend Cline chose grapes from vineyards that offered flavors indicative of the appellations from which they came. Solano County was chosen for its grapes are blessed with ample sun and provided maximum flavors. Cline's Mendocino vineyards, basked in warm days and cold nights contributed to the full-body weight of this wine and their Carneros vineyard was chosen because of its longer cool growing season. Cline Viognier shows big peach and apricot flavors mixed with citrus and floral notes. The wine is a powerhouse of flavor and is full-bodied so it will make and excellent match with flavorful foods like Mediterranean stew and spicy Mexican dishes.

White Wine by Smoking Loon from California. Medium straw color with seductive floral aromas of narcissus and jasmine. The palate is ripe with apricot, white peach and guava nectar, while the honeyed finish includes a kiss of clove spice. This quintessential aperitif and most fashionable white wine is a great choice with butternut squash risotto, salt cod brandade or Saba sushi (marinated mackerel).