Lovers of Great Wine Behold

Here is our weekly message from our "singing sommelier"

Held this Saturday from 2 pm to 5 pm at Corrierie's Fromaggeria (the cheese shop), the selections for this week's wine tasting are as lovely as this beautiful weather. Speaking of spring, this week's selection focuses on freshness - young, fruity, crisp - perfect spring wine!

And speaking of young, we have three acrobatic kids (a reschedule of the goats from when the weather was colder) whose parents make cheese for a living, are joining us this weekend and featuring Tennessee Bonnie Blue Goat Cheese.

For the wine choices there is a South African wine that I thought was such a perfect spring wine, I bought it all, Stormhoek! We have two whites for pool side - a Sauvingnon Blanc and a Pinot Grigio; and two reds for the grill side, a Shiraz and a Pinotage.

And let's not forget this week's wine class at MAFIAoZA'S on Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm. It's already begining to fill up a bit, so sign up quickly (just call me at 269-6880! To start things off for Week #1 of this summer-long series, we will begin with the basics of tasting - you thought you knew how, but learn five secrets that will help you get more free wine in this lifetime.

The featured wines are Saint M Riesling, Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc, Bottega Vinaia Pinot Noir, Davinci Chianti and Santa Rita Riserva Cabernet.

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Stormhoek Pinot Grigio '05
$10.99 a bottle; $118.69 a case

Using this dedicated, no-compromise approach, Stormhoek is breaking new ground in the wine industry with the introduction of their label device, “Ultimate Freshness Indicator.” This clearly illustrates to the customer that the wine they are holding in their hand is at its freshest, and communicates the best time to drink it. Stormhoek wines arrive buzzing with excitement and life- – the freshness and vitality of South Africa captured in a bottle!

Stormhoek Shiraz '04
$10.99 a bottle; $118.69 a case

This elegant Shiraz is the result of a careful selection of fruit from healthy old vines in several of South Africa’s premium growing districts: the Bovlei Valley in Wellington, North Paarl and West Riebeek. These sites benefit from maximum exposure to the sun, on a land with a long history of producing South Africa’s finest red grapes.

Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc
$12.99 a bottle; $140.28 a case

Tangy, with high-toned lemon-lime, grapefruit, fig and peach flavors. Already harmonious, with a bright vibrancy that will complement food. Kenwood's at the top of its Sauvignon game. Drink now through 2007. 78,000 cases made. –JL