This months Wine School touches on some new grape varieties and new regions that we have not tasted before. The dollar is taking a beating from the Euro, so in my effort to help you purchase wines that offer value, I am trying to steer clear of the European Union. We are visiting Greece, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, and New Zealand.

It is time to be experimental, so please drink with an open mind. All the wines were purchased from Post Wines & Liquors in Syosset. Ask for Michael Douglas or Ian Reilly if you need assistance. They are both extremely knowledgeable and passionate about their wines.

Have a comment or question about any of the selections? Email me: Jake@VinoSOS

I will use a consistent legend throughout my selections:

1. Grape Variety
• ProducerWinery
• FantasyName
• PlaceName
• Vintage
• Price

1. Sauvignon Blanc (White)
• Mulderbosch
• South Africa
• 2007
• $20.99
• This is typical Sauvignon Blanc with lots of key lime pie and grassy notes. This will go nicely with a salad containing goat cheese. These vines are situated on the coast of South Africa. The coastal location offers nice cool ocean breezes to help maintain the acidity in the wine that Sauvignon Blanc is know for.

1. 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Assyrtico (ah-SYR-tih-koh) (White)
• Biblia Chora
• Pangeon, Greece
• 2006
• $19.99
• Greek wines are coming on strong. That sounds like a funny thing to say, because after all, the Greeks are responsible for starting this whole wine thing. Because of the language barrier, they have a hard time gaining acceptance anywhere but Greece. Say Assyrtico three times fast.

1. Albarino (White)
• Martin Codax
• Rias Baixas, Spain
• 2006
• $11.99
• I keep throwing Spanish whites at you, because I think they are the best value in town. You think about the price of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio right now (about $21), and how much more this wine offers for $11.99. It is my personal mission to convert all you Pinot Grigio drinkers to Albarino. Drink It!

1. Viognier (vee-oh-NYAY) (White)
• Fairview
• Paarl, South Africa
• 2006
• $16.99
• Viognier smells like a bowl of tropical fruit, and tastes like it too. This is a great match for spicy foods, because the wine is so rich. The dollar is still worth something in South Africa also, so we don't lose out on the exchange rate when we import it. That means it offers some bang for the buck. At least for now.

1. Chardonnay (White)
• Paumanok Vineyards
• "Barrel Fermented"
• North Fork, Long Island
• 2005
• $18.99
• Wow Wine! For the price, this Chardonnay is an absolute steal. It has some Oaky notes, but just as a seasoning, not overpowering at all. Nice smells of tree fruit (apple and pear) with some baking spices. Pork chops and apple sauce all the way.

1. Semillon (White)
• L'Ecole No. 41
• Columbia Valley, Washington
• 2006
• $17.99
• Semillon (say-mee-YAWN) is a white grape that hails from Bordeaux in France. It is usually blended there with Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. This wine is blended as well (86% Semillon, 14% Sauvignon Blanc). Washington State does some great stuff with this grape. It is medium to full bodied, so it makes for a nice food wine. I like it with a sweeter fish like black sea bass or crab meat.

1. Pinot Noir (Red)
• Matariki Wines
• Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
• 2004
• $16.99
• New Zealand is becoming known for its light, bright Pinot Noirs, that offer loads of sweet red fruit. Life is like a bowl of cherries in New Zealand. The Matariki Pinot Noir has a bit more weight to it than you may usually associate with New Zealand Pinot Noir. That is because it if from the North Island which is a bit warmer and gets more heat and therefore more sugar in the grapes. The famous soil in Hawkes Bay is known as Gimblett Gravel, which helps the soil retain some heat and assists in drainage when they get excessive rainfall. Roast Duck….mmmm.

1. Mencia (Red)
• Descendientes de J. Palacios
• "Petalos"
• Bierzo, Spain
• 2006
• $22.99
• This is a little known region in Spain called Bierzo. This Mencia grape is supposed to be a relative of Cabernet Franc. It tastes more like Gamay from Beaujolais, with a side of meat and spice. It's like Cherry Meat Nutmeg Pie. Not going to appeal to everyone for sure, but for all you wine geeks out there, this is a fun little wine. The Palacios family have played a major role in the rebirth of Spanish Wine, so keep a close eye on the Bierzo region.

1. Malbec, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon (Red)
• Dolium
• "La Terna"
• Mendoza, Argentina
• 2005
• $19.99
• Nice blend of spice and fruit. Paul Hobbs is the consulting "flying winemaker" here. This is a rich wine made by a talented team of winemakers that keep everything in balance. Great grilled skirt steak wine.

1. Petite Sirah, Barbera, Zinfandel, Carignane (Red)
• Ten Mile
• "The Broken Road"
• California
• 2005
• $11.99
• Good party wine. This is a field blend of grapes which offer the heady fruit we expect from California wines. For $11.99 you can offer it to a house full of friends or family. This is a Sunday Gravy or Sunday Sauce wine. Ten Mile goes great with something warm and rich that was cooked in a pot all day long. You can even add it to the sauce to deglaze the pan. When you cook with the same wine that you are going to drink with dinner it is called "Bridging". We are so cultured at Wine School! Pinky fingers in the air everyone!

1. Xinomavro (ksee no ma vro), Syrah, Merlot (Red)
• Kir-Yianni
• "Paranga"
• Macedonia, Greece
• 2005
• $13.99
• So, I'm on a Greek kick. It is all about the value. Ancient vines, seasoned winemakers, ideal climate. What is not to like? Oh yeah; it is the pronunciation thing again.

1. Cabernet Sauvignon (Red)
• Carmen
• "Reserve Estate Grown"
• Maipo, Chile
• 2005
• $16.99
• It's February. It is cold out there, but it is Chile in here. This is a stick to your ribs Cabernet that will warm you up. The economy sucks, so we are drinking wine from Maipo. Get it "My Po". I have had too much, see you next month.

All Wines were purchased at Post Wines & Liquors in Syosset. They offer a 10% discount when you buy a full case. Our Wine School case cost $205.18 after discount and taxes this month.

If you would like us to make our Wine School selections from "your" favorite wine store, please e-mail the store information to Jake@VinoSOS