Description

Below is a summary of Restaurant Wine magazine issue #99, published in January/February 2004. This issue is available for purchase online by clicking “Add to Cart” below.

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Featured in This Issue

Operation Profile

This wine destination restaurant, adjacent to Silicon Valley, suffered considerably as the national economy and electronics market stalled in late 1999. But rather than watch its business go elsewhere, the restaurant’s owners and managers (including sommelier Paul Mekis) began an extensive makeover, involving everything from new table settings to changes in wine pricing and tableside wine service. Here is how the restaurant attracted new customers and weathered the recent economic slowdown.

Winery of the Year

Although its first commercial wines were released only in 1994, this winery has steadily improved the quality of its wines, and is now making some of the finest Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Syrahs in the USA—despite not owning any of its own vineyards. Here is its story.

2004 Forecast

The restaurant industry is rebounding, and as it does so, too, will wine sales. But, with the weakened US dollar and consumer wariness, value will remain an issue in consumer wine purchases—and imports will suffer.

Wine Reviews

We recommend 138 wines from 6 countries. Highlights from the USA include fine 2002 California Chardonnays; a range of excellent 2002 Sauvignon Blancs; wonderful 2001 Napa Valley Cabernets; an exceptional Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot from Washington State; four 5-star Pinot Noirs from the 2001 and 2002 vintages; several remarkable Zinfandel values; a superb Monterey County Grenache. From outside the USA, we discover two stunning Merlot values from Argentina; 10 top value Australian reds; several exciting new releases from Chile; 9 German Rieslings from the fine 2002 vintage; and several Italian white and red wines.