Festivals, festivals. This time it's the Miami Wine and Food Festival, pouring wines last Thursday from 60 makers in the courtyard of the elegant shopping mall Villages of Merrick Place in Coral Gables. The walk-around tasting had a marvelous selection.
There was Soñador, the wine by the company called Two Crazy Couples -- they being Miami neurosurgeon Sergio Gonzalez-Arias, his wife, Maria, and biz tycoons Sue and Doug Gallagher. It's top stuff from Napa Valley.
There was Solaire, by Robert Mondavi, the rebirth with Central Coast grapes of the California wine pioneer. A good start.
And I tasted 11 white wines made of 13 different grapes. I didn't repeat a white grape all evening. Nicely done.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
WHITES
• 2006 Martin Códax Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain: crisp, dry and full-bodied; cinnamon and lime flavors; $14.
• 2006 Valdelainos Verdejo, Rueda, Spain: citrus and vanilla flavors; crisp, rich; $12.
RECOMMENDED
WHITES
• 2006 Hogue Cellars ''Genesis'' Riesling, Washington: sweet white grapefruit flavors; fruity, off-dry; $14.
• 2006 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand: gooseberry flavors; crisp and powerful; $14.
• 2005 Ravenswood Chardonnay, Sonoma County: big, oaky, lush pineapple flavors; $17.
• Nonvintage Zuccolo Prosecco Extra Dry, Veneto, Italy: frothy with big bubbles, sweet-tart vanilla flavors; $15.
• 2006 Tenuto Ca'Bolani Pinot Grigio, Aquilelia, Itally: crisp, light, tart, white grapefruit aromas and flavors; $14.
• 2006 Domaine de Pouy Vin de Pays des Ctes de Gascogne, France (ugni blanc grape): crisp, light, tart, minerally; $11.
RECOMMENDED
ROSES
• 2006 Peñascal Rosé Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon: soft, off-dry; tart cherry flavors; $8.
• Nonvintage Baccorosa Dolce Vino Spumante (brachetto and moscato grapes): A sweet, red, lightly sparkling dessert or apéritif wine; frothy and sweet, with strawberry flavors and a citrus finish; $15.
• 2006 Touraine Rosé Sec, AOC Touraine, France (gamay and cabernet franc): spicy cloves and tart cherry flavors, light body; $13.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
REDS
• 2003 Soñador Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley: concentrated, opulent black plum and mocha flavors; long finish; $56.
• 2004 Landmark ''Steel Plow'' Syrah, Sonoma Valley: smooth and powerful; prunes and plums and mocha; $29.
• 2005 Robert Mondavi ''Solaire'' Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California: soft and fruity, with cassis and cinnamon flavors; $14.
• 2004 HDV ``Belle Cousine,'' Napa/Carneros (merlot and cabernet sauvignon): lush and powerful with black raspberry and mocha flavors; $60.
RECOMMENDED
REDS
• 2004 Clos du Val Merlot, Napa Valley: fruity; red plums and espresso; smooth and concentrated; $28.
• 2003 Marquis de Riscal Reserva Rioja, Spain: light body, powerful flavors, tart plums and cinnamon; $17.
• 2003 Rutz Cellars Pinot Noir, Sonoma Cuvée, Sonoma County: spicy cinnamon and tart cherries; smooth, long finish; $17.
• 2004 Penfolds ''Bin 28'' Kalimna Shiraz, Kalilmna, Australia: soft, fruity, mellow and extremely rich, with black cherry flavors; $18.
