Wine List: Cannonau di Sardegna To Côtes du Rhône
Cannonau di Sardegna is a red Italian wine that was granted the DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) status in 1972. This wine may be made anywhere on the island of Sardinia in southern Italy. It must contain at least 90% Cannonau grapes. Recommended food pairings include: Venison, Game, Poultry, and Barbequed Red Meat. See I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Sardinia Region for a review of a Cannonau di Sardegna.
Castel del Monte
Castel del Monte is an Italian wine that was granted the DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) status in 1971. This wine comes from the Apulia region of southern Italy. The red, rosé, and white Castel del Monte wines may each be made from one or more designated grape varieties. See I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Apulia Region for a review of a rosé Castel del Monte wine based on the Bombino Nero Grape. Suggested food pairings include Appetizers, Light Soups, Fish, and White Meats.
Castelli Romani
Castelli Romani is an Italian wine that was granted the DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) status in 1996. This wine comes from an area south of Rome. The red and rosé Castelli Romani wines are based on the Cesanese, Merlot, Montepulciano, Nero Buono, and Sangiovese grapes, all Italian varieties except for Merlot. The whites are based on the international Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes. Recommended food pairings include Baked Pasta and Veal Medallions in a Red Wine Sauce. See I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Latium Region for a review of a red Castelli Romani.
Cava
Cava is a sparkling white wine made in the Penedès region of Catalonia in northeastern Spain. It is made by the same painstaking process as used in Champagne, but unlike some Champagnes is made only from white grapes. It is usually fruity and pleasantly acidic. Suggested food pairings include Bouillabaisse, a magnificent Fish Soup/Stew.
Chablis, one of the great French white wines.
Chablis is a lean, sometimes stony white wine made in the Chablis region at north of Burgundy in eastern France. Flavors include gunflint and honey. Chablis is made exclusively from Chardonnay. Suggested food pairings include Fish Stew (tomato-based) and Flounder. Chablis and Oysters are considered a classic combination.
Champagne is a French sparkling white or rosé wine. By law it is only produced in the Champagne region of northern France. It is made in varying proportions from three grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Unlike many other wines, Champagnes are always blends of dozens of grape batches. The sweetness varies from Extra Brut (at most 0.6% sugar) to Doux (more than 5% sugar). Champagne is considered one of the most food friendly wines and accompanies most fine foods.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a classic, usually red wine found in the south of Rhône region in southeastern France. It is a blend of up to fourteen grape varieties, many of which are hardly memorable on their own, but together make an unforgettable wine. Flavors include tar, leather, and stone, perhaps not surprising considering that the distinctive fields in which Chateauneuf-du-Pape grapes are grown are covered of stones deposited by glaciers. Suggested food pairings include Barbequed Beef Ribs, Game, Steak, and Aged Cheddar Cheese.
Chianti
Chianti is a blend of Italian red and white grapes, produced in Tuscany in northeastern Italy. The major component is usually Sangiovese Over the years there has been a change in the grapes required and it is no longer produced in straw-covered bottles. Flavors include cherry, leather, and tobacco. Suggested food pairings include Beef Bourguignonne and Flank Steak.
Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico is Chianti made in selected areas of Tuscany. Very few Chianti Classicos contain white grapes. In addition to Sangiovese they often contain Cabernet Sauvignon Suggested food pairings include Beef Teriyaki and Filet Mignon. See I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Tuscany Region for a review of a red Chianti Classico.
Chinon
Chinon is an light, elegant red wine made in Touraine in the Loire Valley of northwestern France. It is based on the Cabernet Franc grape variety. Flavors include cassis, rasberry, and violets. Suggested food pairings include Shisk Kabob (Lamb Kabobs) and Sushi and Sushami (rich fish).
Chiroubles
Chiroubles is a light, fragrant red wine coming from the village of Chiroubles, one of ten selected villages in the Beaujolais region of southeastern France. Flavors include cherry and strawberry. Suggested food pairings include Blanquette de Veau, a creamy Veal Stew with Onions, Carrots, and Mushrooms. See I Love French Wine and Food - A Red Beaujolais for a review of a Chiroubles wine.
Cirò
Cirò is an Italian wine that was granted the DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) status in 1969. This wine comes from the coast of the Ionian Sea in the Calabria region of southern Italy. The red and rosé Cirò wines are based on the local Gaglioppo grape, the whites on the Greco Bianco grape. Recommended food pairings include Grilled Pizza and Eggplant Parmigiana.
See I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Calabria Region for a review of a red Cirò.
Condrieu
Condrieu is a classic, aromatic white wine made in the northern part of the Rhône valley of southeastern France from the Viognier grapes grown on spectacular hillsides. A top notch Condrieu can be an exceptional wine, tasting of gardenias, honeysuckle, melons, peaches among others. There are only about 250 acres (100 hectares) devoted to Condrieu. Suggested food pairings include Halibut and Lobster.
Côte Rôtie
Côte Rôtie is a classic red wine made in the northern part of the Rhône valley of southeastern France from the Syrah grape variety. It may include up to 20% Viognier as well. The Syrah supplies earthy, peppery tastes, which the Viognier softens. Connaisseurs will be able to distinguish from grapes grown on the Côte Brune (Brunette Hill) and those grown on the Côte Blonde (Blond Hill). Suggested food pairings include Roast Duck.
Côtes du Rhône
Côtes du Rhône are fruity red, white, and rosé wines made in the Rhône valley of southeastern France. They vary in flavors and quality, depending on the region, and the producer. Usually Côtes du Rhône Villages is an indication of a higher quality wine. Suggested food pairings include Chicken, Lamb Tajine, and Pot Roast.See I Love French Wine and Food - A Red Côtes du Rhône for a review of a Côtes du Rhône.