Cuvee Wine & Bistro

America's number one selling white wine varietal, Chardonnay continues to climb the production ladders to emerge as the most beloved of dry white wines in the U.S.

A versatile white grape varietal that creates white wines ranging in flavor from grassy and earthy to fruity. Additional flavors and aromas include apples, melons, peppers, and smoke. Sauvignon Blanc tends to be more grassy when picked early and more fruity when picked late. Its flavors also depend heavily on the geography of the vineyard.

Pinot Gris is a white wine grape varietal of the species Vitis vinifera. Thought to be a mutant clone of the Pinot noir grape, it typically has a grayish-blue fruit, accounting for its name (gris meaning "grey" in French). Less common colors include black, brownish pink, deep golden yellow, copper and even white. The word pinot, which means "pine cone" in French, was likely given because the grapes grow in small pine cone-shaped clusters.

Riesling, a white grape varietal originating in the Rhine region of Germany, is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas and high acidity. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling white wines. Riesling wines are usually varietally pure and are seldom oaked.

Cabernet Sauvignon is often referred to as the king of red grapes. Perhaps that title is earned because of its ability to grow worldwide in a number of climates, or because it produces wine with such character yet such diversity. Either way, this grape is responsible, as a whole or a partner, for some of the greatest wines in the world.

In 1900, Georges De Latour founded his winery with the vision of creating world-class Cabernet Sauvignon from the exceptional terroir of Rutherford. In the century since, Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has become the benchmark Napa Valley Cabernet as well as one of the most collected American wines. Its bold varietal expression and impeccable structure come from a long held philosophy of innovation in both vineyard and winery. George de Latour Private Reserve Winery marries state-of-the-art winemaking innovation with the most time-honored, gentle methods-for a bold expression of their finest terroir.

All Hundred Acre wines are made by sorting the fruit berry by berry, fermenting them in small French oak fermenters, and long aging them in the finest barriques. The secret to Hundred Acre is no compromise and no detail overlooked, ever. The single estate vineyard ARK is located just outside St. Helena, California, at the base of Howell Mountain. It was originally planted in the 1880's, but was sadly lost to Prohibition. It took five years to rebuild. The ARK is comprised of nine different blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, planted meter by meter in nine different volcanic soil strata, stretching through a sixty million year time sequence, three ancient beach fronts, a prehistoric weapons quarry, and stretches through a 180 degree arc of the sun over its half-mile length. Hot afternoon sun known to damage aromatics in the fruit (on the hottest days), is blocked by the shade of Glass Mountain (named for the rare obsidian rock found in the soil) which rises to the western side of the ARK. The fruits is pick only when the fruit is perfectly ripe, which doesn't always happen at once. It is common for them to make multiple passes through the vineyard, picking different clusters from the same vines as they reach perfect maturity. This attention to detail is critical to making a wine of the caliber of Hundred Acre.

For almost two decades, Harlan Estate has been dedicated to creating a California "First Growth" wine estate. Set in the Western hills of Oakville, the estate stretches 240 acres with only about 15% of the estate planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The Harlan label is characterized by limited production, a competitive waiting list, and widespread critical acclaim. It has quickly become one of the most sought after labels in California and around the world. Harlan's wines rank among the top California Cabernets and are defined by their graceful, elegant, and opulent style. Described by Jancis Robinson as "one of the ten best wines of the twentieth century", consistent acclaim from Wine Spectator and Robert Parker, including four scores of 100 "parker points", have further contributed to the wine's high prices and long waiting lists. Released at $245 per bottle, the price soon rose on the speculative market, and the cost may now range from $450 to $2,000. A 10-vintage vertical selection of magnum bottles sold at the 2000 Napa Valley Wine Auction for $700,000!

In 1997, Harlan founded the Bond Estates, in collaboration with winemaker Robert Levy and vineyard manager Mary Maher, with the intent to identify and produce wine from the "grand crus" of Napa Valley. Erroneously described as second wines of Harlan Estate, the Bond winery is located on the western hills of Oakville. From small separate plots come terroir-specific Cabernet Sauvignon wines, named Melbury from East of St. Helena, St. Eden from Northeast of Oakville, Vecina from Southwest of Oakville, and Pluribus from west of St. Helena Each wine has limited production of approximately 700 cases.

Produced in the heart of Napa Valley by winemaker Christian Moueix and his team since 1983. Dominus has become known since its first release for its complexity and earthy character, which pay tribute to the Napanook terroir. Moueix began his career in Pomerol, where merlot is the dominant varietal grown. At Dominus Estate, the essential grape varietal is cabernet sauvignon, the best suited for the Napanook vineyard terroir. Cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot are also used in the final blends, reinforcing the consistent style of the wines although varying during the blend each year to reflect the climate during the growing season.

Merlot is a red wine grape that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to derive from the Old French word for young blackbird, merlot, a diminutive of merle, the blackbird, probably from the color of the grape. Merlot-based wines usually have medium body with hints of berry, plum, and currant.

Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grape varieties to be cultivated for the purpose of making wine. Ancient Romans knew this grape as Helvenacia Minor and vinified it as early as the first century AD. Great Pinot Noir creates a lasting impression on the palate and in the memory. Its aroma is often one of the most complex of all varietals and can be intense with a ripe-grape or black cherry aroma, frequently accented by a pronounced spiciness that suggests cinnamon, sassafras, or mint. The most appealing quality of Pinot Noir may be its soft, velvety texture. When right, it is like liquid silk, gently caressing the palate.

Zinfandel vines are quite vigorous and grow best in climates that are warm but not too hot, because grapes may shrivel in hot weather. The fruit ripen fairly early and produce juice with high sugar levels. If weather conditions permit, the grapes may be late-harvested to make dessert wine. Zinfandel is often praised for its ability to reflect both its terroir and its winemaker's style and skill.

A dark-skinned grape grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce powerful red wines. Whether sold as Syrah or Shiraz, these wines enjoy great popularity. Syrah is used as a varietal and is also blended. Following several years of strong planting, Syrah was estimated in 2004 to be the world's 7th most grown grape at 142,600 hectares.

Its small berries, and consequently high skin-to-juice ratio, allow Petite Sirah to produce wines with high tannin levels, surprisingly high acidity, and thus the ability to age. Characteristically, these wines have dense blackberry fruit character, mixed with black pepper notes.

In 1982 Sir Peter Michael established the Peter Michael winery on a square mile of rocky volcanic ridges that form the western face of Mount St. Helena in Sonoma County. From the beginning, the wine growing philosophy was modeled on the French tradition infused with a few modern influences: One, the vineyard terroir would be the single most important feature. Two, the wines would be elegant rather than overstated. Three, there would be a hundred-year commitment to the development of a great estate. Given this commitment to the product, only a limited quantity will ever be made. Les Pavots is Peter Michael's flagship blend of red Bordeaux varietals from our Knights Valley Estate. While the blend varies from vintage to vintage, typically it is two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon with roughly equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot. Les Pavots captures an elegant refined expression of the terroir embracing the full spectrum of Cabernet family varietal expression with its trademark touch of herbes de provence. The name translates to "The Poppies" and is named after the California poppies that grow wild on their estates.

Many countries around the world make sparkling wine, each of them unique. The best-known sparkling wine is, of course, Champagne. Though so much sparkling wine is referred to as Champagne, true Champagne must come from the namesake area and is one of a kind in taste.

In the 17th century, Dom Pierre Pérignon, the cellar master of the Abbey of Hautvillers in Epernay, developed a wine whose extraordinary quality would make him the spiritual father of Champagne and one of the great visionaries of the winemaking world. Dom Perignon longed to produce the "best wine in the world" and there is much written testimony to the success of Dom Pérignon's wine with the most noble and wealthy personalities of the era. Dom Pérignon was one of the very first producers to assemble wines starting with the grapes, as well as the first to master the production of white wines from red grapes to achieve a giant leap forward in quality. Made exclusively from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes from ten Grand Cru vineyards and from the oldest vines at the Abbey of Hautvillers, Dom Perignon is produced only in exceptional vintage years.

Cristal, the jewel and tête de cuvée of Champagne Louis Roederer, was created in 1876 for the Tsar Alexander II of Russia. It remains faithful to its origin, inspired by elegance and purity. Cristal is produced with regimented standards of winemaking that require a rigorous selection of crus, vintages, grapes, and wine.

Armand de Brignac is produced by Armand de Brignac Champagne of Reims, France. The Cattier family has owned and cultivated land in the Champagne region's Montagne de Reims Terroir since 1763, and coined the Armand de Brignac name in the 1950s. M. Cattier was able to create a blend of grapes that fit. Armand de Brignac bottles are filled, corked, and cultivated by hand by caretakers throughout the aging process. The Armand de Brignac cellars are considered the deepest in the Reims Terroir.

Numerous grape varieties are cultivated in France, including both internationally well-known and obscure local varieties. In fact, most of the so-called "international varieties" are of French origin, or became known and spread because of their cultivation in France. Since French appellation rules generally restrict wines from each region, district or appellation to a small number of allowed grape varieties, there are in principle no varieties that are commonly planted throughout all of France.

France has the world's second-largest total vineyard area, behind Spain, and is in the position of being the world's largest wine producer losing it once (in 2008) to Italy. French wine traces its history to the 6th century BC, with many of France's regions dating their wine-making history to Roman times. The wines produced today range from expensive highend wines sold internationally, to more modest wines usually only seen within France.

German wine is primarily produced in the west of Germany, along the river Rhine and its tributaries, with the oldest plantations going back to the Roman era. Germany's reputation is primarily based on wines made from the Riesling grape variety, which at its best is used for aromatic, fruity and elegant white wines that range from very crisp and dry to well-balanced, sweet and of enormous aromatic concentration.

New Zealand is home to what many wine critics consider the world's best Sauvignon Blanc. wineries in New Zealand, especially in the Marlborough region, began producing outstanding, some critics said unforgettable, Sauvignon Blanc. "New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is like a child who inherits the best of both parentsexotic aromas found in certain Sauvignon Blancs from the New World and the pungency and limy acidity of an Old World. Sauvignon Blanc like Sancerre from the Loire Valley.

Italian white wines have a character all of their own. Crisp, soft, and highly acidic, they are made to accompany food, not overpower it

Twenty-one red grape varieties compose Italy's major varieties for red wine. From lush, deep red Chiantis to light, fruity Bardolinos, Italy produces some of the world's best red wine. Italy has very diverse wine-growing regions. The cool, mountainous northern region of Piedmont produces crisp, austere wines, whereas the sunny, temperate central region of Tuscany yields bold, lusty, full-bodied sensations. Italian wines have a complexity and earthiness that reflects the soil, the unique Italian grape varietals, and Italian winemaker craft. Over sixty percent of the wine grown in Italy is red wine.

Until recently if you asked a non-Spaniard to name a Spanish white wine region, you'd be hard pressed. However, huge investment, a growing economy, increased confidence and a new generation of young winemakers have brought massive changes to the Spanish wine industry as a whole.

Until recently, the red wines of Spain have been a well-kept secret. Now Spanish bodegas are creating some of the finest wines in the world.

Chili has a long viticultural history dating back to the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors brought Vitis vinifera vines with them as they colonized the region. In the mid-19th century, French varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were introduced. In the early 1980s, stainless steel fermentation and oak barrel aging were introduced. Wine exports grew quickly and the number of wineries has steadily increased and grown from twelve in 1995 to over 70 in 2005. Chile is now the fifth largest exporter of wines in the world, and the ninth largest producer.

Argentinian wines have their roots in Spain. During the Spanish colonization of the Americas in 1557, vine cuttings were brought to Santiago del Estero and the wine industry began. Today, Argentina is the largest wine exporter in South America. Its main wine regions are located in Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja. The high altitude and low humidity of these regions mean minimal problems with insects, fungi or molds and allows cultivating with little or no pesticides, affording organic wines to be easily produced.

The roots of the South African wine industry reach back to the explorations of the Dutch East India Company which established a supply station in what is now modern day Cape Town. A Dutch surgeon, Jan van Riebeeck was given the task of managing the station and planting vineyards to produce wines and grapes intended to ward off scurvy amongst sailors during their voyages along the spice route. Today, South Africa ranks as one of the top 10 wine producing areas of the world. Wine is grown throughout the Cape, with the three major wine regions being Constantia, Stellenbosch and Paarl. South Africa produces a grape cloned from Pinot Noir and Cinsault, called Pinotage, which is the country's unique varietal. Chenin Blanc (known as Steen) makes up one-third of its vines. Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Shiraz are becoming increasingly popular as are Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

The Australian Wine Industry is the fourth largest in the world. Most of its wine regions are in the southern, cooler parts of the country, including South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia. The wine regions in each of these states produce different wine varieties and styles that take advantage of the particular terroir. Major varieties include Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Semillon, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc.