Chardonnay-based white wines of the Beaujolais region are a rarity. This stunning Beaujolais Blanc from a meticulously chosen lot of lime soils is in great shape for the future and stylistically it is much in keeping with all the subtleties of first-rate Beaujolais. Barrique-made in the style of great white Burgundy products, this wine is a convincing counterweight to the armada of "oaky" brutes from South Africa or Australia. It is complex, fruity and subtle, with pleasant undertones of butter and caramel. Tastes great with: fish, light poultry, veal. Will age beautifully.

I appreciate Riesling, and I completely appreciate the Tesch approach of offering a ruggedly "handcrafted", "unfiltered" and individualistic interpretation with their "Unplugged" Rieslings. The year 2005, however, seems to have produced an peculiarly inferior result, when I compare last year's efforts with some of the earlier, often superb Tesch "Unplugged" wines that I've enjoyed: There is less body, slightly less balance and structure, and the aromatics are less lingering than in a 2003, for instance. Not bad, yet not great either. Frankly, I would not consider keeping this one in the cellar for long, as I do not expect much development here.

Barrique-aged, astoundingly well-balanced wine. Bought at a one-time bargain price at my local store, this elegant, matured frenchy is great with both pasta or grilled beef. Harmonious scents accompany a dense, darkly red composition with rich fruity and an abundance of more robust, lingering notes. Nicely integrated undertones of vanilla, coco and toasted bread. Simply great!

A deliciously complex, nonetheless juicy and cheerful wine. In one word: sublime! In my view it is the bargain red wine pick from the Zenato winery at lake Garda. As superb as their more concentrated Amarone, it will authoritatively escort hefty pasta dishes and can equally delight you and your guests when enjoyed just by itself. This premium Valpolicella is multi-faceted without being "filling" and altogether gratifying with a fine, resonating finish.

A juicy, well-made Valpolicella Superiore. Not created to be sipped in awe, but to be pleasureably enjoyed. Valpolicella wines should not be overconcentrated and several glasses should happily accompany your meals without overpowering them. This is a fine representative with a dash of style. Slightly toasty and with smokey hints, all of it beautifully fused with deep fruit flavors.
Perfect with: simple (and not so simple) pasta dishes.

If you appreciate barrique-aged Provence reds, this wine is definitely worth some attention. Dark and saturated. A hint of cedar wood, yet vanilla and ripe plum are more dominant flavours. It certainly will age well, I would reckon it has at least five years of steady improvement ahead. A bit too mellow and crowd-pleasing for my taste buds even now, hence the medium rating. A fine wine at this price nonetheless! Enjoyable with lamb, Boeuf Provençal or a fine Entrecôte.

A robust Provence Rosé that will favorably accompany many dishes of the region. Light in color, yet surprisingly complex with a slightly old-fashioned "brusqueness" which I tend to appreciate. Dry and pleasantly fruity with a hint of sweet herbs.

Great with: mediterranean vegetables "au gratin", potato dishes, aromatic salads, goat cheese.

This Croix de Basson wine epitomizes down-to-earth Provence Rosé winemaking. Offering the typical, palishly pink coloration, a discrete bouquet of fruit notes und an enthralling, delicious aftertaste with citrus accentuation. Not the most complex and surely not a "rugged" rosé, yet it will perfectly accompany your summer hors d'euvres: great with salads, olives, or goat cheese.

(The Croix de Basson wines are organically grown and undergo "Ecocert" certification.)

A subtle and elegant Provence Rosé. Convincing with its simple, straightforward and tangy fruit notes. Will charm you with an air of liveliness und "serenity" that is too rarely witnessed. Light but not at all "thin" in character, elegant without being rouged, and sporting a delicate Rosé coloration.

Great with: green asparagus, goat cheese, fish soups — or to be enjoyed entirely unescorted.