Argyle - Brut - Oregon Sparkling Wine - 1997

I bought a number of bottles of this fine sparkling wine to celebrate my wedding. We used only a couple of bottles, and though that day is a hazy blur, I remember enjoying it. We intend to use at least one of the remaining bottles on our one-year anniversary.

It is 25% pinot noir and 75% chardonnay. From Willamette Valley in Oregon. I love wines from the Pacific Northwest — at least, I have loved every one I have tried thus far. In fact, one of my favorite chards is from Washington, but that will have to wait until I can find another few bottles of it.

Argyle, Brut, Oregon Sparkling Wine, 1997. Produced and bottled by the Dundee Wine Company, Dundee, Oregon. www.argylewinery.com

Falling Star - Sauvignon Blanc Semillon - 2003

Another Falling Star that was enjoyable. I'm not much of a fan for sauv-blanc; I prefer chards. But this was an enjoyable wine, another feather in the cap of Falling Star. Like the Merlot Malbec, it is priced 5-8 USD.

Vintaged and bottled by: Bodegas Trapiche, A-71058, Mendoza, Argentina. Imported by Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd, New York, NY.

Turning Leaf - Coastal Reserve Merlot - 2001

Another bottle whose provenance I cannot recall, and whose flavor was impressive enough for the bottle to stay but nevertheless has left my memory. Alas. I shall have to try it again.

Turning Leaf, Coastal Reserve Merlot, 2001. Vinted and bottled by Turning Leaf Vineyards, Modesto, CA. www.turningleaf.com

Charles Shaw - Merlot - 2001 California

Another gift, I believe. I kept the bottle, so it must have impressed me. But honestly I cannot recall anything about it.

Charles Shaw, Merlot, 2001 California. Cellared and bottled by Charles Shaw Winery, Napa, CA.

Louis Jadot - Beaujolais-Villages - 2002

A fine beaujolais. I first encountered this at Morton's Steak House in Louisville, KY. Fruity, fresh, delightful.

Louis Jadot, Beaujolais-Villages, 2002, Appellation Contrôlée. Élevé et Mis en bouteilles par Louis Jadot, F 21200 - France. Imported by Kobrand Corporation, New York, NY.

Ferrari-Carano - Chardonnary - 1999

I'm a sucker for a good chardonnay. I love them. Not cheap-rot-gut chards, no way buster. I love rich, flavorful chards that take your breath away. I'll even drink them with red meat. I'm such a rebel.

I've always enjoyed Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay. I've had it a handful of times at restaurants and at home. This bottle was one we got for home, a 1999. It was as good as the rest. F-C is definitely on my "OK by me" list.

Ferrari-Carano, Chardonnay, 1999. Produced and bottled by Ferarri-Carano Winery, Healdsburg, CA. www.ferrari-carano.com

Georges Dubœuf - Beaujolais Nouveau - 2004

Another nouveau. Also enjoyable. Try it.

Georges Dubœuf, Beaujolais Nouveau, Appellation Beaujolais Contrôlée. Mis en bouteilles par Les Vins Georges Dubœuf, 71570 Romanèche-Thorins France. Imported by: W.J. Deutsch & Sons Ltd., Harrison, NY.

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi - Chardonnay - 1997

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi. 1997 Chardonnay. I loved this bottle. But honestly, not so much for the wine itself. The wine was good, don't get me wrong. However, the bottle meant more to me than its contents.

You see, this bottle was given to me by John Parish, a excellent musician, a fine man, and long-time friend and collaborator to PJ Harvey.

It was during the 1998 PJ Harvey tour, when I followed the band through three cities, taking photos and doing a tour diary for the PJ Harvey website. At the final night of the US tour, as everyone was saying goodbye (I had gotten to know some of the band members over the dates, and the opening act was home-town great Rachel's) John gave me this bottle of wine as they were divvying up the liquor from backstage to take on the tour bus.

I held on to this bottle for a while, waiting for a special occasion. Sure, it's not like it's superior quality stuff, but as it was a gift it was special. When I did have it I enjoyed it a great deal, and thus the post to IVV.

Louis Tête - Beaujolais Nouveau - 2003

Sure, beaujolais nouveau comes and goes every year, but I enjoy it. I like picking up several bottles just before the holidays and enjoying them as pre or post-holiday-dinner wine. Light, fruity, simple...unchallenging...nouveau is the network-television of wine.

Unlike network television, however, I truly enjoy nouveau and partake of it every year. The Louis Tête, Beaujolais Nouveau 2003 was a perfect example of nouveau. I shall keep an eye out for this vintner in future.

Louis Tête, Beaujolais Nouveau, 2003, Appellation Beaujolais Contrôlée. Shipped by: Les Vins Louis Tête, St-Didier-Sur-Beaujeu 69430 (Rhône) France. Imported by: Bercut-Vandervoort & Co., Brisbane, CA, 94005.

Martin Ray - Angeline

This is my favorite Pino Noir. Its a 2003 Santa Barbara bottle, and might strike the drinker as being a bit bitter in the first sip. By the second, it becomes smooth and delightful. It has great legs and a good, rich color.

Its really good with soft, sweet cheeses and toasted breads. So good in fact, that this was the first wine I ever drank and thought, "Oh, that's why people eat cheese with wine!"

The best part? Its only around $10!

It is a regular on the wine list at North End Cafe, and can be purchased at Old Town Liquors and The Wine Depot, (when its not sold out.)

By the way... what a great idea for a blog!

Falling Star - Merlot Malbec - 2003

Falling Star, Merlot Malbec, 2003. Argentinean. Extremely affordable at 5-8 USD per bottle. A reliable, affordable, excellent everyday malbec/merlot mix - 51% merlot, 49% malbec. We try to keep a case on hand as our default break-out-a-bottle wine. Gives other "affordable" merlot a run for their money. We highly recommend giving this wine a try. We've had 2001 and 2003 and were never disappointed.

Vintaged and bottled by: Bodegas Trapiche, A-71058, Mendoza, Argentina. Imported by Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd, New York, NY.

Tommasi - Viticoltori - Ripasso - Valpolicella - 1997

From the bottle:

"Ripasso" Tommasi is the unique result of refermenting Tommasi Valpollicella, Classico Superiore, on the warm grape skins from which Tommasi Amarone has been pressed. This process used only in rare vintage years, imparts a richness of character and personality of a great wine to an already superior wine.

This bottle was received as a house-warming gift many years ago. It was an unbelievably good Italian wine. One of the best I've had. Uncertain of availability and price, but seek it out if need be. One of my favorites.

Produced and estate bottled by: Tommasi - Viticoltori, Pedemonte - Verona - Italy. www.tommasiwine.it Imported by: Rolar Imports, Ltd, Great Neck, NY.

Chateau Ste Michelle - Sauvignon Blanc - 2001

Chateau Ste Michelle, Sauvignon Blanc, 2001. Fine sauv blanc. Flavorful, easy to drink. Probably in the 15-25 USD range.

Vinted and bottled by Chateau Ste Michelle; Woodinville, WA. www.ste-michelle.com

Electric Reindeer - White Zinfandel

Received as a gift from Whiny Bitch and Mr. Whiny Bitch. Unsure of availability and price. Good zinfandel...quite enjoyable. Went over well with our dinner guests. Again, lack of details, as this was drunk prior to the creation of IVV.

Vinted and bottled by Electric Reindeer Winery, Santa Rosa, CA.

Château d'Arricaud - Graves - 1998

Château d'Arricaud, Graves, Appellation Graves Contrôlée. 1998. 750ml. Product of France. Imported by Pivotal, Inc. North Hollywood, CA.

Delightful. Affordable. Can't give better details as it was so long ago that we had this. Would love to find some more.

In Vino Veritas, Est. 2005

Welcome to In Vino Veritas, the wine blog for Clan Geek. Clan Geek is a gaggle of geeks of various stripes and professions. A number of them love wine...some to the point of having healthy collections in their homes. This is a place for them to share information on the wines they've encountered, and their opinions of them. Good or bad (although preferably good), cheap or expensive, they'll all be here!

Some rough guidelines:

• Each post should be of one wine only. This will help keep this distinct and easily searchable.
• Each post should include as much identifying information as possible. Name, vintage, type, vintner, description of bottle and label, and nose/taste information.
• Where possible, provide an idea of where this wine was found (store, location, et cetera).
• Include either a known or estimated price.

So post! Read! Enjoy the wine...