December 2001

December Tastings • December Tasting Stats • Best Values • Top Ten Cabernet Sauvignon • American Cabernet Sauvignon • Champagne • Barolo & Barbaresco • Mosel Riesling • American New Releases • Imported New Releases

In This Issue:   • Reims: Crossroads of Champagne Jean-Louis Carbonnier gives an insider's guide to the finest cafes, the most intriguing shops, the best hotels and the friendliest caves.   • Beyond Beluga: A Guide to American Caviar Enterprising domestic producers have stepped into the fray with some top-quality caviars, and Tara Q. Thomas taste-tests a path through the choices. • Not Your Grandfather's Nebbiolo To barrique or not to barrique may provoke more arguments, but Tom Maresca finds that the most surprising changes in Piedmont lie in the vineyards.   • Madeira at Its Best This uniquely American wine -- the Declaration of Independence was toasted with it -- actually comes from a tiny island off the coast of Portugal. Madeira's storied past and promising future as seen by Peter Cobb.   • Furmint & Revolution David Schildknecht investigates the remarkable Tokaji renaissance, soon to reach fruition with the extraordinary 1999 vintage.   • Scion Language Every wine has its story, but where does that story begin? Rod Smith reports on the vinous lineage of some of California's most famous cabernets.