WINTER 2005

October 2005   Letter from the Editor   Fined & Filtered   Happenings   Cityscene   Nightlife: Scotch   Spirits: Whiskey   Books   Drinks: Cognac Cocktails by David Wondrich   Omnivore Czeched Bag, by Bill St. John October 2005 Tastings  Tasting Introduction   Shopper's Guide   Top Ten:    Zinfandel & Syrah   Values   Tasting Stats   Zinfandel   American Syrah   Australian Shiraz   Beaujolais   Portugal   Brunello   American New Releases   Imported New Releases

In This Issue:   Wine & Spirits' Best New Sommeliers Our 3rd Annual Sommelier Poll names the five most promising new sommeliers working in America today. Tara Q. Thomas profiles the winners.   Learning from the Masters Jordan Mackay tours the ivy league of sommelier education, the restaurants where a new generation of young talent seek out the masters.  Age Before Beauty Do old vines produce better wines? Patrick Comiskey asks the stewards of some of California's most ancient vineyards and the scientists who tend to young vines. Plus: Our correspondents report on venerable vineyards around the world.  Zin of the Fathers Rod Smith reports on one heritage zin selection, from 120-year-old vines at the St. Peter's Churchyard, that's quickly spreading into California's prime zin estates.  Mendoza Malbec Mendoza's 19th-century vineyards laid the groundwork for its current crop of vibrant, powerful malbecs. Patricio Tapia investigates this distinctive Argentine red.