December 2014


December 2014
A Sommelier Scavenger Hunt


Editor’s Note
Field Studies
Contributors
Fined & Filtered:
Luke Sykora on the highs and lows of Napa Valley’s 2011 vintage.
Happenings
Holiday Picks for $15 or Less
Spirits: Whiskey & Bourbon by Lou Bustamante
Wine by the Bay
Photos from Wine & Spirits’ Top 100 event
Tastings
Year’s Best
ChampagneUS Cabernet
German Riesling
Alsace
Barolo
Rioja
Port
Focus On
New Releases
US New ReleasesImported New Releases
Editorial Features
The Trockenwelle


The German Wine Law of 1971 focused growers on must weight at harvest, but a rising wave of dry riesling has brought the focus back to the vineyards. John Haeger reports.
Eat | Drink New Orleans


Sara Roahen tracks down essential stops for your next visit to New Orleans, where the city’s restaurant scene is back in full bloom post-Katrina.
Champagne to Finish


At Pix in Portland, Cheryl Wakerhauser stocks some 400 Champagnes to match her patisserie. Elaine Chukan Brown profiles the chef and her passion for Bubbly at the end of the meal.
First Annual Sommelier Scavenger Hunt


Finger Lakes Riesling. Santa Barbara County Chardonnay. Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. Washington State Cabernet Blends. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine & Spirits sent five teams of sommeliers on a hunt for New World terroir.