This month's wine selections are outstanding selections that showcase three unique wineries from three continents - each with a similar commitment to our environment.  Each has established itself as a leader in three categories of environmental concern.  The 2007 Santa Carolina, Reserva de Familia, Carmenere is brought to you from the Rapel Valley Appellation of Chile where it has been Certified Carbon Neutral with C02 emissions reduced to net zero in accordance with the CarbonNeutral Protocol - leaving a very small Carbon Footprint from production to consumption.   Composition of this ruby red colored wine is 86% Carménère, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot that exhibits an intense, ripe red fruit aroma with hints of spice.  Black currant and blueberry are beautifully integrated with moderate oak nuances as a result of 12 months aging in French and American Oak.  Vanilla, truffles and some smoky notes round out this concentrated, smooth wine with a long, long finish.  Best served with grilled red meats or a moderately spiced pasta dish.  Regular retail price 22.99 - Wine Club price is 18.99.

Last year (for those of you who missed him) Don Wallace from Dry Creek Vineyard was our guest at an informal wine tasting/dinner.  Don's forte is agricultural engineering and his work at his family vineyard, and throughout the country, has yielded some amazing results - one of which is the 2005 Mariner.   Wine Enthusiast Magazine gives it  93 POINTS!   "One of the best Bordeaux-style reds in memory from this warm Sonoma County appellation, this blend of all 5 Bordeaux varieties shows wild berry, plum, olive tapenade, spice and dried herb flavor, with tough, slightly rustic tannins that need time to melt. Give it until 2009, and should provide pleasure for another 5 or 6 years.  Cellar Selection." This is the second vintage of The Mariner, utilizing all five of the noble Bordeaux varieties, the wine displays compelling aromas of wild black cherry, blueberry, and dried flowers. On the palate, the fruit shines through with succulent cherry, dark chocolate, and cassis that integrate seamlessly with silky smooth tannins. The finish is memorable for its lingering fruit flavors that balance perfectly with creamy vanilla oak nuances. Meritage is an art form and nothing proves this more than this artful blend of classic varietals.  Regular Retail Price is $40.  Wine Club price $28.50!!

The story behind Dry Creek Vineyards return to highly acclaimed winemaking is all about their commitment to the land.  Over the past 10 years, Don and his wife, Kim Stare Wallace, have been a leading force in bringing about major changes in Sonoma's winegrowing community - focusing their resources on Sustainable Farming practices that have paid huge dividends in terms of superior quality coming from Dry Creek Vineyards.  They have overseen the total replanting of every vine on their estate - a very expensive and time-consuming project - but the results are fantastic and the wines - never better!  Sustainable Farming techniques, throughout the agricultural communities of the world and especially in the wine industry, are the hottest, most effective, vineyard management practices being used today.  The effects are astounding and we are proud and excited to represent Dry Creek Vineyards, once again.  Also - check this out - (for the bike riders in our club) - for the past four years, Dry Creek Vineyard has sponsored the "MS Waves to Wine Bike Race." Take a look at the website,  http://www.drycreekvineyard.com/news/news_list4.html.  They raised $1.5 million in a fully-sponsored, two day bike race/event, to fight MS and for research to help the more than 20,000 northern Californians struggling with the debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis.   Keep up the great work Don and Kim!

Our third leg of this environmental trio is the 2007 Livio Fellug, Pinot Grigio, Collio.  - 90 points Wine Spectator -  "Rich and fruity, with pineapple, papaya and a hint of licorice. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and lively acidity. Goes on for a long time on the palate. Intensely fruity."  The wine is refreshing, with a generously wide, distinctive range of aromas, with bell pepper, tomato leaf, mint with spicy notes of peach, apricot, bergamot on the palate. This 2007 is a great match for fish, seafood starters, risottos and baked vegetables.   Livio Felluga, imported by Moet Hennessy, USA, is a star winery in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy.  Know for their spectacular white wines, Livio is also highly regarded as a leader in wine growing techniques.  Small vineyards grown without pesticides and herbicides, the juice yields a crisp, clean, fruit-laden wine distinctive of the region and incomparable to most Pinot Grigios from other parts of the world.  Likely the best Pinot Grigio we've ever had - and offered to wine club members for more than $8 off the retail price of $29.99 - wine club price is $21.49.  A great way to begin a multi-course dinner or a lovely lunch or afternoon cheese wine.

Salud!